Considered to be one of the most beautiful coins in the world, the Japanese oban was a large oblong striated and stamped gold piece, which often appeared painted with Japanese characters. This is a gilded gilded brass replica of the rare oval gold Tensho Naga (“long”) Oban. There are overall striations and stamped circular emblems of paulownia on both sides, and the front is painted with large black calligraphic characters. It likely dates to the mid-20th century...

This unusual cluster of Japanese hand bells, called “suzu” bells, was actually once used by an actor portraying a Sambaso dancer. Late Edo/early Meiji period (mid-1800’s). There is a wooden handle, an engraved brass hand plate and fittings, and thirteen brass bells on three rungs -- two bells on the top rung, four in the middle and seven on the bottom.

Sambaso is an auspicious ritual dance of ancient origin which was intended to appease the gods and bring good fortune...

This beautiful Japanese pure silver (“jungin”) teakettle (“ginbin”) is finely crafted and decorated with an engraved floral design. Meiji period, ca. 1900-1920. The base is stamped with the impressed four character mark “jungin” or “jyun-gin” (pure silver). This mark was used primarily during the Meiji period and for a short time thereafter, and the usual standard for it was 950...

The top of this square Chinese brass ink box is engraved with four large kanji characters and dates to the late 19th century, Qing period. Originally there would have been an inkstone fitted into the inside of the cover. The lip of the bottom section is lined with copper, and the brass base is unmarked.

These tightly-fit boxes were used by scholars when they traveled so they could paint and do calligraphy. Cotton was placed in the bottom of the box and water was dripped into it...

This Japanese “ornamental” tetsubin (iron kettle) is wonderfully decorated on both sides in very high relief with extremely unusual motifs. Late 19th century, Meiji period. The patinated brown and red mottled bronze lid bears the engraved signature “Seijudo zo.” There appears to be a cast square seal mark on the bottom of the body, but it is unrecognizable. On one side, there is a lotus root and pea pods cast in high relief, with the pea pods represented both in open and closed form...

This heavy antique Japanese “ornamental” tetsubin (iron kettle) is strongly cast and wonderfully decorated in high relief with grape vines and a squirrel set into deeply recessed irregular panels. Meiji period, ca.1900. The iron body is signed in relief beneath the spout with the four-character seal of “Ueda Zo,” a mark which appears only on tetsubin of the highest quality...

This unique large bronze personal hibachi or hand-warmer in the form of Daruma, the patron saint of Zen Buddhism, dates to the 18th century, possibly circa 1700 or earlier. The base is inscribed “Fujiwara saku” in katakibibori, the uneven engraving imitating brush strokes. The interior of the base also contains a relief cast family crest, the “hanabishi” (China flower) design of the “Takeda no Shingen mon,” which indicates that this piece may likely even be of 17th century production...

These diminutive vintage inlaid place card holders were hand crafted in iron inlaid with miniature designs intricately inlaid in gold and silver. Ca. 1940-1950. The reverse side, the base and the clip to hold the name card in place are made of brass. Made by the Amita Jewelry Company, the bases are stamped “Amita Japan.” Each holder bears a different floral or landscape scene featuring birds, flowers, pagodas, boats and Mt. Fuji...

Each side of this most unusual brass match safe is decorated with relief figures running in a rainy landscape scene inside a cartouche surrounded by a scaly repousse dragon. Meiji period; late 19th/early 20th century...

This wonderful set of Japanese kugikakushi (ornamental metal covering to hide nails) was relief cast in the form of “karahana” and dates to the early 20th century. The metal has been coated to simulate copper or bronze. The flowers were cast in high relief with an offset punched ground filled with tiny circles, and the details are finely rendered. Both kugikakushi have the characteristic squared push-pin type shafts.

Fancy kugikakushi such as these were usually decorated with various im...

These Japanese bronze kugikakushi (ornamental metal covering to hide nails) were cast in the form of cranes with wings outstretched in flight. Meiji/Taisho period, early 20th century. The cranes were cast in high relief, and their faces and feathers are finely rendered. Both kugikakushi have the characteristic squared push-pin type shafts. Fancy kugikakushi such as these were usually decorated with various good luck and auspicious motifs. In Japan, the crane (“tsuru”) is one of the most popu...

These Japanese bronze "kugikakushi" (ornamental metal covering to hide nails) were relief cast in the form of stylized dragons coiled to form the shape of stylized clouds. Meiji/Taisho period, early 20th century. The dragons were cast in high relief against a punched ground with tiny circles. Both kugikakushi have backplates and the characteristic squared push-pin type shafts. Fancy kugikakushi such as these were usually decorated with various good luck and auspicious motifs. In Japan the dragon...

This diminutive Japanese covered silver box is hand hammered and finely stamped in the form of an early Japanese “koban” coin. Possibly a kogo (incense container), it is dated 1957. The bottom of the case bears the Japanese silver hallmark "JUNGIN" (pure silver) and "GINSEI" (made from silver) in Kanji letters. Both can be regarded as over silver 92.5% quality. This inscribed sterling silver case was made to commemorate the inauguration of the Koban Komatsu Store, a luxury shop which still ...

This simple and elegant Japanese hand hammered copper vase in basket form with a double entwined relief work handle is an unusual representation in Art Deco style of a “hanakago” or bamboo flower basket. Early 20th century. The four sides flow in a softly rounded shape from a square base and culminate in a square lip. Each copper strip of the double handle has been pressed repeatedly with little rivet-like bumps and then twisted together, giving it a wonderful tactile appeal in addition to ...

This Japanese bronze “kugikakushi” (ornamental metal covering to hide nails) was cast in high relief in the form of a bamboo stalk and leaves. Mid-Meiji period, ca. 1880-1890. Fancy kugikakushi were decorated in various good luck and auspicious motifs such as this one. It depicts a large bamboo (“take”) stalk with its leaves that is a symbol of strength and resilience in the Japanese culture. Having been cast in bronze, it has copper accents in the leaves and the bamboo.

Kugikakush...