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.

Several sword mount sold separately to complete an incomplete sword. Prices range from $200 to $700.Details, photos and dimensions on request.

A kozuka with sea shell and seaweed decoration with gold and silver overlaid on shakudo (a pickled gold and copper alloy) nanako ('fish roe' textured ground.) The utility knife handle with filed gilt bronze sides and back. Slight bend and the nanako somewhat dented in places. Would present nicely enough with a sword fitted to hold a kozuka in the saya (scabbard.) Kogatana (utility blade) not included. Length, 3 3/4 inches.

Antique Japanese pair of jingasa, hats worn by samurai or foot soldiers. Lacquered black and marked with the mon (family crest) of the Ogasawara clan. The Ogasawara were descended from Seiwa Genji. They acted as shugo, governing Shinamo Provence during the Sengoku Period (1185-1600). This pair of hats dates to the Edo Period (1608-1867) when the Ogasawara were daimyo (feudal lords) of territories on Kyushu.
The underside of each jingasa has gold leaf and remnants of padding...

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.

A very unusual and rare mid Edo period iron Duo. Full wrap around breast and back plate with hinged shoulders plates. Detail of an incredibly fierce and deleted dragon wrapped around and suspended around swirling clouds.
In japan, the dragon represent wisdom, strength, force for good, wind, water and of coarse wealth. Dragons are destructive forces, but they are also considered guardians.
The collar of the undergarment is hand sewn silk embroidered with gold threads...

An excellent shakudo tsuba inlaid with a "thousand flowers" decoration in gold, silver and sentoku. The technique is particular, the tsuba is first cast in shakudo with all the flowers in relief, then chiseled. Then each flower is covered with a thick sheet of metal, gold, silver or sentoku, this sheet is hammered on the sides of the flowers as one would border a bed sheet. Excellent work , exceedingly difficult more than inlaid...

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...

Dismountable miniature bow of Geïshas. Some prints show us Geïshas using such a bow. Excellent quality, nice shakudo, silver and gilded bronze mounts well chiseled. The wooden parts are finely carved like a violin bow. It is stored in a box with 3 drawers where 16 arrows are set, most of them with golden characters. The arrows are made of wood and bone spiral or tinted green, and are weighted by a steel tip, some parts are lacquered and gilded...

War fan, gunbai uchiwa, made of bronze clad wood, in the shape of a butterfly. In low relief on front and back the text Hachiman Daibosatsu, surrounded by generic family crests in the shape of quinces. Hachiman is a war deity. These fans were traditionally handled by samurai commanders to direct his troops in battle. It is also a symbol of power. Japan, Meiji era, late 19th century.

H 21.5 x W 15.75 inches

Some corrosion, good condition

Japanese antique 15 ken (plates) jingasa hat for a ashigaru foot soldier. Made of iron with large rivets and edged with oxidized silver. Comes 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.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 23" high (including stand) x 15 1/4" wide

19th century Japanese kozuka (sword knife) handle depicting a a centipede wrapped around an arrow. Unusual and elegant piece, extraordinary crisp work - see the head and body segments of the creature and fine feathers of the arrow. Gilding, finely textured ground called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar, in great condition. Length 3 3/4 inches.

19th century shakudo Japanese sword tsuba with inlaid decoration of autumn grasses on both sides, all on finely textured ground. Shakudo (an alloy typically consisting of 96% copper and 4% gold) body, superb design perfectly capturing the mood of autumnal melancholy. Crisp work, black shakudo stems and gold seedheads, in excellent condition. Height 2 3/4 inches.

CUIRASS

Aged Japanese samurai iron armor covered with black lacquer and gold foil of practical light weight make for infantryman, dated back to the Edo period (or could be a little earlier). W 32 x H 40 x D 13 cm (12.59 x 15.74 x 5.11in). In such actually used condition as is, with lacquer-peelings, partial cut of string, etc...

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.

An antique Japanese full length tanegashima rifle with working original matchlock mechanism. Hand made of high figure burl keyaki hardwood with original translucent lacquer finish. The whole length of the hand forged iron barrel is inlaid with a swirling silver dragon in clouds and the crest of the noble Tokugawa clan with six character mark which reads: 松平三河守 Matsudaira Mikawa-no-kami. Matsudaira refers to the Matsudaira clan...

19th century Japanese kozuka (sword knife) handle with raised and incised decoration of a morning glory plant with flowers and leaves. Elegant design, excellent crisp work, wonderful warm brown patina, beautiful gilding, in very good condition. Length 3 3/4 inches.

Antique Japanese tsuba done in the finest craftsmanship. Made of iron with extensive shakudo nanako plate overall and with many gold blossoms. A motif of very detailed chrysanthemums densely covers both sides of the tsuba. The view in general would be titled, "Kikka Senpi zu" or Chrysanthemums in full bloom. Age: Possibly Momoyama Period. Size: Diameter: 2.75"