山形金物 Yamagatakanamono / Yamagata Metal

What is Yamagata kanamono in Japanese Katana terminology?

This is one of the fittings for the Tachi Koshirae (sword mountings), used to connect the scabbard (Saya) and the Ashikanamono (metal fittings for hanging the sword from the belt). The Ashikanamono connects the Obitori (belt holder) and the scabbard, and since it is attached at two places on the scabbard, the Yamagatakanamono is also attached at two places. It has a high decorative nature, and it was often the case that the two Yamagatakanamono were of the same shape or symmetrical, but as time went on, it became more common to use different designs.