322. Mumei, Osuriage Shinogi Zukuri Wakiazshi, with Three Mekugi Ana on the Cut Down Tang.

The harmon is an almost sanbon-suji togari-ha inicative of Koto-period Mino-den work circa 1530. The incomplete, partial mounts are comprised of a plain shira saya scabbard, a high quality mokko tsuba of a gold rimmed shakudo plate with extensive engraved and sculpted relief work of tree, rocks, etc. together with a high relief dragon and tiger, with both sides of the tsuba showing equal detail. This tsuba could be Nara in origin. The fuchi of shakudo and copper is signed, but unread, and shows gold, copper and silver accentsof trees above a harbour. The menuki arstylized snake of brass and the spacer and kashira are an odd, exotic style of workmanship most commonly seen with swords for religious dedication. They are extremely reticulated brass and tie in with the habaki decoration. 17 3/4" l.

2,200/2,600     SOLD: $2,024.00

323. Mumei, Suriage, Cut Down, Hira Zukuri Tanto.

Uchi-zori style exhibits suguha hamon, hkikake at the boshi and itame hada together with a cut down nakago and one mekugi-ana hole. This tanto has a silver foil habaki, was made sometime between 1400 to 1500 and appears to be a very good quality blade. The Koshirae is comprised of ensuite matched fuchi, kashira, menuki, koiguchi, kuikata and kojiri of shakudo nanako fittings with gold, silver, copper and sentoku accents of chickens, birds and flora in the style of the Ishiguro metalsmiths, all mounted on a roiro lacquered tsuka and saya. The mounts circa 1830 to 1860.

2,400/2,800     SOLD: $2,277.00

324. An Ubu, Mumei, Shin Shinto Era Kanmuri Otoshi Tanto, Circa 1860, Unsigned, Uncut Wtith Gold Washed Habaki.

Detail are indistinct. The mounts are fancy Meiji era mounts, presumably for export and are comprised of a clear lacquers wood saya with gold, carmine and silver lacquer flora as accents to the natural wood. The scabbard has matching, engraved silver kojiri and koiguchi of pine trees and the well-sculpted and inlaid kurikata of sentoku has iroe-zogan. The tsuka, with shakudo menuki is wrapped with black tsuka-ito and the Nara influenced fuchi-kashira, although unmatched, are of village scenes and compliment each other very well. This Meiji tanto is indicative of the composite mounted pieces made from 1860 to 1900 that have found their way into Western collections around the world. 7 5/8" l.

2,200/2,600     SOLD: $2,231.00

325. Hira Zukuri Tanto, Circa 1480 to 1520.

A flat sided dagger, with midare hamon, itame hada, ubu tang with two mekugiana, possibly machi-okuri, having the machi notches moved up, together with a gold washed copper habaki this tanto is mumei, unsigned. The composite fittings include a gunto shi suspension hanger, gunto seppa washer, a later iron tsuba sword guard circa 1860, mismatched fuchi/kashira of sentoku with gold, shakudo and silver accents of flora. The menuki are gold washed under older tsuka-maki wrapping to complete the handle. 13" l.

600/850     SOLD: $703.80

326. Ubu, Mumei, Shinogi Zukuri Wakizashi, with Gunome Midare Hamon, Circa 1500.

Completed by a gold washed habaki. The composite mounts are comprised of a converted shira saya, including military gunto fuchi, yamagane alloy ame-yasurimei tsuba and a yamagane kodzuka side knife, fitted into the scabbard. The fittings range in age from 1860 to 1945. 15 15/16" l.

400/650     SOLD: $402.50

327. Two Asian Japanese Iron and Bronze Tsubas, Edo Period, 19th Century

Both of oval form inlaid with mixed metals of leaves and vines. Approximately 2 1/2" h., 2 3/8" w.

200/400     SOLD: $277.15

328. A Japanese Sword, 19th Century.

The lacquered case with applied decoration (some missing), handle with a threaded grip over two bronze menuki dragons, the Edo period tsuba (19th century) depictingwarriors in battle with dore highlights and pierced body, the blade with no identifying marks. 26 6/16" l. blade 38 3/4" l. overall.

300/600     SOLD: $759.00

329. A World War Two Era Shinogi Zukuri Katana.

By Takesho Yoshioki with arsenal stamped mark, osujikae yasurimei filemarks on an Ubu, uncut nakago with one mekugi-ana hole and copper habaki. The koshirae consists of a military scabbard, saya, and suspensionring, sentoku alloy fuchi/kashira in formal, undecorated ashion, brass menuki under black tsuka-ito wrap together with a good quality and condition Meiji-era copper tsuba of chidori and waves by Mitsuchika, perhaps reminescent of Nara school work. 26 1/2" l.

1,200/1,600

330. World War Two Era Shinogi Zukuri Katana, by Noshu Kanemune.

This katana exhibits typical Mino-den togari-ba hamon and indistinct hada, ubu, uncut nakago, one mekugi-ana, takanoha yasurimei, stamped arsenal mark, and copper habaki. This blade circa 1940. The koshirae mountings consists of a classic 1940-1945 era mounts of partial leather cover over lacquered wood scabbard with brass suspension ring mount and gunto tsuka comprised of all brass mounts. The tsuba is a nice late-Edo period, circa 1800, Choshu or Bushu iron plate tsuba of a sennin wizard beneath trees and waterfall. The Kozuka and kogai-ana are both filled with iron plugs. 25 3/4" l.

900/1,250

331. A Japanese Mambu, Circa 1938.

The single mag with Japanese lettering and numbered "50901" along with Japanese characters, small trigger guard, all matching. 8 14/16" l.

300/600     SOLD: $356.50