Tatou-gami made of recycled old washi (Japanese handmade paper) with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for waterproof. Tatougami is used for wrapping kimono, precious items and so on. This was used for wrapping old books. It has four cords made of washi too. The second half of the 19th century. In good condition. 62cm x 67.5cm when it is flat.

A carpet made of recycled washi fragments which were daifukucho (merchant's record book) or letters, and kakishibu (persimmon tannin) painted for strength and waterproof. It was generally put over tatami mats protecting them from sun beam or dust. It has letters "Kanei 6 (1853)", very late Edo period. It has rips, holes and moth bites. 204cm x 192cm

Three gods of fire which are unglazed earthenware made of clay. Fire has been thought as sacred and gods of fire have been put near furnaces, cooking stoves (kamado) and open fireplace (irori) for protecting from disasters and uncleanness. It is not clear where they are from, probably Tohoku district. All in good condition, no chip or crack.19th century. Height:20cm, Width:11 to 12cm

A shop sign carved from a block of knotted wood in the shape of a tea leaf jar engraved on both sides with the character Cha (Tea) originally gilded which still reflects light from the correct angle. A large knot making up one shoulder has split apart in the center, while the outside edge remains intact. A perfect example of the Japanese aesthetic of wabisabi. It is 32 x 3 x 32.5 cm (roughly 13 x 1 x 13 inches)...

Antique Japanese drum with handle. Lacquered black on sides and wooden handle. Decorated with Tachibana mon (Mandarin-orange flower) in red lacquer on one side and black lacquer on the other.

Age: Edo Period (early 19th century)

Dimensions: 15 3/4" long x 8" wide diameter x 2 1/4" deep

An antique Japanese fish Jizai Kagi made of bamboo, wood and iron. Adjustable arm allows for height changes of the hook. Bamboo body with a wooden stem.

Age: Late Meiji period (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 11 1/4" Long by 3" Wide by an adjustable Height 75 3/4" to 104"

An antique Japanese Fish Jizai Kagi made of hand forged iron, bamboo and wood. The fish, the hook and the two segment connecting rods are made of iron while the main body is made of bamboo and the inner post is made of wood.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)
,br>14" Long by 3" Wide by an adjustable 70" to 102" High

Antique Rare Ainu woven pouch, created by the indigenous people of northern Japan. The Ainu are well known for their especially beautiful attusi garments made of woven elm bark. This rare pouch is made of a variety of natural fibers, with reinforced corners and edges. The detailed patterns of the Ainu were past down through generations of women and were believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits. This pouch is beautifully constructed with another smaller woven pocket on the inside...

Late Meiji Period C.1910 Shinto Shrine Festival Chochin Lantern. Black lacquer on wood with gold hawk feather crest. Copper metal fittings. Written in bold kanji characters, "Go Shin To" Sacred festival light. Very good condition; no tears. H: 30"; W: 7". Ask for shipping quote.

An antique Japanese large Taiko Drum with a Keyaki (Zelkova) wood body and strong leather ends. Beautiful rich deep sound when struck. All original hand forged iron hardware including the very large Taiko nails and the four carrying rings.

Age: Late Edo Era (1950-1860)

Dimensions: 30 1/4" Long by 26 1/2" Diameter.

Antique Japanese carved wood panel depicting the familiar figure of Maneki-neko. The beckoning cat with one paw raised, is a popular folklore symbol thought to bring good fortune, whether that is in the form of customers for a business (left paw raised) or, in this case, money or good fortune for the household (right paw raised). Beautifully crafted with attention to detail...

Antique Japanese Shinto mask in the likeness of a fox (kitsune). Carved of wood and lacquered dark brown, this mask is made with a movable lower jaw operated by a wooden mouthpiece. Most likely used during ceremonial dance associated with Shinto religion.

Japanese folk lore tell of many variations of the role of the fox including those closely related to guardians of Shinto Shrines...

An antique Japanese handwoven Ikebana basket used for flower arranging . Hand woven with a auspicious good luck symbol of a bamboo branch with leaves...

Japanese mingei water wheel of hinoki wood. Constructed with iron nails, joinery, complete with 17 spokes and paddles with kanji characters. The central hub has an iron piston protruding for rotational function. The wheel comes with a contemporary custom steel mount which allows it to spin smoothly and silently.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" wide diameter x 9 1/8" deep (paddle)

Considered an auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune, foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or komainu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling the doorways of shops, and protecting public buildings. The yellow Seto-ware shishi featured here is an antique from the Momoyama period that displays a soft patina developed over many decades of use...

Antique Japanese Noh theater mask of a woman, possibly Kohime, with black lacquer hair showing three loose strands on each side, bright red lacquer lips, pale face with blackened lips and sharpened eyes. Beautifully hand-carved, with painted inscription on the inside of the mask The eye holes are carved as 16 petal chrysanthemums. Dates from early 20th century.

