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...

An iron, Ko-Tosho (early sword smith's) tsuba. The slightest taper from seppa dai towards rim. Pierced decoration. Purchased from Andy Quirt (ex Skip Holbrook collection) at the February 2016 Tampa show, he thought it depicted gourds. I guess the beholder might see different things. I see Japanese eggplants on leafy vine (two fruit and two leaves) supported by a bamboo trellis. An uncommon and well executed, balanced decoration. The hitsu-ana appears to be original to the tsuba. Late Muromachi...

A katchushi mutsu-gata sukashi tsuba. The six lobed, thin plated armorer's tsuba with good tekkotsu and with openwork decoration was described by Skip Holbrook (ex collection) as Saotome made and depicting three birds. The Saotome were a line of armorers (katchu) turned tsuba makers...

A katchushi (or armorer's) tsuba, probably Myochin, with pierced decoration of ship's rudders (the significance being a comparison of rudders steering a ship to values guiding a Samurai's life choices.) The strong, homogenous, dense iron plate with only light tekkotsu and smooth to the touch. Dark patina. Momoyama to early Edo. Good condition: Lamination folds with openings evident on the surface of one side. Ex Skip Holbrook collection. 3 3/32" x 3 1/16" x 1/8" (7.8 cm x 7.7 cm x .32 cm)

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).

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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...

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.

An armorer's tsuba, with very slightly raised rim on the strong, flat iron plate. Pierced decoration of a shrimp with pleasing, subtle swell along the antennae and legs (mostly on the ura.) Small, irregular brass inlays for the eyes (missing from one eye - not conspicuous.) The kogai-ana plugged with a copper rich alloy. Oval form about 2 7/8" (7.3 cm) by 2 3/4" (6.985 cm). Thickness at rim about 5/32" (.39 cm). Late 16th century to early 17th century - perhaps Momoyama period...

Japanese iron helmet inlaid with silver and gold. Made by 6 riveted iron plates. The dragon and cloud inlay is damascened (nunome zogan), the water drops in silver are in strong relief...

A simple, four lobed armorer's tsuba with simple pierced decoration perhaps depicting a landscape with structure. The udenuki-ana (cord holes) have the effect of completing the illusion of a Sesshu-like landscape. The saotome were armorers turned tsuba makers who worked in this manner and scale. Good condition with good tekkotsu. Sengoku era. 2 15/16 (7.46 cm) inches x 2 5/8 (6.67 cm) 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. There is no gap between habak...

This is a stunning example of an early Edo period Japanese Katana. The pictures can never do justice to the breathtaking beauty of this fine work of art. This Katana dates to around 1620 AD and is in remarkable condition. The tang is inscribed on both sides. There are no visible flaws. All of the fittings appear to be genuine to the period of the blade. More pictures available on request. Feel free to ask any questions. I am not an expert in Japanese weaponry but I will do the best that I can to...

An armorer's iron tsuba, possibly for a wakizashi as it is somewhat diminuitive in size. Or perhaps more in keeping with its apparent age, an early example of a proportionately small tsuba used with an uchigatana as was first the fashion. Sukashi decoration of a conch (horagai) traditionally used for ritual practices and for signaling on the battlefield. The rare uchikaeshi-hineri rim (mimi) is significantly raised and defined almost as if to suggest a separate piece of iron around the rim (thou...

This katana (69.09 cm [27.2 inches] cutting edge) was purchased in May, 2014. Signed Kashu Ju Kanewaka Tsukuru/Zo. It was left in the care of a second party subsequently invited into the investment. I hold title as the principal and also retain correspondence introduced with the purchase as well as a Shinsa document (images of tang [nakago] attached - note the three mekugi-ana [retaining holes] though ubu [not shortened].) I am offering $500 for the safe return of the katana and another $500 for...

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba made in a shape of two confronting SHU - Japanese flute instruments for use in Shinto ceremony and consisting of bamboo reeds forming a circular wind chamber. The lower parts of the flutes are inlaid with pine designs in gold. Very clever design in Japanese taste, wonderful quality inlay, some rusting as can be seen in photos, great feel of age. Height 2.85 inches (72.4 mm).

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 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 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.