Japanese

A Very Attractive, Antique Edo Era Ashigaru Armour and Jingasa Helmet

17th to 18th century. Jingasa helmet in hardened leather with large red sun mon, a do cuirass of frontis plate with the same red sun mon, that secures at the back with cords, kusari kote arm sleeves and gauntlets, three panels of ito bound kusazuri, this is the plate skirt that protects the lower part of the body as well as the upper leg. It is laced together to the upper plates.

Ashigaru armour was light, flexible and simpler to make than usual samurai armour. It was worn by spear men foot soldiers, in battle or defensive service, and they may be armed with yari or nagananata {polearms}, yumi {bows with arrows} or tanegashima {muskets}, in most samurai armies. It was the most common form of armour in Rokugan.

In the Ōnin War, ashigaru gained a reputation as unruly troops when they looted and burned Miyako (modern-day Kyoto). In the following Sengoku period the aspect of the battle changed from single combat to massed formations. Therefore, ashigaru became the backbone of many feudal armies and some of them rose to greater prominence.

Those who were given control of ashigaru were called ashigarugashira (足軽頭). The most famous of them was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who also raised many of his warrior followers to samurai status.

Ashigaru formed the backbone of samurai armies in the later periods. The real change for the ashigaru began in 1543 with the introduction of matchlock firearms by the Portuguese. Almost immediately local daimyōs started to equip their ashigaru with the new weapon, which required little training to use proficiently, as compared with the longbow, which took many years to learn. As battles became more complex and forces larger, ashigaru were rigorously trained so that they would hold their ranks in the face of enemy fire.

The advantage of the matchlock guns proved decisive to samurai warfare. This was demonstrated at the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, where carefully positioned ashigaru gunners of the Oda and Tokugawa clans thwarted the Takeda clan's repeated heavy cavalry charges against the Oda clan's defensive lines and broke the back of the Takeda war machine.

After the battle, the ashigaru's role in the armies was cemented as a very powerful complement to the samurai. The advantage was used in the two invasions of Korea in 1592 and 1597 against the Koreans and later the Ming-dynasty Chinese. Though the ratio of guns (matchlocks) to bows was 2:1 during the first invasion, the ratio became 4:1 in the second invasion since the guns proved highly effective

Some samurai would consider wearing ashigaru armour if a mission required them to travel light and fast, such as scouting, and Ronin were also noted for commonly using ashigaru armour, because of it's availability and lesser cost than elaborate armour

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery  read more

Code: 25006

A Simply Magnificent 17th Century Samurai Katana with Signed Soten Gold and Shakudo Mounts. A Spectacular Museum Grade Katana

Just arrived this week!
This is a most stunning high ranking samurai's sword. Made and used at the beginning of the great Japanese Edo period. The blade has a wondrous hamon, shown in all it's beauty. All of the fittings are very fine and the overall effect is simply wonderful. A singularly fine museum quality quality katana, with a full suite of, original, Edo period, signed Soten, gold and patinated copper fittings. This is truly a sword of great beauty, worthy of any top ranked collection of the most beautiful swords of the Japanese samurai.
The saya is original Edo period in black urushi in a two section design, with a partially deeply ribbed lacquer top section.

A revolution took place in the centuries from the time of the Kamakura shogunate, which coexisted with the Tenno's court, to the Tokugawa, when the bushi became the unchallenged rulers in what historian Edwin O. Reischauer called a "centralized feudal" form of government. Instrumental in the rise of the new bakufu was Tokugawa Ieyasu, the main beneficiary of the achievements of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Already powerful, Ieyasu profited by his transfer to the rich Kant? area. He maintained 2.5 million koku of land, new headquarters at Edo, a strategically situated castle town (the future Tokyo), and also had an additional two million koku of land and thirty-eight vassals under his control. After Hideyoshi's death, Ieyasu moved quickly to seize control from the Toyotomi family.

