NEW YORK, NY.- On October 26, Bonhams will present its annual Arts of the Samurai sale in New York showcasing nearly 200 lots of samurai culture including armors, swords, sword fittings, saddles, and helmets. Featured in the sale is a significant selection of more than 50 samurai swords with the earliest dating back to the 8th century and a number which show signs of having been used in combat. Highlighting the group is a Jūyō-ranked katana with mounts by Kashū Sanekage (active circa 1340-1380) from the Nanbokuchō era (1336-1392), estimated at $100,000 – 150,000, and an important Jūyō-ranked Sōshū katana by Tōsaburō Yukimitsu (active circa 1303), recognized as one of the founders of the Sōshū tradition of sword making, estimated at $80,000 – 120,000.

Additionally, the sale will present a number of full suits of samurai armor from the Edo period (1615-1868), a period of peace in Japan when the samurai took on more civil responsibility rather than that of the military. Of particular note is a lacquered black and laced in blue with orange highlights Myōchin Munetsugu armor with a tatehagi dō from the 18th century, estimated at $50,000 – 70,000. Also of note is a black-lacquer suit of armor with an important Myōchin kabuto, estimated at $45,000 – 55,000. Both armors come from the Myōchin school which was the most active family of samurai armor makers and had major influence on the art of kabuto and menpō construction during this period.

Additional sale highlights:

• A Saika kabuto, estimated at $30,000 – 40,000, constructed in oki tenugui style and from the Muromachi period (1333-1573), 16th century.

• A Kaga-style suit of armor from the 18th/19th century, laced in light blue with white and light green and decorated on the extremities of each component in gold pebbled lacquer, is estimated at $15,000 – 20,000.

• An Edo period shakudō and enamel tsuba from the Hirata School is estimated at $4,000 – 6,000.

• A Negoro-lacquer kura and accouterments from either the Muromachi (1333-1573) or Momoyama (1573-1615) period is estimate at $3,500 – 4,500.