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LOT 3313
Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock Arquebus with Turtle Flask - NSN, 62 cal., 39 inch
octagon bbl., brown finish, hardwood stock. A signature weapon of Japanese military
forces from the 16th into the 19th centuries, the tanegashima was the primary infantry
firearm of the Home Islands during their period of deliberate seclusion. Triangular
blade front and notched block rear sights, with the top of the barrel inlaid with copper
and silver symbols, including the “paulownia flower” mon of the Toyotomi Clan (later
the Japanese Government), and a rear collar and tang shaped and engraved like a
kabuto helmet. The smooth stock is decorated with brass panels shaped and engraved
like chrysanthemum blossoms, with a repeat of the Toyotomi mon in engraved brass
on the underside of the grip. Included with the lot is a powder flask made from a
taxidermied turtle, with the head serving as the stopper and a purple suspension cord.
CONDITION: Good, with a mixed brown and gray patina overall, showing shallow pitting and mild wear.
Touchhole cover absent, and the ramrod is a short replacement. The stock is also good as sanded and
revarnished, with material loss around the mid band, cracking around the barrel, and minor scuffs and
dents. Mechanically needs work. The turtle flask is fine, with some wear and material loss.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3314
Attractive Signed
and Horimono Carved
Japanese Sword Blade
with Shirasaya Mounts and
Sleeve - 37 1/2 inches overall
with a 28 1/4 inch live edge,
set into a two-piece textured
silver habaki with a gunome
pattern hamon and fine grain.
Both sides show finely carved
horimono decoration, the right
side an 8 3/4 inch long scene of
mice carrying engraved coins,
and on the left an 8 3/4 inch
scene of a supernatural figure
standing on a bolt of lightning
while carrying a mallet, possibly
Daikoku, a god of good fortune
often associated with mice and
rats. The tang has two mekugi-
ana, the lower of the two an
inch from the bottom, with a four-figure
signature on the left side and a well aged
patina; the signature is attributed by the client
to a smith named Munehisa. Included with
the lot are a set of shirasaya fittings and a
cloth sleeve.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, with minor
handling evidence overall. The blade retains a
sharply defined hamon, with finely executed
detail and depth in the horimono work. The
sleeve is fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3315
Exceptional Japanese Suit of Armor Set, with
Transport Case - This exceptional grouping consists
of a kabuto helmet, breastplate, arm guards, thigh
protectors, shin guards, and a transport case. The
kabuto is of riveted iron construction in the crown and
visor, with two lacquered steel hanging neck guard
panels, cherry blossom themed decoration, silver
finished brass crest featuring four diamonds, and
a mempo-pattern faceguard with bristle mustache
and removable nose segment. Breastplate is
tosei dou pattern, with lacquer and woven cloth
embellishment on the main breastplate with a silver
accented brass symbol on a scene of a boat at sea,
shoulder guards, and hanging lames. Arm guards
are of embroidered blue cloth base construction,
with sections of chain mail protecting the joints
and iron plates protecting the forearms and
hands, with floral motifs on the forearm guards
and paulownia mon emblems on the handguards.
The thigh protector is constructed from floral
embroidered blue cloth with black and gold
lacquered scales, and the shin guards show
a combination of hexagonal brigantine-style
plate protection and gold lacquered plates
(close in color to the plates on the thigh
protector). Includes a black lacquer finished
transport case.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with wear
appropriate to age, some loose or absent
cords, and flaking of lacquer. Some rust
visible on the arm guard plates. Case is good.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000