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LOT 3272
Suit of Japanese Armor with Display Stand - Constructed primarily from black lacquered metal plates assembled with blue and white cord, with blue/floral pattern backing material, hanging shoulder and hip protectors, and areas of “tatami” plate and chain protection
at the upper arms and thighs and hexagonal plates around the neck area. Mounting points for a swiveling bracket for a sashimono banner are installed on the upper back, but the bracket itself is absent. The helmet is constructed with 12 metal plates in the crown, 5 in the neck protector and one for the visor, decorated with a set of gold paint mon featuring a pattern of three horizontal bars in a circle, and the paired menpo-pattern
lower faceguard is decorated with facial hair, gold painted teeth, and a raised leaf-shaped mon
on the chin. The set is assembled on a hardwood display stand. The consignor attributes the armor to 1850-1875, and the helmet ornament to the 1900s. CONDITION: Very good overall, showing mild wear and handling overall. The breastplate shows some lost rivets and lost rivet covers, and some
of the lacquer is cracking and flaking. Some plates are absent from the tatami sections. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3273
Fine Signed Japanese Wakizashi-Length Sword with NTHK Documented Edo Period Tsuba - Measuring 27 3/4 inches overall, with a 20 inch blade showing a wavy hamon and set into a brass habaki with engraved floral motifs on the right and cloud motifs on the left. The round tsuba is of blackened copper construction, with a finely shaped floral pattern on the top and a golden fu dog on the underside, with both motifs repeated on the fuchi and matching fu dogs on the kashira and menuki. The saya is finished in black lacquer. A single mekugi-ana is present on the tang, with a 5-symbol carved signature on the left side. The tsuba was submitted for inspection at a NTHK event in 2004, where it was rated at 72 points and attributed to the late Edo period; the “white paper” certificate is included. CONDITION: Fine overall. The otherwise fine blade shows patches of spotting and oxidization, with the remainder bright and showing a strong hamon. The saya shows mild cracking and flaking, otherwise the furniture is very fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3274
Japanese Sword with Shin Gunto Fittings and NTHK Certificate - Measuring 38 1/2 inches overall, with a 26 1/2 inch blade, showing a wavy hamon and fine grain, with a gold plated habaki and shin gunto regulation pattern furniture and saya. Most of the spacers and the fuchi are numbered “69”, with the tsuba and other spacers unnumbered. The tang is unsigned, with two mekugi-ana and a two-tone appearance suggesting that this may have been a vintage tachi/odachi length blade that was significantly shortened, which is supported by the included NTHK certificate, which attributes the item to the Musashi Provence. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall, with some minor spotting on the blade, attractive grain and hamon, and mild wear on the furniture. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3275
Attractive Signed Tanto-Length Japanese Knife with Sculpted Gold Accented Furniture - Measuring 17 inches overall, with an 11 inch blade, showing a slightly wavy hamon along the blade and additional
tempering on the tip and spine, set into a silver plated habaki. The round tsuba, fuchi and kashira
are constructed from sculpted blackened metal with floral motifs and gold accented blossoms, with gold accented farmer
themed menuki and a black lacquer finished saya. The tang has two
mekugi-ana and shows faint carved signatures on both sides.
CONDITION: Fine overall. Mild spotting is present on the otherwise fine blade, with mild surface wear and very strong hamon. The hilt furniture is excellent, with strong finish and great detail in the sculpting, and the saya shows mild wear and lacquer cracking.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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