An antique Japanese Mikuni Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Aka Matsu (Red Pine), Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and full moon lock plates). Through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery and side ribs for strength and support. Lift-up side handles allow through a wood pole letting two persons carry the tansu from store to store...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Momiji (Maple), Sakura (Cherry) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Made with hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. With 8 exterior drawers, 2 sliding doors behind which is a storage space with a removable shelf and a hinged door that hides 4 small drawers. constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery with hardened wooden nails. Pair of side handles to each side for ease of placement in a room...

This an exquisite Satsuma tea jar from Ryozan. The gold work and painting are examples of his best workmanship. The piece is in excellent condition but the original lid is missing and this lid has a repair. It was used to help this great piece display better. Maybe some one out there has a better lid for the great piece. It stands 6 inches tall.

This Meiji period incense burner is made of fine white porcelain with a silver globe decorated with autumn foliage. As with much of Japanese pottery from this era, it is fashioned after classic Chinese pieces from the Song Dynasty...

A Japanese Buddhist temple wall carving / transom, with red and gilt lacquer pigments. Carved with the image of an instrument against a ground of heavenly clouds. Professionally framed to be mounted and displayed on the wall.

Dimensions: 42.24" L x 27" H

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), made with hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood on the front, sugi (cryptomeria) wood sides and top, and kiri (paulownia) wood drawer interiors. The top portion has a full width drawer below which is a compartment covered by two large sliding panels.
The lower portion has 7 drawers of various size and a safe box in the lower right hand corner with two interior drawers...

This is a Bakumatsu item. This hemp Tsutsugaki Noren was used by merchants who handled horses, which was an important means of transportation from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period. This Noren was used in front of the eaves, so it has some discoloration and light stains, but it has been carefully stored. The items are very rare and very valuable. The letters of "Otsu Higashimachi" are the letters of a spell to ward off horse plagues...

A rare large vase by Kanzan Denshichi decorated with a hermitage in the hills and a poem extolling the beauty of summers first rain by Kanzan Denshichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box bearing the Shountei seal, dating it between 1871 and 1890. It is 34 cm (13-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kanzan Denshichi (1821-1890) was born in the ceramic-producing area of Seto...

Antique Japanese gunbai, war fan belonging to a high ranking samurai officer. Made of lacquered wood with shell inlay and with 2 large cut outs. This fan would have been used to shade from the sun and to signal troops. Though this shape of fan was not used as a weapon, it could have come in very handy in battle and there are legends of samurai heroes fighting with nothing but their war fans. The art of fighting with a war fan is called tessenjutsu...

Antique Japanese small, single section Mizuya (kitchen tansu). Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) wood frame with Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood sides and interior. Sliding panels and drawer fronts are made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with lovely, dramatic grain. A drop-in panel and hand-pulls on the sliders are made of Bamboo, showcasing fine details...

A set of 5 rare Dutch glass cups imported to Japan in the Edo period and formerly owned by the Confucian scholar Nakai Riken (1732-1817). They are enclosed in a custom made double sided wooden box with drop in doors titled on the side Yoi-O-Gozui (Five fortuitous ways to be drunken) with a long verse carved into each door. Of course, the meaning of the title goes much deeper, and the Gozui is also a Confucian concept...

An antique Japanese Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of HInoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkkova) woods. All original hand forged iron handles including the Mokko style handles. Upper section has 2 sliding doors with iron wire mesh screen that was used similar to the western pie safe with 4 drawers below. The lower section has 2 sliding doors behind which is a removable shelf with 2 side by side drawers below...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and acquired natural patina. Features Warabite style handles with Plum Blossom knockers (called Atari) used as an audible deterrent when thieves try to open a drawer. 4 large drawers for Kimono storage and a hinged door behind which 2 drawers kept valuables safe. Made using Japanese joinery techniques and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Antique Japanese 2 Section Kiri Kasane (chest on chest) Tansu constructed entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Two full drawers on top section with 1 full drawer and a smaller drawer with hinged door hiding 2 small drawers on the bottom half. Traditionally used to store kimonos, obis, and textile accessories, its contemporary use includes a dresser drawer, linen cabinet or when separated used as side tables or bedside nightstands.