Ieyasu's victory over the western daimyo at the Battle of Sekigahara (October 21, 1600, or in the Japanese calendar on the 15th day of the ninth month of the fifth year of the Keich? era) gave him virtual control of all Japan. He rapidly abolished numerous enemy daimyo houses, reduced others, such as that of the Toyotomi, and redistributed the spoils of war to his family and allies. Ieyasu still failed to achieve complete control of the western daimyo, but his assumption of the title of shogun helped consolidate the alliance system. After further strengthening his power base, Ieyasu installed his son Hidetada (1579?1632) as shogun and himself as retired shogun in 1605. The Toyotomi were still a significant threat, and Ieyasu devoted the next decade to their eradication. In 1615, the Tokugawa army destroyed the Toyotomi stronghold at Osaka.

The Tokugawa (or Edo) period brought 250 years of stability to Japan. The political system evolved into what historians call bakuhan, a combination of the terms bakufu and han (domains) to describe the government and society of the period. In the bakuhan, the shogun had national authority and the daimyo had regional authority. This represented a new unity in the feudal structure, which featured an increasingly large bureaucracy to administer the mixture of centralized and decentralized authorities. The Tokugawa became more powerful during their first century of rule: land redistribution gave them nearly seven million koku, control of the most important cities, and a land assessment system reaping great revenues. As Japan entered the more peaceful Edo Period (1603-1868), tsuba and sword fittings became increasingly elaborate and decorative in design and function, and their manufacture became highly specialised and technically advanced. Different schools of makers developed their own styles, often influenced by the culture and environment of the region, and the role of the tsuba and mounts extended to become an elaborate piece of art. Subjects for decoration included Japanese mythology, history and nature. Since the 16th century, it was customary for the guard and mounts to feature the signature of the maker. The katana's saya has a few small Edo period contact marks throughout. It could be re-lacqured to as new condition if it was required by its new owner or left original as is. Valued for their excellence in design and execution, sword fittings today exist as refined pieces of art, and although now only used for state occasions and consecrations, the Japanese sword and its fittings remain a symbol of authority and reminder of Japan's powerful, and at times tumultuous, samurai past.

There are many reasons why people enjoy collecting swords. Some people are drawn to the beauty and craftsmanship of swords, while others appreciate their historical and cultural significance. Swords can also be a symbol of power and strength, and some collectors find enjoyment in the challenge of acquiring rare or valuable swords.

One of the greatest joys of sword collecting is the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of different civilisations. Swords have been used by warriors for millennia, and each culture has developed its own unique sword designs and traditions. By studying swords, collectors can gain a deeper understanding of the people who made and used them.

Another joy of sword collecting is the sheer variety of swords that are available. There are swords in our gallery from all over the world and from every period of history. Collectors can choose to specialize in a particular type of sword, such as Japanese katanas or medieval longswords, or they can collect a variety of swords from different cultures and time periods. No matter what your reasons for collecting swords, it is a hobby that can provide many years of enjoyment. Swords are beautiful, fascinating, and historically significant objects

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of trading


Blade 30.3 inches long tip to tsuba, sword length 40 inches out of saya. 41 inches long overall. saya has all its original Edo lacquer finish with just a few natural age surface blemishes as to be expected.  read more

Code: 22994

A Wonderful & Captivating Ancient Samurai Sword of the Nambokochu Era Circa 1370

Made in the transitional period, almost 700 years ago, between the Nambokochu era, and Muromachi era. It has a super, ancient, iconic Koto form narrow blade, with wonderful curvature, and typical medium narrow, undulating hamon as was popular in the Nambokochu era. It also has a much desired but rarely seen defensive, single combat, blocking cut on the back edge, these are never removed with polishing, and they are a highly desirable sign of a close combat defensive move. much revered and respected by historical collectors.
It has delightful original Edo fittings including its superb Edo saya, made with polished giant rayskin, decor, called samegawa, with some natural age wear.
The Edo fushi kashira, are decorated in pure gold. The iron Koto period round wheel shaped iron tsuba is beautifully carved with elements of inlaid gold spirals.

