Longest 9.5", all solid bronze, only one apparently marked. Japanese Antique Yatate The Japanese yatate is defined as a relatively small, portable, case used to hold a Japanese writing brush (fude) and ink (sumi). In old Japan, yatate were stashed in the obi (kimono belt) so that when one needed to jot down a quick note or letter, they could pull the yatate from their belt, remove the brush from the yatate handle, perhaps add a drop or two of water to the ink basin and start writing. tw147