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ID #SA1196014
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Japanese Bronze Kozuka Tiger Silver Letter Opener. Antique Meiji C1880.
Sold by Krave Antiques
sold SA1196014
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Krave Antiques

Krave Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2019
Browse dealers 110 items
  • About Us
    Krave antiques are an online retailer that specialise in finding rare and unique items that you will fall in love with
Id #SA1196014
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Japanese Bronze Kozuka Tiger Silver Letter Opener. Antique Meiji C1880.

19th century
Sold 16 June 2026 · Krave Antiques
This “Japanese Bronze Kozuka Tiger Silver Letter Opener. Antique Meiji C1880” found a buyer.

It was listed by Krave Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

See more letter openers for sale Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

This antique Japanese letter opener which has a bronze Kozuka handle has a silver blade that is marked with a fish type character and dates from the Meiji period.

The bronze handle is decorated to both sides with tigers and foliage which are highlighted with real gold.

An unusual antique letter opener that comes in a new gift box so would make a fabulous gift.

Material: Bronze. White metal (Tests as silver). Gold.

Date: Meiji period c1880.

Marks: Marked with a fish type character.

Length: 21 cm (8 1/4") approx.

Weight: 34 g.

Condition: Excellent antique condition with some light signs of use in keeping with age. Some minor surface scratches and wear. Please see pictures. Comes in a gift box.

Date of Manufacture

Krave Antiques has dated this Japanese Bronze Kozuka Letter Opener to the 1880s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
21cm (8.27")
Width
1cm (0.39")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1196014
Dealers Internal Reference
JTPK1302
Dealers Notes

_____________

Please look at our website for our full stock of antiques and purchase direct www.kraveantiques.co.uk

If you have any further questions about this item please feel free to message us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

For your convenience we offer Free UK delivery on most items.

We ship worldwide. Please contact us for a quote.

Description
This antique Japanese letter opener which has a bronze Kozuka handle has a silver blade that is marked with a fish type character and dates from the Meiji period.
“
The bronze handle is decorated to both sides with tigers and foliage which are highlighted with real gold.
Krave Antiques
fig 1. An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box.
fig 1. Japanese Bronze Kozuka Tiger Silver Letter Opener. Antique Meiji C1880.

An unusual antique letter opener that comes in a new gift box so would make a fabulous gift.

Material: Bronze. White metal (Tests as silver). Gold.

Date: Meiji period c1880.

Marks: Marked with a fish type character.

fig 2. An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box.
fig 2. Japanese Bronze Kozuka Tiger Silver Letter Opener. Antique Meiji C1880.

Length: 21 cm (8 1/4") approx.

Weight: 34 g.

Condition: Excellent antique condition with some light signs of use in keeping with age. Some minor surface scratches and wear. Please see pictures. Comes in a gift box.

Date of Manufacture

Krave Antiques has dated this Japanese Bronze Kozuka Letter Opener to the 1880s.

Height
21cm (8.27")
Width
1cm (0.39")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1196014
Dealers Internal Ref
JTPK1302
Krave Antiques
Krave Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2019

Krave antiques are an online retailer that specialise in finding rare and unique items that you will fall in love with

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Krave Antiques Profile Page

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An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. SOLD16 JUN 26
1 / 12
Archive I An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. SOLD16 JUN 26

Japanese Bronze Kozuka Tiger Silver Letter Opener. Antique Meiji C1880.

Archive II An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View II
Archive III An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View III
Archive IV An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View IV
Archive V An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View V
Archive VI An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View VI
Archive VII An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View IX
Archive X An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View X
Archive XI An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View XI
Archive XII An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Krave Antiques

Krave Antiques
Telephone 07484 851259
Location
Peasedown St John
Bath
Somerset
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/kraveantiques
Verified Since Aug 2019
Items For Sale 110
Items Sold 562
Krave Antiques
Krave Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: Peasedown St John, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/kraveantiques
Verified
Aug 2019
For Sale
110
Sold
562
An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box.
Japanese Bronze Kozuka Tiger Silver Letter Opener. Antique Meiji c1880.
Ref: SA1196014
An antique Japanese bronze kozuka letter opener featuring a silver blade and a detailed tiger motif on the handle, resting diagonally on a red box.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectLetter Openers
  • Period19th century
  • StyleMeiji Period
  • MaterialBronze, Silver, Gold
  • ColourBronze and Silver
  • MotifsTiger relief, Inlaid metal details, Textured bronze handle
  • SizeH 21 cm (8 in) x W 1 cm (0 in) x D 1 cm (0 in)

FAQs

A kozuka is a small utility knife handle traditionally fitted into the side of a samurai sword scabbard, often repurposed in later periods into letter openers for export.

Meiji period metalwork frequently utilised copper alloys such as bronze, combined with inlay techniques involving gold, silver, and shakudo to create detailed pictorial motifs.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit hand-carved detailing, natural patination resulting from age, and traditional craftsmanship methods such as lost-wax casting or chiselled relief.

Such pieces function well as curated desktop objects on a timber executive desk or displayed within a glass-fronted cabinet alongside other fine artifacts.

Bronze and silver should be kept away from excessive moisture and direct sunlight, using only a dry microfibre cloth for dusting to preserve the natural patina.
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