An antique Japanese scroll of a recumbent cat gazing into the foreground amongst the blooming Peony flowers. Hand painted on silk using opaque pigments. Subject was painted in the style reminiscent of the Sung and Ming dynasty images of cats with the unusual exception of its gaze towards the viewer rather than looking up or at the flowers. Both the cat and the Peonies are auspicious symbols in the Japanese culture and often depicted in its art and poetry...

A beautifully hand painted two panel byobu screen depicting a young samurai being prepared for battle. Signed and sealed by artist 仙挙 Senkyo. Painting is of a servant kneels before the samurai helping to assemble the many layers of protective clothing an armor...

A rare an Important work by Fukuda Suiko depicting a realizing all white realistic peacock on applied silver background. Very fine detail in every aspect. Pigment is layered to give a three dimensional feeling.
In Japan, Peacocks are associated with the deity called Kannon...

A pair of original Japanese full six panel byobu screens. Beautifully handpainted with sumi pigments on stunning silver leaf background. Depicting a naturalistic scene, including rolling hills, trees, and bay water expanse.
Byōbu (屏風, "wind wall") are Japanese folding screens made from several joined panels. May be used to separate interiors and enclose private spaces, creating a among other uses. May easily be mounted on the wall for a modern home today...

The Ten Pleasures of Tea, ink on paper in a paper boarder with bamboo rollers befitting the rustic scene. Likely an image of the great poet and tea master, Bassho. Titled Charakujutoku (The Ten Pleasures of Tea). The image signed Kanzan, the calligraphy Kunsen.

Yamada Kanzan (Nagoya, 1856-1918) studied under Kosone Kendo and was a renowned literati and Seal Carver...

Antique Japanese pair of screen paintings, one of early Summer (or Spring): rabbits, blossoming wisteria and peonies. And the other of Winter: birds including sparrows and kingfishers with snow-covered bamboo and red clusters of berries on a large nandia bush. Painted using mineral colors and gold leaf on paper. Signed Eigaku Kano (1790-1867).

Eigaku Kano was the ninth head of the "Kyo Kano", the Kyoto branch of the Kano School...

Antique Japanese screen painting of a beautiful woman or man, possibly a taikomochi or male geisha smoking a long pipe, leaning on a padded lacquered stand and wearing elegant flowing robes patterned with flowers. In the background stands a ink painting of a mountain landscape. The right hand panel is painted with a standing kimono rack, lacquered black with gold butterflies...

Late Meiji (1900s - 1910s) Japanese scroll painting in ink and colors on paper depicting 16 arhat - the original disciples of the historical Buddha - in different attitudes, most of them recognizable by their attributes. Excellent quality eccentric painting with wonderful half-mad faces, beautiful use of colors. Paper mounts, wooden scroll ends, in great condition. Exceptionally striking painting. Signed DOZO HIROKAMI FUDE (Treasury of Tao painted by Hirokami) followed red seal of the artist...

Japanese Edo Period scroll painting of a yamabushi, a mountain ascetic hermit or holy man. Often believed to be endowed with supernatural powers, the yamabusi follow the Shugendo doctrine, a religion that places heavy emphasis on feats of endurance. Throughout history, they have participated in battles along side samurai. In this painting, the warrior/sage is leaning on a walking stick...

Pair of Japanese 6-panel screen paintings. Painted with a continuous scene of a rural landscape. Mountain pavilions sit atop high peaks reached by winding trails. Across an expanse of calm water stretches a long, low foot bridge occasionally interrupted by a sudden archway. Boats and tiny figures go about their business. Painted in sumi ink and with gold leaf on paper.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions of each painting: 67 1/2" high x 142 1/2" long

Seated in meditation with open and compassionate heart, this bodhisattva is on a spiritual journey, postponing his own salvation in order to remain on earth to help others achieve enlightenment. In contrast to some images of the Japanese Bodhisattva (Bosatsu), often depicted as austere and inward looking, here, Kimura depicts the Bodhisattva as playful, carefree, and decidedly ornate. The inverted image of white contrast dye on black silk also makes for a striking composition.

A mas...

A charming painting in ink and colors on silk depicting a young, long-haired girl in traditional dress with her back turned to the viewer. Signed: Nobumaru (Mitsubumi 1812–1879), a late Tosa School painter in the Nihonga tradition. Exquisite mounting. Meiji, c. 1865–1875. L 182 cm, W 60 cm. Picture frame: L 109 cm, W 42.5 cm. Condition: Very good.

Antique Japanese pair of paintings depicting two dragons in a dense mist. Gold flashes light up the clouds. Symbolizing the ultimate yang, or masculine energy, the dragon is the controller of both winds and water. Painted in sumi and gold ink on silk and signed by the artist. Both panels are loose (unmounted). Dates from 1834 or later by painter Kanō Seisen'in Osanobu (1796-1846) Some biographical information here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG4764 Here he's...