Looking at the late Nanbokucho period, for an example of sword makers in that era, the main Bizen smiths of the 'last signed eras' (the last dated examples do not always coincide with the end of the smith's career) were Joji for Motoshige, Koryaku for Chogi, and Oei for Omiya Morishige.
Many of the Bizen dates moved up to Eiwa, Koryaku, Eitoku, Shitoku, Kakei, Ko-o, and Meitoku, and the tachi shapes changed to become narrower. Chojis Koryaku era tachi are narrow, but without other style changes. Morikages work from the end of the Nanbokucho period have a narrow shape with small hamon which is similar to Kosori work. Also, there are many Bizen smiths who are not belong to famous schools and do not have a clear school style, and people called all of these smiths Kosori smiths. Overall, at the end of the Nanbukucho period, Bizen swords became narrower, and at the same time, the mainstream schools characteristics gradually disappeared and smaller hamon become popular.
There are many reasons why people enjoy collecting swords. Some people are drawn to the beauty and craftsmanship of swords, while others appreciate their historical and cultural significance. Swords can also be a symbol of power and strength, and some collectors find enjoyment in the challenge of acquiring rare or valuable swords.

One of the greatest joys of sword collecting is the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of different civilisations. Swords have been used by warriors for millennia, and each culture has developed its own unique sword designs and traditions. By studying swords, collectors can gain a deeper understanding of the people who made and used them.

Another joy of sword collecting is the sheer variety of swords that are available, and we are fortunate to have likely one of the most varied and largest selection of original swords, from all nations, in the world. There are swords in our gallery from all over the globe and from every period of history, going back almost 4000 years, Collectors can choose to specialize in a particular type of sword, such as Japanese katanas or medieval swords, or they can collect a variety of swords from different cultures and time periods. No matter what your reasons for collecting swords, it is a hobby that can provide many years of enjoyment. Swords are beautiful, fascinating, and historically significant objects

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of trading

Overall length 37.5 inches blade 25.5 inches.  read more

Code: 21795

A Wonderful Late Koto to Early Shinto Period Samurai Katana In Superb Condition Circa 450 Years Old. Superb Original Full Suite of Original Edo Koshirae, Including Gold and Shakudo Goto School Mounts & Signed Tsuba

The blade is absolutely stunning in very fine polish, and showing a beautiful billowing, very deep hamon of extraordinary fine quality. Goto gold and shakudo fuchi kashira of deep takebori chrysanthemums and tendrils. Gold menuki of hawks, and a complimentary signed mokko form iron plate tsuba with a hawk in flight with gold highlights. Original Edo tsuka-ito and blade polish, and original Edo saya with fabulous original ishime pattern urushi lacquer of top quality, with minor age bruising and a saya jiri mount of pierced openwork.

Cherished for its infinite versatility, urushi is a distinctive art form that has spread across all facets of Japanese culture from the tea ceremony to the saya scabbards of samurai swords

Japanese artists created their own style and perfected the art of decorated lacquerware during the 8th century. Japanese lacquer skills reached its peak as early as the twelfth century, at the end of the Heian period (794-1185). This skill was passed on from father to son and from master to apprentice.

The samurai were roughly the equivalent of feudal knights. Employed by the shogun or daimyo, they were members of hereditary warrior class that followed a strict "code" that defined their clothes, armour and behaviour on the battlefield. But unlike most medieval knights, samurai warriors could read and they were well versed in Japanese art, literature and poetry.
Samurai endured for almost 700 years, from 1185 to 1867. Samurai families were considered the elite. They made up only about six percent of the population and included daimyo and the loyal soldiers who fought under them. Samurai means one who serves."

