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

18th to early 19th century Japanese sword fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) with inlaid and gilded relief design of three differently colored quails feeding on millet stalks. Very good quality crisp work, different patinas, some expected. Length 1.48 inches, width 0.93 inches, height 0.43 inches

19th century or earlier Japanese sword kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with gilded decoration of samurai crests of paulownia leaves. Well made, finely textured ground called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar, wear as can be seen on photos. Length 1.32 inches.

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 design of flowering prunus branches issuing from an old tree stump. Silver inlays and gilding (wear), finely textured ground called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Kashira length 1.32 inches, fuchi length 1.5 inches.

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 design of geese in flight over fishing boats with woven roofs and oars moored among reeds in the marshes. Excellent set in Japanese taste with wonderfully captured mood of autumnal melancholy. Very well made, some wear to gilding. Kashira length 1.41 inches, fuchi length 1.48 inches.

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 bronze body and multimetal decoration of pine groves and a crane in flight on the background of Mount Fuji with snow capped summit and wispy clouds. Excellent sharp quality work, gold and silver inlays, in great condition. Kashira length 1.37 inches, fuchi length 1.5 inches.

Single 19th century menuki (Japanese sword fitting) depicting tanegashima - a matchlock gun - and a powder horn. Rather unusual subject, great design and detailing (see finely incised scrolls on the butt of the gun), gilding, overall in great condition. Length 1.59 inches.

19th century Edo period Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with multimetal relief inlays depicting a Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus). Wonderfully made piece with crisp metalwork, gilding and silver inlaid eyes, some wear. Length 1.29 inches.

19th century Edo period Goto school Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with multimetal relief inlays depicting ra bird on a flowering branch. Superb quality crisp work, multiple inlays of copper, silver, shakudo and gold, is excellent condition. Finely textured ground called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Extraordinary piece of Japanese metalwork. Length 1.4 inches.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.