Beautiful wooden jizaigake, or pothook hanger. This rather straight type is called Ebisu, after the shape of Ebisu’s hat. The hanger was suspended with a rope from a heavy beam, over the open hearth. From the hanger an adjustable hook was hung that held the kettle. Zelkova wood. 19th century. 11 x 8 x 5 3/8 inches. Beautiful patina, some age cracks and slight traces of usage. Very good condition. Metal support.

Beautiful wooden jizaigake, or pothook hanger. This rather straight type is called Ebisu, after the shape of Ebisu’s hat. These hangers were suspended with a rope from a heavy beam, over the open hearth. From the hanger an adjustable hook was hung that held the kettle. Black lacquered zelkova wood. 19th century. 12 ¾ x 10 ¾ x 8 ½ inches. Good piece of mingei. Beautiful patina, some age cracks and slight traces of usage. Very good condition. Metal support.
It is very unusual for jizaigake to be lacquered. A similar piece can be found in the Montgomery collection.

Beautiful wooden jizaigake, or pothook hanger. This type is called Daikoku, after the shape of Daikoku’s hat. These hangers were suspended with a rope from a heavy beam, over the open hearth. From the hanger an adjustable hook was hung that held the kettle. Good piece of mingei. Zelkova wood with rests of smut, especially in the grooves. Japan, 19th century. H 9 ½; w 9 ¼; 2 ¾ inches. Slight traces of usage, very good condition.
The straight hangers are called Ebisu, after the courtly hat that Ebisu is usually depicted with. These are the two most common variations in jizaigake.

Painting depicting the Descent of Amida. In the middle Amida Buddha, to his right the bodhisattva Seishi and Jizo in his priest’s garment. On Amida’s left kneels Kannon. In this scene Buddha comes down to transport the newly deceased devotee to the Western Paradise. In his company one traditionally finds Seishi, who holds his hands in prayer, and Kannon, who holds the lotus for transporting the deceased to Paradise. Color and black ink on silk. Painted area 39 7/8 x 19 ¾ inches. 19th century. Contemporary mounting, needs a little restoration. Several small cracks in the paint, not in the silk, some unevenness in surface, otherwise good condition.

Cylindrical water jar with two squared handles and lid, as used for the tea ceremony. The knob on top of the lid is formed by two reishi mushrooms. Sand colored clay, covered with cream colored glaze with light brown rabbit’s fur patches. On this, in gold, green and blue enamels a decoration of a stream bordered with reeds and baskets filled with stones (fortification of the banks). Inside glazed. On the bottom a seal in blue and transparent enamel: Kutani Moriyama or Shôzan. H 7 ¼ inches, diameter 4 ¾ inches (with handles 5 ¾ inches). One handle repaired, hardly visible; two small chips at cover.

This type of decoration, as well as the color scheme is unusual for Kutani ware. Clay and enamels resemble those of Satsuma ware.

Cast iron chagama, or water kettle used for the tea ceremony. Round form with two eyelets on the shoulder in the shape of stylized dragonheads, each holding a large ring in their mouths. Plain, roughened surface. Bronze lid with flower-shaped, open-worked knob. Nice green patina. Body cast iron. H 8 ¾ inches. Japan, 19th century. Very good condition. Beautiful deep brown patina on body. These kettles were put on an iron brazier filled with charcoal.

Esoteric Buddhist scroll painting of the Mandala of the Two Worlds. On a background in the shape of a lotus petal striped with the colors red, blue, green, yellow (gold) and white that indicate the emanation of the mystic energies, two Dainichi have been depicted. The upper part represents the Diamond World. Dainichi sits on a lotus pedestal surrounded by 23 Sanskrit characters. He holds his hands in the chinken-in gesture and wears a jeweled headdress that includes the Five Wisdom Buddhas. The lower part of the painting represents the Womb World. Dainichi holds his hands in hokkai jo-in. Black ink, color and gold on paper. 18th century. 39 ¼ x 18 1/8 inches. Modern mounting. Some repairs, mainly backed cracks. Good condition.

Simple wooden mask of shishi, or lion, with movable ears and jaw. The ears and eyebrows painted black. Behind the ears a row of small holes for the formerly implanted hairs. Mingei. All light wood, wooden joints. Japan, 19th century.
H 6 ½; D 9 ½ inches.
Nice patina, minor traces of usage: small chip at one of ears, short and unimportant crack in skull. All in all good condition.

Hanging scroll of mandala with Kannon sitting on a rock, surrounded by two worshiping deities in front of him and by a guardian figure in the upper left corner. Beneath him the gods of thunder and wind and rain in the clouds. Below these, Chinese figures in a mountainous landscape, occupied by different activities. On top of the painting a printed text. Unfortunately we were not able to identify the mandala and thus the meaning. Ink and color on Chinese paper. 19th century, Japan.
50 ¼ x 21 inches.
Some missing areas in text, gold somewhat crackled, otherwise good condition. Paper mounting.

Small sculpture of a bald headed man sitting in the manner of a rakan, his long garment hanging open at the chest. His face grim, the hands tucked away in the sleeves of his garment. Inscription in black ink on the bottom, giving the date of Bunsei 6 (1823) and indicating the maker as ‘made by the old man Kenko himself’. Boxwood, the eyes of reverse painted glass, possibly crystal. Japan. Very nice piece of mingei carving.
Height 6 inches (15 cm).
Beautiful patina, minimal worm damage on lower back and bottom, minimal traces of usage.

Large, very expressive scroll painting of a luohan holding up the sacred jewel in his left hand and running. He looks up over his shoulder at a dragon in the sky that chases him and that stretches out its claws toward the jewel. On the upper right side the name of the luohan (not identified, although he should be handaka sonja) and two seals. Nice and bold brushstroke. Black ink and color on paper. Painted surface: h 54 ; w 29 3/8 inches. China, 18th century. Some old restored cracks, due to rolling, few missing areas restored. Very good condition.

Jizo is standing, holding up his left hand in which he holds a jewel. His right hand is hanging down along his body. Soft wood with traces of black lacquer on gesso. On the bare wood Buddhist texts have been written in black ink. It would have been covered by the lacquer and hence would have been invisible. The black lacquer rubbed off for the larger part. Hand and feet cut separately. Height 19 inches. Japan 18th century. Some small, old chips. On plexi glass base.