Edo Tanto Koshirae

This is a set of four beautiful Edo period tanto koshirae that were documented in a Japanese text. The fourth of the koshirae also includes a Shinshinto period tanto, the other three are without blades. Price for the whole group is 14500 euros.

Each are in excellent condition, and are complete, and top quality examples of Edo period tanto koshirae.

Below: Aikuchi koshira, with finely carved horn fittings. The saya is black lacquer with a silver mekugi. There is an iron wari-bashi with gold inlay of holly and a mon. The sageo is a finely woven white and purple silk. Illustrated page 39, bottom.

To buy this as a single item: 3100 euros.

Below: Aikuchi koshirae with finely carved shibuichi fittings. The shibuichi fittings have a nice and rich patina, and are carved with a leaves and vines pattern. There is an unusual kurikata shaped like a fan with a ring to hold the sageo which is a purple and cream colored silk and is original. The mekugi are shibuichi and are carved with a mon over very fine silk string wrap. The blade is mounted with split shibuichi wari kogai and is decorated with the same mon as the menuki. Illustrated on page 41 top.

To buy this as a single item: 3100 euros.

Below: Aikuchi koshira, with shibuichi fittings on suite and authentic. Carved with leaves and vines pattern. The saya and tsuka are of wood, finished in a wood burl pattern. There is a mon on the saya, and the same mon is on the handle of the kozuka. The sageo cord is finely braded purple and white silk braded, and is authentic to the mountings. Illustrated page 18, top.

To buy this as a single item: 3500 euros.

Below: Very fine aikuchi koshirae in perfect condition, with black irushi lacquer. The saya and tsuka are beautifully decorated. There are two rabbits in gold takamakie amongst reeds and flowers done in green gold and brown takamakie and on the tsuka has a takamakie silver moon amongst the clouds. The koshirae is accompanied with a tanto in shirasaya. It is in perfect polish, with a very strong and beautiful flowing itame hada. The temper is billowing gunome midare in nioi decki. The boshi is a long turn back, and the blade is mumei and is probably Shinshinto period. The blade and koshirae are in a presentation wooden case.

The artist for the original drawing was Masahide. This koshirae is also signed by the maker Masatsune, and has his kao, and is probably a before-marriage gift for a young woman. Illustrated page 67, top.

To buy this as a single item: 5800 euros.

Edo Tanto Koshirae Collection

by M. Ide, 1997.