Late 19th Century Japanese signed Noh theater Mask of Okame, the Goddess of Mirth, a very popular image in Japanese culture. A beautiful example of this type of mask done by a master carver, using Cypress wood (Hinoki) and many layers of Gofun, crushed oyster shell lacquer. A very charming and well rendered image. 8.25 inches (21cm) high x 5.25 inches (13.5) wide.

Eight Part Temple Stone Pagoda or Stupa with moss lichen marks on surface,Hokyointo Type, Kansai area, Momoyama/Edo Period 16th-17th century, representing the five elements-water,earth,fire,wind,space. Size H 75" x W 25" x D 25"

Edo Period Kyogen Theater Karura (Garuda) Mask, donated in the 19th Century by the prominent collector, Dr. C.G. Weld to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Karura is a mythical fire-breathing bird-human creature from Buddhist-Hinduist mythology. A fine and rare example. Wood with lacquer. 8 x 6.25 inches, 20.5 x 16 cm.

From our Japanese Collection, a large and attractive pair of bamboo carvings, late Meiji - Taisho Period, depicting a continuous battle scene of fighting samurai, with some on horseback and some on foot, all well-carved and with a good patina. This pair makes a strong decorative statement. There are several age splits to the base of each piece, ranging from a half inch to an inch long, but none threaten the structural integrity...

Edo period, 1700s

Well-carved, lacquered and gilded, seated on a lotus petal base. The mandorla is missing, and there is an old loss to the hands, otherwise, it is in good condition. Acquired in Japan in the early 1970s.

Height: 6 ¼ in.

Beautiful large flat keyaki root wood stand with over 6 natural holes of root on surface, beautiful graining and sculptural presence, top edge carved at perimeter with incised line and raised surface on edging. Size: 40"L 25"W 5/8" H

In the style of Enku (1632-1695)

This tall, slender figure is carved from cedar in Enku's so-called hatchet style. Enku was a yamabashi, or traveling priest, whose mission was to serve the remote villages of rural Japan-- particularly those in the more northern parts. As acts of devotion, he produced thousands of Buddhist carvings over the course of his life-- many of which were given by him to the temples he served as well as the parishioners...

Pair of Inari Foxes of sculptured and fired clay with luminescent powered white glaze. In traditional Japanese art, a pair of foxes typically flank the deity Inari’s shrine image. But in modern times, images of Inari have all but disappeared, replaced instead by images of Oinari’s messenger, the magical shape-shifting fox (kitsune 狐). Here the symbolism is two-fold. First, rice is sacred in Japan, closely associated with fertility (the pregnant earth) and with sustaining life...

Fine early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look...

Beautiful large Japanese standing Amida Buddha, finely carved wood with red, black and gold lacquer, flowing drapery. Standing on base carved to look like rock and lotus and painted with a gold lacquer, inlaid glass eyes. Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 42" high x 19 1/4" wide x 14 1/2" deep.

Late Edo Period Japanese Bronze Turtle. A fascinating, finely casted bronze turtle, it has a wonderful attitude. The beautifully rendered form shares the feelings of the turtle with the viewer. 14.5 inches (37cm) long, 7.5 inches (19cm) across, and 5.5 inches (14cm) high.

Rare Japanese Okimono Pair of Bronze Silverised Patina Fighting Cocks. Fine dramatic sculptures that are amazing and can be positioned in endless ways. They feature very natural details and action. Heights: 10.5 and 8 inches, 27 and 20.5 cm.

Antique Japanese large and deeply carved ranma depicting three sages (from left to right): Le-tieguai (with the iron crutch) , Zheng si yuan (with the tiger) and Gama Sennin (with the frog). There is much of the original paint still intact. Wonderfully carved with great detail and expression. Most likely from a Shinto temple. Edo Period (18th century). Size: 27" high x 87" long x 3" deep. (very heavy!)

One of a collection of three fantastic and rare, large Edo Period Iki masks, de-accessioned from the Musée Archéologique in Strasbourg, France during the mid-20th Century. These three are rare for their large size. They have never before been offered on the art market. The other two masks are posted on this site. Carved Poloma wood with gofun (oyster shell lacquer), glass eyes and human hair. 9 inches (23 cm) high x 8 inches (20 cm) wide.

One of a collection of three fantastic and rare, large Edo Period Iki masks, de-accessioned from the Musée Archéologique in Strasbourg, France during the mid-20th Century. These three are rare for their large size. They have never before been offered on the art market. The other two masks are posted on this site. Carved Poloma wood with gofun (oyster shell lacquer), glass eyes and human hair. 7.5 inches (19 cm) high x 7 inches (18 cm) wide.

One of a collection of three fantastic and rare, large Edo Period Iki masks, de-accessioned from the Musée Archéologique in Strasbourg, France during the mid-20th Century. These three are rare for their large size. They have never before been offered on the art market. The other two masks are posted on this site. Carved Poloma wood with gofun (oyster shell lacquer), glass eyes and human hair. 7.5 inches (19 cm) high x 7 inches (18 cm) wide.

An exceedingly rare ancient Japanese Heian (794-1185) or Nara Period (710-794) Engraved Bronze Tortoise. The entire shell, front and back, has engraved artistic images of the people and symbols of the era. The tortoise is a symbol of wisdom, and is able to defend itself on its own. It personifies Water, Moon, Mother Earth, Time, Immortality, and Fertility. Creation is associated with the tortoise and it is also believed that the tortoise bears the burden of the whole world...

Antique Japanese beautiful ranma (transom carving) highly carved on both front and back with a scene depicting a pair of foxes in a mountainous setting with bamboo and rocky outcroppings, carved of keyaki (elm) wood and painted in mineral colors, hardware with buddhist details, Edo Period. Size: 13 5/8" high x 75 1/8" long