The word “Higo koshirae” (肥後拵え) refers to a style of sword handle decoration traditionally practiced in Kumamoto. Currently, it’s leading practitioner is a man from Sweden.
“In Japan, he trained at a Tokyo studio, during which time he became particularly interested in Higo koshirae, a style that attracted him because of its simplicity and functionality. In the fall of 2015, when Koga moved to Kumamoto, he discovered that there were no active Higo koshirae craftsmen, and so he asked a retired craftsman to train him.”
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2018/02/18/people/swedish-man-champions-art-sword-crafting/
