Rare and exceptional dragon 'ramma' transom from the late Meiji Period c. 1900. Superb carving of a dragon in the celestial realm surrounded by buddhist clouds all carved in great detail and flow. When a carp swims up a waterfall and makes it over the top, it turns into a dragon that roams the celestial realm as the protector of the Buddha's teachings. 3D claws and eyebrows as well as the head which stands out in relief from the body. The buddhist swirl above the head finishes off a masterpiece that belongs in a museum. 28" tall x 68" long. Condition excellent. Shipping from California warehouse.

Intricate Meiji Period C.1910 wood carving transom that came from a large 'butsudan' zen buddhist altar. Covered in gold gilt, two dakini goddesses adorn each end floating on intricate buddhist clouds. In the middle is a dragon carving, the protector of the buddhist teachings in the celestial realm. Very good condition and comes in original paulownia wood box. Length" 41" x W: 10" x H: 4". Shipping from California warehouse. Ask for shipping quote.

Superbly done bronze sitting buddha with a serene and tranquil expression. The halo behind also intricate and a masterpiece. Sits on lotus stand. H:6" x W: 4". Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece with extraordinary history. This altar table was the last of 4 pieces of a private collection we acquired at auction and was the family heirloom 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. Hachisuka Koroku, his great grandfather, was one of Hideyoshi's (the 2nd Shogun) top generals in early Edo Period and Hideyoshi awarded the Hachisuka the province of Tokushima in Awa (Shikoku) and they ruled it throughout the Edo Period until the Daimyo system was abolished in the Meiji Period in 1868. Quick to see the direction in which the wind was blowing, he pledged loyalty to the Imperial forces. In 1869, with the hanseki hokan (Abolition of the han system), he was appointed Governor of Tokushima Prefecture. In 1872, Hachisuka went to Great Britain and attended Oxford University. After returning to Japan, he was chief advisor to the Meiji Emperor. In 1882, Hachisuka was envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to France, and received the title of kōshaku (marquis) under the new kazoku peerage system. After returning to Japan, he served as a member of the House of Peers, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture, President of the House of Peers, Minister of Education, and Privy Councillor. He died in 1918, and his grave is located in Tokushima. The table has copper metalwork and intricate wood carvings covered in gold gilt. The condition is excellent. H:14cm x W:27cm Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece with extraordinary history. This altar was one of 4 piece we acquired from the a private collection and the family heirloom 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. Hachisuka Koroku, his great grandfather, was one of Hideyoshi's (the 2nd Shogun) top generals in early Edo Period and Hideyoshi awarded the Hachisuka the province of Tokushima in Awa (Shikoku) and they ruled it throughout the Edo Period until the Daimyo system was abolished in the Meiji Period in 1868. Quick to see the direction in which the wind was blowing, he pledged loyalty to the Imperial forces. In 1869, with the hanseki hokan (Abolition of the han system), he was appointed Governor of Tokushima Prefecture. In 1872, Hachisuka went to Great Britain and attended Oxford University. After returning to Japan, he was chief advisor to the Meiji Emperor. In 1882, Hachisuka was envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to France, and received the title of kōshaku (marquis) under the new kazoku peerage system. After returning to Japan, he served as a member of the House of Peers, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture, President of the House of Peers, Minister of Education, and Privy Councillor. He died in 1918, and his grave is located in Tokushima. The wood box has drawers for sutra books and has maki-e gold lacquer in relief on all sides. The condition is excellent. H:26cm x W:25 cm x Depth : 30cm. 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. Hachisuka Koroku, his great grandfather, was one of Hideyoshi's (the 2nd Shogun) top generals in early Edo Period and Hideyoshi awarded the Hachisuka the province of Tokushima in Awa (Shikoku) and they ruled it throughout the Edo Period until the Daimyo system was abolished in the Meiji Period in 1868. Quick to see the direction in which the wind was blowing, he pledged loyalty to the Imperial forces. In 1869, with the hanseki hokan (Abolition of the han system), he was appointed Governor of Tokushima Prefecture. In 1872, Hachisuka went to Great Britain and attended Oxford University. After returning to Japan, he was chief advisor to the Meiji Emperor. In 1882, Hachisuka was envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to France, and received the title of kōshaku (marquis) under the new kazoku peerage system. After returning to Japan, he served as a member of the House of Peers, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture, President of the House of Peers, Minister of Education, and Privy Councillor. He died in 1918, and his grave is located in Tokushima. The condition is excellent with minor lacquer wear on the top. The intricate carvings in gold gilt on wood are of: mythical kirin, turtle, cranes, peonies and vines all symbols of longevity and purity in Buddhism. H:51cm x W: 33cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece with extraordinary history. This altar was the family heirloom 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. Hachisuka Koroku, his great grandfather, was one of Hideyoshi's (the 2nd Shogun) top generals in early Edo Period and Hideyoshi awarded the Hachisuka the province of Tokushima in Awa (Shikoku) and they ruled it throughout the Edo Period until the Daimyo system was abolished in the Meiji Period in 1868. Quick to see the direction in which the wind was blowing, he pledged loyalty to the Imperial forces. In 1869, with the hanseki hokan (Abolition of the han system), he was appointed Governor of Tokushima Prefecture. In 1872, Hachisuka went to Great Britain and attended Oxford University. After returning to Japan, he was chief advisor to the Meiji Emperor. In 1882, Hachisuka was envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to France, and received the title of kōshaku (marquis) under the new kazoku peerage system. After returning to Japan, he served as a member of the House of Peers, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture, President of the House of Peers, Minister of Education, and Privy Councillor. He died in 1918, and his grave is located in Tokushima. The condition is excellent. H:104cm x W:58cm Ask for shipping quote.

Exceptionally rare early Meiji Period zen temple votive placque dated C.1874. The frame is carved buddhist japanese cypress clouds in gold gilt lacquer with dragon heads intertwined at the top and bottom and the scaled body intertwined on the sides. The inside wood with the date C.1874 and donor was faded so Kodo Arts removed the wood and replaced it with a bevelled mirror. Absolutely stunning one of a kind museum piece mirror. Excellent condition with a minor chip here or there. H:42" x W:23". Ask for shipping quote.

Superb gold gilt wood ramma' transom carving from a 'butsudan' or buddhist altar. C.1900 late Meiji Period. Phoenix's (HO -O ) frolicking amongst paulownia and sunflower leafs and floating in celestial clouds. The phoenix along with the dragon is guardian of the buddha's teachings in the celestial realm. Perfect condition. H:20cm x W:88cm

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.

Exceptional Late Meiji Period black and gold lacquered 'butsudan' buddhist home altar. The intricately carved altar inside is a masterpiece of delicate carvings. Black lacquered outer doors with bronze metal fittings open to inner doors with a round lattice widow. These also open revealing another world of a gold lacquered altar for one's dieties. The bottom with maki-e sliding doors houses incense or utensils. H: 53" x W: 22". Ask for shipping quote

Very unique and rare Meiji period C.1895 Japanese zen buddhist temple altar tables used for offerings in the main vestible of the main 'hondo' in a zen buddhist temple. Made of gold and black lacquered wood with copper metal fittings. Lovely as end tables. H:57cm x W:65cm. Ask for shipping quote.