Finely Carved Japanese, Meiji Period Shira Saya for Katana For Sale

A very finely carved Japanese Shira Saya. Unique in construction, since it appears to have been carved in four sections and assembled. The deep, attractive carving extends from the top of Hilt the bottom of the scabbard. There is a small space in the carving that appears to have held a metal insert that is missing. The family from whom Iacquired the piece said that itoriginally had horn at the opening of the scabbard and horn at the throat of the handle. They claimed that it had been in a Japanese Shrine and that the blade was removed to hide it from US confiscation after WWII.The overall length s 38\"
PLEASE NOTE: There is no blade. We are only selling the carved woodHilt and scabbard.