A Hikeshi-Banten Fireman Jacket decorated with protective images of waves and birds outside in various dyed colors and sashiko stitching, the inside emblazoned with a dragon and tiger; symbols respectively of wisdom and protection (the dragon is a water god) and ferocity and bravery as the tiger knows no fear. The handmade coats were fashioned from several layers of highly absorbent quilted cotton fabric...

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance...

Excellent 19th century netsuke of a dragon and a tiger about to engage in a fight on a rocky outcrop under swirling clouds. Very nice pairing of two most powerful Zodiac beast, carved with supreme confidence and precision, wonderful detailing of their faces, scales, stripes and cloud textures. Eyes are inlaid with metal, beautiful wear and patina. Signed KAGETOSHI on inlaid mother of pearl rectangular reserve on the bottom - this excellent carver is discussed on p...

Japanese circular jingasa with a gradual pointed top and curved rim in the front. Lacquered black with a crest in gold. The underside is lacquered red.

Jingasa ("war hat", a type of kasa commonly worn by samurai and ashigaru.
In the Edo period, the politics of display of sankin kôtai and other ceremonial occasions led to jingasa becoming more decorative in appearance, as was also the case for many other items of samurai arms, armor, and clothing...

New Arrival

18th Century Japanese small antique scroll painting of a koi leaping up a waterfall. Beautifully painted with great expression, the fish leaps from the churning waters below. Painted in sumi ink on paper and mounted on lovely antique obi silk with a fan motif. Signed by the artist. 18th century (pvt. Collection purchased in Japan in early 1980's)
Size of scroll: 64 1/2" high x 9 3/4" wide (12" wide including scroll ends). Size of art: 35" high x 9" wide.

Very pretty and rare boxes of a pair of gold and polychrome lacquered ducks in perfect condition. On a base of taka maki-e lacquer (feather reliefs) and nashiji (gold powder) inside. Period: Meiji (1868-1912). Length 14.5 cm x height 7.5 cm. Wooden box.

A low Japanese Negoro incense table with many layers of black, red, and translucent lacquer pigment. Naturally worn finish consistent with age an use. European style hand carved leg and foot. Original hardware of hand forged iron. Traditionally used as a low stand to raise up an incensor.

Edo Period 18th Century

13 1/2" long X 11" wide X 6 3/4" high

A Japanese rare ivory netsuke depicting the Buddha’s Hand (also known as Fingered cedar) among the leaves, an ornamental and fragrant citrus fruit that is segmented into multiple sections resembling a hand...

Tsuba in shakudo decorated with a floral basket flown over by butterflies. Inlays (Taka Zogan) in solid gold, in fact the flowers are not in gilded copper as usual but in cast solid gold. The nanako background is particularly regular and deep. The artist used gold of two shades, a pure yellow and a pale yellow probably due to the addition of platinum or silver. Anonymous despite the excellent quality. Japan 19th century or before. 76x4mm

Antique Japanese jingasa helmet, made of riveted iron panels in black lacquered, with the inside of the helmet is lacquered in red. On the front is a large ume (plum blossom) mon (family crest) belonging to the Maeda Family (ruler of the Kaga). Since the helmet is made all of iron it attests to the wealth and influence of the Maeda clan. It is more than likely that this particular helmet was worn in battle showing ware that is consistent of its age. Original lacquer and patina...

Museum quality Edo Period C.1860 zen temple mizubachi. Lost wax cast with a great dragon spout in grand detail and spectacular shishi mythical lion ornament on the top of the lid. The diaper motif on the base is in raised relief and equally spectacular. The spigot on the dragon head is permanent so we are assuming that there was a constant water flow. Very slight indentation on one of the hanging jewels but so slight you can only see at the right angle. H:51cm x W: 43cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Charming Antique Japanese complete original set of 20 blue and white porcelain bowl. Swirling geometric designs decorate the inner edges with a center image of pine trees. The complete set has its original storage box with calligraphy on the lid and side. Edo Period (circa 1800's). Size: (each bowl) 1.5" H x 7.75" L x 4.25" D (storage box) 18" H x 21" L x 9.5" D

Antique Japanese uma-jirushi, flag standard for battle. This uma-jirushi is a large inverted gourd surrounded by smaller gourds. The great daimyo, Hideyoshi Toyotomi (famous for being the second unifier of Japan) made the upside down gourd his uma-jirushi symbol. A large upside down gourd was placed on top of his flag pole and smaller gourds were added around it with each victory. Called "Sen nari hisago" or "thousand gourds"...

Here is a fine example of a scholarly pursuit of finding the accoutrement for the use of calligraphy. A Japanese bronze tsuteke water dropper, in the form of an old sage or "Sennin" riding on the back of a turtle with its flowing hair-like tails. The turtle is lifting its head so that the angle would allow to pour water from its mouth. The hole is located on the back top of the turtle's shell, allowing for water to flow in...

HEAD OF NINGYO JORURI DOLL

Head part of the wooden male doll actually used for 'Ningyo Joruri' (ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku) as the traditional Japanese puppet theatre, late Edo - early Meiji period, 19th century, Japan, attached with an wooden detachable pedestal arranged for its display in recent years. Head without insertion bar: H 23 x W 14cm (9.05 x 5.51in) / Total with pedestal: H 85 x W 28cm (33.46 x 11.02in)...

Kushibako (comb box) in black lacquer with gold lacquer decoration of arrows and my in the shape of three assembled commas " mitsudomoe " (Okabe; Itakura; Kuki; Hijikata; Arima families)

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Height : 4,5 in – 11,5 cm Length : 6,3 in – 16 cm Width : 5,1 in - 13 cm

Ivory netsuke depicting a quail crouching on millet, carved with attention to detail on its feathers and body. The eyes are in horn. This netsuke is signed under the base in an oval reserve and has a natural himotoshi. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 2.8 x 3.5 x 2.3cm. State of conservation: Very good

Circular jingasa with a gradual domed top; Textured to simulate leather. The composition is of bamboo, paper, and many layers of Urishi lacquer work. The interior is finished in red with its original cotton gear straps and cushion. Excellent condition. With the mitsudome "God of War" mon...