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...

This is an awesome Eisho Era Signed and Date Long Wakisashi (Almost Katana length) Sword in Shirasaya fitting, made by SADAHIRO 貞弘 (1505 -1521) Eisho, Muromachi Period, Iwami Province, Japan. SADAHIRO 貞弘, as listed in page 99 of the Index of Japanese Swordsmiths by Markus Sesko, and shown as SA 23 in "Japanese Swordsmiths by W. M. Hawley...

A small antique Japanese iron tsuba decorated with motifs of cherry blossoms blown in the wind. The tsuba is decorated in a way where on one side is a branch of the cherry blossoms and the other side is the flowers scattered on the ground. The flowers are done in a shakudo style technique. Size: Diameter 2.75" Height 0.2"

Early 19th century Japanese sword knife (kozuka) handle made of sentoku (alloy consisting of copper, zinc and tin) with inlaid scene of two birds on the riverbank by rocks, grasses and a woven rattan container with stones - such bundles were used for shoring riverbanks during floods. Excellent quality mixed metals inlays, wonderful crisp work. Some indents to the narrow sides from usage, otherwise in very good condition. Length 3 13/16 inches.

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...

Menuki is a kind of metal fitting of the Japanese sword, which was initially put into the hole of the handle. The meaning of menuki varies depending on the design, but they often symbolize strength, power, and courage. Some menuki also have more specific meanings, such as those that depict animals like tigers or dragons...

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...

This iron plaque is in a very good condition. Size: Approximately 2 inch (50mm)

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. This one is an exceptional model in terms of material, quality, interesting subject matter and the shape elegantly occupies the allocated space...

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...

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.

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.

A strong mokogata iron tsuba of tight mokume. I favor mokume work and this is a virtuous example worthy of any collection. Boar's eye sukashi decoration in the four corners. Uchikaeshi mimi. Tekkotsu evident along the mimi. Good condition with light rubbing of the patina. Edo period. 3 (7.6 cm) inches x 2 11/16 (6.8 cm) inches

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba with pierced design of four roundels with crosses among scrolling vines. Crosses may be namban (Christian) symbols or the mon (samurai family crest) of the Shimazu clan of Satsuma province. Excellent early piece with numerous perforations requiring enormous amount of work, precise detailing, gilding, wear and patina consistent with age. Height 3.06 inches, width 2.71 inches.

This Menuki has two hallmarks, “服部製(Hattori The Maker)” and “純銀(Solid Silver)”. Size: 1.75 inches (45mm) long

Rectangular-shaped (nadekakugata) iron tsuba decorated with two dragonflies with copper tara-zogan inlay.

Japan – Edo period (1603-1868)
Width: 2.4 in. (6.2 cm) – depth: 2.7 in. (7 cm)

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)...

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