Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Swords and Related (116)

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).

19th century Japanese sword menuki of Benkei carrying a huge temple bell on his back, currently mounted as a pin. Benkei was a famous 12th century yamabushi (warrior priest), and one of his daring exploits was the theft of the bell of Miidera which he carried to his monastery on the top of the hill.. Very clever design, wonderful detailing, metal appears to be silver with gold wash (worn). Height 1 inch.

18th century Japanese iron kozuka (sword knife) handle with low relief decoration of several shishi (Buddhist lions) frolicking among blooming peonies. Difficult to photograph, good quality work with gilded highlights, some rust, very pleasant feel of age. Length 3.84 inches.

Very unusual late 18th to early 19th century Japanese sword bronze tsuba with cloisonne decoration of a dragon and a tiger about to engage in a fight, the back with design of bamboo and flowering prunus. Wonderful pairing of the two most powerful animals, beautiful crisp work, in excellent condition. Comes in kiriwood box. Height 2.79 inches, width 2.77 inches.

Unusually large 18th century or earlier Japanese sword iron tsuba with pierced decoration of three dragons fighting among scrolling vines. Strong early piece with numerous perforations and three dimensional work, crisp detailing, gilding, excellent wear and patina consistent with age. Height 3.63 inches, width 3..44 inches.

Early 19th century Japanese sword iron tsuba with pierced decoration of water dragons contesting tama (Precious Gems). Strong early piece with numerous perforations, gilding, wear and patina consistent with age. Diameter 2.93 inches.

Early 19th century iron Japanese sword tsuba for tanto with raised and inlaid decoration of a shojo dreamily looking at a huge pearl on a rock in front of it, a paddle with wet working end at the end of the rock. Shojo are mythical creatures living near the sea, who are particularly fond of sake. Excellent design, great quality inlays - see the silver inlay on the paddle indicating that it is wet, beautifully inlaid textile patterns, excellent patina. Height 2 1/4 inches.

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba inlaid with cloisonne flowers, brass scrolls and cloisonne mon (crests) of the Tokugawa clan and containing three aoi (hollyhock) leaves. Strong early piece with very good work, wear and patina consistent with age. Height 3.2 inches, width 3 inches.

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba with pierced design of “hundred monkeys”, all in different attitudes. Excellent early piece with numerous perforations requiring enormous amount of work, precise detailing, gilded eyes of the creatures, wear and patina consistent with age. Height 2.74 inches, width 2.7 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.

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba with pierced decoration of chi dragons contesting tama (Precious Gems) among scrolling clouds. Strong early piece with numerous perforations and three dimensional work, gilding, wear and patina consistent with age. Height 2.82 inches, width 2.58 inches.

Pair of 19th century Goto School menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting a puppy with collar in different attitude. Superbly beautiful shakudo with characteristic black surface, crisp casting and detailing, wonderful patina. Come in very well made fitted kiriwood box. Length 0.8 inches.

Pair of early 19th century Goto School menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting a scholar, one with a scroll, the other with fan. Great design, extraordinary detailing with gold and silver inlays, beautiful patina. Come in very well made fitted kiriwood box. Length 1.18 inches.

Unusually long pair of early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fittings - one depicting a ferry boat among waves with a punting ferryman in wide rain hat, and the other a flock of 9 chidori (plovers) in flight. Excellent clever design, superb quality crisp work, fantastic gilding, beautiful patina. Come in very well made fitted kiriwood box. Lengths 1.97 and 2.2 inches.

Pair of early 19th century Goto style menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting three ripe fuyu persimmons on branches with leaves. Slightly different design for each piece, great casting and detailing, gilding, beautiful patina. Come in very well made fitted kiriwood box. Length 1.7 inches.

Pair of early 19th century Goto School menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting a bundle of rice stalks with other plant leaves and berries. Different design for each piece, very good casting and detailing, beautiful patina. Come in very well made fitted kiriwood box. Length 1.6 inches.

18th century Jakushi school of Nagasaki 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 iron body and multimetal decoration of scholarly landscape with figures, rocks, trees, huts, boats, bay and distant mountains...

19th century Edo period Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with multimetal relief inlays depicting richly dressed demon over a samurai with his hand on a sword. The subject is Omori Hikoshichi who lived in the 14th century and served Ashikaga no Takauji. One night during a shadow-casting full moon Omori met a beautiful young woman in opulent robes who asked to be carried across a stream...