Ovoid-shaped (nagamarugata) iron tsuba hammered and chased with medallions. On one side, medallions of a dragon with gold highlights and a komainu (or shishi – lion dog guarding the temple). On the other one, a medallion of waves and clouds with gold highlights

Tanaka school
Japan – Edo period (1603-1868)
Width: 3.1 in. (8 cm) – depth: 3.3 in. (8.5 cm)

18th century or earlier unsigned iron Japanese sword tsuba depicting four scholars and an attendant boy in a bamboo grove. Nicely designed piece with copper, bronze and silver inlays with gilding, old deterioration to both top and bottom part, but the design and detailing is there - see their faves and robe patterns. Great example of early work. Height 3.14 inches.

Antique Japanese pair of armor boxes. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and lacquered a deep reddish orange color with black details. Iron hardware including carrying handles. The crest is that of two crossing hawk feathers (Takanoha), possibly the crest of the Abe Clan. The Abe Clan (安倍氏, Abe-shi) was a samurai family that was close to the Tokugawa shogunate.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 19 1/2" high x 14 3/4" wide x 14 1/4" deep (each box)

Iron tsuba inlaid in nunomé zogan (damascened) of gold of different colors. Japanese work from the Edo period 18°-19° century, the artist's signature should give a precise date of creation. The scene finely cut in iron shows us a medieval fight on a bridge, perhaps that of Uji near Nara...

Of Hon-kozane Ni-mai-do type composed of thin bands with multicolored silk lacing. A 62-plates Akoda-nari suji-kabuto in brown iron, signed Myochin Yoshihiza. A finely chiseled bronze and gilt brass tehen with 5 levels. The golden brass kuwagata dai is carved with a floral decoration. The fukigaeshi are covered with leather and 6 rivets. The mabizashi is also covered with leather and silk strap, riveted and fukurin. The shikoro is imposing with 4 blades...

Antique Japanese jingasa (samurai hat) with Ōgi (folding fan) crest. Covered in black lacquer with the mon in gold. The underside is lacquered red and still has remnants of the original silk padding. With a custom metal stand.
The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather...

Antique Japanese 8 ken (plates) jingasa hat for a ashigaru foot soldier. Made of iron and finished with lacquer. The wear on this helm is consistent with it likely having been worn in battle...

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba with pierced “thousand shrimp” design and brass inlay of twisted rope. Excellent piece with numerous perforations requiring enormous amount of work, precise detailing, dark brown patina, in excellent condition. Height 3.15 inches.

18th century Japanese sword iron tanto tsuba with brass inlays of autumn leaves blown by the wind. Very good piece with gilding, precise detailing and overall mood of contemplation and melancholy. The plate has a dark brown patina, in excellent condition. Height 2.13 inches.

18th century Japanese iron sword kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt) with inlaid brass dragonfly. Crisp detailed work with fine veining on its wings, wonderful feel of age. Very clever and neat piece. Length 1.46 inches.

18th century Japanese iron sword kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt) with design of a dragon in flight. Wonderful work with brass inlays, great feel of age. Length 1.43 inches.

Early 19th century iron Japanese sword set of fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) and kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with relief design, respectively, of rhinoceros beetle by ivy leaves, and a spider in its web. Excellent quality work with multimetal inlays, great design, beautiful wear and patina. Kashira length 1.33 inches, fuchi length 1.46 inches.

Early 19th century iron Japanese sword fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) with inlaid multimetal design of a boar running among pine trees. Excellent quality work with gilding and copper and silver inlays. Length 1.5 inches.

Pair of early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting a wasp in different attitude on a tube containing their eggs. Great design, beautiful casting and detailing, wonderful patina. Length 1.4 inches.

Single early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fitting - depicting a butterfly fluttering above a wave. Elegant design, crisp casting and detailing, excellent gilding. Length 1.68 inches.

Single early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fitting - depicting a turtle. Beautiful design, crisp casting and detailing, expert silvering. Length 1.23 inches.

