1800s Japanese Antique Brass Fish Padlock 1800s Samurai Era Lock Rare

🐟 Antique Japanese Edo Period Brass Fish Padlock – 1800s Samurai Era Lock

This is an authentic Japanese antique brass padlock from the Edo Period (1800s), beautifully crafted in the form of a stylized fish — a powerful traditional Japanese symbol representing protection, abundance, perseverance, and good fortune.

These figural locks were historically used on merchant chests, document boxes, tansu storage cabinets, and valuable household trunks. Fish-shaped locks were believed to guard possessions and ward off misfortune, making them both practical tools and symbolic protective objects.

Handcrafted from solid brass, this antique lock features detailed carved scales, a bold fish silhouette, and a naturally aged patina developed over more than a century. The locking mechanism remains fully functional, opening and closing smoothly.

Sourced directly from a Japanese Government Antique Auction, this rare Edo-era piece is an exceptional addition for collectors of Japanese antiques, samurai-era artifacts, tansu hardware, or museum-quality folk craftsmanship.

✅ Product Highlights

✅ Genuine Edo Period Japanese padlock – 1800s
✅ Rare fish-shaped (uo-gata) design
✅ Symbol of protection and prosperity
✅ Solid hand-cast brass construction
✅ Fully functional locking mechanism
✅ Original aged patina – never polished
✅ Traditionally used on tansu chests & merchant boxes
✅ Excellent antique condition for its age
✅ Sourced from a Japan Government Auction
✅ Museum-quality Japanese craftsmanship

📦 Details
Item: Japanese Fish-Shaped Padlock
Era: Edo Period (1800s)
Material: Solid Brass
Style: Traditional Uo-Gata (Fish Form)
Origin:Japan
Functionality: Fully functional

🟠 Condition
This lock is in excellent antique condition considering its age of over 100 years. It retains its original aged surface and natural patina with signs of historical use consistent with authentic Edo-period antiques.

The locking mechanism functions smoothly.
Please inspect all photos carefully and judge the condition for yourself.

📚 Additional Info About This Item
During the Edo Period, decorative padlocks were commonly used by merchants and wealthy households to secure valuable goods and documents. Animal-shaped locks, especially fish motifs, carried symbolic meaning in Japanese culture and were believed to attract prosperity while protecting stored belongings.

Pieces like this were individually handcrafted using traditional metal casting methods, making each example unique. Surviving functional examples with strong detailing and untouched patina are increasingly difficult to find today.

This antique works beautifully as:
Japanese antique display
Samurai-era collection piece
Tansu chest accessory
Wabi-sabi décor accent
Museum-style folk art object

📢 Important Shipping Policy Update
To ensure safe delivery, we currently ship one item per order only.
Orders with multiple items may be canceled and refunded. Once your item arrives safely, you’re welcome to place another order.

📦 Condition
Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the item description. Dimensions and additional details are provided in the images.