Samurai were expected to be both fierce warriors and lovers of art, a dichotomy summed up by the Japanese concepts of to stop the spear expanding into bushido (the way of life of the warrior) and bun (the artistic, intellectual and spiritual side of the samurai). Originally conceived as away of dignifying raw military power, the two concepts were synthesised in feudal Japan and later became a key feature of Japanese culture and morality.The quintessential samurai was Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary early Edo-period swordsman who reportedly killed 60 men before his 30th birthday and was also a painting master. Members of a hierarchal class or caste, samurai were the sons of samurai and they were taught from an early age to unquestionably obey their mother, father and daimyo. When they grew older they may be trained by Zen Buddhist masters in meditation and the Zen concepts of impermanence and harmony with nature. The were also taught about painting, calligraphy, nature poetry, mythological literature, flower arranging, and the tea ceremony.

It has been said that part of their military training, samurai were taught to sleep with their right arm underneath them so if they were attacked in the middle of the night and their the left arm was cut off the could still fight with their right arm. Samurai, it has been said, that if they tossed and turned at night were cured of the habit by having two knives placed on either side of their pillow.

Samurai have been describes as "the most strictly trained human instruments of war to have existed." They were expected to be proficient in the martial arts of aikido and kendo as well as swordsmanship and archery---the traditional methods of samurai warfare---which were viewed not so much as skills but as art forms that flowed from natural forces that harmonized with nature.

Long 29 inch blade, overall in saya 40.3 inches long

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of trading  read more

Code: 24998

An Original Antique Edo Period Suit of Samurai Gesoku Armour With gilt Tomoe Mon, of the Kobayakawa Clan. With Dragon Cuirass & Momonari Kabuto With Hanbo

Momonari kabuto ( peach-shaped skull), in the style influenced by European 'morion' helmets, with Mon, face armour, hanbo with tare throat protectors,, and datemono mandate of the Kobayakawa clan, and the mon of Kobayakawa Takakage (小早川 隆景, 1533 – July 26, 1597) was a samurai and daimyō (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period

Mid Edo armour, without kusazari, with beautiful urushi lacquered do a Yokohagi okegawa dō: Tosei dō made from horizontal plates decorated with a dragon. Cinnabar lacquer bachi helmet bowl, a kabuto of , with painted doeskin decorated mabizashi,
kusari kote arm sleeves, multi laced Ito sode shoulder guards, kusazuri, this is the plate skirt that protects the lower part of the body as well as the upper leg. It is laced together to the upper plates. For the armour made during the Heian and Kamakura periods, the skirt was made with both leather and iron. However, post-Muromachi Period armor saw a shift mainly to iron, with some being made from roasted leather.

The armour was made from a combination of materials, including leather, lacquered wood, and metal, and was designed to be both lightweight and flexible. The most iconic feature of the samurai armor is the kabuto, a helmet adorned with decorative features such as crests, horns, and a neck guard.

The mon as used by Kobayakawa Takakage was the third son of Mōri Motonari who was adopted by the Kobayakawa clan and became its 14th clan head. He merged the two branches of the Kobayakawa, the Takehara-Kobayakawa clan (竹原小早川氏) and Numata-Kobayakawa clan (沼田小早川氏). He became an active commander of the Mōri army and he with his brother Kikkawa Motoharu became known as the “Mōri Ryōkawa", or “Mōri's Two Rivers" (毛利両川). As head of the Kobayakawa clan, he expanded the clan's territory in the Chūgoku region (western Honshū), and fought for the Mōri clan in all their campaigns

At first he opposed Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi but later swore loyalty and became a retainer of Hideyoshi who awarded him domains in Iyo Province on Shikoku and Chikuzen Province on Kyūshū, totalling 350,000 koku. Hideyoshi gave him the title Chûnagon also appointed him to the Council of Five Elders but died before Hideyoshi himself.

Scholars agree that Japanese armour first appeared in the 4th century, with the discovery of the cuirass and basic helmets in graves. During the Heian period (794-1185), the unique Japanese samurai armour ō-yoroi and dō-maru appeared. The Japanese cuirass evolved into the more familiar style of body armour worn by the samurai known as the dou or dō, with the use of leather straps (nerigawa), and lacquer for weatherproofing. Leather and/or iron scales were also used to construct samurai armours, with leather and eventually silk lace used to connect the individual scales (kozane) of these cuirasses.

