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Japan
Page 3
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Japanese Imperial Flag with Flag Pole (JAP 3-1) |
| DESCRIPTION: This has to be the great Japanese World War Two article ever offered on a web site. It is extremely dramatic and downright beautiful looking. It is the Imperial flag of War mounted on a fantastic pole that is a treasure unto itself. The pole is built like a fine Samurai sword scabbard with the circular ringed design throughout and with very special fittings center bottom and top. The plate at the bottom-most portion is quite interesting. It seems to be included as an identification of the flag maker who manufactured this flag. It has pictures of this particular style rising sun and the round sun symbol as well. The finial or flag pole top is made to look like the spear point of the ancient Samurai pole arms. There is a beautiful golden colored rope mount with tassels that would be wrapped in such a way as to grace the whole Nipponese sacred presentation.
This type flag was not carried into battle, but it was carried to the front and would be used in Bushido ceremonies and borne by the guardsman who would be usually be a war hero picked because of his past special engagements in the field of battle. Flags were of very special importance to the Japanese military. Oaths were sworn on them and men would die willingly for them and the idea of chivalry and bravery that they convey. This is obviously a very important flag and extremely rare -- probably the greatest Japanese article of militaria that you could imagine in your collection or the collection of a museum. PRICE: $2,500.00 - - comes apart for shipping |
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Boys’ Day Figures (Item JAP 3-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here are a pair of Samurai warriors handmade for the celebration of “Boy’s Day” held on May 5th. It was know as Tango-no-sekku, The Boys’ Festival. It has for centuries been Japan’s way of celebrating the healthy growth and development of her young boys. It is a very special day and is vastly important because it commemorates a boy’s life together with family and friends. It is a day when parents show their sons that they are strong and important to the family. No one knows for sure how Boy’s Day originated, however, it is believed that it started in ancient rural China. Guards wore special helmets and were woodsmen and archers. Another legend traces the origin to Tokimune Hojo’s victory over the invading Mongols on May 5, 1282. As a result Samurai families erected flags and flew kites in celebration of the victory. In the latter-day observance of Tango-no-sekku a display is arranged in the tokonoma or alcove, in the guest rooms of Japanese houses. Among the decorations are miniature Samurai warriors handcrafted by the young men and their fathers. Often the warrior dolls will represent Kintaro, the Herculean boy who grew up to be a general. Also often depicted was Skoki, an ancient Chinese general believed to protect people from devils and Momotaro, the Japanese David, the killer of giants. The earliest samples of the Samurai dolls trace back to the 18th century. These pieces were in those early times commissioned by the Samurai class thus making them quite rare today. During the time preceding the Second World War the dolls saw a real renaissance since all of Japan was under the influence of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior. This was not unlike the chivalry codes of European knighthood of old. The actual warriors were men who lived by the code of Bushido. The Samurai’s loyalty to his emperor and his overlord or Daimyo was unsurpassed. They were trustworthy and honest. The Samurai had no fear of death. They would enter into battle no matter what the odds. To die in battle would only bring honor to one’s family and one’s lord. The Samurai and their way of life was officially abolished in the early 1870’s, but it was not forgotten. However, Bushido was reborn in a big way in the 1930’s and 1940’s when the Black Dragon Society helped to bring it back in Imperial Japan. The signal for war in the Pacific was given on August 16, 1941, at a session of the Black Dragon Society in Tokyo. So Boys’ Day in these years took on very special significance in those prewar and wartime years considering that young men are the main tools of war and that militaristic fervor must be instilled in them so you can be sure that Black Dragon representatives were present at every one of the more important celebrations and the displays became more Samurai indoctrinated than any time before. The set of Boys’ Day dolls we offer here re typical of the ones used in wartime Japan. The great figures we offer here are typical, but a bit unusual in that they are a set of two mounted as a grouping. In the center of the plinth are two holes that make us assume that something else was at one time there, but what? We do not think it was another Samurai warrior, but it could have been a chest or a sword stand??? The figures are in wonderful condition. The standing figure is about 9 inches high, while the kneeling one is about 6 ½ inches high. The armor and fabric is all handmade as was the ancient tradition to accomplish. There were valuable prizes to be won by participants in the doll making and clearly from examples we have seen these figures would have no doubt been in the running for top prize. Even the eyes are so realistic as to marvel you.