Antique Japanese mixed metal kabuto (samurai helmet) and iron mempo (samurai face guard) mounted on metal stands.
The kabuto is also listed separately as item #1464528. A rare example Japanese zunari kabuto (samurai helmet) made all of iron with a mixed metal (gold & silver) design of a dragon in swirling clouds. The eyes and whiskers of the dragon are inlaid gold and it's body coils all the way around the hachi (dome)...

18th century good size iron Japanese sword tsuba with decoration of Kanzan and Jittoku in conversation According to a legend, Kanzan and Jittoku lived in a kitchen of a Chinese Zen Buddhist monastery and talked nonsensical language, which some took as a sign of them being enlightened. Wonderful design, beautiful applied gold decoration of their robe patterns, crisp metalwork, in great condition. Height 3.23 inches.

18th century iron Japanese sword tsuba with inlaid brass decoration of rice plants with seeds and leaves. Essentially the piece is a wish for prosperity. Superbly elegant design, crisp metalwork, in great condition. Height 2.9 inches.

18th century or earlier iron Japanese sword tsuba with inlaid brass decoration of chrysanthemum flowers. Chrysanthemums (kiku) symbolize royalty, longevity and rejuvenation, and are the Imperial Family Emblem. Wonderful design, in great condition. Height 2.82 inches.

18th century good size iron Japanese sword tsuba with decoration of paulownia leaves and flowers. Paulownia (kiri) is considered to be a Princess tree in Japan and was featured in the crest of the Toyotomi clan, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Wonderful design, gold highlights, in great condition. Height 3.4 inches.

18th century or earlier iron sukashi Japanese sword tsuba with pierced decoration of bamboo and plum flowers. They represent two out of the Three Friends of Winter (pine, bamboo and plum) celebrated for the fact that they do not wither as the cold days deepen into the winter season unlike many other plants. Wonderful design, in great condition. Height 2.73 inches.

18th century or earlier iron sukashi Japanese sword tsuba with pierced decoration of gnarled pine trunk and needle clusters - Japanese symbol of good luck and longevity. Powerful design, overall in great condition. Height 3.18 inches.

Antique Japanese long tanegashima matchlock rifle with silver inlay of a water dragon in the clouds. Bronze hardware decorations including a fu-dog and chrysanthemum blossoms. A silver moku-ka mon in two places is that of the Oda clan, a daimyo family which was a strong political force in unifying Japan during the mid 16th century.

Guns were first introduced to Japan during the Sengoku era through the Portuguese in 1543...

Antique Japanese Tanegashima long matchlock rifle. The entirety length of cast iron barrel is decorated with mixed metal inlay of birds and flowers, an unusual motif for a rifle. The gold mon is of the Kobayakawa clan, a powerful samurai clan with close ties to the Mōri family.

Guns were first introduced to Japan during the Sengoku era through the Portuguese in 1543...

Rare Japanese circular jingasa with a gradual domed top, made of iron and decorated with a dragon flying in raised, billowing clouds. The dragon's eyes are of inlaid gold, the rim of the jingasa is bronze and the dome's top has a copper ring tama buchi. The underside is lacquered red. The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather...

Rare maedate (frontal element of the Japanese helmet) representing a Ho-oh (phoenix). The bird is in cut, embossed and chiseled copper. Red oxide patina, gilding and silvering. Metal maedates are very rare and almost always made of iron. The most common, without much interest, are made of wood...

Japanese rare and unusually beautiful short matchlock rifle. The wide iron barrel is inlaid with a dragon in silver with raised golden eyes. The handle is lacquered black and decorated with gold lacquer kuyo (nine-star) mon crest, which was used by more than one family including the Katakura and Matsukura samurai clans. This mon appears again inlaid in silver around the mouth of the rifle. Made by one of the Kunitomo, specialized gunsmiths to the samurai.
A long kanji inscription on the un...

