A Rare Spirit Stone (Ishikami), Natural Rootwood Embracing Stone. A unique creation of Mother Nature with minor modification to the root wood grown around a stone to emulate a standing Daruma, the Patriarch of Zen Buddhism wrapped in his robe. These kind of quite rare “spirit stones”are always been highly appreciated by the Japanese. Very good, old patina; it has a very pleasant feeling to the touch. Edo, 18-19th century. H 10,5 cm. Condition: Perfect.

. The bronze is very thick yellow, the casting is made in several parts, the arms are cast separately and welded, the ribbons too. The finish is very neat. The old patina is beautiful. The base is cast separately, the walls are thin unlike the statue, but it is indisputable that the two were made together. On the base and at the bottom of the statue are incised characters that date it. I do not know what the exact time is, but I can do research on request. The glory is added later...

Buddhist shrine containing the deity Uga Benzaiten surrounded by Fifteen Children (Jugodoji), all sitting and standing on a rock formation. In the foreground are the ox and the horse, a boat laden with rice bales and the snake god Ugajin. Hidden between the jugodoji is the tiny figure of Amida Buddha.

In this shrine Benten appears in her eight-armed martial form holding various weapons (wheel, bow, spear, sword, club, lock, and arrow) and the wish granting jewel (all of them missing)...

Zushi, Buddhist shrine, containing a highly complex deity. On an eight-tiered lotus throne sits beautifully carved and decorated Dainichi Nyorai, his hands folded in his lap in meditation mudra. On his head he wears a cap in the shape of a lion head. He sits in front of a disc-shaped mandorla.

From the ceiling of the zushi hangs a drapery, decorated with of two phoenixes in fine gold on a lapis blue ground.

Wood with mineral colors, gofun, and fine decorations in gold...

Antique Japanese small bronze tsuridoro, Buddhist hanging temple lantern. Finely incised with designs of clouds, waves, scrolling vines and hollyhock leaves. A handle for hanging is attached by a chrysanthemum bud finial.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6 1/2" high (including handle) x 4 5/8" wide roof (2 3/8" wide body)

Antique Japanese horagai, conch shell trumpet made from the shell of Charonai tritonis and outfitted with a wooden mouthpiece. Horagai were used by samurai during war times to communicate location to each other over mountain terrain. They are also closely associated with Yamabushi, warrior monks of the Shugendo tradition. The Japanese conch shell horagai is special in that it can produce a range of 3 to 5 different notes...

An antique Japanese rare 2 section Butsudan (Buddhist Altar) hand made with elaborate Makie lacquerwork. Upper section has two large hinged doors decorated with a blooming Peony tree. The interior of the doors each feature a Buddhist diety, one holding a mushroom scepter with a Baku at his feet and the other studying a horizontal scroll with a Shishi (Foo dog) at his feet. Below the doors are three small drawers where Buddhist accoutrements were stored...

Very rare bronze sculpture of Daiitoku, one of the five Myoo. He is represented with six heads (three large, three small), six legs and six arms that are holding the different attributes, while he is sitting on the back of a reclining long-horned buffalo. Here, Daiitoku holds his main hands clasped together. In the others he holds a staff, chakra, sword and trident. A flaming mandorla has been inserted in the back of the buffalo and is held in place by a metal strip on the back of Daiitoku ...

Set of three large identical keman, made of gilt bronze. Decorative hangings from a Buddhist temple.

Each keman is fan-shaped (or perhaps boar's eye-shaped) with a design of two pairs of double chrysanthemum family crests set between karakusa (winding weeds) in openwork. The knotted cord in the center is executed in gilt bronze repoussé (hollow underneath). The openwork design is very carefully executed, with engraved details and nanako ground...

Antique Japanese small zushi (traveler's shrine) with unusual scene of Buddha seated on a lotus throne which rises out of billowing waves. Below him, two lords stand on top of the water while smaller lotuses bloom around them. Carved of wood with painted and lacquered details.

Age: Edo Period (1603 - 1867)

Dimensions: 5 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide (9 1/4" wide when open) x 2 5/8" deep.

Antique Japanese zushi shrine for travelers. Doors open to reveal Aizen-Myōō, one of the Wisdom Kings. Venerated in Japanese Esoteric and Vajrayana Buddhism, Aizen-Myōō is known for transforming worldly lust into spiritual awakening. In his six hands he hold attributes including a bell which calls awareness and a vajra which represents the diamond that cuts through illusion...

Very small portable shrine, zushi. The figure of Amida Nyorai is standing on a lotus base with intricately carved curled lotus petals...

Antique Japanese zushi (traveler's shrine) with double panel doors which open to reveal a standing figure of Jizo Bosatsu (O-Jizo-Sama). Jizo is the protector of travelers and firefighters as well as the guardian of the souls of all children. He stands on a lotus base with a Buddhist ring staff (shakujo) in his right hand and a jewel in his left. The doors of the shrine are painted with tennin, celestial beings on either side. Made of wood with lacquer and gold gilt.

