Also called *rokuyō 六葉. Lit. chrysanthemum seat. A decorative metal piece that consists of six slightly peaked petals that join at their widest point to form a heart-shaped pattern. The actual chrysanthemum-shaped nail cover is separately formed and attached to the six petalled base. A rounded collar maruza 円座, extends from the chrysanthemum cover. Protruding from the maruza is a rod-like part called *taru-no-kuchi 樽の口. Kikuza from the 15th-17th century are usually short and thick with the tip smaller than the base. After the 17th century, kikuza became long and thin with a greater tip diameter than base diameter. Kikuza were most often used as nail covers *kugikakushi 釘隠 for penetrating tie beams *nageshi 長押. Sometimes they were carved from wood, and the shape adapted for use on gable pendants*gegyo 懸魚.