Cut iron tsuba. Decor of dragons and sacred pearls. Inside the beads, tiny iron balls are mobile. The style is called Namban. This kind of tsuba is little represented without however being rare. But the model presented here is exceptionally of excellent quality. Indeed the blacksmith has cut out his pattern excessively finely like an iron lace. We do not know of a model with such thin wires cut at the extreme limit of the constraints of the metal. Japan early Edo about 1700. Dimensions: 65x2m...

Japanese sword hilt (tsuba) in gold damascened iron (nunomezogan). The metal is finely cut with dragons pursuing the sacred pearl in the Namban style. The pearl is pierced and contains a small movable ball. Japanese work beginning of the 17th century Edo period. Dimensions 72x5mm Good condition.

Very large iron tsuba representing a man riding a giant boar. This illustrates the story of a hunter who to defend his lord during a hunting party jumped on a boar, rode it, sat upside down and stabbed it to death. This brave hunter was called Nitan No Shiro and the action took place around Mount Fuji. The tsuba is in hammered iron, the drawings of the hunter and the boar are incised with a chisel, the hat of Nitan is inlaid in sentoku (copper) some details are in gilded bronze or gold. On the...

Tsuba in shakudo decorated with a floral basket flown over by butterflies. Inlays (Taka Zogan) in solid gold, in fact the flowers are not in gilded copper as usual but in cast solid gold. The nanako background is particularly regular and deep. The artist used gold of two shades, a pure yellow and a pale yellow probably due to the addition of platinum or silver. Anonymous despite the excellent quality. Japan 19th century or before. 76x4mm

Cut iron tsuba. Mysterious motif where two spades appear which should represent spearheads or swords. The tail of Japanese dragons is sometimes depicted in this way. The decor is simple but very elegant. The carving as well as the finish are very neat. Difficult to date with precision. Probably from the Edo period, maybe earlier. Wide: 79mm Thickness: 5mm Good condition

Solid gold, silver, shibuichi and sentoku inlaid shakudo tsuba. The setting presents us with a Japanese warrior slaying an enemy wearing foreign armor that seems to be Chinese or even Mongol. This could be a reference to the attempted invasion of Japan by China Mongols in the 13th century. The tsuba bears the signature of Yoshiaki who was one of the greatest artists of his time. He was excessively copied throughout the 19th century, the tsubas bearing his signature are innumerable and the real w...

Japanese iron cut sword guard in silhouette of pagoda and houses in a tranquil lake landscape. Some details inlaid in gold. It feels like a long way from war. The carving is of very good quality which is not always the case on this kind of tsuba which most often are less well executed. The reliefs are very deep which gives a beautiful relief but requires more effort. The style seems to be that of the Soten school. There is the artist's signature which should tell us precisely about the date and...

Tsuba in cut iron, details inlaid in solid gold. The characters are excessively in relief, thickness of the tsuba 4.8 mm and 9.6 mm for the characters. Diameter: 76mm. Decor representing Jô and Uba with their broom and rake under a pine tree. This refers to the legend of 2 lovers who, united for life, were very happy and together became very old. They died the same day at the same time. Their spirit lives in 2 old pines, one in Sumi-Yoshi and one on the beach of Taka-Sago. On full moon evening...

Antique Japanese Yokohagi Okegawa Dō samurai armor of the Edo Period (early 19th century). The kabuto (helmet) is of 64 ken plate construction with a dramatic maedate in the form of a dragon fish flanked by cresting waves. As the story tells, the gods took notice of a koi fish who was trying to swim up a waterfall, rewarding its perseverance by changing it into a dragon. The dragon fish became a symbol of strength and determination in the face of an uphill battle - an appropriate symbol for ...

A rare example Japanese zunari kabuto (samurai helmet) made all of iron with a mixed metal (gold & silver) design of a dragon amongst swirling clouds. The eyes and whiskers of the dragon are inlaid gold and it's body coils all the way around the hachi (dome). The mabizashi (visor) is edged in bronze and decorated with more wisps of clouds. The underside of the visor shows traces of original red lacquer. The shikoro (neck guard) has five layers and shows traces of black lacquer.