Age: Edo Per...

Small and shallow (thin) shrine. Inside are the figures of Bishamonten (right) and Kongoyasha Myoo (left), both standing. Bishamon holds a pagoda and a halberd. The three-headed Kongoyasha’s two hands are empty.
Both are standing on a rock which is placed on a pedestal and both have a small mandorla behind their heads.

Soft wood carved and decorated with mineral colors. Mandorlas, attributes and helmet ornament in gilt metal.
Case is lacquered black on outside with gilt co...

Richly decorated Buddhist shrine containing the deity Uga Benzaiten flanked by Daikoku and Bishamon and surrounded by Fifteen Children (Jugodoji), all sitting and standing on a rock formation. In the foreground are the ox and the horse, a boat laden with rice bales and jewels and a cart laden with something related to harvest and riches. The group is surrounded by choppy waters, imaged in makie gold lacquer on the inside and outside of the shrine.

The esoteric trinity of Benten (defender o...

A pair of antique Japanese Baku corbels hand caraved from solid Keyaki wood. Rare flaming mane design adds a dragon-like fear to wore off evil spirits. Used under the eaves of Japanese temples and shrines, they devour dreams and nightmares as they protect against evil. The open mouth Baku expels all evil while the closed mouth Baku retains the good spirit.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)

Dimensions: Approximately 25" Long by 16" High by 10 1/2" Wide

An antique pair of medium sized bronze Japanese temple lanterns each comprised of three sections with hinged door for access to the interior. Original beautiful patina consistant with age. Sturdy and overall great condition. Would do well inside or outside and could command a presence in any garden setting.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Each 36 3/4" High by 14" Diameter

Miniature shrine, or zushi, with figure of Bishamonten, carved in wood.
Bishamon stands on a demon that is lying on a rock. In his left hand he holds a pagoda and in the right a short staff or stick. Behind his head a gilt metal flaming mandorla. The garment of Bishamonten is decorated in gold paint, the crown and mandorla made of gilt copper.
The inside of the doors decorated with waribishi (diamond) pattern. The back of case inscribed in red lacquer: Fu-kan-jo, which together could...

Antique Japanese cast iron figure of Bishamonten, chief of the Four Heavenly Kings and guardian of the north. Dressed for war, he stands on the back of an evil spirit. He holds a club in his right hand in association with his role as guardian. In his left hand, he holds a small pagoda representing the divine treasure house alluding to his association with wealth and good fortune. This sculpture is signed by Sekino Seiun (1889-1947)

Bishamonten is also sometimes called Tamonten,...

An antique Japanese Buddhist altar stand made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original Urushi lacquer and each part was hand carved. Featuring a center lotus flower with a 4 petal Dorje Vajra on each side. Beautiful craftsmanship throughout. Slight loss to back leg support.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 24 1/2" Wide by 9" High by 11 3/4" Deep

Kane gong or bell of a very simple, cylindrical or dish shape, without any sort of decoration. Two loops for cords to hang the gong on a wooden rack. Yellow bronze (sentoku).
Inscription incised in the rim on the back/inside. It mentions the dedication of this gong at the Zenshoji temple in Meiji 40 (1907).

Diam. 12.5 in.; H ca. 3.5 inches.

There are several temples in Japan with that name. One in Tottori Prefecture, one on Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, one on Kyushu, o...

Small painting of the 11-headed Kannon standing on a lotus dais, flanked by Bishamonten and Fudo Myoo.
In the front two red colored Nio are guarding the deities.
Inscription on the central base reads: Ichijoten (name of the temple hall), junsan koichi hongu.
The inscription on the bottom reads: Kazusa Shibayama Tenozan Kanon kyoji.
Rollers cut off and framed in mounting.

Black ink and colors on paper.
Japan, Edo period, 19th century.

Painted area: 22 7/...

Hanging scroll. The founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism in Japan, Kobo daishi (774-835), seated at a priest’s seat, holding a vajra and a rosary in his hands.
His shoes and a ewer stand underneath his chair.
Ink, mineral colors and gold on silk.
Japan, 19th century.

Painted area: ca. 34.7 x 15.95 inches (93.1 x 40.4 cm); total length 65.2 inches (165.5 cm)

Scratch through upper part, few horizontal dull creases, basically good condition. Mounting with damage.

...

Highly unusual Buddhist shrine with the image of a horse looking back. The horse has a ‘brocade’ cover over his back and is standing behind a mesh wire fence, the way they would be kept in temple compounds.

Polychromed wood with some gold details. The roof of the shrine is a separate piece and can be detached, which allows for taking apart the zushi.

Japan, Meiji period, 19th century.
Height of zushi ca. 7.8 inches (19.5 cm).

Frontal golden curtain dislodged due to war...