Size: 5.5" L x 3" W x 8" H

A pair of Edo Period C.1860 shishi wood lion carvings. Quite playful as one looks back at the other in chase. Excellent detail in the carving and very expressive. Carved out of hinoki cypress. One shishi is missing a claw but otherwise very good condition. See photos. Each 12" long x 5" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Antique Japanese large pulley carved of beautiful hardwood on custom Iron Stand. Two wooden wheels on the inside are built to support a rope. The hardware is made of iron and includes a large swiveling hook. A wonderful example of utilitarian Mingei elevated to sculpture. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Size of pulley including hook: 35" high x 11 1/2" wide. Height including Custom black Iron stand: 41 1/2" high

Antique Japanese carved wooden theatre fox mask (kyogen mask) with a movable jaw that would be opened and closed by the wearer's mouth. The eyes are painted in gold while the face is painted in white lacquer with red pigment accents. A fierce scowling expression is carved into the face. Chisel marks are apparent on the backside showing it was handmade. Custom iron stand included. Eco Period (Circa 1800's) Size: 7" H x 5" W (9" H on stand)

Antique Japanese Noh performance mask of Doji, a physically pretty and youthful boy to represent eternal youth. Wonderfully hand-carved and painted with wispy hair, red lips, and blackened teeth. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 8" H, 5.5" W

A charming, large wooden Japanese sign covered top to bottom in kanji promoting sumo wrestling match. Dates from the Meiji Period 19th century. Size: 58" height, 45.5" length, 1" width

Antique Japanese theatre mask, skillfully hand-carved into the face of a tengu, or birdlike spirit, characterized by an usually long nose. His face is painted in red lacquer with black facial hair, and gold-lacquered eyes typical of a demon. The insides bears the usual rough chisel markings of a finely hand-carved piece. Meiji/Showa period. Size: 8.25" height, 6" width

A rare sake-daru (Sake Keg) made of piled woven bamboo in combination with Japanese red lacquered pine. This tsuno-daru has two horn-like staves with inscriptions, a cross piece forming a carrying handle, and a wooden plug that pulls out. This saki barrel dates pre 1920. Sake casks such as this were prepared by sake factories to be used for special ceremonial occasions in the late 19th to the early 20th centuries. In excellent condition, it measures 21” tall and 7” in diameter.

Beautiful Japanese burlwood vase for ikebana, or floral arrangements, with a complex, twisting, gnarled form. 20th century. Size: 14.25" height, 8.5" width

Antique Japanese wooden bucket with handle and iron rings around its body, use for taking measurements of rice. Within it is a large nokogiri saw with a wooden handle and a long, wooden blade cover, a thinner hand saw, and a small axe with engraved symbols and arrows pointing towards the blade. May be separated for individual purchase by request...

Antique Japanese taiko drum, made from keyaki wood, with an iron handle on its front and iron studding to keep the drum skins into place. Size: 14" wide diameter on top and bottom x 18" high. Circa 1900. Taiko drums are said to have originated when the Shinto goddess of sunlight, Amaterasu, locked herself away in a cave when her brother, Susanoo, god of the sea and storms, became enraged and created havoc on dry land...

Antique and unique Japanese Mingei Sake Bottle (Tokkuri), also usable as a flower vase. It is approx. 100 years old and made of old Shino-Ware.

You will find two amazing images on it, made with iron-oxid. Enjoy sake or beautiful flowers with this antique Mingei Folk Art item.

Mingei (民芸 lit. folk arts or arts of the people), the Japanese folk art movement, was developed in the late 1920s and 1930s in Japan...

Beautiful Japanese antique pulley made out of keyaki wood with all original finish and wonderful patina. This piece is enhanced by its trapezoid shape and utilitarian qualities. Age: Edo Period. Size: 14.75" h x 9.5" w x 5" d

Very Fine and Beautifully Rendered Hono Ema from the Tensho Shrine, dated October 7, 1695. The inscription reads Mikawa Province (modern day eastern Aichi Prefecture), Tomifuku-gun ('county'), Oshiro Mountain. While the wealthy would often give a horse as a gift to a Shinto shrine, the common person would give a Hono Ema (literally 'gift horse picture'). These plaques are then left hanging up at the shrine for the gods to see...

A storehouse (kura) lantern(andon) from late 19th century Japan, made of wooden base, and metal wire body, and hanging hook. Interior paper is a later addition. I have found a long Japanese medicine bottle that fits perfectly inside the lantern, making it suitable for flower arranging. H.17cm(6.7") x Dia.8cm(3").

Early 20th C. back pad from North Eastern Japan (Tohoku region, most likely Yamagata Prefecture.) In the local dialect, of the Echigo & Shonai Regions (current day Niigata & southern Yamagata Prefectures), these are referred to as "Bandori." Other areas call these back cushions "se-na-ate." This particular example is a "Koro [round[ Bandori" and is made from woven straw and encased in a marvelous webbing of "yamabudo" (mountain grape vine.) Coarse hemp rope also creates a striking design in fron...