Hanging scroll. A dragon shoots upwards through the clouds. Its head clearly visible, pointing straight up, the tail faintly disappearing in the darkness of the sky. Black ink on silk. Very skillful use of many shades of black and gray. Signed and dated in the lower left: Bunka year of the dog (1814), Fuyu and artist’s red seal Rintai.
Japan

Image: H 52.5 x W 20 in. Mounting: H 81.5 x W 25 in. (lower roller 27.25 in. wide)

Mounting in excellent condition, painting too.

Very small hand scroll showing five erotic scenes. High quality painting in the style of Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).

Black ink, colors, gofun, black lacquer on silk. Gold flakes (now oxidized) on the backing paper. Glass or crystal scroll ends.

Japan, Meiji era, 19th century.

L 82.5 x H 2.5 inches

Gold flakes oxidized, otherwise excellent condition.

Antique Japanese small scroll painting for a shrine depicting the goddess Benzaiten (Benten). One of the 7 Lucky Gods, Benten is the goddess of good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge. She originates from Saraswati, goddess of music. Here in this painting, she is in her 8-armed form called Happi Benzaiten. Each hand holds a specific buddhist attribute. She stands atop a dragon which hold a precious magic pearl in it's claws. On her crown is a small torii gate. Below, each on their...

Hanging scroll. Various insects walking in line with luggage, simulating a lord (daimyo) traveling with his entourage to or from the capital (samurai or daimyo gyoretsu). A butterfly, suzumushi, praying mantises, yellow jackets and grass hoppers are traveling in a line, holding flowers and grasses for keyari, carrying a honeycomb for a palanquin, and berries for luggage.
Black ink and colors on silk.
Signed Bunrei; two red seals reading bun and rei.
Japan, mid 19th / second ha...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a rugged mountain landscape. A house is nestled between trees and rock formations. A tiny figure in the lower mid-left climbs toward the house. Tanaka Hakuin (1866 - 1934) Hakuin was born in Suruga Province (present Shizuoka Prefecture) in 1866. His real given name was Keizaburo. Hakuin is a pseudonym. In 1883, when he was 17 years old, he went to Kyoto and became a disciple of Tanomura Chokunyu, master Nanga style painter. Hakuin was good at painting...

Antique Japanese scroll with a small painting of a building, possibly a shrine or a palace with gate high in the mountains and surrounded by trees. Painted in ink and light colors on silk. Calligraphy and signature and with tomobako. The seals are hard to make out but lowest two read 白山, White Mountain, Hakusan, Hakuzan artist's name.

Dimensions: Total size: 41 1/4" high x 12 1/2" wide (14 1/4" wide with rollers). Size of art: 7 3/4" high x 6 1/2" wide

Japanese scroll with calligraphy around a bridge and blooming irises. With box and extensive writing. Ink and mineral colors on paper. Post-humous work of Kenzan's famous "Yatsuhashi" Artist Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743) — biographical information here: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ogata-Kenzan And the seal at the bottom left is: 深省 An online source says this is Shinshо̄, but Shinsei could also be possible (and the bio link above mentions both) As the link says: His ...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a noble courtier on horseback. He wears a green robe with swirling gold details and his horse is adorned in red tassels. His younger attendant hurries behind on foot. Both figures hold their long sleeves over their heads as they make their way through the snow. A tree in the background is partially obscured by a low mist. Painted in sumi ink and mineral colors on silk. Signed: Kiyohara shi onna Harunobu hitsu. Seal: Harunobu, Provenance Indianapolis M...

Antique Japanese calligraphy scroll painting by the Confucian scholar, poet, koto musician, calligrapher and artist, Ryū Kōbi (also called Ryû Sôro) (1714-1792). Sumi ink on paper. With three seals, one being his trademark Dragon seal.

This work is Waka poetry done in traditional 5-7-5-7-7 syllables or a 5-line wake poem. Which traditionally calls up an image of nature that then alludes to an emotion. This poem is one written long ago by the famous Chinese poet Zhang Ji (A...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of blossoming morning glories on a vine. painted in vibrant mineral colors on silk. Signed by the artist. "Kido Son, 貴堂草衣, (1899-1984) was born in Kyoto. He studied painting at the Kyoto Municipal School of Painting and under Yamamoto Shunkyo (1871-1933). His work was consistently accepted into the Teiten and Bunten National art exhibitions." Comes with original double box.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: Total: 55 1/2"...

A large hanging Japanese scroll of Daruma the founder of Zen Buddhism that dates to Circa 1900. Duruma has been painted in red and black, on fine silk, and mounted as a scroll using gold threaded brocade borders. The scroll ends are made of a tropical hardwood. The scroll has been signed and marked with the Seal of Kano Sanroka. The scroll measures about 21 3/4" x 80", and the picture by itself measures about 16" x 44". The condition is good. The mountings are original, and there is no dam...

105" long late Meiji to early Showa period Japanese ink and color on silk scrolled painting by Yagioka Shunzan (1879-1941) depicting figures on a boat in a landscape scene. A craggy cliff with pine outcroppings rises sharply above the emerging boat. Signed in black ink at the lower right and with the artist's red seal below. Early 20th century. Scroll: 105" x 28 7/8" (painting: 63" x 22 1/8"). Very good overall condition. The right top mounting section is slightly tattered on the right edge...