Elegant gold gilt Meiji Period c.1900 Zen Buddhist Altar Inner Mirror meant to reflect the soul. Beautifully carved buddhist clouds and waves. Holds a bevelled round mirror. Back is thick black lacquer. Ecellant condition. 11" by 11". Ask for shipping quote from California warehouse.

Antique Japanese taiko Buddhist temple drum. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood. Painted with mitsu domoe design, the three comma motif also used as a popular family crest. The design is painted in bold red, blue and green colors. Tightly stretched on both sides with bronze and iron hardware. Taiko (literally meaning "drum" in Japanese) first came about as a way to frighten away evil spirits and crop-threatening pests as well as to call the rain spirit to nourish the fields. Taiko drumming...

Antique Japanese small and detailed wood carving of standing Buddhist attendant figure. Gracefully positioned on a rocky out cropping, the male figure, possibly a Bosatsu himself exudes a sense of calm strength. Flowing drapery is carved with movement and intricately painted with mineral colors.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 9" high x 4 1/2" wide x 3" deep.

Antique Japanese carved wood figure of the esoteric Guardian of Buddhism, Fudō Myō-ō. The figure is simultaneously finely detailed and charmingly primitive adding to the authentic spirit of this Shingon temple guardian.

Also called Acala Vidyarāja (Sanskrit meaning unmovable king of esoteric knowledge), Fudō (sometimes simply called Fudō san in Japan) is usually the central figure in depictions of the five Wisdom Kings (Vidyarāja, Myōō). The purpose of his frightening ap...

Antique Japanese large hanging Buddhist temple lantern made of gilt copper. Elaborately designed with a three dimensional hexagonal form and decorated all over with pierced scrolling filigree featuring chrysanthemum blossoms and swirling mist. Smaller friezes display ocean waves. Raised roundels with peonies decorate the feet. The interior is lined with rice paper.

Age: Late Meiji Period (circa 1900)

Dimensions: 29" high x 33" long x 31" wide

Buddhist shrine, or zushi. Inside stands Jizo bosatsu, holding a wish-granting jewel (hoju no tama) in his left hand and his staff in the right. Very elaborate wooden carving with thick layers of lacquer on top of which gilding. Unusual face with down cast eyes. Metal staff with moving rings.
Height 11.2 inches (29.2 cm).
Japan, Edo period, 18th century.

Jizo’s right foot and left hand repaired (old), vertical crack from his left shoulder down and from his right armpit dow...

Very unusual figure of the Kigyo Kishimojin, standing with a baby in her arms, holding up a pomegranate in her right hand. In this form she represents the protector of children.
Almost abstracted wooden figure with dark patina. The mouth painted red, the eyes inlaid with glass or crystal painted with gold in reverse technique, the pomegranate made of a red kernel.

This is a very rare appearance, a kind of in-between form between the child robbing and devouring monster and the transfor...

Buddhist shrine containing a sculpture of Shichimen Daimyojin in sitting pose, one leg crossed over the other. She sits on the summit of mount Shichimen, one of her shoes by her side, holding a (golden) jewel in her left hand. In the right hand she hold another object, likely a key that is now missing.
Wood decorated with gold and mineral colors. Gilt metal mandorla behind her head, decorated with flaming jewels.
The baldachin above the figure is decorated with auspicious symbols in ...

Small Buddhist shrine, or zushi, containing the figure of the Bodhisattva Kannon Nyoirin in six-armed form, sitting on a lotus base positioned on rocks. Kannon sits in position of royal ease, his head resting on his main right arm. In his other right hands he holds the wish-granting jewel (nyoi hoju) and a rosary of stringed beads. His main left hand rests on the lotus, while the others hold a script and a, now missing, lotus flower. He wears a crown and jewelry on his chest made of gilt metal a...

Japanese antique pair of small Inari Shinto shrine foxes made of pottery with traces of Mica in the clay. Originally painted, these foxes still have traces of bright pigment. Also called Zenko, these good spirit Kitsune (foxes) are specifically associated with the Goddess, Inari.

Believed to be both messengers and guardians, Kitsune served Inari in her role as the Goddess of agriculture, specifically rice. Part of the folklore surrounding the fox is it's ability to shape shift into t...

Very small, black lacquered shrine (gilded on the inside) with inside the wooden figure of the Bodhisattva Marishi-ten in three-headed form (left head is a boar's head), sitting on a lotus base carried on the backs of seven boars. In his hands he holds a branch of the asoka tree, a sword, bow and arrows. The carving is slightly abstracted, but nevertheless full of detail. The halo and attributes are all gilded metal.
On the outside bottom there is a paper label with inscription in ink, s...

Buddhist shrine with sculpture of the bodhisattva Myoken, deity of the Polar Star and of the Big Dipper.
He is dressed in Chinese garment, standing on the back of a kida (a beast that is half turtle, half dragon-snake), holding an enormous sword. Behind his back a nimbus with seven discs, representing the seven stars of the Big Dipper. To the left of the rock base the head of a snake pops out. (Probably a snake was wound ”around” the giant turtle and broke off. When the sword was repla...