Lot BCS-001

Anki: The Ninja’s Hidden Tool and Bamboo Cleaner

Specifications:

Location:

Other

Size:

10 x 11 cm

Material:

Iron | Brass

Available in Dubai

Approximate price USD - 1400 $

5 100,00 AED

Buy

Lot Highlights

Rarity and Value
This rare bamboo cleaner is an extraordinary relic from ancient Chinese temples, used in the meticulous art of bamboo maintenance. Crafted from iron and brass, it features a spiked mechanism designed to refine bamboo poles for construction, calligraphy, and ritual purposes. Such tools were essential to preserving the structural integrity and aesthetic purity of temple artifacts, making this piece a significant historical artifact. Additionally, this artifact is identified as a Japanese ninja weapon, anki, known as “dark tools” from the Edo period. Anki were covert implements used by ninja for stealth operations, showcasing their adaptability in various tasks, from combat to craftsmanship.

Discovery and Acquisition
Unearthed from a temple workshop, this bamboo cleaner bears the marks of centuries-old craftsmanship. With inscriptions and an aged patina, it connects us to the artisans who meticulously shaped bamboo for spiritual and architectural purposes. The tool’s provenance suggests its use in temple construction, where bamboo was a sacred material, carefully prepared for both practical and ceremonial applications. Given its dual nature as an anki weapon, it offers insight into how ninja tools often disguised themselves within everyday objects, enhancing their secretive functions.

Craftsmanship and Presentation
The cleaner is composed of sturdy iron and brass, forming a folding mechanism that encases a set of sharpened teeth. The handles provide a firm grip, ensuring precision in bamboo refinement. Brass accents feature engraved Chinese characters, adding to the authenticity and cultural significance of the piece. Despite its utilitarian purpose, the intricate design speaks to the craftsmanship and dedication of temple artisans. In the hands of a ninja, this item could serve not only as a tool for bamboo processing but also as a concealed weapon, exemplifying the ingenuity of Edo-period weaponry.

Human Touch
Holding this tool evokes the hands of past craftsmen, who dedicated their lives to preserving temple structures and creating works of spiritual and artistic significance. The rhythmic process of cleaning bamboo with such a device was both a meditative and technical practice, ensuring harmony between material and craft. Additionally, the presence of this object in ninja arsenals highlights their resourcefulness, transforming ordinary-looking tools into hidden weapons of strategy and survival. This artifact is more than a tool; it is a testament to the ingenuity and discipline of both traditional Chinese artisanship and the clandestine world of Japanese ninjutsu.

Read more

Brought to you by

Need more details?

Send request

Lot BCS-001

Anki: The Ninja’s Hidden Tool and Bamboo Cleaner

Item has been added to your Cart

You cannot add "Anki: The Ninja’s Hidden Tool and Bamboo Cleaner" to your cart again.

Enquiry

Lot BCS-001

Anki: The Ninja’s Hidden Tool and Bamboo Cleaner

Thank you for your interest. Please fill out the below form, and our specialist will follow up with you shortly.

Thank you for your interest
We will be in touch shortly

We will never pass your personal information to anyone outside of Artefactum Gallery for their own marketing purposes without your consent. For more information about how we processes your data, please click here to read our Privacy Notice.

Brought to you by

Enquiry

Condition Report

Thank you for your interest. Please fill out the below form, and our specialist will follow up with you shortly.

Thank you for your interest
We will be in touch shortly

We will never pass your personal information to anyone outside of Artefactum Gallery for their own marketing purposes without your consent. For more information about how we processes your data, please click here to read our Privacy Notice.