THE PICTURES CAME OUT VERY GOOD AS THE LIGHTING FOR THESE DISPLAYS WAS POOR. THE JAPANESE HAVE LONG BEEN NOTED FOR THE QUALITY BLADES ON THEIR SWORDS BUT THEIR SKILL WITH DECORATIVE METAL WORK AND ART IS EXCEPTIONAL AS WELL. THE MUSEUM AT CHRISTCHURCH WAS LUCKY TO GET SUCH A HIGH QUALITY COLLECTION AS NO DOUBT SOMEONE PUT IN MANY YEARS PUTTING TOGETHER SUCH A FINE COLLECTION.
THIS UNUSUAL ITEM WAS IN THE MUSEUM AS WELL PERHAPS IT WAS USED TO KEEP WARM AT NIGHT.