In the 16th century, Japan began trading with Europe, during what would become known as the Nanban trade. This was the first time matchlock muskets were imported, and as they became mass-produced domestically, samurai needed lighter and more protective armour. As a result, a new style of armour called tosei-gusoku (gusoku), which means modern armour, appeared. After the Battle of Sekigahara and the victory of the Tokugawa, a united Japan was created and entered the so-called 'peaceful Edo period', however, then from henceforth, the shoguns promoted rivallry between his daimyo fuedal clan lords, in order for their military ambitions, attention and suspicions to be upon each other, rather than the shogun. So there were no wars, as such, for over 250 years, but, hundreds of internecine battles, thus samurai continued to combat as usual, using both plate and lamellar armour. This practice, of a version of divide and conquer, of internal factions, rather than external forces, was adopted by many despots ever since, including Sadam Hussein of Iraq, extremely efficiently, and for over 20 years in his case.

Ōyamazumi Shrine is known as a treasure house of Japanese armour. It houses 40% of Japanese armour that has been designated as a National treasure and an Important Cultural Property. Kasuga Grand Shrine is also known as a treasure house of valuable armour

Some photos show the kabuto on a stand for demonstration purposes only stand not included
The kabuto bashi of red urushi lacquer has natural age surface crackling and small areas of loss.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery  read more

Code: 24994

A Superb 1875 pattern Japanese General's Dress Parade Sword of an Imperial Japanese Army General of the Matsuura Clan. Lt General Junrokurō Matsuura Commander of the 106th Infantry Division in China

A Matsura clan sword, especially of such rank and quality is a very rare thing, but to get two high ranking swords from two members of the same family, is an amazingly rare occurrence, especially as they were used by the Matsura many hundreds of years apart. And sourced by us from two entirely unconnected previous private owners. See 24321 for the early Matsura clan daimyo sword.

The hilt has all its original gilt and the general's pattern fully relief decorated back strap surmounted by the silver clan mon of the Matsuura clan, its original multi wire bound generals pattern hawksbill turtle grip, is superbly intact, and the blade has an unusual crab-claw pattern, etched, full length hamon to the blade, in very good polish, with just slight overall service abrasive wear. The nickle plated scabbard in very nice condition for age, with a single very small dent and a few plate surface blemishes. It has a single mount ring

The 1875 pattern General's parade sword had one of the longest service lives of all the Japanese military swords. Worn from the late 1870's right into the end of WW2. Emperor Meiji carried the 1875 General's parade sword as did Emperor Hirohito, the Showa Emperor and last living god of Japan, carried his 1875 General's sabre when on horseback, which of course may well have been his ancestors sword Emperor Meiji {see in the gallery Emperor Hiro Hito with the sword carried on horseback with one scabbard ring, and Emperor Meiji wearing the sword while seated, using two scabbard rings.}

Due research revealed the most probably owner of the sword due to the only Matsuura Clan General in military service in this period.

Junrokurō Matsuura {also spelt Matsura}, was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second Sino-Japanese War, and WW2. In Japanese terms the second world war started earlier than most, from the invasion of China. For America WW2 ran from 1941 to 1945, as did WW2 for Russia, and for Britain and Europe in started in two years earlier in 1939.

Matsuura was Head of the Personnel Bureau of the Ministry of War until 1935. Then Commandant of Toyama Army Infantry School in 1935, and that same year became the commander of IJA 10th Division until 1937 when he went into the reserves and retired
However, in 1938, General Matsuura was recalled to active service, and appointed the commanding officer of the IJA 106th Division in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, in command of an excess of 10,000 officers and men. His division was involved the Wuchang-Hankou Campaign especially the Battle of Wanjialing.

The report written by Lieutenant General Matsuura, the head of the 106th Division of the Japanese Army, to the Emperor of Japan. In the report, he wrote: "In the Wuhan battle , 3321 people died in battle, 12 people above the battalion commander, 4085 were hospitalized for war injuries, and 7969 were hospitalized for common diseases. Most of them died in Wanjialing."
He returned to Japan in early 1939, with his division reduced to just around 1,000 survivors of the battle and went into retirement once more.

