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LOT 1378
Massive Elaborate Silver and Gold Inlaid Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock Arquebus - NSN, 72 cal., 27 7/8 inch round bbl., brown/ silver/gold finish, hardwood stock. An included note translates the gold inlaid calligraphic markings on the breech to mean “Ohmino Kuni Jyu Ietsugu” and indicate they reference a gunmaker named Ietsugu living in the district of Ohmino Kuni near Kyoto. The barrel also has a gold mon above the markings and is fitted with a triangular blade front sight and grooved block mid and rear sights accented with gold along with gold bands. The barrel is primarily decorated with intricate silver inlays forming a pair of fish with gold eyes, and additional silver inlays extend to the lock and furniture.
CONDITION: Fine overall with attractive aged patina on the silver, bright original gold, distinct imagery and markings, dark backgrounds, and mild overall wear. The brass lock plate and other components have dark aged patina. The stock is also fine and has mild scratches and dings, faint cracks, and general mild overall wear, and mostly glossy finish. The lock needs work. This is certainly as much a work of art as it is a firearm and is an exceptional example of Japan’s distinctive matchlocks, which were used well into the 19th century.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1379
Highly Desirable Signed “Imperial Guard” Pattern Japanese
Sword - Primarily associated with the Hian (794-1185) and the Edo and Meiji (1868-1912) periods, swords of this style are
associated with the guards of the imperial palace and wear as ceremonial weapons by high-ranking families in later years. 31 inches overall, with a 20 3/4 inch blade, a straight hamon, and attractive grain. The habaki, fuchi, and seppa are all shaped to match the elaborate tsuba, which is shaped
with a set of fleur-de-lis shaped ends and a pair of pierced through side wings in emulation of a four-lobed profile, with the habaki plain and the fuchi and other hardware engraved with a leafy vine pattern to match the main body of the tsuba. The grip is missing the menuki and the wrap, with a set of 7 (out of an original 8) small gold washed grip studs and a threaded blackened metal mekugi. The saya is finished in black and red lacquer, with a set of tachi-style hangers and a repeating gold mon on the sides. The tang shows a dark patina with two mekugi-ana, and shows a 6-figure signature on the left side; information from a prior owner attributes the signature to “Takata Shiyuki”.
CONDITION: Very fine overall. The blade shows some dark spots and grain openings in the left side, with some tiny nicks near the tip and an overall
attractive color and well defined hamon. The furniture shows mild wear, with some absent components. 284 Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000