PRICE: $350.00 for the set |
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Wooden Hand-Carved Netsukes (Item JAP 3-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Netsuke date back to the 17th century and became extremely popular in Europe as collectibles toward the end of the 19th century. They served both functional and aesthetical purposes. The traditional Japanese dress, the kimono, had no pockets. The robes were hung together by a broad sash (obi) so items were needed to be carried were held on a cord tucked under the sash. The hanging objects (sagemono) were secured with carved toggles (netsuke). Netsuke were also used to secure purses, and were widely used to hold the tobacco pouches that became almost universal with the introduction of smoking in Japan. The quality of netsuke was variable. As everyday objects many were carved quickly with left over materials. Netsuke could be made using a variety of materials mainly wood, and ivory (also shell, bone, horn, even metal and precious stones). Wealthier people would have finer netsuke, and it could be possible to tell the status of an individual by the quality of their netsuke. The workmanship is some is outstanding and despite their small size 1 to 2 inches, there can be considerable detail. Captured or killed Japanese soldiers often had netsuke on their person or in their gear. When questioned about this the answer was always—‘for luck.’ We managed to obtain a few of these from a man who collected them for many years. We were completely thrown by the apparent beauty and craftsmanship (they are completely hand carved) in a wood-like substance that we are given to understand these were carved from a type of nut that is found growing in the orient. We have several styles and shapes. Some are absolutely great! They do fit well into a Japanese WW II collection.
PRICE: $39.00 each; $32.00 each if you let us choose |
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 Top knot porthole |
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 Interior of helmet |
 Face mask |
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Japanese Samurai Helmet “Kabuto” (Item JAP 3-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a classic Kabuto helmet used with traditional Japanese armor as worn by the legendary Samurai. It features a strong bowl (Hachi) which protects the crown of the head. A suspended series of articulated plates (the Shikoro) to protect the crown of the head. This Kabuto was constructed with many metal plates riveted together. At the top of the helmet is an opening called a "Tehen” or hachiman-za (seat of the war God Hachiman). The original purpose of this Tehen was for the warrior to pass his top knot through.
This Kabuto is adorned with Maedate or Mon, a frontal crest. These Mons can be family crests or objects representing animals, mythical entities, prayers or other symbols. This one has the revered sacred Japanese symbol of the Imperial Chrysanthemum. This helmet has the suspended neck guard called a Shokoro. This is composed of semi-circular lacquered metal lamos attached and articulated by this system of lamos and is somewhat standard technology of defense along with chain mail for the body protection in Japanese armor (Kikou). We believe this helmet to be of the Momoyama period and is of the Myochin style. We have a very fine samurai face mask that was worn with a Kabuto. This was known as Mempo and came often with attached mail throat guards, etc. This one is rather plain and came with the Kabuto that is shown when we bought them both; it surely is a different period but since we bought them together, we show them together even though they are separately priced. PRICE: Kabuto (Helmet) $2,800.00 Mempo face mask $1,400.00 |
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 The surrender of Japanese swords in 1945 |
 Surrender |
Japanese Sword Belt (WWII) for Naval Officer (Item JAP 3-5) |
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DESCRIPTION: Here is something seldom encountered...a belt with hanger for a military sword. It is crafted in front quarter horsehide and is in good sound condition. Its buckle is the two part interlocking variety for naval officers. The buckle has the rising sun motif of the Japanese empire. Quite rare PRICE: $285.00 |
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 The finest damascus |
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Japanese Kami Tanto of the Samurai Damascus Blade (Item JAP 3-6) |
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DESCRIPTION: This is a very exceptional and undoubtedly unique tanto. We do not know what period it is from but it definitely puts one in mind of Bushido or Way of the Warrior! The functional Japanese tanto is a dagger; strictly one with a guard and has the fittings used on swords. It usually accompanies a Katana sword. The Japanese tanto is constantly carried and never is left at the door during a visit. The tanto is much more decorated as a rule than the swords. It was designed as a stabbing weapon but the edge can be used to slash as well. Japanese tantos were mostly carried by Samurai and commoners did not carry them. The beauty of the tanto carried often depended on the wealth of the man who carried it. In this case, it must have been a very monied gentleman. Because of the magnificent damascus blade, a process that, if indeed genuine damascus, was extremely expensive in its day and is much sought after in antique blades today. There are but few Japanese who understand and can produce fine damascus blades today. This is an old one and probably could not be produced today by anyone. It is the finest damascus blade we have ever seen regardless of what country produced it. The end of the grip has a cut stone of some kind and the menukis are bronze dragons. The tanto in scabbard measures 15" long. The blade, including the habaka, is 9 1/4". Absolutely the finest! PRICE: $1,850.00 |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
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