The sword is in superb condition, with all its original gilt to the hilt, with the general's pattern back strap surmounted with the silver Matsuura clan mon. The hilt grip is the general's pattern hawksbill turtle shell, with original multi wire binding. The blade has a crabclaw pattern etched hamon, a single hi and in in full polish with just slight wear. Nickel plated steel scabbard with single ring.
1875 pat generals sword of the Matsura {also spelt Matsuura}

The Matsura family of Hirado, in present-day Nagasaki Prefecture, has a long and storied 800-year history. The clan’s origins are quite colourful—they were involved in trading with Korea and China, smuggling and even piracy. During the epic war between the Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) at the end of the Heian period, the Matsura sided with the Heike and provided men and boats for the climactic battle of Dannoura, which ended in a complete victory for the Minamoto and paved the way for their leader, Yoritomo, to establish the Kamakura Shogunate, beginning the era of warrior rule of Japan.

During the Kamakura period, the Matsura, through there trading and smuggling network along the vital Chinese ports and trade paths, helped keep the Shogunate informed of Kublai Khan’s invasion plans for Japan in 1274 and 1281 and once again supplied men and material to fight the Mongol invaders. Later on, in the 1500s, as Japan fell deeper into the chaos of civil war, the Matsura gradually increased their powerbase and became a hub of international trade with the Portuguese, Dutch and English, amassing an incredible amount of wealth in this little corner of Kyushu.

The Matsura allied themselves with Toyotomi Hideyoshi when he invaded Kyushu as part of his campaign to unify Japan. In return for their loyalty, Hideyoshi confirmed Matsura Shigenobu as daimyo (feudal lord) over Hirado, a holding valued at an annual income of 63,200 koku (1 koku = amount of rice needed to feed one person for a year). This income was handsomely complimented the amount of money the Matsura were hauling in from legitimate foreign trade as well as the old smuggling and piracy connections (direct involvement in piracy seems to have faded by the early 1600s). As a loyal vassal to Hideyoshi, Shigenobu led a large contingent of his samurai into Korea as a part of Japan’s failed invasion of Korea from 1591-1598. Upon the end of the war, the Matsura built Hinotake Castle as the clan’s main residence. However, the extensiveness of the Castle’s defences, combined with the clan’s neutrality during the clash between the pro-Toyotomi and Tokugawa forces at the battle of Sekigahara brought the clan under the suspicion of the Tokugawa as they consolidated power under their new shogunate. Knowing the clan had much to lose in terms of trade grants as well as its fief, Shigenobu took the dramatic step of setting Hinotake Castle on fire to show the Tokugawa that he was defenceless and at their mercy as a loyal retainer.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery  read more

Code: 24983

An Iron Plate Katana Edo Tsuba Decorated With Small Figures In Rain Garb

Circa 1650. Small fishermen towing nets wearing rain hats and tied straw body coverings. With large fauna as a side decoration. With kozuka and kogaiana. The Tsuba can be solid, semi pierced of fully pierced, with an overall perforated design, but it always a central opening which narrows at its peak for the blade to fit within. It often can have openings for the kozuka and kogai to pass through, and these openings can also often be filled with metal to seal them closed. For the Samurai, it also functioned as an article of distinction, as his sole personal ornament  read more

Code: 19525

A Beautiful Koto Period Samurai Chisa Katana, Around 500 Years Old

Most handsome original Koto period samurai sword with fine quality original matching Edo period fuchigashira and menuki with gold decorated flowers and birds, a birds in flight pierced o-sukashi tsuba in iron.

Original Edo saya with a chamfered panel to one side.

