An exempliary Japanese 18th century Edo Period Myochin school iron somen (full facial armor). Constructed in three sections producing a very expressive fearsome face. The stylized curled eyebrows, bulging eyes, forehead wrinkles repouse in high relief.
The bulbous noise and upper lip is riveted on. The mouth section has two large rings on the cheeks and is hinged to the upper face portion. The chin has two cord pegs. The sides have iron coverings to protect he ears...

Antique Japanese jingasa (samuai's hat). Overlapping panels similar to that of a samurai's movable armor and embellished with metal spikes. Lacquered a brownish black with three distinctive Myoga (ginger) kamon of the Nabeshima clan in gold lacquer. The underside is lacquered red. Comes with a custom metal stand.

The Nabeshima clan of Hizen Province controlled Saga Domain from the late Sengoku period through the Edo period...

A Mounted Antique Japanese jingasa, samurai's hat. Lacquered a deep brown color with a pattern of armor pieces cross stitched together and decorated with gold double agehonocho (swallowtail butterfly) crest of the Taira clan (also called Heike clan)...

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...

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)...

An Edo period suit of raw iron with all matching parts, featuring 16 plate helmet with two lame shikoro and large fukigaeshi. The mask is fantastic, a real stunner with dramatic features and a large mustache. It has five plate sode and a go-mai-do cuirass of five iron plates, with kusazuri of leather scales. The sangu are all matching, very nice on dark silk tightly woven iron scales, with a crest in brass on the back of the hands...

Antique haidate(Echu style), samurai's thigh guard, with metal pieces and chain on stencil dyed (katazome) cotton. The metalwork is older, probably from the 17th to 18th century. This was probably remade sometimes later in the Meiji period. Dimensions are 21 1/4” wide and 21 3/4" long with ties on both sides.

An unusual Ryoku Odoshi Ni-Mai-Do Gusoku armor of pleated horizontal plates and Armadillo scale mae-ate reminiscent of the leather covers on the front of older O-yoroi with an inscription inside the box lid attesting the armor to the property of Prince Arisugawa Taruhito. It features a black lacquered 62 plate suji kabuto with simple brass Tehen Kanamono and 6 lame shikoro with arisugawa crest on the fukigaeshi and genuine armadillo tail maedate...

A conical Jingasa battle hat 6-1/2 inches (16.5 cm) high, 14-1/2 inches (37 cm) diameter entirely gilded outside with genuine gold. Inside is lacquered black and retains the tie holds for the liner. There is some writing within, and a maru-ichi crest. There is damage to the peak and edges, but is quite impressive looking, and was likely used by the immediate vanguard of the Daimyo. One of two variations we have, they are from Omi province, just outside of Kyoto in old Japan.

Samurai Helmet depicted respectfully displayed on the stand. Painted on silk with ink and kindei, which is gold pigments. The kabuto was an important part of the equipment of the samurai, and played a symbolic role as well, which may explain the Japanese expressions, sayings and codes related to them. The Signature reads Tosanomori Mitsuzane (The load of Tosa) and sealed...

A beautiful 19th century miniature armor with storage box, made for a gogatsu ningyo doll to display on the Boy's day. Made of black lacquered papier-mache, partial with gilt relief decoration of waves, bound together with brown cord ties. Few parts as the maedate made of metal, the fabric is a Japanese brocade. Condition: traces of usage, wear, small chips and few cracks. The menpo is a bit squashed and has losses, one fukigaeshi is buckled. Dimension: yoroi: 30 cm x 16 cm.

Antique Japanese black lacquer jingasa (samurai helmet), gold lacquer Maeda mon (crest), the edges are also lacquered gold, red lacquer on the underside, metal chrysanthemum form finial on top, Meiji Period. Size: 14" long

Tombo Eboshi-Nari Okegawa Do Gushoku, a rare and wonderful Japanese antique suit of armor: Eboshi helmet (represents one who has attained manhood distinguished by an Original dragonfly (tombo meadate) carved of wood and lacquered gold. It is original to the suit of armor and it represents perseverance and transformation. The half mask or monkey form (saru bo) covers only the jaw portion of the face...

Antique Japanese jingasa helmet, made of riveted iron panels in black lacquered, with the inside of the helmet is lacquered in red. On the front is a large ume (plum blossom) mon (family crest) belonging to the Maeda Family (ruler of the Kaga). Since the helmet is made all of iron it attests to the wealth and influence of the Maeda clan. It is more than likely that this particular helmet was worn in battle showing ware that is consistent of its age. Original lacquer and patina.

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This type of menpo would have fitted a formal and archaic style gosuku with silk lacing and large sode style of the Heian period. The menpo is lacquered in a dark brownish black with stylized wrinkles. The ears are pierced with plum blossom configuration, turned strap holders, and a vent hole. The nose plate is well rendered with horse hair mustache and hook-holes insertion. The interior of the mask is lacquered in red. The yodare is fabricated with stenciled leather and 3 plate kiritsuke laced ...

A slight smile menpo in black lacquer, with angular high cheeks, making its naturalistic ears protrude outward. The L shaped strap holders are mounted on the dimples, the sleek shaped chin with turned strap post and a small hole to vent out perspiration. The interior of the mask is lacquered in red leather. The yodare is in the kiritsuke style plates of four and is laced in blue silk, calico, and pale ocher. The menpo is mounted on steel stand for display.

Docked for Exhibition i...

Antique Japanese meadate in the form of a hornet, hand forged iron with gilt brass plate. Mounted on a stand.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: Total including stand 7" high (meadate only 4 1/2" high)

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"