Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Swords and Related (3)

Relatively rare, this tanto comes from a large Japanese family as evidenced by the different elements that compose it. The entirely gold and brown lacquered scabbard with stylized clouds presents 2 mons from the Tokugawa and Matsudaira families. A dragon, made of silvered copper, crosses this sheath in several parts. The tsuka covered with shagreen has a frame also in silvered copper, finely chiseled, as well as the other frames up to the kojiri...

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...

Ni-Mai do complete armour, (tosei gussoku), the helmet (kabuto) of the hoshi suji bachi type (visible rivets) with 62 lames. Signed inside the bowl but illegible. Tehen in gilded and chiseled copper. Maedate with demon head (oni) and gilt lacquered wakidate. The mabizashi and the 5-lame shikoro are made of black lacquered iron. The menpo in brown lacquered iron and mustache is of the ressei type. The teeth are silver lacquered. The gorget (yodarekake) of 4-lame...