Knife Handle (Kozuka)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The object titled "Knife Handle (Kozuka)" by an unknown artist is a long, narrow, dark gray or black rectangular piece with a textured surface. The object has rounded edges and features four raised designs on its surface. The raised designs depict insects. The insects are positioned in a row from left to right. The first design on the left appears to be a beetle or ant with antennae. The second design features a beetle or ant with antennae and foliage. The third design shows a beetle or ant with antennae, foliage, and a white oval shape on its back. The fourth and fifth designs feature foliage with teardrop-shaped objects. The background of the image is light gray.