Two features to note: There lies a secret box hidden beh...

Height: 3.4 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 3.9 cm (1.5 in)
Depth: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)

Fine Japanese carved netsuke of a father and child, the child holding a dragon fly; excellent carving throughout; natural material; the stained scrim-work particularly detailed; the extraordinary base work includes an oval panel with the signature, Gyokusai; good condition

Long a symbol of longevity, good luck, and support in many parts of Asia; in Japan the turtle has the added symbolism of being one of the cardinal protectors of Heian, the ancient capital city of Kyoto. This rendition of a turtle basking on a sunny riverbank was done by one of the most renowned and loved Waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Re...

Japanese bronze brown patinated representing a hare laying on a crescent moon.

Japan – Showa (1912-1926)
Height: 11 cm – 4,3 inches

The Hare is a very beloved animal in Japan. Each year, on the 15th day of the 8th month of the moon calendar, Japanese are celebrating “Tskukumi”, a party paying tribute to the hare of a tale.
A God decided to get down on earth as a starved man. He went to the forest to see how animal used to find something to ea...

An exceptional web of gold interspersed with nishiki-cloth patterned designs on gold lacquer fuses this once broken 16th-17th century Koro with ami-me net patterned solid silver lid. This was likely originally made as a tea cup, considering that the entire interior is glazed. Broken and reassembled using the Kintsugi gold technique and placing unusual patterns on the missing portions, this is an exceptional work of art. The silver lid was likely made when it was repaired and repurposed as an ...

A bronze crane in dark almond colored patina of superb craftsmanship dating from the late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji period). It is quite large at 48.5 cm tall (19 inches) and is in excellent condition.

Probably Echizen province, late 16th or 17th century. Bizen province artisans also took up Yoshiro zogan inlay work in the Kinai (ancient provinces and surrounds) manner. Brass (valuable in the period) and silver inlay flush with the iron surface was thought to have been introduced by an artisan named Yoshiro, for whom it is named. Slightly earlier, Heianjo school work tends to rest atop the surface into which it is inlaid. Late Muromachi or early Edo period. Length, about 12 inches. More pictur...

An unusual mask with gaping jaws and flattened features covered in red and black lacquer with golden teeth and eyes dated a lucky day in the 6th month of Tenmei 2 (1782). The mask is of carved wood covered in cloth over which has been applied layers of colored lacquer, gold and gofun (powdered shell) to form the white eyebrows. It is quite unusual in configuration. Most masks are open at the back, however this is carved with curling hair all the way down to the neck. Two holes in the teeth we...

A fabulous porcelain incense burner in the shape of a boy playing the flute astride a large ox dating from the 19th century. The box identifies the work as Hirado ware. The quality is certainly of that level. It is 23.5 x 12 x 19 and is in perfect condition, enclosed in a period red-lacquered wooden box.
In Zen, an oxherd searching for his lost ox has served as a parable for a practitioner’s pursuit of enlightenment since this Buddhist sect’s early history in China. In the eleventh ...

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. Commissioned in 1690, this scroll commemorates the reconstruction of the main hall of Ryuhon-ji Temple, estab...

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. Sides feature support slats used for strength and visua...

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.

The decoration in white Shino glaze on this ...

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. In this case, the gold repairs undoubtedly enhance the bea...

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.

Antique Japanese asa (hemp) woven vest with a beautiful paste resist pattern of swimming koi fish and waves sewn over a hand painted scene of reeds. Beautiful and charming with its original condition. Edo Period (circa early 1800's). Size: 31.5" H x 23.5"

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 chest) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut), Keyaki (Elm)and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Sliding doors cover a spacious area where business books and documents were stored. Hand made iron fittings and hardened wooden nails were used in the construction of this chest. Multiple drawers were used to store business stationary, writing brushes, money and business supplies. This piece comes from the Kansai area of Japan.

