Japanese iron tsuba, an important fitting on a samurai's sword to protect their hands from the blade and provide balance. Decorated with relief gold lacquer image of a gourd and opposing catfish. The backside of the tsuba is gold plated, with commemorative inscription "Bill - Christmas, 1972". The plating is signed with 14k and 18k gold marks, and stamped Potter Mellen. With custom base.

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 3" x 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" (w/ stand)

Japanese circular jingasa with a gradual domed top, rough textured to simulate leather. The composition is of bamboo, paper, layers of Urushi lacquer work with green lacquer, the edges decorated with two gilt mon of the Mori Clan. The interior is finished in green textured lacquer with red lacquer accent. Mounted on steel plates for presentation.

The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron,... Click for details

Circular jingasa with a gradual domed top. The composition is of bamboo, paper, layers of lacquer work with intricate shell inlay. The jingasa is decorated to the edge of three gilt lacquer circular crests (mon) The interior is finished in red with its original cotton gear straps and cushion. Mounted for presentation on steel plates.

The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper,... Click for details

Stunning set of ten Japanese Ya (arrow) Yumi hawk feather and reed arrows with gold gilt lacquer and iron tips. Once used to shoot long distances by long bow primarily before the main introduction of firearms by the Portuguese in 1543. The "no" (shaft of the arrows are made from yadake bamboo and can have different shapes – straight, or tapering, these being straight.
Typically they use bamboo from the Kanto area. This is for a purely practical reason: bamboo will not grow fast enough... Click for details

Antique Japanese group of 6 tsuba (samurai sword hand guards), made of iron. Each tsuba is unique. From top left to right: suksahi tsube with aoi leaves and tiny inlaid gold details, sukashi tsuba with boat with sail in the mist and signed Masayoshi, sukashi tsuba with three gourds aubergine motif, sukashi tsube with boat and sail, sukashi tsuba with pine branch and mist, wangata tsube with two characters. Mounted on a custom antiqued bronze metal stand.

Early Edo Period... Click for details

Japanese samurai hanpo cheek guard armor. Black lacquered iron with 4 lamellar neck guard, laced with dark blue silk cords. The cheek guard is lacquered in red. Mounted on steel plates.

Edo period 19th century

Dimensions: 7" x 4" x 7" (10 1/2" height on stand)

Antique Indian damascened hand shield. Silver on copper, engraved decoration with black enamel ground. Mounted on a custom antiqued bronze stand presentation.

Late 19th / early 20th Century

Dimensions: 11" x 11" x 2" (15 1/2" on stand)

Antique Japanese Samurai meadate (samurai helmet decoration) of a gilt dragon made of hand carved wood with lacquer, and metal. Details of whimsical flowing hair and long eye lashes. Mounted on a custom antiqued bronze metal stand for presentation.

Late Edo period

Dimensions: 17 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 6"

Japanese set of 12 flathead piercing tip arrows. Polished, forged steel tips. Mounted on a circular presentation base. Ya used in war by the samurai had a variety of tips called yajiri or yanone; these arrowheads were forged using the same steel (tamahagane) and methods as traditional Japanese swords. There are many different kinds of arrowhead and they all have their own special name. Togari-ya is a simple pointed design.

Edo p. (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 7" x 2 1/2" x 13"... Click for details

A collection of 14 piercing tip arrows, forged iron, mounted on steel plates and armature wire. Ya used in war by the samurai had a variety of tips called yajiri or yanone; these arrowheads were forged using the same steel (tamahagane) and methods as traditional Japanese swords.

Edo p. (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8" x 3" x 9 1/2" Height