The large characters in the center of this scroll "南無妙法蓮華経" are pronounced as "Namu Myōho Renge Kyō” in English — a phrase associated with Nichiren Buddhism that is often recited as a mantra, expressing devotion to the Lotus Sutra. This sutra is one of the main tenants of Nichiren and is thought by devotees to be the ultimate law and truth of the universe...

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Kyoto Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All iron fittings are original and hand made. Two sliding Keyaki doors the top section open to a spacious storage area behind while a hinged door on the lower section opens to two small drawers.

Straight dovetail joinery construction using hardened wooden nails. Tansu of this configuration have become rare to find in Japan...

Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged...

Half cylinder shaped (Hanzutsu) tea bowl, thrown from light, coarse Mino clay, with very little inclusions a clay found on earlier Shino bowls. The walls are cut with a potters knife.

The bowl has been covered fully (with the exception of the foot ring) first with an iron bearing engobe (oniita) and after the decoration had been incised with the typical ash and feldspar glaze inside and outside creating the nezumi-shino glaze...

A rare antique Choba Tansu in 2 stacking sections made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and patina. Rare design commissioned by a wealthy merchant featuring an extra wide design and a shallow depth. Upper section features 2 sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers. Bottom section features 9 drawers with 2 sliding doors and a hinged door behind which 3 small drawers were used for secure storage...

An antique Japanese Buddhist temple freize wooden carving of waves centered by a Hoju sacred jewel. Carved from one solid block of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Professionally mounted on an iron stand.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)

Dimensions: 32 1/2" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 5" Deep

An antique Japanese Katana Small Chest and Stand made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron with cat bronze hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Upper area holds 4 Katana and lower section has a locking bar with key that secures 4 small drawers where polishing tools and Katana parts were kept. Note: Katana is for example and display purposes only.

Age: Late Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 18 3/8" Wide by 14 3/4" High by 11 1/4" Deep

Antique Japanese Sakata region choba tansu (merchant's chest) made of Kiri (paulownia) hardwood, with original red lacquer finish. The top drawer and safe box door are covered in more elaborate iron hardware than the other drawers, with motifs of lingzhi mushrooms, bamboo stalks, and other floral elements. Two small drawers are hidden away inside the safe box. Three plain drawers are on the lefthand side, the middle drawer has a center divider inside...

Sculpture in chiselled and stained wood representing a hare lying down.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old...

An antique Japanese 2 part Usubata in bronze featuring a Minogame (age old turtle) base. Mounted to the shell is a flanged cloud rendering with four terminating columns that undulates to a removable wide rim water receptacle. Artist signed at the base of the receptacle. Beautiful craftsmanship including the fine stimple work to the underside of the turtle.

In Japan, the turtle is a good luck animal symbolizing 10,000 years of long life...

Antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest). Made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. This small tansu has 5 drawers; three in a vertical row over two smaller drawers side by side. The hardware was hand made all of iron and includes round lock plates on each drawer and Kakute handles. The drawers are additionally reinforced by corner foliate decorative hardware.

Age: Late Edo Period (circa early 1800's)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" high x 22 3/4" wide x 12 1/4" deep

An antique Gyosho Bako (peddlar's chest) with the original dark brown lacquer. The chest has 4 drawers in the top section. Three of the drawers have iron hardware locks. The bottom section has one hinged locked door with 3 small drawers hidden behind it. Two of the drawers have iron locks. The original loops on both sides are for the rope the peddlar uses to carry the chest.

Date: Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 35" tall X 11" wide X 16" deep

Unusual Antique Japanese maki-e lacquer Jingasa (Samurai helmet) decorated in low relief lacquer work of a fierce looking red Oni with piercing gold eyes and teeth . A gilt lacquer mon, or family crest is seen below the Oni representing daffodils. The underside of the helmet is smooth, shiny black lacquer.
The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather...

An antique Japanese Matsumoto Kimono Isho Tansu made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the fancy lock plates with hand pounded stippling work. Each side both have side hand carrying handle as well as swivel handles through which a wood pole can be fitted allowing two persons to carry the tansu from place to place. The hinged door hides two small drawers for storing valuables...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) with negoro lacquer finish (distressed red and black lacquer). Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. This chest has 10 drawers of various sizes and a compartment opened by sliding panels with one interior shelf. Extensive iron hardware includes round lock plates and warabite shaped drawer pulls. From the Matsumoto area of Japan.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 1/2" high x 31 1/2" wide x 14" deep

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with all kiri (paulownia) wood on the front and sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the sides and top. The tansu has a full-width drawer on the upper portion above a compartment with sliding panels on the left and two small drawers on the right. The lower portion of the chest has two medium sized drawers on the left and a safe box above a small drawer on the lower right. The safe has a door with heavy iron hardware which opens to two small interior ...

A Japanese Imari Plater from 19th Century. Approximate diameter 47 cm. Decorated with drawing of people and scenery. In good condition. Free shipping with insurance.

Edo Period (1603-1868) Japanese Red Raku Teabowl (Chawan) for tea ceremony.

Raku pottery is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremony since as early as the 16th century.

Size
2.34in. (6cm.) high;
5.07in. (13cm.) diameter;
365g weight.

Condition
There are old repairs at the rim with gold and red lacquer. Please see the photos for details. No cracks.