Construction methods of Japanese swords
This article will describe several methods by which the Japanese joined higher and lower carbon steels into their blades.
Kenka kiseru
A rare Japanese fighting pipe.For sale
Menpō with boar's hair mustache
A bushy mustache of boar's hair prides under the nose.For sale
Russet iron ryūbu-men
Rarer mask with a calm and dignified appearance.For sale
Black lacquered ressei-men
Impressive war mask with the sharp lines of a fierce old man.For sale
Hanbō by Myōchin Munekane
A notable maker of Myōchin family who worked in the late Edo period. Signed on the chin.For sale
Ainu tashiro
Large knife with beautifully carved hilt.For sale
Ainu prepared seal fur
A Japanese tsuba serves as a toggle for its suspension.For sale
Large makiri, impressive blade
Exceptionally well-made blade, still very sharpFor sale
Simple working makiri
Unadorned and with indigo-dyed cotton strap.For sale
Red lacquered Ainu koshirae
Of unusual form and with mother of pearl inlays.For sale
Ainu boat model
A miniature model of an Ainu canoe.For sale
Ainu makiri with Japanese blade
Otherwise a classic Ainu makiri. The blade stamped Shigenaga.For sale
Ainu ikupasuy
The iconic prayer- or libation stick of the Ainu.For sale
Ainu ritual makiri with antler
An unusual Ainu makiri with antler scabbard parts.For sale
Hawk and pine tsuba
Carved out of copper alloy with details highlighted in gold.For sale
Fine pierced nanban tsuba
Very delicate work with carved guardian lions.For sale
Hirado Kunishige tsuba
Of a copper alloy with a different shade on each side.For sale
Small Chinese saber guard
Of pierced iron, elaborately cut with lotus petal border.For sale
Iron nanban ship tsuba
Pierced and chiseled showing an 18th century European vessel.For sale
Hirado Kunishige fuchi
One of his classic designs, signed by the maker.For sale
Sawasa smallsword pommel
Upgraded with filigree to resemble a snuff bottle.For sale
Unusual nanban tsuba
Very finely carved with designs reminiscent of export wares.For sale
Fine Sōshū tantō
A fine tantō forged in the Sōshū tradition with Hon'Ami Koson sayagaki.Reserved
Edo bullet-tested samurai armor
With a heavy breastplate and charming helmet with cutout tantric Buddhist stupa designs.For sale
Fine autumn themed daishō
Both blades signed, its koshirae fine maki-e lacquer work. Ito school tsuba and Mino Gotō style mounts.For sale
Yagami school nanban tsuba
A masterpiece of the genre. The Yagami school were excellent carvers of iron.For sale
Three wise monkeys tsuba
Japanese sword guard depicting three wise monkeys conveying the message see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.For sale
Winged dragon tsuba
A fine and unusually large tsuba. Attributed to Hizen by the NBTHK.For sale
Peony karakusa tsuba
Executed in "nanban style" openwork with chiseled and gold-encrusted peonies.For sale
Daruma tsuba
A peculiar tsuba with a depiction of Bodhidharma and two dragon chasing a pearl.For sale
Nanban kogai & kozuka set (futakoromono)
The only set of its type known to me in both private and museum collections.For sale
Signed nakago kozuka
A by-knife for a Japanese sword, with a hilt shaped like a sword tang.For sale
Carved Ainu quiver
A rare old quiver of the Ainu of Hokkaido.Sold
Ainu styled tonkotsu
Japanese tobacco box executed in Ainu styleSold
Menpō
Japanese word for metal defensive face masks.
Ainu wood carving by A.H. Savage Landor
Ainu woodcarving as described by explorer and artist Arnold Henry Savage Landor.
Tashiro
Ainu word for a large chopper-like knife.
Komgep-makiri
Ainu word for a knife used for carving.
Very good Ainu knife
An exceptional example with deeply curved blade and dark wood mounts.Sold
Ainu tabako-op set
Carved from the same wood, with matching designs.Sold
Tambako-op
Ainu word for a tobacco box or pouch.
Ainu tobacco container
Together with a matching carved pipe holder.Sold
Ainu kuttom-ushbe
The larger Ainu knife worn mainly by chiefs.Sold
Ikayup / ikayop
Ainu word for quiver.
Red lacquered Ainu quiver
The traditional carvings lacquered red, and added decor of many brass bosses.Sold
Shiroshi
Ainu word for ownership marks found on objects.
Itokpa / itoppa
Notched Ainu markings on ritual objects.
Parunbe
A small triangular notch in an Ainu prayer stick used in libation ceremonies.