A katana was two shaku or longer in length (one shaku = about 11.93 inches). However, the Chisa katana is longer than the wakizashi, which was somewhere in between one and two shaku in length. The most common blade lengths for Chisa katana was approximately eighteen to twenty-four inches. They were most commonly made in the Buke-Zukuri mounting (which is generally what is seen on katana and wakizashi). The chisa katana was able to be used with one or even two hands like a katana. The Chisa Katana is a slightly shorter Katana highly suitable for two handed, or two sword combat, or, combat within enclosed areas such as castles or buildings. As such they were often the sword of choice for the personal Samurai guard of a Daimyo, and generally the only warriors permitted to be armed in his presence. Chisa katana, Chiisagatana or literally "short katana", are shoto mounted as katana.

The chisa katana was also the long sword of choice for the art of twin sword combat, using two at once in unison, a chisa katana and wakazashi, one in each hand, a form used by the great and legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi who reportedly killed 60 men before his 30th birthday.
Miyamoto Musashi 1584 – June 13, 1645), also known as Shinmen Takezo, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Doraku, was an expert Japanese swordsman and ronin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent, and unique double bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 60 duels. He was the founder of the Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu or Niten-ryu style of swordsmanship and in his final years authored the The Book of Five Rings, a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.
21 inch blade tsuba to tip. 32 inches long overall

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading, as Britain’s oldest established, and favourite, armoury and gallery  read more

Code: 24954

Full Suit Of Original Early Edo Period Samurai Gesoku Armour, Shown with a Kabuto Helmet {Kabuto Now Sold}

In our opinion there is no greater aesthetically attractive suit of antique original armour to compare to the Japanese samurai armour. One can see them displayed in some of the finest locations of interior decor in the world today.

For example, in the Hollywood movies such as the James Bond films many of the main protagonists in those films decorated their lush and extravagant billionaire properties with samurai armours. They can be so dramatic and beautiful and even the simplest example can look spectacular in any correct location with good lighting.

Original early Edo period.
Chain mail over silk Kote arm armour with plate Tekko hand armour. Fully laced and plate Sode shoulder armour Fully laced four panels of Haidate waist armour Fully laced Kasazuri thigh Armour, with Suneate. This armour is absolutely beautiful.

Japanese armour is thought to have evolved from the armour used in ancient China and Korea. Cuirasses and helmets were manufactured in Japan as early as the 4th century.Tanko, worn by foot soldiers and keiko, worn by horsemen were both pre-samurai types of early Japanese cuirass constructed from iron plates connected together by leather thongs.

During the Heian period 794 to 1185 the Japanese cuirass evolved into the more familiar style of armour worn by the samurai known as the dou or do. Japanese armour makers started to use leather (nerigawa) and lacquer was used to weather proof the armor parts. By the end of the Heian period the Japanese cuirass had arrived at the shape recognized as being distinctly samurai. Leather and or iron scales were used to construct samurai armours, with leather and eventually silk lace used to connect the individual scales (kozane) which these cuirasses were now being made from.

In the 16th century Japan began trading with Europe during what would become known as the Nanban trade. Samurai acquired European armour including the cuirass and comb morion which they modified and combined with domestic armour as it provided better protection from the newly introduced matchlock muskets known as Tanegashima. The introduction of the tanegashima by the Portuguese in 1543 changed the nature of warfare in Japan causing the Japanese armour makers to change the design of their armours from the centuries old lamellar armours to plate armour constructed from iron and steel plates which was called tosei gusoku (new armours).Bullet resistant armours were developed called tameshi gusoku or (bullet tested) allowing samurai to continue wearing their armour despite the use of firearms.

The era of warfare called the Sengoku period ended around 1600, Japan was united and entered the peaceful Edo period, samurai continued to use both plate and lamellar armour as a symbol of their status but traditional armours were no longer necessary for battles. During the Edo period light weight, portable and secret hidden armours became popular as there was still a need for personal protection. Civil strife, duels, assassinations, peasant revolts required the use of armours such as the kusari katabira (chain armour jacket) and armoured sleeves as well as other types of armour which could be worn under ordinary clothing.Edo period samurai were in charge of internal security and would wear various types of kusari gusoku (chain armour) and shin and arm protection as well as forehead protectors (hachi-gane).

