Four Japanese Tsuba dating from 16th/17th century with display stand.
-iron circular tsuba with gold incised patterns on edge with interior incised groves.
-iron clover shaped tsuba with interior heart shaped openings, applied gold groves of trees.
-iron persimmon shaped tsuba with moon showing through a cherry blossoms and leaves. Back side has bamboo with gold leaves. Overlay uses silver, gold over raised iron bamboo and cherry tree...
Probably Echizen province, late 16th or 17th century. Bizen province artisans also took up Yoshiro zogan inlay work in the Kinai (ancient provinces and surrounds) manner. Brass (valuable in the period) and silver inlay flush with the iron surface was thought to have been introduced by an artisan named Yoshiro, for whom it is named. Slightly earlier, Heianjo school work tends to rest atop the surface into which it is inlaid. Late Muromachi or early Edo period. Length, about 12 inches...
A Japanese iron war fan, or 'Gunbai'. These were accessories used on the battlefield to fan in heat but also as lethal, close quarter defensive accessories. A rare item not commonly encountered on the market. Black lacquered and with gold lacquer kanji quoting Sun Tzu (fifth century Chinese political and war strategist)...
A fine, Mishina school tanto, forged and signed collaboratively, Omi no Kami Minamoto Hisamichi and Chakushi Minamoto Rai Hisatsugu with edakiku (branched chrysanthemum) above the two signatures. Dated on the verso 'a day in August of Genroku 15' (1702). In full polish, in shirasaya, accompanied with original koshirae with fine fittings including floral and snow on persimmons motifs. Included are kozuka, kogai, tsuba, fuchi-gashira, menuki...
An original 18th century Japanese Namban armor with momonari type kabuto. The wisteria meadate and other occurrences of variations of the Fuji mon belongs to the Fujiwara Clans. The meadate matches that of the family crest seen on the armor. The black lacquered dou is textured with crushed oyster shell in fine detail. The armor is presented with the original hitsu (armor box) with gold beautiful gold calligraphy on the sides...
Shakudo tsuba with a relief decor representing foliage and flowers, with gilt highlights on a background of tiny dots. The tsuba is unsigned. Japan, late Edo period. Height: 7.2 cm. Very good condition despite a slight erosion all over the piece. Sold with its box.
Antique Japanese Yumi set of six Hawk feather and arrow reed. These were used to shoot long distances before and after the introduction of firearms. Mounted on a custom stand for a stunning presentation.
Meiji Period 19th Century
Size: 36.5" L each (on display 16.5" W x 4" D x 37.75" H)
The Japanese matchlock was introduced to the Japanese by the Portuguese during the Sengoku period. Originally called teppo, it was known as the name tanegashima where its origins was founded.
The tanegashima rifle where used by the samurai class and their foot solders (ashiguru) and within a few years of the introduction of the munition it completely altered Japanese warfare. This long rifle gun has an octagonal russet iron barrel with a flat sighting plain on top and a bore of 3/4”...
Introduced to Japan through the Portuguese in 1543. Intended for use by mounted samurai, these pistols where called horsemen cannon's (Bajo zutsu).
They proved however to be totally impractical weapons to fire, since the rider had to ignite a piece of chord to the lock, while aiming the chamber and at the same time controlling his moving horse. None the less, owning a pistol remained a symbol of a samurai family's power, rank, and wealth...
The netsuke is made in the shape of a matchlock pistol. It is composed of different material such as wood, brass, and iron. Constructed during the Meiji period for export to the European market. Mounted on a custom iron stand.
Meiji Period 19th Century
Size: 3.75" L x 1" W x 1.5" H
(4.75" H on stand)
A simple, small but stout iron tsuba. The Myochin line of metal workers were armor makers who also produced tsuba. The simple decoration upper-right here could be a flower head or a snowflake. Udenuki-ana appear lower left. Good condition. Height 2 3/4 inches (69 cm), Width 2 9/16 inches (65 cm), and 6/32 of an inche (5 mm) thick.
A 16th century Yoshiro Zogan tsuba. The type is named for a Kaga province artist considered to have advanced the late Onin period brass inlay art to that of hira-zogan - flush with the iron surface. The school also took hold in other provinces, most notably Bizen. The mokko-gata form of this tsuba would appear to be uncommon for Yoshiro Zogan tsuba particularly of katana size. Eight ka-mon are inlaid in open work fashion...
An armorer's (katshushi) tsuba by Miochin Munekane (signed.) Of smaller size associated with wakizashi. Engraved katakiri-bori flowers and vine decoration (six petals on vine, possibly clematis.) Artist line active between 1818 and 1887. Ex Robert Haynes collection. Good condition. A larger, sukashi tsuba at least by the same line, also signed Miochin Munekane, is in the Brooklyn Museum. 2 9/16 inches (6.5 cm) X 2 3/8 inches (6.1 cm) and 1/8 inch (.4 cm) thick.
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
Antique Japanese iron tsuba. Used as a sword fitting where the blade meets the handle. Designed to protect the hands of the Warrior. Unusual three dimensional rippling wave/cloud patterns. Hand forged to look like natural wood graining. Includes padded storage box. Edo period (1615-1868)
Size: 3.25" x 3"
Antique Japanese matching Katana (long) and Wakazashi (short) swords, from the Shinto Period (1579-1763). Both swords have a beautiful dark brown patina on the tang with visible laminar construction on the blades. The blades have been fully polished and have paper work from the NBRHK in Japan. Each sword comes with a matching bag for protection. Wonderful details including side knives and menuki. The tsuba on the Wakizashi is shakudo. The Tsuba on the Katana is made of iron with beautiful mixed ...
Japanese antique tsuba (hand guard for a samurai sword), cast all of iron. The motif appears to be a combination of two kamon (family crests); one being the inside part of a mokko crest and the other the swirling comma shaped arms of a tomoe or mitsudomoe (Shinto) mon. The resulting design is an open work of elegant lines. Edo Period.
Size: 3 1/8" wide diameter
Antique Japanese tsuba (hand guard for a samurai sword), made all of iron and cast in the form of a daikon raddish. The leafy tops of the daikon are highly raised and the raddish root itself twists around becoming the circular rounded edge of the tsuba. Wonderful three dimensional quality. Edo Period.
Size: 3" wide diameter