Merchant chests were prominently sit...

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

Large hollow porcelain bowl with polychrome decoration of flowers, landscapes, and a samurai on horseback.

The village of Kutani, located in the province of Kaga, is a famous place for the production of ceramics, characterized by a particular decoration. The first pottery kilns were built around 1640 at the instigation of the lord of the province, eager to encourage the nascent industry.
The industry of Kutani developed considerably and became famous towards the end of the 17...

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. Hardened wood nails were used in its con...

Chiseled wood sculpture representing a sitting hare.

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. In Far Eastern art, it is often depicted with the moon, an association that seems to have its raison d'être in an imaginary line that we want to see in this star...

Banko pottery teapot with polychrome birds decoration in relief on a natural background imitating a basketry resting on a saddle. Different birds decorate the edges of the teapot, the neck of one of them and the tail of another forming the passersby of the handle, a duck with outstretched wings and a large beak forming the spout.

Banko pottery is a type of Japanese pottery originating from Yokkaichi (Mie prefecture) in central Japan. Banko pottery has existed for 270 years, far bey...

An antique Japanese bronze Mongoose pair standing beside three Peony blossoms as they protect the prosperity the flowers embody. Originally a cherished fragment from a bronze vase, it was professionally museum mounted to showcase its beauty and refinement.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions with stand: 12 1/2" Wide by 8" High by 5" Deep

Japanese antique transom made of keyaki (elm) wood and carved with a scene of Ushiwaka and Benkei battling on Gojo Bridge in Kyoto. The young samurai, Yoshitsune (also known as Ushiwaka-maru) is depicted in an acrobatic pose, leaping over Benkei, the giant wild-man who was intent on stealing Ushiwaka's sword. Another samurai is carved below them, his much smaller form suggesting he is far below the action. On the right hand side of the carving, another samurai stands among the pine tree...

Japanese antique branch handled bamboo basket, branch undulating and with branching knobs, baluster vase shaped base ending in circular flattened bottom.

Circa 1910s, late Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Size: Height 23" Width 9 1/2" Depth 9 1/2"

Japanese gifu choba tansu made with Hinoki and Sugi wood and hand-forged iron hardware including Hirute drawer pulls and plating. The sliding panels with slats open to a spacious interior. The bottom of the chest holds two drawers recessed behind a locking bar, and a safe door with two small drawers inside. Original finish.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35" L x 16 1/2" D x 37 1/4" H

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 Geta Bako (shoe chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Two large sliding doors hide a spacious area with 2 removable shelves. Used in an entry way of a Japanese country inn (Ryokan) to store guest wooden clogs and footwear before entering.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 53" Wide by 37 3/8" High by 15 1/4" Deep

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. It is considered the chief amongst all shelled c...

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship safe chest) in original red lacquer Urushi finish. With heavy black iron fittings, a top handle for carrying. The front hinged door plated in iron, incised with Kiri leaf and peony designs, the side lock incised with mushrooms. The interior holds five drawers of varying size with pull handles. Included with a copy of antique certification from Oct. 17 1973.

Late Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 13" W x 16.5" D x 15" H

A Japanese Very Fine and Large Satsuma Vase by KINKOZAN-19th C. Japan, Meiji Period, late 19th Century. This exclusive large jar is well potted and massive decoration on body overall with gold and colorful polychrome enamels. It is applied a pair of large handles fashioned as shishi handles clasping a tasseled ring and a wide floral form rim, a brocade lappet collar and petal form band at the base bracketing a continuous figure narrative of large scale Samurai warriors and Japanese courtier...

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.