Age...

Ni-Mai do complete armour, (tosei gussoku), the helmet (kabuto) of the hoshi suji bachi type (visible rivets) with 62 lames. Signed inside the bowl but illegible. Tehen in gilded and chiseled copper. Maedate with demon head (oni) and gilt lacquered wakidate. The mabizashi and the 5-lame shikoro are made of black lacquered iron. The menpo in brown lacquered iron and mustache is of the ressei type. The teeth are silver lacquered. The gorget (yodarekake) of 4-lame. The cuirass (do) is in 2 parts en...

17th Century Japanese Samurai Sword Katana

It is 27.2 inches (69.1 cm) long by 1.7 inches (4.4 cm) wide and the blade is 20.6 inches (52.3 cm) in length by 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) wide. It is 1.5 lb.

It is missing a handle. The saya has stains, surface wears, and scratches. The blade has rust, flea bite chips, oxidation, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item ...

Antique Japanese bajo jingasa, lacquered military hat for a high-ranking horseman. Carved of wood with an upturned front rim and rounded dome. Decorated all over with intricate shell inlay in black lacquer. The underside is lacquered red with four hooks for chords. On custom metal stand.
The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru ) used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather and usually treated wit...

Nirayama-kasa which was worn by samurai when they practiced artillery. It is made of washi (Japanese handmade paper) yarn and black urushi painted outside and kakishibu inside. It has hand-painted wave and bamboo design with gold but faded much. Nirayama-kasa was made in Ansei (1854~1860), very late Edo period. It was used in Kanto area, not in Kansai area, according to the "Kinsei Fuzokushi" written by Morisada Manko around mid 19th century. Generally in good condition but has some wear. W:50.5...

A rare pair of Antique Japanese of matching matchlock hand guns. Iron barrels with hand inlaid with silver and gold dragons. The dai stock is of a hardwood and brass jiita arquebus's firing mechanism, sakura ramrod intact. With custom antiqued bronze stands for display.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 21" long each

A rare example of a Japanese bamen, samurai horse mask. Hand carved of wood to resemble the face of a dragon, this bamen was worn to express the power and prestige of the horse's owner. Custom fabricated antiqued bronze finish, ready to be enjoyed.

Age: Mid to late Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 11 1/2" high (14" high on metal stand) x 6" wide x 7" deep

Antique Japanese samurai's shiko ebira, open type of quiver for carrying arrows (ya). Finely made of carved wood with iron fittings and lacquer finish. Decorated with gold mon on a black lacquer ground. Comes with a set of 5 arrows and displayed on a custom fabricated bronze stand. Kyudo (the art of archery) was practiced in battle and in hunting.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: including stand: 40 1/2" high x 8 1/2" wide x 4 1/2" deep

Japanese antique samurai kura horse saddle. Carved of wood and lacquered with a fan motif in gold makie lacquer on a nashiji ground with inlay shell design on the maewa (front arched plate) as well as the shizuwa (rear arched plate). The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands) which are decorated with shell inlay on a black lacquer ground. The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo) and are s...

Japanese antique samurai kura horse saddle. Carved of wood and lacquered black with shell inlay covering the maewa (front arched plate) as well as the shizuwa (rear arched plate). The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands). The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo) and are slotted for stirrup straps (chikara-gawa or gekiso) to pass through. Obscured signature on the bottom. Mounted on cust...

An antique Samurai ammunition box made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with beautiful aged patina acquired over more than a century and a half of time. Family crest of the original owner as seen on the top of the piece. Hinged lid opens to the storage area below.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" Wide by 6" High by 11 1/2 Deep

Antique Japanese ozutsu tanegashima matchlock rifle with intricate silver and gold inlay of a dragon in swirling clouds. This wide cast iron barrel is further decorated with a three character mark and the crest of the Tokugawa shogunate. The black lacquered wooden handle has brass fittings and several gold lacquer Tokugawa mon. This type of ozutsu (hand canon) was used on ships for protection against pirates, on horseback, and as assault weapons to blast through doors. Often bales of rice had...

