Language: Japanese
Source: Standard literature

Description

Wari-kōgai (割笄) is a special version of the kōgai (笄) which means "sword-needle". The kōgai was a hairdressing tool that was carried in the scabbard with a Japanese sword. The wari-kōgai (割笄) was a kōgai that could split to form a pair of chopsticks, called waribashi (割箸) in Japanese. Wari-kōgai are seen from the Edo period onwards.¹

A wari-kōgai of the Edo Period with silver inlay.
Sold by Mandarin Mansion in 2020.

A very fine wari-kōgai of the Edo Period with gold overlay.
Sold by Mandarin Mansion in 2022.

Notes
1. Markus Sesko; "Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords". Lulu Enterprises, Inc. 2014. Page 519.