Armour continued to be worn and used in Japan until the end of the samurai era (Meiji period) in the 1860s, with the last use of samurai armour happening in 1877 during the Satsuma Rebellion. The armour has some affixing loops lacking. Stand for photo display only not included. This armour has areas of worn and distressed lacquer and areas of cloth/material that are perished due to it's great age as would be expected, but the condition simply adds to its beauty and aesthetic quality, displaying its position within its combat use in Japanese samurai warfare. We would always recommend, in our subjective opinion, that original antique samurai armour looks its very best left completely as is, with all it wear and age imperfections left intact.  read more

Code: 21624

A Very Good & Beautiful Shinto Long Katana Signed Chikanobu

All original Edo period mounts and lacquer saya. Fine iron tsuba. With a very beautiful choji hamon to the blade is an absolute beauty, and fully polished. Long kissaki. Dark blue silk tsukaito over traditional giant rayskin with gold and bronze menuki of dragons. Fully matching suite of sinchu and contrasting silver line mounts to the tsuka and saya, Matsushiro Sinano school. The samurai were roughly the equivalent of feudal knights. Employed by the shogun or daimyo, they were members of hereditary warrior class that followed a strict "code" that defined their clothes, armour and behavior on the battlefield. But unlike most medieval knights, samurai warriors could read and they were well versed in Japanese art, literature and poetry.
Samurai endured for almost 700 years, from 1185 to 1867. Samurai families were considered the elite. They made up only about six percent of the population and included daimyo and the loyal soldiers who fought under them. Samurai means ?one who serves."

Samurai were expected to be both fierce warriors and lovers of art, a dichotomy summed up by the Japanese concepts of [to stop the spear] exanding into bushido (?the way of life of the warrior?) and bun (?the artistic, intellectual and spiritual side of the samurai?). Originally conceived as away of dignifying raw military power, the two concepts were synthesized in feudal Japan and later became a key feature of Japanese culture and morality.The quintessential samurai was Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary early Edo-period swordsman who reportedly killed 60 men before his 30th birthday and was also a painting master. Members of a hierarchal class or caste, samurai were the sons of samurai and they were taught from an early age to unquestionably obey their mother, father and daimyo. When they grew older they were trained by Zen Buddhist masters in meditation and the Zen concepts of impermanence and harmony with nature. The were also taught about painting, calligraphy, nature poetry, mythological literature, flower arranging, and the tea ceremony.

As part of their military training, samurai were taught to sleep with their right arm underneath them so if they were attacked in the middle of the night and their the left arm was cut off the could still fight with their right arm. Samurai that tossed and turned at night were cured of the habit by having two knives placed on either side of their pillow.

Samurai have been describes as "the most strictly trained human instruments of war to have existed." They were expected to be proficient in the martial arts of aikido and kendo as well as swordsmanship and archery---the traditional methods of samurai warfare---which were viewed not so much as skills but as art forms that flowed from natural forces that harmonized with nature.
An individual didn't become a full-fledged samurai until he wandered around the countryside as begging pilgrim for a couple of years to learn humility. When this was completed they achieved samurai status and receives a salary from his daimyo paid from taxes (usually rice) raised from the local populace. Swords in Japan have long been symbols of power and honour and seen as works of art. Often times swordsmiths were more famous than the people who used them.
likely details on the Chika[nori] nobu. Slight name change here, he was then actually signing Chikanobu as he did on this blade, [ appears in kanji reference notes as nori, nobu is next to nori, and thus often confused] . He also used to be known as Shigechika

Chikanobu, previously known as Shigechika, studied under 1st generation Aizu Kanetomo, [circa 1660].

Chikanobu received the name nobu from Kanetomo [as an honour] to therefore thus change his name.

Kanetomo also used to be known as another name once, Kanenobu and thus passed the nobu name to Shigechika [as an honour], who thus changed his name to Chikanobu  read more

Code: 23063