Signed Japanese Edo suji’bachi kabuto (helmet) with a moon & cloud maedate

A charming gosho’ningyô (palace doll) of plump, seated child with a brilliant white skin and a small delicately elegant face, reminiscent of a young noble. The doll is playfully rais...

Pair of high quality cast iron chôshi (sake ewers) with a detailed lacquered lid. Its body with a refined embossed design of a bird of prey (môchô) perched o...

Rare museum-worthy Japanese lacquered wooden festival support for a flag. In feudal Japan this kind of supports sat on the back of a horse or ox during pr...

Important unique set of two suits-of-armour (yoroi), complete with two high six-panel screens, that belong together as is indicated by the used family crests (mon). Two crests are used, both belonging to the Nakagawa family of Oka Castle, Ôita prefecture on Kyûshû. They are: – the Nakagawa-kurusu, a circle depicting a Celtic-like cross through a ring. The cross was originally a Christian symbol but after the ban on Christianity in Japan the use of a hidden cross in family crests could continue. – the Nakagawa-kashiwa, two leaves of the Japanese Emperor Oak turned to each other (dakikashiwa mon). The remarkable aspect of this ensemble is the presence of matching crests on both the yoroi and the accompanying folding screens. The kurusu and kashiwa crests adorning the yoroi are elegantly replicated on the screens, providing compelling evidence that these pieces form a harmonious and unified set. This exceptional cohesion between the armour and screens further enhances their artistic and historical value. After the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) had interfered in the battle between the Lord of Bungo Province Ôtomo Yoshi-mune (1558-1605) and the Shimazu of Hyûga Province, he split the Bungo Province in a number of small fiefs and transferred in 1594 Nakagawa Hideshige (1570-1612) from Miki Castle in the Harima Fief to Oka Castle in Kyûshû. The Nakagawa family stayed in possession of Oka Castle till the abolishment of the military use of castles in 1873. In 1884 the Nakagawa family received the title of Count (a title in use till the abolishment of aristocracy in 1947). After the Nakagawa’s left, the castle and the building soon dilapidated and is now known as Oka Castle Ruins. The castle is located in Taketa Village part of Taketa Town in Ôita Province on Kyûshû. > Set of two tall byôbu (folding screens), painted with large red jinmaku (camp enclosure curtain) on a gold leaf ground. The curtains show both crests of the Nakagawa family: one screen depicts two Nakagawa-kurusu crests next to a Nakagawa-kashi crest in the middle, and the other shows the symbols the other way round. Dimensions: Total width 148.66 in/377.6 cm (2 x 25.35 in/64.4 cm, 4 x 24.48 in/62.2 cm); Height 72.63 in/184.5 cm. Period: Japan – Late Edo period (First half 19th century), and maybe even older. > Yoroi with Nakagawa-kashiwa crest: A Japanese black lacquered suit-of-armour (yoroi) completely laced with orange cords (kuro’urushinuri hi’ito odoshi nimai’dô’maru). A thirty-two plate suji’bachi kabuto (helmet with raised ridges) with in front a maedate (fore crest) -with traces of gilding- in the shape of flames, resembling a mythical flaming bird flying down. The fukikaeshi (face guards) and the mabizashi (visor) have the Nakagawa-kashiwa crest in gold maki-e lacquer. Five curved ‘itazane’-plate neck guards (shikoro) laced with orange cords. Together with an ‘angry man...

A lovely pair of very detailed carved wooden temple ornaments (kibana) in the shape of elephant-like mythical creatures known as ‘Baku’. Baku are Japan...

Rare Japanese Ainu navy blue cotton robe featuring wide red and white appliquéd bands along the edges with embroidered geometric shapes. Acquired from an Ainu education center in th...

This is an antique combat helmet made around 1800s in Edo era in Japan. Kabuto is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors which, in later periods, became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour...

Samurai Helmet "Zunari kabuto" with 3 black lacquered iron plates. Japan, early EDO period, circa 1610. Neck protector (shikoro), 5-strip hineno, laced brown, beige and green. Centra...

This is a truly exceptional set of 18th century Samurai armor that is sure to impress any collector or enthusiast. The patinated iron used in its construction has aged beautifully, giving the armor a truly unique appearance that is sure to catch the eye. The brocade silk and cotton padding used to line the armor not only provide a comfortable fit for the wearer, but also add an extra layer of decorative flair. One of the most striking features of this armor is the crests of the Hirate samurai clan that adorn it. These crests are a symbol of the clan's identity and heritage, and their presence on the armor speaks to the deep connection between samurai warriors and the clans they belonged to. The Kabuto...

Suji-bachi kabuto and menpo Signed by Myōchin Muneaki and dated 1853 Signature: Kaei 6 - Ushidoshi Oshu Nihonmatsu-ju Myōchin Ki (no) Muneaki saku Made in 1853 by Myōchin Ki Muneak...

A Japanese Samurai black-lacquered helmet (kabuto) in suji bachi style and of a goshozan shape consisting of the: - main dome (hachi) made from 16 plates in natural iron riveted to...

Elegant and sacred, rare look was its amazing wave textures. This beautiful piece with refined details shows a great stillness, which was made during edo period and executed with Jap...