Japanese fukusa, a silk satin gift cover depicting the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. The development of the Japanese fukusa is closely associated with their custom of gift giving. Japan has been a farming country until recently and crops were directly affected by nature (draft, floods, etc). The rituals were held within their own communities and fresh crops were offered to god. To irrigate and lay the roads, they needed the better their work relationship...

Reddish brown shrine with three very fine sculptures: Benzaiten in the middle, to her right Daikoku, and Bishamon to her left. Benten is seated on a lotus, depicted in her 8-armed appearance, holding a jewel, her other attributes are lost. On her head a crown with jewels and the snake-shaped Ugajin. Bishamonten stands on a demon and holds a pagoda, his staff now lost. Daikoku stands on two rice bales and holds a hammer and a bag. All of them on separate rock shaped bases...

Being of both simple and elegant design, this small religious shrine is so typical of Japanese aesthetics. It is made from Cedar wood and dated on the back as "Showa, 2nd year, March 17. Approximately 5" high and 3" wide.

Just superb Edo Period zen buddhist travelling altar or zushi. The rounded contoured roof and the outstanding metal work on the door and hinges indicate a high level samurai or retainer. Thick black lacquer and fine gilt on the inside. The roof dates the piece to late edo period c. 1860. The altar on the inside has 2 pillars and a cross beam with painted buddhist symbols. Request shippng quote. (H:12"; W:8")

Worn gilt over thick copper pair of Buddhist ritual vessels, one with a single spout and movable handle, the other with double spouts and a long footed handle bisecting the middle opening of the container, the design has etched bamboo, pine, cranes and turtle on body, the handle has scrolling vines done with impressed dots, the traditional stylized crane of the Nichiren sect is on the medallion. Edo Period, (1604-1868). Size A: 8.5"H 5.75"D 8.5"L Size B: 4.5"H 10.5"D 18"L

Japanese four prong Vajra or diamond thunderbolt form Chisakuin Temple, bronze with worn gilt, Edo age (over 200 years old). Very powerful ritual tool representing firmness of spirit and spiritual power. Worn gilt on one side, all over relief, double sided with lotus flower in center, trident prongs emerging from the four cardinal directions. Size: 6 1/8" long

Small flat Buddhist shrine, constructed as a triptych. When open, the middle section houses Amida Nyorai in raised carving, sitting on a lotus throne under a baldachin and surrounded by clouds. On the left panel Seishi bosatsu with his hands folded in prayer, on the right panel Kannon bosatsu with the lotus in his hands. Both bodhisattva surrounded by clouds as well. Sandalwood with details of garment and baldachin in gold. Background in lapis blue...

Late Taisho Period C.1915 buddhist temple bronze altar lanterns with intricate zen cloud patterns and lattice work. The bronze work is immaculate and the cratsmanship without flaw; typical Taisho Period work. The oiled rice paper lining the inside of the main body is gone but the condition of the pieces is excellent. H:23cm x W:13cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Pair of rare negoro lacquered, wood Edo Period C.1860 zen buddhist temple altar candlestands. Fabulous buddhist cloud carvings in gold gilt at the base. Wood is Japanese cypress. H:23" x W:12". Great condition. One candlestand has a split at the top. (see picture). Ask for shipping quote.

Wonderful Japanese cypress wood carving of Amida Buddha from the Edo Period c. 1860. The halo is delicately carved and remarkably intact. The serene expression of the face is of tranquil bliss. The stand is surrounded by lotus petals. The left hand has some finger damage. Ask for shipping quote. H:14" x W:7".

Exceptional Late Edo Period C.1860 zen buddhist traveling altar usually carried by samurai. In a small wooden 'zushi' or wood altar with hinged doors, inside is Fudo-Myo, the immovable king carved out of wood sitting on a carved stand of lotus flowers. He symbolizes compassion with firmness. He holds a sword and he has the power to crush all obstacles and troubles. Ask for shipping quote. H:11cm x W:8cm

Exceptional carving of Kannon Bosastu or Bodhisattva the goddess of compassion and mercy. She holds a lotus in her left hand symbolizing purity and ability to rise from the mud to transform into a beautiful flower. She stands on a stand of lotus pedals with large lotus leaves. To the side are buddhist clouds. Painted in the Edo Period c. 1860, some of the colors have worn away and the right foot is chipped off. Hinoki wood. Comes in paulownia wood box. Ask for shipping quote. H:19cm x W:28cm

Hand shrine, or zushi, in the shape of a lotus bud, carved in two halves. On the inside, on one side the standing figure of Amida Nyorai on a lotus base, his hands in mudra. The other half of the lotus bud is decorated with a mutsume pattern (imitating a triaxial weaving) in kirikane (very thin strips of gold foil). Japan, Edo period, early 19th century.
Very light, soft wood. On the outside red lacquer, covered with leaf gold, that is partly rubbed off again...

Hand shrine, or zushi, of the triptych type. Inside, in the middle section sits Amida Nyorai on a lotus base, flanked by Seishi and Kannon bosatsu. Inside the left panel, and inside the right panel tennin (apsara) flying over a lotus pond. Image of Western Paradise.
Sandal wood...

Edo Period Portable Wood Buddhist Shrine with Exquisite Carving. 17h x 12w inches, 43h x 30.5w cm. In Buddhism, portable shrines were made so that devout travelers with nowhere to worship could carry their shrines with them. The shrines were made with closing doors, to preserve the artwork. This shrine features exquisitely carved deities and finely lacquered details.

Museum piece bronze temple lantern dated Bunsei 13 ( Edo Period C. 1830). Inscription on the base reads: Bunsei 13, Year of the tiger, November, Auspicious Day. Gosho - machi ( Gosho village) Shoei-Ji (Shoei Temple). Shoei Temple is a Jodo -shu temple in Nara established in C.1100. It was rebuilt in C.1577. The lantern is bronze with a chrysanthemum motif and lined with old rice paper. In unbelievably great condition. H: 76cm x diameter: 28cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece with extraordinary history. This altar table was one of 4 pieces we acquired at auction from the private residence of the 14th and final Daimyo (Lord)of the Tokushima Han (clan) Hachisuka Mochiaki of Awa Province on Shikoku Island in central Japan in the Edo Period. He lived 1846-1918...

Small shrine with a wooden sculpture of Jizo, standing with a jewel in one hand (which are missing), his staff (which is missing) in the other. Here he is represented as Danda Jizo, assisting those who are suffering in hell and saving small children from the wheel of rebirth. The paintings on the doors show naked children chased by demons in hell. Polychromed wood with delicate details. Metal madorla. Japan, late Edo period, around 1800.
Height zushi: ca...