Antique Japanese Bronze Temple Bell (Bonsho). Inscribed on body with name of location, temple and date...

A protective deity is carved into this Piece of a pillar from Himeji Castle dating from the Meiji period restoration of the Tenshukaku (main tower). It is branded with the Yaki-in which reads Himeji Jo Ko-zai-in (Brand of the old wood from Himeji Castle). It has long been a method of raising funds in Japan to offer replaced pieces of a historical building to those who donate to the restoration...

Antique Japanese bronze temple bell or bonsho, with a handle of dragon heads called a ryuzu, protrusions called chi chi or nyu to improve resonance of sound, the tsuki-za striking panels, and the mei-bun inscription of the bell's history. Inscription dates the bell to Meiwa 4, 1767, during the Edo period. Commissioned by Ninomiya Juemon, village head and rest of villagers...

An antique Japanese bronze temple bell known as a Bonsho with a carrying handle depicting diverging dragon heads called Ryuzu. The upper protrusions called chi chi or nye improves the resonance of sound. There are two opposing striking panels called Tsuki-za upon which the bell should be struck for the best and longest sound. Large bells such as this one are found in Buddhist temples throughout Japan and they are used to summon the monks to prayer...

An antique gilt bronze Buddhist tower finial with three pierced flame flanges richly engraved with scrolling vines mounted on a hardwood pedestal It is 53 cm tall and in overall excellent condition.

Bonji Sanskrit characters pierce the lotus finialed lid of this large antique bronze incense burner. The vajra-like finial topped in the shape of a lotus flower is hollow, the lotus seed pod pierced with holes to allow the smoke to escape like a chimney. This is also removable, slotting in to the incense burner, and turned to lock it in place. Inside the lid is stained and shiny from years of incense soot built up...

A pair of bronze temple lanterns with a cross pattern design in the section where the light would be placed. The pair may have been used in a small shrine within a temple altar complex. Age: 20th century. Size: Height: 15" Diameter: 8.5"

Antique Japanese copper censer with handles. The pierced copper lid has a repousse design of a dragon in swirling storm clouds with lightening. The body of the censer is hammered copper and has two warabite shaped handles on either side.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 7" high x 11" wide (including handles)

An antique Japanese temple fragment of the head of Amida Buddha in Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Hand carved in fine detail with a beautiful patina acquired over years of devotion and display.

Age: Edo Period (early 17th C)

Dimensions with stand: 11 5/8" High by 4" Wide by 3 1/2" Deep

Unusual and original antique Japanese cast iron zen panel gong, or "umpan" meaning "cloud plate", usually hung outside of the kitchen area. Stylized decorations on the front include characters meaning both "sun" and "moon", a lucky bat, gourd medicine bottles, and lotus petals.

Mid to Late 18th century

Size: 25" W x .75" D x 26.5" H

Antique Japanese ema of a horse. This ema is a dedication plaque that was made as an offering in a shinto shrine. Horses are considered vehicles of the gods, so this ema was made at the highest level in order to convey an important wish as speedily as possible. Painted in mineral colors on keyaki (elm) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 29 3/8" high x 43 1/4" wide x 2" deep

Antique Japanese tall and graceful lotus blossom. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Lotus petals are carved separately and joined. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27" high (including stand)

Antique Japanese wide lotus leaf. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 20 3/4" high (including stand)

Antique Japanese gracefully curling tall lotus leaf. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27 1/2" high (including stand)

A Japanese carved and lacquered wood figure of a Buddhist Guardian. (Originally part of a small scale group comprised of at least a central figure and pair of acolytes.) Up to 12 such guardian figures are possible in a temple grouping. Condition is good and presentable with one small loss of wood to one sleeve and some minor lacquer losses. Missing are a nimbus and possibly an ornament atop the helmet. Height: 9 3/8 inch (23.8cm) including a 3/16 (1.9cm) inch high base to which it is affixed.

Statue of Buddha, in monk's robes, standing on an elevated rounded stand, his hands in abhaya and varada mudra (symbolizing protection, peace, charity and compassion). Wood, with fine patina. Japan, mid Edo period, 18th century. Height: 18 cm. Slight abrasion due to age, otherwise very good condition.

Antique Japanese Buddhist Diamond Realm Mandala thangka painting (Kongokai Mandara). In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Diamond Realm (vajradhatu kongokai) is a metaphysical space inhabited by the Five Wisdom Buddhas. The Diamond Realm Mandala is based on an esoteric Buddhist sutra called Vajrasekhara Sutra. Shuji Mandala of the Two Worlds, Vajradhatu Mandala does not directly express the forms of the buddhas but expresses them in Sanskrit character (Siddham) called Shuji seed letter...

An dramatic pair of large Japanese golden gilt lotus flowers. Gold gilt in excellent original condition over hand carved wooden lotus flowers. Originally these would have been exhibited at a large temple. Rare to find such a large pair. Typically when found these are much smaller. Each is mounted to a matching base.

Meiji Period (1868 -1912)

26" wide X 53" High

An incredible and massive Japanese Buddhist Temple Ranma (transom) carving of a crouching Shishi (Fu Dog) under an overhanging pine tree flanked on both sides by exaggerated Peonies. Beautifully hand carved with great detail. The pine tree represents longevity while the large Peonies symbolize an abundance of wealth. The frame and carving both are made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Very good original condition...

