Beautiful Japanese Daki Ningyo standing at the unusual height of 26 inches (66 cm), making him a very rare and striking figure of the merchant class. He is wearing an Inro with a pair of Kokishiki dolls inside. It is most uncommon to see this type of Ningyô outside of Japan, for they are highly prized by the Japanese. A widely held theory has it that these dolls were commissioned by patrons of Geisha as presentation gifts. This one is outstanding in every way...

Edo Period (circa 1750) Large Japanese Wood Sculpture of a Shrine Horse, a gift from an upper-class family to a shrine. Images of Horses are highly prized in Japan. It is commissioned and presented to protect a newborn male child. Rising up on its back legs, set to gallop, it strikes an animated, exciting, and beautiful pose that sets it apart from the usual static poses that these horses have...

Antique Japanese tall stone ishidourou. Made with an elegantly simplified rounded form in 6 sections. Carved of granite with natural form base. The tall domed umbrella section (Kasa 笠) covers a squat and rounded light box (Hibukuro 火袋) which is carved with a sun shaped opening in the front through to a crescent moon shaped opening I the back.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (circa 1900's-1920's)

Dimensions: 66" high x 34" wide x 26" wide (base)

Antique Japanese kaidan (step tansu). Made in two stacking sections and consisting of 7 steps with storage on one side. The top section has two drawers, a small compartment with a drop-in door on the very top and a compartment opened by sliding panels with vertical slats. The lower section has two drawers and a large compartment opened by sliding panels also with vertical slats. Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with reddish lacquer finish on the front. The steps have a natural finish...

Small octagonal hard porcelain vase. Decor enamelled with a landscape fenced with hedges of dry branches, there are a prunus, a pine and on the ground young bamboo shoots which would signify the symbolic presence of the "three friends", on the collar is represented a Ho-ho (phoenix) which in Japan symbolizes the Empress. Some details are gold. The style is kakiemon but this small vase is atypical. It is difficult to date and also to locate with precision...

Japanese antique samurai kura horse saddle. Carved of wood and lacquered black with shell inlay covering the maewa (front arched plate) as well as the shizuwa (rear arched plate). The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands). The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo) and are slotted for stirrup straps (chikara-gawa or gekiso) to pass through. Obscured signature on the bottom...

Dramatic Antique Japanese tall ishidoro - stone temple garden lantern, carved all of granite in 6 sections. The lotus base is carved so that it is still connected to the natural rock. The lantern section is similar in style to a hanging lantern with it's curling warabite corner roof and pointed finial over a hollow area for light. The sides of this portion of the lantern are carved in relief with deer and clouds...

An original pair of plaster Japanese Inari temple foxes. Crushed oyster shell finish with mineral paint detailing in traditional Shinto colorways : orange, purple, green. Each of the foxes has a soft pink underbelly. Wonderful original and complete condition...

A spectacular 19th Century Japanese Bronze Horse, with a wonderful dark caramel brown patina, featuring a classic Japanese wave design in the mane and tail. This important bronze is a masterpiece of the finest quality. 21 inches (53.5cm) wide x 18 inches (46cm) high.

Stunning original 17th century Japanese Amida Buddha statue, gold gilt over wood with inlaid crystal on his third eye and his crown chakra. He stands on an open lotus pedestal atop a circular step base, his hands performing the virtaka mudras. Behind him is a canopy of lingzhi smoke and 7 boddhisatvas seated in the heavens...

Hard to find Japanese red lacquer Chochin Kabuto. This example of munition has the ability to fold for compact storage. The front 2 prongs are made for the meadate ornament. The underside of the shikoro (neck guard) in black lacquer, and the lames plates are secured with blue silk cords. Mounted on custom steel stand.

Red lacquer menpo may be purchased separately. (#1371484)

Edo Period 19th Century

Dimensions: 13" x 12.5" x 10.5" H (18" H on stand)

Pair of Japanese 6-panel screen paintings. Painted with a continuous scene of a rural landscape. Mountain pavilions sit atop high peaks reached by winding trails. Across an expanse of calm water stretches a long, low foot bridge occasionally interrupted by a sudden archway. Boats and tiny figures go about their business. Painted in sumi ink and with gold leaf on paper.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions of each painting: 67 1/2" high x 142 1/2" long

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people...