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant chest) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Classic design of six drawers with round iron locks on all drawers and warabite handles, corner lock box, and middle sliding doors with locking pin and handles embossed with fu dogs. Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 30.5" L x 15.75" W x 31" H

Antique Japanese small zushi (traveling shrine). Red lacquer case opens to reveal the Buddha in the moment in which he attains parinirvana, dies and is released from the cycle of rebirth. Here he is recumbent on his side on an elongated lotus bed on a two tiered stand carved with blossoming branches and waves. The whole interior of the zushi is lacquered gold as is the Buddha while the lotus petals are delicately painted in colors with gold details.

Edo Period (1603-1867)

...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) from the Tohoku area, made of with Kiri (Paulownia) wood front and Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood frame. Five exterior drawers including an unusual wide and shallow drawer just beneath a compartment with sliding panels. The sliding panels have horizontal slats and frame made of Kurinoki (Chestnut wood). A small safe box on the right-hand side of the tansu has a hinged door which opens to reveal two small drawers on the inside. Lovely natural finish.

Wonderful condition, Japanese Antique Tetsubin (kettle). Made of iron, kettle has engraved geometric shapes and patterns all over, with stylized flower bulb on top of lid. Lid is signed on bottom by artist. Sturdy handle, and small charming spout. Came from a Private well known Collection. Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 8.5" Long X 9.5" Tall

Japanese antique okimono of a group of 3 frogs. The younger frog sits on a larger frog's back while one frog is separate. Carved of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with reverse painted glass eyes.
Frogs are considered symbols of luck in Japanese culture and are used widely in poetry and art. The word for "frog" (kaeru) in Japanese also means "return" which is why small sculptures of frogs are sometimes carried by travelers as a way to make sure they return home safely from their journeys.

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 ...

Ko Hagi Bajohai Chawan with Kintsugi Repair made in the Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Supplied with old wooden box with label "Ko Hagi Bajohai Chawan"


Size
Height 10.5cm
Width 13cm


Repaired with gold lacquer Kintsugi

Hagi ware, also known as Hagi-yaki, is a type of traditional Japanese pottery that originated in the town of Hagi, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Renowned for its simple, rustic, and serene aestheti...

Antique Japanese rectangular bronze letter box. Decorated with a highly raised design of Benten, the Goddess of knowledge, music and eloquence. She is standing on a water dragon who looks up at her admiringly. With a plectrum in one hand, she plays her biwa. Waves churn around Benten and her dragon. The sides of the box are decorated with raised waves and remnants of gilding. The interior of the box is lined with wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 12 1/4" ...

Slightly distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part around the foot ring.

In the style of Ao-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a green copper oxide glaze. A window on the side was left unglazed and split in two halves - one was decorated with a scetch of a fence in iron oxide engobe with an image of drying shibukaki on rice strings, the o...

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.

Japanese Antique Kesa Cloth (Buddhist Priest's Vestment) made with prized brocade displaying the crest of the Tokugawa shogunate and framed with a rare purple and gold silk brocade with red accents. The "triple hollyhock" mon belonged to the Tokugawa feudal military government of Edo Japan (1600-1868).

Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit. Meant as a reminder of the Buddha's own simple patched ga...

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

Japanese 4-panel screen painting (byobu) of two white herons and a weeping willow tree. One bird stands on the edge of a lake while another flies overhead. A weeping willow tree bends it's branches over the water. Painted in sumi-e ink and mineral colors on silver leafed paper. Signed.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 36" high x 70" wide

Antique Japanese gyosho bako (merchant's chest) made from kiri wood with a dark brown lacquer on its exterior, iron corner hardware, side handles, door hinges, and front lock. Its front door swings open to reveal a large storage compartment with a locked drawer below. The inside of the door has the antiquated remains of a paper sheet, printed with the image of the prosperity god, Daikoku. Comes with a custom iron stand that craddles the piece in place. Edo Age with Stunning Original Finish. S...

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. Kas...