An antique Japanese rare Tanuki (badger dog) that originates from the famous kiln region of Shigaraki, Japan. It was made in an Oribe glaze and it is shown holding a sake bottle in its right hand and a burl wood walking staff in its left hand. It is artist signed on the back.

The Tanuki is a shape shifter turning into various objects or people causing it to get into mischief and often comical adventures...

Rather unusual decent size 19th century staghorn netsuke of a horse appearing from a dried gourd that has a rope tied around its waist. According to a Japanese legend Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted. Cleverly and elegantly carved piece with great face, mane and front legs...

19th century lacquered netsuke of an actor in a role of a shojo with fan and a ladle. Shojo are mythical creatures living near the sea, and are particularly fond of sake. Great face, superb rendition of Noh theater robe with gold lacquer and iridescent mother of pearl, characteristic red lacquer hair, in excellent condition. Signed SHUGYOKU (can also be read as Hidetama) on the bottom - the artist is discussed on p...

Good size 18th century netsuke of a standing sennin (Chinese sage) in a long robe and a leaf cape, carrying on his shoulder a Chinese boy who plays a short trumpet. The netsuke is probably a joke on the subject of bokudo, which is typically depicted as a boy seated on the back of a buffalo and playing a flute - a theme of a perfect peace of mind, and one of the stages of a journey towards Buddhahood....

Small bronze cannon of this type where made for shooting flaming arrows at ships, launching fireworks at festivals, and for signaling purposes. The example of cast bronze with a bore that is described as at the breach and the bore is reduced to a half round section to form a chamber for the powder mount for use. The gun would be imbedded into a wooded block such as the lower half of the barrel and the entire breach end is covered...

Antique Japanese blackwood netsuke carving of a Hanna Noh theatre mask, with piercing gilt eyes and teeth, pointed ears and two short horns. The Hannya (般若) mask is a mask used in Noh theater, representing a jealous female demon. It possesses two sharp bull-like horns, metallic eyes, and a leering mouth. The backside of the netsuke has a calligraphy inscription / signature.

Meiji period (1868-1912), 19th Century

Size: 2" H x 1.5" W x 1.25" thick

Tall Japanese sectional patinated bronze tripod censer, or incense burner, on a pedestal base decorated on the vertically ribbed body with a relief motif of birds perched on blossoming, leafy branches. The lid has a Buddhist lion-dog (shishi) finial and there is an elaborate animal mask form handle on each side. The base holds a square apochryphal Chinese Ming dynasty Xuande reign mark. Late 19th century. 19 1/2” high x about 10 1/2” diameter...

Bato Kannon Ca. 1870 (horse-headed Kannon, also called Mezu Kannon), hayagriiva in Sanskrit, is one shape of Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) worshipped in Buddhism. It is one of the transformations of Kannon Bosatsu (Kannon Bodhisattva) and is also included in Roku Kannon (six deities of mercy). It has fierce expression, which is rare for Kannon. Granite stone, age wear, hands in gassho prayer mudra. Ask for shipping quote.

This antique Japanese Edo Period c.1840 red bronze utsubata flower vase is actually a Japanese proverb, "Hyotan Kara Koma". Literally, 'a horse from a gourd' meaning "the unexpected can be wonderful". The base of the vase is a wisteria wrapped gourd with an old man climbing on it. It was made so his head can move. On the underside of the top vase is a horse in raised thick bronze. Gourds are regarded as a lucky charm in Japan. Beautiful patina. c.1840. (10" x 11") (26cm x 28cm)...

A pair of large Japanese porcelain dishes, beautifully decorated in five colors: underglaze blue, overglaze black, -green, -aubergine, iron red and gold. Showing an asymetrical design of a courtesan with her servant under a cherry tree, the right side with flowers. The back with auspicious emblems, the base with spur marks and an underglaze blue apocryphal "Ming Jiajing" mark. Provenance: Swiss private collection. Dimension: diameter 27.5cm, 3.5 cm high...

Quite rare Ca. 1900 zen buddhist temple bronze cloud gong. Two phoenix are in relief around the center sweet spot. Great condition. 13" wide and 11" tall. Ask for shipping quote from our CA warehouse.

Superb Edo Period C.1860 bronze incense burner with silver repair on bottom. The incense burner rests on tripod legs with elephant head motif as well as two elephant handles with rings. The relief work on the rim is superb as well as the body relief. The best feature is the Edo Period repair with real silver on the bottom. Comes in original 'kiri' paulownia box. H:5" x Diameter: 9". Ask for shipping quote.

This is a finely carved 19th Century Netsuke depicting SEIOBO, The Chinese Queen of the Fairies. Seiobo, is also known as Si Wang Mu. According to Taoist legends, she has a palace in the Konron Mountains, where she grows the tree of the genii, the fruit that ripens every three thousand years. The fruit of this tree confers the gift of immortality to the person who eats it...

Wonderful Japanese cypress wood carving of Amida Buddha from the Edo Period c. 1860. The halo is delicately carved and remarkably intact. The serene expression of the face is of tranquil bliss. The stand is surrounded by lotus petals. The left hand has some finger damage. Ask for shipping quote. H:14" x W:7".

19th century netsuke of seated Kanzan with a wide grin on his face as he holds an open scroll in his hands. Kanzan (Hanshan in Chinese meaning "Cold Mountain”) is believed to have been an eccentric Zen poet from the Tang Dynasty (618–907) who lived on the Tiantang Mountain in Zhejiang Province. According to a legend, Kanzan and his friend Jittoku, who was a kitchen worker at the nearby Guoqing Temple, talked nonsensical language, which some took as a sign of them being enlightened. Extremely...

Chunky 18th century netsuke of a sitting shishi (Buddhist lion) with its front paws on a ball. Great early carving with excellent depiction of its curly hair and powerful face, eyes are inlaid with black horn. Beautiful patina and wear to the piece, old age lines, pleasantly heavy. Wonderful feel of age, very quiet serious netsuke. Height 1 7/8 inches.

A fine little Hirado figural group depicting two karako playing with a Shishi-mai (lion dance) mask. Sharply modeled with incised details and sparse blue, aubergine and black underglaze decoration. The karako's eyes, the lion mask and the underside unglazed. The biscuit surface of the lion mask intentionally oxidized to an even, light buff tone. Good condition with only a few tiny "flea bite" surface flakes one must look closely for and not detracting (our close images depict them larger than li...

19th century netsuke of a chubby seated puppy with one front paw on an abalone shell. Wonderful depiction of its fat body, playful face, great hairwork, eyes are inlaid with dark horn. Old age lines, himotoshi is formed by its left hind leg, beautiful patina turning honey color on the back where netsuke was touching silk of the kimono. Signed KYOGYOKU (alternative reading id Gyotama) on the bottom. Height 1 inch.