Width: 35cms
Date: 1868 - 1912
£POA - What does POA mean?
Product Code: KPCL06
Simply put, POA stands for “Price on Application”.
With some of our pieces, we prefer not to openly publish our asking price. We absolutely welcome visitors to the website to contact us to enquire about the cost of such pieces.
We just prefer to have a conversation to allow us to explain the pricing as well as to talk in more detail about the piece in question.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a super expensive piece but it may just be that there is something unique or special that we would like to be able to tell you about in more detail.
Contact us to find out more.
An eye-catching example of Japanese Meiji-era (1868-1912) craftsmanship, this Tanto and saya is decorated with Cloisonne Ho Ho (Phoenix) and floral patterns on a dark blue/black ground.
Applied bronze fittings at the handle.
Condition: In excellent condition, please note the blade is not sharpened as this would have been worn as a ceremonial or decorative sword.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for more photographs.
A matching Wakizashi (short sword) is also available.
Phoenix
The phoenix is a powerful symbol in Japan, used to represent the Empress. When used to decorate an object or house it symbolises the loyalty and honesty of the people that live there, traditionally a phoenix only stays when a ruler is without corruption.
Samurai
The famous samurai of Japan were a hereditary military nobility caste who help to shape and rule Japan from the 12th Century to their abolition in the Meiji period. In Japan samurai are known as bushi (meaning warrior) they we’re usually associated with a clan or lord and were highly trained officers in combat and strategy. They lived by the code of bushido (way of the warrior) which was Confucian in origin, and taught loyalty, self discipline and respect. They used many weapons including spears, bows and arrows and later on guns, but they are most famous for their swords. The Japanese Samurai blade is made by laminating metal (repeatedly folding) to create a very sharp but brittle edge which could then be combined with a central strip of stronger metal to create a blade. Despite being the best known use of this technique Japan only adopted it in the 1200’s, Western civilizations such as the Celts had been using this method 2000 years before. The right to own and wear swords in public was a privilege granted only to the Samurai, they would usually wear a Daisho (pair) of swords, one larger than the other, there are many sizes and classes of samurai swords but the most common pairing would be the Katana and the Wakizashi.
Tanto
Although a sword the Tanto is used more like a knife, the blade can be single or double edged and is between 15-30cm long which is equal to one Japanese shaku. (A Japanese foot) The Tanto is often worn with a Katana or tachi. The Tanto is traditionally the blade that would have been used for Seppuku, the ritual suicide performed by Samurai.
Saya
Saya is the Japanese term for a scabbard.
Cloisonne
Cloisonne is an enameling technique used to decorate metal objects, typically copper or silver, fine lines of metal are used to define the outlines of a design (called cloisons in French which is where the name cloisonne comes from) enamel paste in different colours is applied to the areas, which are then fired in a kiln and polished to create a glass-like finish.
Cloisonne is very fragile and must be treated with the utmost care, as one tiny knock can cause an area to shatter, it is very hard if not impossible to restore cloisonne.
We completely understand that purchasing art and antiques online is a relatively new concept to many people, so our team will be very happy to provide additional information and support along the way.
We are members of BADA, LAPADA and CINOA, working closely with these associations and we are very proud of our reputation as one of the most established, valued and trusted dealers of Japanese and Chinese Art and Antiques in the industry.
Our galleries in Islington are open Monday through to Saturday (from 1030 to 1630) by appointment only. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
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