Antique Japanese tall stone sekitō (pagoda) with five tiers. Made of granite and carved in 9 stacking pieces. The central square section is carved with a seated Buddha on four sides. The top spire is carved with 9 tiers between lotus petals. The surface has a beautiful patina and is covered with areas lichen and moss.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 101 1/2" (8ft, 5in) high x 26" wide x 26" deep

A refined and elegant statue of Amida Buddha along with Samantabhadra and Avalokitesvara also known as either the Amida Triad or the Three Sages of the Pureland. The triad became popular during the Kamakura Period around the 12th- 13th centuries and a rich visual culture surrounding the triad emerged. Age: Edo Period Size: length: 21.5" width: 13" height" 37.5"

Small altar ("zushi" in Japanese) made of wood, lacquered in black outside, gilt inside. The locking system as well as the hinges are made of beautifully decorated bronze. The altar contains a gilt wood statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged in meditation posture on an elevated throne backed by an aureola. Japan, 19th century. Total height: 8" (20,5 cm). Flaked lacquer at the base, otherwise very good condition.

Very old and wonderful carved wood figure of the buddhist god Fudo Myoo, he stands with laso in one hand and sword in the other, made of wood with mineral pigments, glass eyes, metal details including sword, large and dramatic with fire nimbus, Muromachi Period, inscription on the back of nimbus says Yuwayadera (name of temple), nimbus is signed that it was restored by Minamoto Haruhisa April 16, 1560. Size: 62" high

Black lacquered double door zushi portable shrine opening to a well-carved and polychrome painted image of Jizo Bodhisattva, sitting in repose on a lotus throne, his hand holding a staff with sacred rings, framed by a gilt metal mandorla. Accompanied by two attendants in a rocky grotto setting. Size:14.5"W closed, 29"W open x 11.5" D x 20"H. Edo Period, circa pre 1850s.

Very beautiful and detailed antique figure of Uga Benzaiten, she is carved of wood and painted with colored and gilt lacquer, she has eight arms each holding a different Buddhist objects, her elaborate crown is made of metal and includes glass beads which hang down and a torii gate which stands at the top, one of the details specific to Uga Benzaiten is the coiled snake that sits on top of her head with the head of a man, Edo Period...

A set of old hanging ornaments for Buddhist temples or private settings. Decorated with gold leaves (genuine) over the lacquered wood and paper (small ornaments). The color of gold is soft, one or two strings are missing. The last photo shown here is Azabu Dai-Kannon in Chokoku-ji, Tokyo. Approx. length 15 inches long, Meiji period (1868-1912).

Japanese antique 4 section butsudan (Buddhist shrine for household use). The exterior is lacquered all black with double cabinet doors to the shrine area. The interior of the butsudan is lacquered gold and black and has ornate carved details of phoenixes and a dragon just below the shrine roof area. Details of birds and waves are carved in the area below. The interior shrine compartment has a slide out tray as well as a small compartment with gold lacquer sliding panels...

Japanese Bronze Single Prong Vajra with pointed four sided blades to each end. Edo 19thC. Length: 6 9/16" (16.7 cm ) Condition: usual wear.

Japanese antique shinto shrine, made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, wonderful details with elaborate staircase and other temple details including miniature baku, fudogs and a dragon, copper roof with nice patina, Edo Period. Size: 28 1/2" high x 22" wide x 27 1/4" deep.

Antique Japanese wooden carving of Buddha, standing and performing hand gestures called mudra, to symbolize that even wordly beings can reach enlightenment. He is carved with very nice detail to make him appear fleshy, and movement can be seen in the wrinkles of his robes. Very heavy and finely carved. Size: 43" height, 12.5" width

Antique Japanese Kesa with the design of chrysanthemum, lined with silk, Meiji period. Dimensions: 35 1/4" x 64"

A Japanese shrine lantern often seen hanging outside of shinto shrines. Generally there are devotional lanterns that are donated to the shrine and lanterns that are part of the architecture and design of the shrine complex. This lantern would be the latter, where it was part of an Inari Taisha shrine. The lantern contains the distinct crest of the inari shrines and each panel is decorated with a cut out design of scrolling vines. Age: Meiji to Taisho Period...

Pair of Attendant Bodhisatvas, Edo Period, gilt over black and reddish brown lacquer. Losses. 33 inches height and 12 inches diameter.

Pair of Fushimi Kitsune Stone Foxes, Shinto shrine guardians have a lively and attractive appearance, red pigment to mouths. Inscription on back shows the address of the Inari Fushimi Shrine and the name of the carver. From right to left (with the characters of a word running down): Joshu--(the area of Kyoto was called Joshu in old days), Fushimi, Kyomachi -(Kyoto town), Ishiku (stone maker), Izumisei (the name of the stone maker). Size: 24.5H 19W 11W, Edo Period, 18th/19th century, cra...

A fascinating Japanese shrine bell known as, Waniguchi, or directly translated as Crocodile's mouth, which resembles the wide mouth of a crocodile. The bell is usually found in shinto shrines that enshrine deities that were imported to Japan or Shingon temples. The bell contains an inscription stating that the bell was originally donated by the ancestors of the donor in 1686 and a new bell was rededicated in 1839. The bell appears to be dedicated to Sometani Shinbei. Age: Late Edo Period, 1839. ...

Large Japanese antique processional temple cart, base made of keyaki (elm) wood with copper hardware, drum is also made of keyaki wood with a large brass rooster on top, wonderful condition (wheels roll!), lovely carving and lacquer detail, unusual and striking! Meiji/ Taisho Period (early 20th century). Size: 90" high x 69" long x 42 1/2" deep.