18th to early 19th century Japanese sword fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) with inlaid and gilded relief design of three differently colored quails feeding on millet stalks. Very good quality crisp work, different patinas, some expected. Length 1.48 inches, width 0.93 inches, height 0.43 inches

19th century or earlier 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 gilded relief design of small birds in flight by clumps of bamboo, all on finely punched ground texture called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Excellent quality work, in great condition. Kashira length 1.4 inches, fuchi length 1.52 inches.

18th to early 19th century large size iron Japanese sword tsuba worked in low relief with an ama-ryu (rain dragon) in flight among wispy clouds. Clever and elegant design in Japanese taste, gilding to its eyes, in great condition. Height 3.35 inches (85 mm).

19th century bronze Japanese sword tsuba with perforated design of Shoki the demon Queller threatening a terrified oni with a sword. Nicely made, pleasant dark patina, in great condition. Height 2.96 inches.

18th to early 19th century iron Japanese sword tsuba worked in low relief with an ama-ryu (rain dragon) in flight among pouring rain and wispy clouds. Clever and elegant design in Japanese taste, gilded highlights, in great condition. Height 2.86 inches.

18th to early 19th century iron Japanese sword tsuba worked in low relief with a scene of a boy trying to scare an alert tiger. The subject is a legend of Yoko - one of the paragons of filial virtue. Yoko accompanied his father in the mountains, where a tiger sprang upon them. The boy jumped in front of his father, who was thus saved, but the boy was killed by the beast. Mountain waterfall and a gnarled pine on the back...

Pair of 19th century Japanese sword menuki each depicting one closed and one open hozuki (Chinese lantern fruit). Fantastic work with great detailing. Differently colored patinas, gold inlaid spots, in perfect condition. Length 1.25 inches.

18th century good size unsigned iron Japanese sword tsuba with a scene of an egret in a shallow stream with aquatic plants and reeds under a bare willow tree. Elegant design in Japanese taste, bronze and silver inlays with gilded highlights, overall in very good condition. Height 3 5/16 inches.

This is a highly unique and rare antique Japanese dirk that dates back to the late Edo Period. It features an old Koto samurai tanto dagger blade with a signature inscribed on the tang. The signature is attributed to the swordsmith "Kaneyoshi" from Mino Province. The blade is from the early Muromachi period (Ouei era), which was approximately 600 years ago.

This dirk never has a crossguard and washers (seppa), and the mekugi-ana perfectly matches the mekugi...

An antique Japanese Jingasa with gradual domed top with black Urushi and a raised lacquer design of a flying dragon surrounding the top. Underside is red Urushi. Family crest in gold on top and bottom of helmet. Bronze ring Tama Buchi. Worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and foot soldiers.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: Jingasa only 17" diameter by 3 1/2" high. Jingasa on stand 21" high by 17" wide by 7" deep.

18th to early 19th century iron Japanese sword tsuba with design of a shrew on a vine with ripe grapes, design continuing on the back. Crisp detailing, good design, gilded highlights, wonderful detailing in great condition. Height 2.82 inches.

19th century Edo period Japanese sword bronze kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with inlaid silver decoration of 2 cranes in flight. Wonderful design in Japanese taste, beautifully made piece, excellent crisp work with gilding to their claws, in great condition. Length 1.35 inches.

Early 19th century Edo period Japanese sword bronze kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with inlaid gold and silver decoration of various form of character FUKU (happiness). Wonderful design in Japanese taste, beautifully made piece, in great condition. Length 1.37 inches.

18th century Japanese sword iron kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with low relief decoration of Shoki the demon queller. Beautifully made piece, traces of gilding, great feel of age. Length 1.34 inches.

Pair of late 18th to early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting magpies in different attitudes jumping around gnarled branches and waves by woven rattan containers with stones - such bundles were used for shoring riverbanks during floods. Elegant design, bronze with gilding and silver inlays, overall in great condition. Length 1.57 inches.

Pair of 18th to early 19th century Japanese sword menuki each depicting a sitting spotted usagi (rabbit) with its ears spread widely to the sides. Great design with somehow funny faces. Bronze with black, copper and silver patinas. Overall in great condition for two hundred years old pieces. Length 1.28 inches.

Early 19th century Edo period Japanese sword bronze kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with raised decoration of various sea shells, all on finely textured ground called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Wonderful design in Japanese taste, beautifully made piece, obvious age wear. Length 1.34 inches.

18th to early 19th century Japanese sword fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) with gilded relief design of playful shishi (Buddhist lion), all on finely punched ground texture called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Excellent quality crisp work, some wear to gilding. Length 1.46 inches.

19th century or earlier Japanese sword set of bronze fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) and kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with low relief design of chidori (plovers) in flight over the cresting waves. Excellent quality work, gilding, beautiful wear. Kashira length 1.4 inches, fuchi length 1.5 inches.

18th to early 19th century Japanese bronze kozuka (sword knife) handle with low relief decoration of Kanzan and Jittoku looking at an open scroll. 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. Great design, excellent detailing, wonderful faces, very pleasant feel of age. Length 3.86 inches.

18th to early 19th century iron Japanese sword tsuba inlaid with branches of maple tree with leaves turning yellow and red, roots and cresting waves below, design continuing on the back . Wonderful work with brass and copper inlays, precise detailing and well captured mood of contemplation and autumnal melancholy. The plate has a dark brown patina, overall in great condition. Maple Height 2.84 inches.

19th century iron sukashi Japanese sword tsuba for tanto with design of a turtle with a very long tale. The subject may be a minogame (turtle with a long tail made from seaweed and algae accumulated from many years leaving in the sea) or a directional animal - the Black Snake-Tortoise of the North. Clever design and nice detailed work (see its carapace), a bit of rust, overall in very good condition. Height 2.16 inches.

A rare and beautiful Japanese KOZUKA KNIFE HANDLE of a by-knife that is part of a sword mounting. It is kept in a slot on the reverse side of a Kattana Scabbard, often with a matching Kogai. It depicts the Gatekeepers arm-wrestling, EDO PERIOD (1603-1868). Shakudo alloy with GOLD decorated appliqué of the Guardian Kings AGYO and UNGYO. Size: 9.5 cm x 1.4 cm.

Iron tsuba in the shape of a chrysanthemum (kikugata), openworked in negative with foliage and geometric patterns.

Chrysanthemum shaped tsuba were quite popular in the Edo period as the flower was considered a symbol of nobility and elegance. Kikugata are often openworked in negative. This creates intricate and delicate patterns that reflect the level of sophistication and refinement of the craftsmen.

Japan – Edo period (1603-1868)
Width: 2.9 in...

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.