Antique Japanese mixed metal kabuto (samurai helmet) and iron mempo (samurai face guard) mounted on metal stands.
The kabuto is also listed separately as item #1464528. A rare example Japanese zunari kabuto (samurai helmet) made all of iron with a mixed metal (gold & silver) design of a dragon in swirling clouds. The eyes and whiskers of the dragon are inlaid gold and it's body coils all the way around the hachi (dome)...

Antique Japanese 8 ken (plates) jingasa hat for a ashigaru foot soldier. Made of iron and finished with lacquer. The wear on this helm is consistent with it likely having been worn in battle...

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)

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)

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...

Japanese iron helmet inlaid with silver and gold. Made by 6 riveted iron plates. The dragon and cloud inlay is damascened (nunome zogan), the water drops in silver are in strong relief. At the front is riveted a circular steel plate representing a dragon. Signed by Shige Katsu. At the beginning of the 17th century, a Myochin Shige Katsu was working for the Date clan in Sandaï, it is certainly him...

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...

This exceptional tanto is very original, unique in its kind, it represents a bundle of lotus flowers wrapped in a canvas. The mount is in silver, embossed for the leaves of the sheath and cast for the flower buds at both ends. The seppa are in shakudo and gold. Some elements in gilded bronze. The design of the sheath is unique, it is a perfect imitation of a fabric canvas. It is made of woven bamboo fibers covered with lacquer...

Rare and exceptional tanto of the Koto period with a polishing perfectly revealing the metallurgical qualities of the blade accompanied by a completely extraordinary lacquer and inlays sheath. The blade is in hira zukuri with a forge (hada) itame, a quenching in suguha. The tip (boshi) is chu maru. On the nakago in ubu keitai there are 2 mekugi ana...

Hard to find Japanese red lacquer Chochin Kabuto. This example of munition has the ability to fold for compact storage. The front 2 prongs are made for the meadate ornament. The underside of the shikoro (neck guard) in black lacquer, and the lames plates are secured with blue silk cords. Mounted on custom steel stand.

Red lacquer menpo may be purchased separately. (#1371484)

Edo Period 19th Century

Dimensions: 13" x 12.5" x 10.5" H (18" H on stand)

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...

Japanese antique samurai kura horse saddle. Carved of wood and lacquered black with shell inlay covering the maewa (front arched plate) as well as the shizuwa (rear arched plate). The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands). The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo) and are slotted for stirrup straps (chikara-gawa or gekiso) to pass through. Obscured signature on the bottom. Mounted on cust...

Antique Japanese Tanegashima long matchlock rifle. The entirety length of cast iron barrel is decorated with mixed metal inlay of birds and flowers, an unusual motif for a rifle. The gold mon is of the Kobayakawa clan, a powerful samurai clan with close ties to the Mōri family.

Guns were first introduced to Japan during the Sengoku era through the Portuguese in 1543. From just a couple samples, Japanese metal smiths were able to copy and expand upon the matchlock rifle, changin...

Antique Japanese hikeshi banten, fireman's coat. Made of layers of cotton fabric and stitched in the sashiko quilting technique. Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel. These special coats were w...

Antique Japanese matching Katana (long) and Wakazashi (short) swords, from the Shinto Period (1579-1763). Both swords have a beautiful dark brown patina on the tang with visible laminar construction on the blades. The blades have been fully polished and have paper work from the NBRHK in Japan. Each sword comes with a matching bag for protection. Wonderful details including side knives and menuki. The tsuba on the Wakizashi is shakudo. The Tsuba on the Katana is made of iron with beautiful mixed ...

This superb helmet bowl is comprised of 64 iron plates that are slightly embossed between the suji, double front plates, and a washer underneath the top front riveted inside. The bowl has been given a very dark russet finish and fitted with a simple iron visor. The meadate is a forged iron hornet with gilt brass wings. The shikkoro of five - lames of false scale laced in blue silk and brown russet lacquer. Unsigned

Size: 14" L x 14" W x 13"...

The menpo features the gentle countenance of a deep vermillion red lacquer. It is composed of three parts; The removable nose armor with white horse hair mustache and its Nara style gilt teeth and open mouth, the cheeks and lower jaw with strap holder posts and its central vent hole for perspiration to escape out. The ears are pierced with both plum blossom design, and finally the four attached yodare with pale ocher silk. The reverse backing is lacquered in black and red. The menpo is mount...