Horse bit

Price : 430 Euros

Kutsuwa 轡 Horse bit signed

谷吉利 Tani Yoshitoshi .

作州住 Resident of/forged in Sakushu province (Mimasaka ).

An authentic and beautifully crafted Japanese samurai horse bit (Kutsuwa / 轡) made of hand-forged wrought iron. Dating to the 19th century (Late Edo Period), this equestrian piece belongs to the highly collectible of a typical style. It features prominent, circular outer cheekpieces adorned with a stylized openwork cross-in-circle design, a motif highly popular among feudal cavalry and frequently associated with the family crest (mon) of the prestigious Shimazu clan.

The inner arms of the iron bars are deeply hand-chiseled with a clear, rare two-part maker's signature (mei), indicating its premium quality and historical provenance.

Inscriptions & Translation

Artisan Signature (First Image): 谷吉利 (Tani Yoshitoshi) – Handcrafted by master blacksmith Tani Yoshitoshi.

Geographical Origin (Second Image): 作州住 (Sakushū-jū) – Forged by a resident artist of the Sakushū Province (historically known as Mimasaka Province, located in modern-day northern Okayama Prefecture). This region was legendary for its high-purity satetsu (iron sand) smelted in traditional tatara blast furnaces.

Condition

The piece displays an exceptional, rich dark-brown to black natural iron oxide patina, characteristic of well-preserved samurai ironware. The structural integrity is excellent, showing fine hammer marks from traditional hot-forging. A superb museum-quality display object for collectors of Japanese militaria, armor trappings (bagu), or equestrian antiquities.