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.

Certainly Choki the devil hunter emptying his sack, it is funny to see the three devils captured and emptied from the sack depicted on the inner side of the kozuka, so the artist has cleverly increased his reading page using the reverse side as well.Many goldsmith techniques used. Partly golden...

An iron, Ko-Tosho (early sword smith's) tsuba. The slightest taper from seppa dai towards rim. Pierced decoration. Purchased from Andy Quirt (ex Skip Holbrook collection) at the February 2016 Tampa show, he thought it depicted gourds. I guess the beholder might see different things. I see Japanese eggplants on leafy vine (two fruit and two leaves) supported by a bamboo trellis. An uncommon and well executed, balanced decoration. The hitsu-ana appears to be original to the tsuba. Late Muromachi...

An armorer's tsuba, with very slightly raised rim on the strong, flat iron plate. Pierced decoration of a shrimp with pleasing, subtle swell along the antennae and legs (mostly on the ura.) Small, irregular brass inlays for the eyes (missing from one eye - not conspicuous.) The kogai-ana plugged with a copper rich alloy. Oval form about 2 7/8" (7.3 cm) by 2 3/4" (6.985 cm). Thickness at rim about 5/32" (.39 cm). Late 16th century to early 17th century - perhaps Momoyama period...

This katana (69.09 cm [27.2 inches] cutting edge) was purchased in May, 2014. Signed Kashu Ju Kanewaka Tsukuru/Zo. It was left in the care of a second party subsequently invited into the investment...

Japanese war fan, very thick and heavy iron frame that can be used closed as a weapon. Wooden slats (bamboo?) Maintaining the paper part. One side painted with a golden circle (sun) on the other a golden circle with a silver shade (moon?). Signed inside the frame...

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...

An antique Japanese full length tanegashima rifle with working original matchlock mechanism. Hand made of high figure burl keyaki hardwood with original translucent lacquer finish. The whole length of the hand forged iron barrel is inlaid with a swirling silver dragon in clouds and the crest of the noble Tokugawa clan with six character mark which reads: 松平三河守 Matsudaira Mikawa-no-kami. Matsudaira refers to the Matsudaira clan...

A Japanese sword "menuki" of 3 sparrows that was converted into an obidome during the Taisho period. The bronze color of the metal gives a naturalistic brown coloration to the birds--their beaks, eyes and feet are highlighted in gold. The fitted back is in 9 karat gold. Age: Menuki 18th century.

The pistol has an octagonal russet iron barrel with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". The dai stock is of a hardwood and brass jiita arquebus's firing mechanism, sakura ramrod intact. Good condition.

Dimensions: 16" L x 3" x 2"

The Japanese tantutu pistol has a octagonal russet iron barrel, with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". A stock dai of Keyaki wood and brass plate jiita of the arquebus's firing mechanism. Mounted for display on a custom museum iron mount.

Exhibition at the 2018 San Francisco Tribal Art & Textile Show

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8"L x 1.5" (5.25" H on stand)

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...

A collection of arrowheads, pierced with the single cherry flower of the Sada-uji and the double cherry flower of the Matamasa family crests. The central arrow with the Sanskrit character for protection by the deity Hachiman, signed Minamoto no Mitsumasa, Nobokuni of Chikuzei. Both clans Sada-uji and Matamasa were in support of the Tokugawa clan...

Japanese set of 2 Yari spears, signed Yamato Fujiwara Sensada. Hand forged steel, done in the same many and technique as samurai swords.

Early yari are believed to have been derived from Chinese spears, these hoko yari are thought to be from the Nara period (710-794), and while they were present in early Japan's history, the term yari appeared for the first time in written sources in 1334 but this type of spear did not become popular until the late 15th century.
During the ...

Japanese collection of 23 arrows with various shaped heads and a rare set of 8 Ageha swallowtail tips. Forged steel, 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.

18th c. Edo p. (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 12" x 4" x 12" Height

Comprised of solid forged steel head, cut-out stencil family crest of Sada-uji and Matamasa clans.
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.
These YaNoNe are very elaborate with saw-cut patterns like Sakura (cherry blossom), Inome (heart shape or boars...

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" H...

The mask is of dark brownish lacquer finish and the interior is black lacquer. The high jaw has two protruding hooks for strapping the cords, and underneath the chin is a vent hole. The Saru Bo is fitted with yodare kare covered in lacquered black leather with three lames plates and blue silk lacing.
Mounted on metal display stand.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 7.5" x 3.5" x 8.25" (10.75" on stand)