I was browsing through one of my favorite junk shops today when I came across this peculiar belt and belt buckle. I bought it on a whim because I thought it might look kinda cool with some of my kilts.

I'm not sure what to think yet. The belt width is right for my UK but the buckle may be a bit big and gaudy... Yet, the buckle would be about right for some of my tartan kilts but the width of the belt strikes me as a bit too narrow.

Anyway, it was a neat find and here's a picture for you all.. The design is of a Chinese phoenix, and as Japan adopted much of China's art, language and culture, even centuries ago, the phoenix became an important decorative element in Japanese art and mythology.




For my next project, because the Japanese are master blade smiths, I'd like to see if I could adapt a curved dagger with a lacquer sheath and wrapped handle into a Japanese-style sgian dubh.