Italy Arms, Armor and Weapons

Suji-bachi kabuto A russet iron samurai helmet Mid Edo period, 18th century Signed: Jōshū jū Saotome Ieharu Provenance: L. Taelman Collection Literature: T. Orikasa, Helmets of...

Maki-e hotoke-do tosei gusoku Samurai armor bearing the kamon of Inaba family Mid to late Edo period (1615 - 1867) Kabuto bachi signed “Masuda Myochin Minbu Ki no Munesada Saku” and...

Mumei Nanbokucho Period (1333-1392), circa 1360 NBTHK Juyo Token - Nagasa [length]: 69.6 cm Sori [curvature]: 1.4 cm Motohaba [bottom widt...

Kani-nari kabuto Samurai helmet shaped as a crab’s claw Edo period, 18th century In feudal Japan, the crab was regarded as a majestic creature and was a symbol of the aut...

Hon-Kozane Ni-Mai Do Tosei Gusoku Samurai armor bearing the kamon of the Toyama family Edo Period, 18th century Hand-written origami by Prof. Yamagami Hachiro (1902-1980), dated 31 March 1964. Due to its high production cost, golden armor was infrequent during the Edo period. The hon-kozane (true scale) construction for the cuirass, the engraved gilt brass borders, and the haidate (thigh guard) decorated with a floral scroll motif painted with black lacquer over gold all indicate that this suit belonged to a samurai of a wealthy clan. The armor also features a nodowa, an additional protection for neck and throat that is exclusive to high-rank armor. The helmet is similarly of excellent quality: a 32-plate zaboshi kabuto with 13 rivets per plate and a chrysanthemum-shaped washer on each rivet. The broad sode (shoulder guards) and fukigaeshi (helmet turns-back), the visor’s shape, the use of stenciled leather, and the plate construction of the haidate are all distinctive of revival armor, which was being produced in Japan beginning in the early eighteen century...

Munechika ryubu menpo. Half mask for samurai armor. Late Edo period (1615 - 1867)-19th century. Signed: Munechika. Myochin school. The seve...

Katana Shinto Echizen in koshirae Early Edo Period (1615-1867), circa 1620-60 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token echizen ju harima daijo fujiwara shigetaka Nagasa [length]: 69.2 cm Sori [curvature]: 1.2 cm Motohaba [bottom width]: 3.1 cm Sakihaba [top width]: 2 cm Motokasane [bottom thickness]: 7 mm Sugata [configuration]: Shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, chu-kissaki Kitae [forging pattern]: Tight itame hada with masame in the shinogi-ji. Hamon [tempering pattern]: Gunome midare Boshi [point]: Komaru Nakago [tang]: Ubu, kurijiri, yasurime sujikai; one mekugi-ana - Origami [paper]: The blade comes with a Tokubetsu Hozon Token (Sword Particularly Worth of Preserving) certificate issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai. Koshirae [mounts]: The sword is accompanied by a good antique koshirae with high level fittings. At the dawn of the Shinto Age in Echizen province (now Fukui prefecture), native sword smiths from Seki moved to Echizen and were very active during the mid 17th century. Their work reflects the Shinto tokuden tradition of the time mixed with the Mino style they were bringing. In fact, the first generation Shigetaka, with the official title of Harima Daijo granted by the Imperial Court, had come from Iida (Shinshu) to Seki to become a disciple of Kanenori. Together with his master he then moved to Ichijodani (Echizen) to work for Asakura clan. This katana was made by 2nd generation Shigetaka, who studied under his father and under Kanetane; his style is similar but his signature is slender than the 1st generation. Both these smiths are rated as Chu-Jo saku by Fujishjiro and have a rating of 3.5Mil¥ on the Toko...

Small travel compass made of chromed brass, supplied to the American army during the First World War, shaped like a pocket watch, consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on ...

Iron back for troop with mark of the cross S. George of commonwealth and maker mark "HI". England 1649-60.

Koboshi kabuto signed Myochin Yoshiie Samurai helmet with small standing rivets Edo Period, 17th-18th century A 62-plate koboshi-bachi of typical tenkokuzan form, with 30 poin...

Nerikawa kabuto Lacquered leather samurai helmet Late Edo period Signed: Tsuda Kiyotake kore o sei (??????) and dated 1861 The helmet ...

Hunting knife with black leather sheath. The handle, in deer horn, features brass acorns. The handle of the knife, at the end there are two dog heads, wi...