Antique Japanese bronze Shakudo (mixture of Gold and Copper) menuki of a fu dog with signature engraved on its backside. Menuki are one of many components to a Japanese sword, mounted as an ornament on the tsuka (handle). They are believed by some to secure the swordsman's grip. Size: 1 1/4" Long x .5" wide

A container for gun powder used by samurai. It is in shape of hyotan, but made of wood and painted with urushi. The netsuke in the shape of mokugyo (temple block) with delicate carving. 19th century. In good condition. H:14cm Diameter:8cm

Miniature set of koi-nobori (carp streamer) which is put up on the Boy's Festival (or Child's Day on May 5). It is often decorated with miniature yoroi-kabuto (armors) or samurai dolls. Carp is a symbol of strength and success. 1970s. Two banners and outer cloth of two carp are synthetic. In good condition except for a small tip in the one of spears and one of tiny screw for wheels (yaguruma) is lost...

A fine Edo period portrait of a sinewy middle aged samurai proudly seated before a pair of swords, a table upon which rests an ink stone and book at his right elbow. Exquisite detail in the figures face and fine lines and shadows in the clothing are reminiscent of portraits by the great artist Watanabe Kazan. The portrait is signed Higashiyama Giryo and dated Tenpo 3 (1832) and the epitaph is signed Raijo. The portrait appears to be of a samurai named Kanda Hojo...

Here is a rare and fabulous Muromachi to Momoyama period (16th century) 42 plate koshozan kabuto signed by Haruta Tokisada, a famous armor craftsman of Nara active during the later Muromachi. The shape is exquisite, slightly bulbous in back, with a relaxed center just lower than the front. Three clusters of silver clouds are incised in damascene in the Mabizashi (visor), above which are 12 large hoshi rivets fastening a decorative iron plate to the front of the hachi...

A very rare find indeed, two early to mid Edo period matching Kashi-gusoku Yoroi from the same armory featuring Momonari Kabuto and Hotoke-Ni-Mai Do decorated with jagged bands of gold. A very impressive set. The sleeves are patterned blue and white hemp. The thumb on one sleeve is missing and the two hinge pins...

Japanese armor Yoroi and Kabuto helmet in classic style, wearable, adult size from early to mid Showa period (1926~1989). The armor is lined with hemp in most area. Dimensions: 67" tall. Box: 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 24"H

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...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground with dragonflies (some with aogai inlay) within scrolling leaf background, the interior in red lacquer, different necks, some chips, cracks (on red) and retouching. Edo period (17th/18th century). 11 1/2" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12 3/4" long.

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated in gold lacquer on a roiro ground with Ni-o, also known as Kongo Rikishi with delicate scrolling background, the interior in red lacquer. Edo period (probably 17th century). 11 1/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12" long.

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground. It has butterfly family crests (mon) in the center of a scrolling leaf and flower border, the interior in red lacquer.

The butterfly design was a favorite among the aristocrats and was seen in their belongings, ox-carts and attire during the Heian period (794-1192). They were also seen in armor of the Heike (Taira family) before power was shifted to the Genji (Minamoto family) samurai...

This is “kataginu” (shoulder cloth), only the upper vest of kamishimo without a trouser. Kami-shimo simply means top and bottom in Japanese. It was a high ranking samurai’s formal attire when they attended official meetings at the Edo castle. It was worn over kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The shoulders are arch shaped and this was the style that developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Longer trousers (approx...

This is “kataginu” (shoulder cloth), only the upper vest of kamishimo without a trouser. Kami-shimo simply means top and bottom in Japanese. It was a high ranking samurai’s formal attire when they attended official meetings at the Edo castle. It was worn over kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The shoulders are arch shaped and this was the style that developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Longer trousers (approx...

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 Late 18th Century Japanese suit of armor. This suit is an example of blue laced HON KOZANE NIMAI-DO GUSOKU. Seated height of 79" to tip of feather, 18" wide at the chest an 13" deep. Comes with storage box which is also used as seat.

Antique Japanese Sword or tachi with a black lacquered saya, fuchi kashira decorated with motifs of bamboo leaves (sasa), and an iron tsuba. The sword contains a signature which reads: Seki-za, Yoshida Kenkichi.

Age: Late 18th century.

Size: 43.75" width 3"

A late Edo iron tsuba with chisled decoration of a pine trunk and boughs on one side and flowering prunus blossom with bamboo on the other side. The three representations comprising the "Three Friends of Winter". The simplicity of the chiseled smooth surface successfully imitating sumi-e painting. Good condition - presenting more nicely than in the lighting used for our photography. Emits a clear tone when tapped. A pleasing piece that would add character to a prospective blade. The seppa-ana ha...