Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Folk Art (38)

Beautiful Japanese antique pulley made out of keyaki wood with all original finish and wonderful patina. This piece is enhanced by its trapezoid shape and utilitarian qualities. Age: Edo Period. Size: 14.75" h x 9.5" w x 5" d

Charming rustic Japanese antique jizai hook for heating water over a fire, made of keyaki (elm) wood and carved in the shape of a fish, beautiful wood grain with a deep patina from years of use, an iron hook is attached to the tail, a rope or chain would have threaded through a vertical hole from head to mouth, Edo Period (early to mid 19th century). Total size: 15" long x 6 1/2" high (fish is 4" high)

Antique Japanese Noh mask of the O-beshimi fierce deity, or mythical tengu. "Beshimi" means "mouth clamped shut". This mask is hand-carved from kiri wood, and inside you can see the chisel marks left behind by the artist. There are visible traces of white gesso in the crevices of the face, which was used as a filler to cover the wood grain. Edo period, 19th century Size: 9.5" tall, 7" wide

Beautifully hand-carved Japanese Bugaku theatre mask, meant to be worn whilst performing the solo, rejoiceful Genjoraku dance. This dance references the practice of snake-eating for medicinal purposes in central Asia and would often be performed as celebration of the return of an emperor to the palace. The mask has movable eyes, jaw, and eyebrows, stringy hair, bulging veins on its forehead, and an upturned nose of a tengu demon...

Antique Japanese taiko drum, made from keyaki wood, with an iron handle on its front and iron studding to keep the drum skins into place. Size: 14" wide diameter on top and bottom x 18" high. Circa 1900. Taiko drums are said to have originated when the Shinto goddess of sunlight, Amaterasu, locked herself away in a cave when her brother, Susanoo, god of the sea and storms, became enraged and created havoc on dry land...

Antique Japanese carved wooden mask of an okina, or old man, used in the theatrical art form of Noh. Every Noh mask represents a specific character, and when the shite (performer) puts on their mask, the term for putting on clothing (kaburu) is not used. Rather, it is called kakeru or tsukeru (to hang/to attach), as this symbolizes the transformation into the character. The mask shows traces of the facial hair it once had, which has been lost due to age...

Attention-getting Japanese paper mache demon face mask. Has a devious grin, large bulbous nose, with fanged gold teeth. Face is black with red and gold highlights, making features stand out and gives an amusing yet intriguing look. Contains holes in ears of mask with cloth netting running behind face. Paper inscription on back is a description of this unique character. Taisho Period-Circa 1900 Dimensions: 17" High X 13.5" Across

Antique Japanese wooden bucket with handle and iron rings around its body, use for taking measurements of rice. Within it is a large nokogiri saw with a wooden handle and a long, wooden blade cover, a thinner hand saw, and a small axe with engraved symbols and arrows pointing towards the blade. May be separated for individual purchase by request...

Antique Japanese fireman's pick axe (tobiguchi), made with a hardwood handle with iron bars and ring, an iron axehead and secondary tool at the bottom of the handle with a nice, aged patina. Edo period (1615-1867) Size: 23.5" length, 4" axehead

Beautiful Japanese burlwood vase for ikebana, or floral arrangements, with a complex, twisting, gnarled form. 20th century. Size: 14.25" height, 8.5" width

Antique Japanese hand-carved wooden theatre mask for the traditional Kyogen performance. The particular mask has the face of a fox, with coarse horse hair eyebrows and whiskers. The fearsome teeth and scowling eyes are lacquered in gold and it has red lacquered lips and veining in its ears. The jaw is hinged so that it jiggles open and closed with the dancers' movements. The inside of the mask has a special hand-carved signature by the original artist...

Antique Japanese theatre mask, skillfully hand-carved into the face of a tengu, or birdlike spirit, characterized by an usually long nose. His face is painted in red lacquer with black facial hair, and gold-lacquered eyes typical of a demon. The insides bears the usual rough chisel markings of a finely hand-carved piece. Meiji/Showa period. Size: 8.25" height, 6" width

Japanese Sadao Watanabe print of pouring water (1913 - 1996). Striking red background with four characters pouring water. Numbered 16/70 printed in 1971. Great condition, with no rips or condition issues. 1971 Dimensions: 27 1/2" High X 23" Wide

A charming, large wooden Japanese sign covered top to bottom in kanji promoting sumo wrestling match. Dates from the Meiji Period 19th century. Size: 58" height, 45.5" length, 1" width

Antique Japanese Noh performance mask of Doji, a physically pretty and youthful boy to represent eternal youth. Wonderfully hand-carved and painted with wispy hair, red lips, and blackened teeth. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 8" H, 5.5" W

Antique Japanese carved wooden theatre fox mask (kyogen mask) with a movable jaw that would be opened and closed by the wearer's mouth. The eyes are painted in gold while the face is painted in white lacquer with red pigment accents. A fierce scowling expression is carved into the face. Chisel marks are apparent on the backside showing it was handmade. Custom iron stand included. Eco Period (Circa 1800's) Size: 7" H x 5" W (9" H on stand)

Antique Japanese large pulley carved of beautiful hardwood on custom Iron Stand. Two wooden wheels on the inside are built to support a rope. The hardware is made of iron and includes a large swiveling hook. A wonderful example of utilitarian Mingei elevated to sculpture. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Size of pulley including hook: 35" high x 11 1/2" wide. Height including Custom black Iron stand: 41 1/2" high

Antique Japanese noh theatre mask of the character Ko-Omote, a youthful girl. Very unusual that this mask is made of ceramic instead of carved from wood. Beautifully painted with red lips and blackened teeth, joyful eyes and dark hair with four loose strands, very important defining characteristics to tell each mask apart. The backside is signed in-between her eyes and has been affixed with parts for displaying the mask. Edo Period (circa 1800's) Size: 8" H x 5" W x 2.5" D