Incredible Japanese 2 section isho tansu (clothing chest) constructed of Keyaki (elm) wood, with natural Keyaki quartered sawn burl front drawers. With hand forged iron handles and plates. Stunning clear lacquer original finish, overall in very good condition.

Early Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35"L x 16 1/2" D x 50" Height

Antique Japanese pair of wonderful Koma Inu shrine guardian fu-dogs, carved from keyaki (elm) wood. Traces of painted details in green, white and brown. Expressively carved with great curling manes and tails. One of the fu-dogs has a single horn on top of it's head. Edo Period. Size of taller fu-dog: 19" high x 9" wide x 16" deep. Size of fu-dog without horn: 17 1/2" high x 9" wide x 16" deep.

A important Rare 18th Century Noh Theater Robe. This extraordinary silk embroidered example of a summer production Noh Robe has a design of Wisteria, Fans and Ropes, and exquisitely captures the art of Noh. 63.5 inches (161.5cm) height x 52 inches (132 cm) width. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Exceptional tripod censer in hard porcelain with a polylobed shape. The censer in the shape of a flattened melon with twelve slices, each decorated with a dragon painted on top in green, manganese and yellow enamels. Below Makuzu Kozan has chiseled his signature in relief which is very important, in fact it is much more complicated to chisel in relief than in hollow. In hollow all it takes is one pass of the tool to trace the characters while in relief you have to lower all the material around t...

Japanese 2 panel byobu screen painting on silk, of a male and female deer resting below a maple tree. Each panel is bordered in gold leaf and signed "Kagayama Hakuho" with a red chop.

Kagayama Hakuho (1880-?) was born in the Okayama Prefecture Japan. His studies continued under Takeuchi Seiho in Kyoto, and later moved to Kobe for his work. Works by Hakuho have been displayed at the Kyoto City University of Art.

Dimensions: 69 1/2" W x 68" H

Antique Japanese kura tansu (warehouse storage chest). Made of keyaki (elm) wood with iron hardware. The top portion has a large compartment covered by sliding panels with vertical slats. The bottom portion has another compartment covered by sliding panels with horizontal and vertical slats. Heavy wooden braces for strength on sides and back of chest.

Late Edo Period (1644 - 1868)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" high x 35 3/4" wide x 19 3/4"deep.

Pair of Architectural corbels of mythological elephant baku’s are commonly placed under the eaves of Japanese Buddhist temple and Shinto Shrines to wore off evil spirits. The baku devour dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The baku cannot be summoned without caution, however as ancient legions say that if the baku is not satisfied after consuming the nightmares, he may devour ones hopes and dreams. The open mouth is to scare off demons and the closed mouth baku shelters and keeps...

Antique Japanese Tanegashima long matchlock rifle. The entirety length of cast iron barrel is decorated with mixed metal inlay of birds and flowers, an unusual motif for a rifle. The gold mon is of the Kobayakawa clan, a powerful samurai clan with close ties to the Mōri family.

Guns were first introduced to Japan during the Sengoku era through the Portuguese in 1543. From just a couple samples, Japanese metal smiths were able to copy and expand upon the matchlock rifle, changin...

Antique Japanese Kasuga-dōrō 春日灯籠 stone lantern carved of granite. The hexagonal umbrella (Kasa 笠) roof has squared corners and the central light box (Hibukuro 火袋) is carved with a small round window, an opening in the front and one in the back. The tall post sits on top of a lotus base. Kasuga-dōrō like this one are named for the similar lanterns that line the path to the Kasuga shrine in Nara.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (circa 1900-1920)

Dimensions: 68" h...

Japanese inkstand (suzuribako) in lacquer (urushi). Decor on a spangled background (nashiji) of a lakeside mountainous landscape treated in relief (takamaki-e) flat silver powdered details (hiramaki-e) and mosaic (kirikane ) gold and silver. The rocks are particularly well treated. The interior is decorated with a rich nashiji background forming scrolls of mist and flowers in relief. The suzuribako is complete with its original simple and gilded copper stone and dropper. The style of the decor i...