Eight paintings on paper illustrating some excerpts from The Chronicle of the Heike (1968), a historical novel by the Japanese writer Eiji Yoshikawa (1892-1962). He describes with great realism, the accession to power of the Heike clan warriors or Taira particularly his struggles with the Genji clan or Minnamoto.
An ancient and extremely popular tale in Japan, the Tale of the Heike was originally declaimed by monks accompanied by the biwa. The identity of the original author is not certai...

A Minimalistic Hanging Scroll Painting by Okada Hanko Hanging scroll painting depicting a group of rocks. Ink on paper. Signed Hanko and two seals. Okada Hanko (1782-1846) a Nanga painter and Caligrapher. He was born in Osaka, the son and pupil of Okada Beisenjin. Like his father, he served for a period as a Confucian scholar to Lord Todo of Tsu; at the age of 43 he resigned and joined the circle of intellectuals in Osaka and started to study Chinese painting specialising in misty landscapes...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of Buddha Amitābha also known simply as Amida Buddha and two Bodhisattva attendants: Sanzon Bosatsu (with both hands holding a lotus blossom) and Seishi Raigo Bosatsu (with hands in gassho adoration mudra). The central figure, Amida Nyorai stands with each foot on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds as he descents. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Golden rays...

Japanese Zenga scroll painting of a staff by the Zen master Nakahara Nantenbō (Toju Zenchu) (1839–1925). Born into the Shioda samurai clan in Saga Prefecture, Nantenbō lost his mother when he was 7 years old and was sent to Yukoji monastery to study as a novice when he was 11 where he became a monk of the the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. From there he trained at many different centers, making a pilgrimage to visit twenty four leading Zen masters, earning an inka (certificate of enlighten...

Antique Japanese Esoteric Buddhist scroll painting depicting seated Amida Nyorai (Buddha Amitabha) flanked by the 12 Jūniten (Deva Guardians). The 12 Jūniten (6 on either side) are identified as Taishakuten (Skt. Indra) Lord of Jūniten, Katen (Skt. Agni) of Southeast and Fire, Enmaten (Skt. Yama) South and the Underworld, Futen (Skt. Yayu) Northwest and Wind, Bonten (Skt. Brahma) Heaven, Suiten (Skt. Varuna) West and Water, Bishamonten (Skt. Vaisravana) North and Wealth, Rasetsuten (Skt....

Antique Japanese byobu (screen painting) depicting a tiger. Standing in a bamboo grove, he looks upwards towards the gathering storm clouds. Bamboo leaves start to blow in the wind. Nearby a small stream crashes over rocks. The tiger and the dragon are often seen together in Japanese art. The tiger represents the wind and the West while the dragon represents water and the East. In this painting the tiger looks back over his shoulder up at the gathering clouds in anticipation, expecting t...

Antique Japanese byobu screen painting in six panels depicting a scene of a pair of pheasants sitting on the branch of a weeping willow tree. Ever feather is painted with care as is every leaf on the cascading willow. Lichen grows on it's gnarled trunk and a river flows calmly by. New shoots of bamboo peek over a low lying gold mist and pink azaleas spring from the rocks near the water.

Paired pheasants are a symbol of imperial elegance and are associated with Amaterasu-Omikami, g...

An antique Japanese Byobu screen in 2 panels depicting a Cherry Blossom tree with Bamboo and a full moon on a spring evening. Artist signed and painted in a Sumi-e technique over Gofun paper, he has sprinklings of gold specks to give the illusion of the last tidbits of sunlight fading into an evening moon. The frame was finished in a Negoro Urushi lacquer.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 68 3/4" High by 70 3/4" Wide

Hanging scroll. Portrait of probably Sugawara no Michizane, sitting in court dress - a black garment with a long white sash - holding a wooden mace. The black garment, with red liner, is delicately decorated with flowers between waving lines. The sash also decorated with stylized flower shapes.

Tosa style. Signature at bottom: Yuho Issho ga. Red seal: Issho no in.

Colors on silk.

Japan, early 19th century.

Painted area: 23 5/16 x 10 13/16 in. (39.7 x 27.9 cm).
...

MUDRA OF ESOTERIC BUDDHISM

10 pieces of the practitioner’s manuscript of various hand-signs called ‘tein’ (also ‘inso’, ‘ketsuin’) as the mudra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudra) of ‘mikkyo’ (Japanese Esoteric Buddhism), as the symbolic or ritual gesture or pose performed with the hands and fingers for marking each secret of various buddhas, bodhisattvas, deities, etc. Early 20th century. approx. 31 x 26cm (12.20 x 10.23in) each. Some expected...

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a dragon in clouds. In his left-hand claws, he holds the flaming hoju, the wish-granting pearl. Storm clouds billow below him. Painted in sumi ink on silk with details in white and gold ink.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: total size of scroll 75" high x 10 3/4" wide (12 1/4" wide including rollers). Size of art: 45 1/4" high x 9 3/8" wide