Keywords: Japanese - Tsuka with Dragon, Chokaro, and Mules - Walters 5112683B.jpg The kashira on the end shows a rain dragon wrapped around a sword This iconography is associated with the Buddhist figure Kôbô Daishi also known as Kûkai; 774-834 who was said to have used such a sword to bring rain at the end of a drought One menuki is in the shape of the Taoist immortal Chokaro Ch Zhang Guo Chang Kuo holding a gourd The other is in the shape of two mules Chokaro had a magic mule he kept in a gourd until he needed it The mule could carry Chokaro for thousands of miles and did not need to be fed This is part of a mounted set century 18 19 Edo red-brown lacquer ray skin gold cm 16 9 accession number 51 1268 3B 79252 William T / Henry Walters Collection Baltimore date and mode of acquisition unknown Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by William T or Henry Walters none place of origin Japan Walters Art Museum license Tsuka in the Walters Art Museum Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review |