Japanese large, rectangular suiban, finely cast with stylized motifs of waves and flying birds in relief. Suiban are shallow trays meant to be filled with suiseki or viewing stones, sand, and bonsai. The rim of the suiban are flared with a cast apron of reishi mushrooms. The 4 feet of the dish are in the form of rolling waves. The underside is textured with artist signature and cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 21 1/4" L x 14" W x 5 1/2" H

This type of menpo would have fitted a formal and archaic style gosuku with silk lacing and large sode style of the Heian period. The menpo is lacquered in a dark brownish black with stylized wrinkles. The ears are pierced with plum blossom configuration, turned strap holders, and a vent hole. The nose plate is well rendered with horse hair mustache and hook-holes insertion. The interior of the mask is lacquered in red. The yodare is fabricated with stenciled leather and 3 plate kiritsuke laced ...

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look. There are fun theories...

A fantastic, extremely rare and important Edo Period Daki Ningyo, with a fine shibori outer kimono, and a red chirimen silk crepe inner kimono with a fawn-spot pattern. Featuring a beautifully sensitive life-like face. Looks wonderful in a seated or standing pose. All aspects of this Daki Ningyo are of the finest quality. We are confident that you have never before seen one of this age and quality offered for sale. Height: 25 inches, 63.5 cm.

Eight lobed inlayed Japanese lacquered dish. Each lobe is decorated in makie, the flora and fauna of the four seasons with archaic designs set in between. The central area of the dish is depicting a female figure holding a lotus with a child attendant holding a bouquet of lotuses. The bottom is crafted in the nashiji style with a signature set in a medallion motif reading: Kaneko Zo, or Produced by Kaneko. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter 8.25" Height 1.5"

Extremely rare Sage jubako in wood covered with basketry applied with flowers and plants in lacquer, gesso, mother-of-pearl and pewter (or lead). The box is composed of several stacked parts. The interior is lacquered in red. In the top compartment there are two Chinese characters which are perhaps an artist's signature. Underneath one can see the weft of a strong lacquered fabric ensuring a good solidity. The basketry is not glued to the wood but covers it, making it fragile and it is surprisin...

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting of a flowers. Painted in the Rinpa School technique in mineral colors and gofun on gold leafed paper. An exuberant display of sunflower, peony, sweet pea, and morning glory blossoms.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-9126)

Dimensions: 48" high x 49 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese lacquer suzuribako decorated with a pair of deer in raden (shell inlay) and lead on a black lacquer ground. The box opens to reveal a writing set including a lacquered copper rectangular water dropper, an ink stone with brush rests on either side against a background of black lacquer with Rinpa style gold maki-e designs of curling plant fronds.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" long x 9 1/2" wide x 3 1/4" high

A rare antique Japanese Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron hardware. Double side by side upper drawer design sometimes considered the matriarch pattern among Sendai Tansu collectors. Beautifully poised Shishi or Botan (Peony) motif on all of the lock plates with unusual scalloped cast framing surrounding each image. Warabite handles with incised Chrysanthemums along the bottoms of each...

Antique Japanese bronze with gilt traces Quanyin statue, standing on a lotus pedestal.She holds a bottle in her left hand and a seashell in her right hand. With remnants of lacquer and gilt pigment.

18th century or later.

Dimensions: 12"H x 4" W x 4" D

Satsuma fine earthenware vase, Kinkozan kilns. Decor of absolute rarity. Two panels with a cracked cream-white background are decorated on one side with a palace scene representing the Empress and her dancer and musical courtesans and on the other side the Mikado fighter. Indeed, above the central figure floats a flag bearing the imperial emblem of Japan, the 32 petalled chrysanthemum. The bottom of the vase is atypical, it is decorated with a multitude of flowers in high silver relief, generall...

Striking large Japanese ceramic Tokoname jar, wonderful irregular shape, large kiln fragments, thick ash glaze with unusual subtle blue and yellow striations, Momoyama Period (1573-1615). (The Tokoname Kiln is considered one of the "6 Ancient Kilns" and was located at Tokoname on the Chita Peninsula, bordering Ise Bay.)

Size: 181/2" high x 17 1/2" wide x 17" deep.

Momoyama Period (1573-1615)

Tokkuri (alccol bottle) made of hard porcelain. Mikawachi kilns. Japan early 19th century. The bottle has an unusually elegant, typically Japanese shape, it was created for the Japanese market and not for export. The porcelain, immaculately white, has a very fine grain similar to that of marble, which is typical of Hirado clay. A lake landscape decor subtly drowned in mist is painted in a luminous cobalt blue. The quality is superb, the technique is flawless and the drawing is artistically trace...