Examination of a Japanese Samurai Sword
Written by admin on July 15, 2010 – 3:57 am -Antique Japanese Samurai Sword: Ko Gassan 1/3 Sword Examination
Tags: Asian Antiques, Japanese Antiques, japanese samurai sword, samurai sword
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Japanese Swordsmith Ono Yoshimitsu
Written by admin on July 15, 2010 – 3:43 am -Japanese Swordsmith Ono Yoshimitsu
Tags: Asian Antiques, Japanese Antiques, japanese katana sword, Japanese swords
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Japanese Samurai Armor
Written by admin on June 20, 2010 – 4:14 am -The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in the form of the yoroi during the Gempei War of 1181-1185. The weight of the yoroi was around 60lb. The upper-body armor of the samurai was known as the 'Do'. This comprised of the 'Sode', the suspended shoulder and upper-arm protection plates. The Sode had hoops by which silk cord was tied and then fixed to the back of the armor in an 'agemaki' / decorative knotted tassel. Guards were also placed over the shoulder cords, and a leather plate placed across the bow cords to prevent them from been cut or becoming ensnared during a skirmish.
Tags: Japanese armor, samurai armor
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About Celadon Nephrite Jade
Written by admin on May 25, 2010 – 12:02 pm -Jade is one of the most cherished collectibles. Its origins are ancient, and its medicinal properties, both decorative. Although revered worldwide, jade is associated more with China, where it is known since 8000 years. The ancient Chinese called Yu and saw it as a "living stone", which radiates an inner glow.
Tags: celedon, celedon nephrite jade, jade
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Antiques Week in Philadelphia Starts Today
Written by admin on April 17, 2010 – 12:04 am -By Karla Klein Albertson
Inquirer Antiques Columnist
Tags: Asian Antiques, Chinese Antiques, Chinese Porcelain, Japanese Antiques, Japanese Porcelain
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Antique Japanese Nabeshima and Hirado Porcelain
Written by admin on April 10, 2010 – 3:23 pm -NABESHIMA
The porcelain of Nabeshima (named after the ruling clan) was made at Okawachi, north of Arita, probably from the latter half of the 17th century until c.1870, exclusively for the ruling shogun and feudal lords. As this ware was the preserve of the aristocracy, little of it except “kiln wasters”, or seconds, would have reached the West before the late 19th century. A few examples have been sold at auction since World War II (including some of questionable date). Apart from a few pieces of hollow-ware – bottles, vases, boxes, and censers –most surviving items are dishes. In that category the majority are saucer dishes with exceptionally tall foot-rims (over 1.2cm high); the remainder are small pieces of various shapes.
Tags: Hirado porcelain, Nabeshima porcelain
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Japanese Sword (Katana) Buying Guide
Written by admin on March 13, 2010 – 5:13 am -The Decorative Katana As Design Accent
A katana is a Japanese sword that is mostly used for swordfights as well as in various ceremonies. It is usually two-feet long and has a curved single edged blade. If you're fond of watching Samurai movies, you'll probably be familiar with this sword.
Today, katana swords are also used for decorative purposes. A decorative katana can become an impressive focal point to oriental style design themes in home and office interiors. There are katana swords that you can use for both functional and decorative purposes but there are also those that you can use for only one purpose - either as a decor accent or for martial arts training.
Tags: Japanese Antiques, japanese katana sword, Japanese swords
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Japanese Katana Swords
Written by admin on March 7, 2010 – 8:01 pm -
The katana emerged in the sixteenth century as a curved, single-edged weapon of the Samurai warrior class in Japan. When paired with a shoto (short sword) such as a wakizashi or the dagger-like tanto, the result is a daisho, a pair of swords worn representing the honor, social power and the very soul of the Samurai warrior. The longer katana was used in open combat primarily for cutting, slashing, and parrying maneuvers, while the shorter blades were used for close-quarters stabbing as well as seppuku, or ritual suicide. Katana swords were traditionally worn the edge facing up, and the art of drawing and attacking an enemy, known as iaido took years to master its many intricacies.
Tags: Japanese Antiques, japanese katana sword, Japanese swords
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Japanese Satsuma Ceramics
Written by admin on March 1, 2010 – 1:05 am -Satsuma is the name of a type of earthenware initially made in various kilns in Chosa, Ryumonji, Tateno and Naeshirogawa, in the Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima, on the island of Kyushu. All these places were under the control of the feudal lord of Satsuma.
In the late 1590s, Shimazu Yoshihiro — the lord of Satsuma — returned to Japan after fighting a war in Korea. He kidnapped a group of 22 Korean potters and their families, and put them to work in 1601, making ceramics from the white clay found at Naeshirogawa.
With strict race laws prohibiting intermarriage, these potters and their families were kept completely separate from the rest of the Japanese population. By the third quarter of the 19th century, there were more than 1,400 of these artisans, and all were engaged in pottery-making.
Tags: Asian Antiques, Japanese Antiques, Japanese Porcelain, satsuma porcelain
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Antique Japanese Kakiemon Porcelain
Written by admin on February 6, 2010 – 5:37 pm -A type of Arita ware, Kakiemon is delicate porcelain with a distinctive palette. The name is derived from a family of potters and enamellers working in Arita, who are traditionally believed to have introduced overglaze enameling on porcelain to Japan in the 1640s. The extremely fine, milky-white body (nigoshide) was believed to have been exclusive to the Kakiemon kiln, although this is now disputed. Wares include small dishes, bottles, bowls, and vases, many of which are of geometric form.
Tags: Japanese Antiques, japanese kakiemon porcelain, Japanese Porcelain, kakiemon porcelain
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