A rare and beautiful Japanese KOZUKA KNIFE HANDLE of a by-knife that is part of a sword mounting. It is kept in a slot on the reverse side of a Kattana Scabbard, often with a matching Kogai. It depicts the Gatekeepers arm-wrestling, EDO PERIOD (1603-1868). Shakudo alloy with GOLD decorated appliqué of the Guardian Kings AGYO and UNGYO. Size: 9.5 cm x 1.4 cm.

Iron tsuba in the shape of a chrysanthemum (kikugata), openworked in negative with foliage and geometric patterns.

Chrysanthemum shaped tsuba were quite popular in the Edo period as the flower was considered a symbol of nobility and elegance. Kikugata are often openworked in negative. This creates intricate and delicate patterns that reflect the level of sophistication and refinement of the craftsmen.

Japan – Edo period (1603-1868)
Width: 2.9 in...

Rectangular-shaped (nadekakugata) iron tsuba decorated with two dragonflies with copper tara-zogan inlay.

Japan – Edo period (1603-1868)
Width: 2.4 in. (6.2 cm) – depth: 2.7 in. (7 cm)

Ovoid-shaped (nagamarugata) iron tsuba hammered and chased with medallions. On one side, medallions of a dragon with gold highlights and a komainu (or shishi – lion dog guarding the temple). On the other one, a medallion of waves and clouds with gold highlights

Tanaka school
Japan – Edo period (1603-1868)
Width: 3.1 in. (8 cm) – depth: 3.3 in. (8.5 cm)

Iron tsuba inlaid in nunomé zogan (damascened) of gold of different colors. Japanese work from the Edo period 18°-19° century, the artist's signature should give a precise date of creation. The scene finely cut in iron shows us a medieval fight on a bridge, perhaps that of Uji near Nara...

Cut iron tsuba. Decor of dragons and sacred pearls. Inside the beads, tiny iron balls are mobile. The style is called Namban. This kind of tsuba is little represented without however being rare. But the model presented here is exceptionally of excellent quality. Indeed the blacksmith has cut out his pattern excessively finely like an iron lace. We do not know of a model with such thin wires cut at the extreme limit of the constraints of the metal...

Japanese sword hilt (tsuba) in gold damascened iron (nunomezogan). The metal is finely cut with dragons pursuing the sacred pearl in the Namban style. The pearl is pierced and contains a small movable ball. Japanese work beginning of the 17th century Edo period. Dimensions 72x5mm Good condition.

Very large iron tsuba representing a man riding a giant boar. This illustrates the story of a hunter who to defend his lord during a hunting party jumped on a boar, rode it, sat upside down and stabbed it to death. This brave hunter was called Nitan No Shiro and the action took place around Mount Fuji. The tsuba is in hammered iron, the drawings of the hunter and the boar are incised with a chisel, the hat of Nitan is inlaid in sentoku (copper) some details are in gilded bronze or gold...

Tsuba in shakudo decorated with a floral basket flown over by butterflies. Inlays (Taka Zogan) in solid gold, in fact the flowers are not in gilded copper as usual but in cast solid gold. The nanako background is particularly regular and deep. The artist used gold of two shades, a pure yellow and a pale yellow probably due to the addition of platinum or silver. Anonymous despite the excellent quality. Japan 19th century or before. 76x4mm

Cut iron tsuba. Mysterious motif where two spades appear which should represent spearheads or swords. The tail of Japanese dragons is sometimes depicted in this way. The decor is simple but very elegant. The carving as well as the finish are very neat. Difficult to date with precision. Probably from the Edo period, maybe earlier. Wide: 79mm Thickness: 5mm Good condition

Solid gold, silver, shibuichi and sentoku inlaid shakudo tsuba. The setting presents us with a Japanese warrior slaying an enemy wearing foreign armor that seems to be Chinese or even Mongol. This could be a reference to the attempted invasion of Japan by China Mongols in the 13th century. The tsuba bears the signature of Yoshiaki who was one of the greatest artists of his time...

Japanese iron cut sword guard in silhouette of pagoda and houses in a tranquil lake landscape. Some details inlaid in gold. It feels like a long way from war. The carving is of very good quality which is not always the case on this kind of tsuba which most often are less well executed. The reliefs are very deep which gives a beautiful relief but requires more effort. The style seems to be that of the Soten school...

Tsuba in cut iron, details inlaid in solid gold. The characters are excessively in relief, thickness of the tsuba 4.8 mm and 9.6 mm for the characters. Diameter: 76mm. Decor representing Jô and Uba with their broom and rake under a pine tree. This refers to the legend of 2 lovers who, united for life, were very happy and together became very old. They died the same day at the same time. Their spirit lives in 2 old pines, one in Sumi-Yoshi and one on the beach of Taka-Sago...

Kozuka shibuichi inlay with gold and silver. I think ,with this large hat and sword that's Chokki the Oni hunter.The reverse striped simulating rain what would explain the large hat? Signed on side. Excellent quality. Excellent quality.Probably Meiji period. It would be necessary to find the name of the artist to date with certainty, I did not do it but I can do it on request. Fine condition. About 100x15mm.

Iron kozuka inlaid with a bronze or brass paddle wheel and waves.Details in silver. Simple but powerful good work. It reminds me of the Onin style tsuba. This kozuka seems to me very old 18 ° or before. Its simple appearance while being of good quality, its solidity makes me think that it was not made during the peaceful and sumptuous Edo period but before during the agitated war period of Muromachi. Dimensions about 100x15 mm

Iron kozuka inlaid with a bronze or brass lobster.Details in silver. Simple but powerful good work. It reminds me of the Onin style tsuba. This kozuka seems to me very old 18 ° or before. Its simple appearance while being of good quality, its solidity makes me think that it was not made during the peaceful and sumptuous Edo period but before during the agitated war period of Muromachi. Dilmensions about 100x15 mm

Kozuka of good quality.Shibuichi inlaid with silver, gold shakudo and sentoku. Cockfighting and a Chinese person. curiously no signature. About 100x15mm Good condition. 19th century or earlier.

Kozuka representing pumpkins and its leafs.Bronze inlaid with shakudo , silver, copper and gold. Some part gilded. No signature. About 100 x 15 mm Edo period. 19° or earlier?