Antique Japanese long tanegashima matchlock rifle with intricate silver and gold inlay of a dragon in swirling clouds. The cast iron barrel is further decorated with a five character mark and the crest of the Tokugawa shogunate. The burl wood handle is set with elaborate brass work incised with designs of a rabbit, bamboo, flowers and birds.

The underside of the barrel has a maker's inscription that reads:
摂州堺之住
野田長右衛門作
Work of Noda Chо̄em...

Certainly Choki the devil hunter emptying his sack, it is funny to see the three devils captured and emptied from the sack depicted on the inner side of the kozuka, so the artist has cleverly increased his reading page using the reverse side as well.Many goldsmith techniques used. Partly golden. Sentoku silver and solid gold inlays. Probably Meiji period late 19th century. It would be necessary to find the name of the artist to date with certainty, I did not do it but I can do it on request. ...

Kozuka shibuichi inlay with gold and silver. I think ,with this large hat and sword that's Chokki the Oni hunter.The reverse striped simulating rain what would explain the large hat? Signed on side. Excellent quality. Excellent quality.Probably Meiji period. It would be necessary to find the name of the artist to date with certainty, I did not do it but I can do it on request. Fine condition. About 100x15mm.

Iron kozuka inlaid with a bronze or brass paddle wheel and waves.Details in silver. Simple but powerful good work. It reminds me of the Onin style tsuba. This kozuka seems to me very old 18 ° or before. Its simple appearance while being of good quality, its solidity makes me think that it was not made during the peaceful and sumptuous Edo period but before during the agitated war period of Muromachi. Dimensions about 100x15 mm

Iron kozuka inlaid with a bronze or brass lobster.Details in silver. Simple but powerful good work. It reminds me of the Onin style tsuba. This kozuka seems to me very old 18 ° or before. Its simple appearance while being of good quality, its solidity makes me think that it was not made during the peaceful and sumptuous Edo period but before during the agitated war period of Muromachi. Dilmensions about 100x15 mm

Kozuka of good quality.Shibuichi inlaid with silver, gold shakudo and sentoku. Cockfighting and a Chinese person. curiously no signature. About 100x15mm Good condition. 19th century or earlier.

Kozuka representing pumpkins and its leafs.Bronze inlaid with shakudo , silver, copper and gold. Some part gilded. No signature. About 100 x 15 mm Edo period. 19° or earlier?

An antique Japanese bellow (called Fuigo) made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Used by sword makers and metal craftsmen to blow air into a Kama to increase the temperature of the fire.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 19 3/4" Wide by 11 1/2" High by 6 3/4" Deep

Antique Japanese large tsuba (samurai sword hand guard). Cast in iron with an intentionally uneven surface to suggest a sandy beach or rock and further decorated with mixed metal inlay in the form of a variety of sea shells. Shakudo and gilt copper stand out against the dark iron. With collector's kiri wood box.

Age: Edo Period (1603 - 1867)

Dimensions: 3 5/8" x 3 1/2"

Antique Japanese iron tsuba (samurai sword hand guard) decorated on both sides with cresting waves. Unusual octagonal form and detail to each wave.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 2 3/4" wide

21.375" blade with a wild midare hamon. Nakago with eight-character signature "Harima Daijō Fujiwara Tadakuni" ( 信濃大掾藤原忠國 ) ; probably 2nd generation (1624). Nagako is possibly ubu (meaning that remains as it is since it was made) with three mekugi-ana. Blade contained in shirasaya attributing blade to Tadakuni. Swordsmith is listed as TA41 from W.M. Hawley, page 368.

SAYAGAKI is the writing on the shirasaya that is done by a sword expert for the purpose of identifi...