Bidspirit auction | A Japanese Etched Bamboo Sword

A Japanese Etched Bamboo Sword Cane with Shunga Motifs - A Japanese bamboo sword cane, also known as a shikomizue, featuring a natural bamboo shaft and a matching bamboo handle. The handle is topped with a root-ball pommel displaying a natural dimpled texture. The grip and upper section of the shaft are decorated with hand-etched gravure designs, including traditional Matsu pine needles and a series of Shunga-style erotic illustrations depicting human figures. The cane is fitted with a dark horn ferrule at the base which features two parallel incised lines. The handle pulls away from the shaft to reveal a concealed internal square-tapered steel blade. The bamboo throat where the handle joins shows a vertical hairline crack, and the internal metal blade displays significant oxidation and surface pitting. No maker's marks or signatures are legible on the exterior or the blade. Length: 89 cm Blade length: 68.5 cm Handle length: 15.2 cm.