A beautiful original large Buddhist temple sitting lantern called Koshi Tsuridoro. These lanterns are placed in front of the entrance to the temple itself. The verdigris copper and wood construction is decorated with 8 panels of scrolling arabesque designs of lotuses. The front pair panels are hinged and they are secured with a lock and sliding flat pin.The diminutive transom panels of swirling cloud cut-outs sets the square domed roof on 4 piers...

Antique Japanese figure of the seated Amida Nyoria (Amitaba) Lord Buddha. He is seated on a lotus throne, his hands in his lap in Dhyan Mudra (meditation). Carved of wood with gilt lacquer and traces of pigments on the lotos throne. His hair atop his subtle ushnisha is arranged in sweeping striations instead of the tight curls more commonly seen...

Antique Japanese standing figure of Bishamonten, chief of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno) and protectors of Buddhism. He is the distributor of treasures and wealth, protector of warriors, healer of illnesses and guardian of the north. Dressed for war, he stands on the back of an evil spirit. He holds a Buddhist staff in his right hand and a small pagoda representing the divine treasure house in his left hand. Made of lacquered and gilded wood...

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...

Japanese antique small Buddhist zushi shrine in the form of a lotus blossom enclosing a tiny figure of Buddha Amitābha. Also known simply as Amida Buddha, he stands on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Amitābha (which means Infinite or Immeasurable light) is much loved for his gentle wisdom and his all accepting nature...

Very rare antique Japanese cross and Buddha made of cast iron. Extremely unusual as most pieces at this time where in bronze. This is a secret object of the Kakure Kirishitan, "Hidden Christians", devoted Japanese members of the Catholic Church who went into hiding during the beginning of the Edo Period. Brought to Japan mostly by the Portuguese, the practice of Christianity was forbidden when Japan closed itself off to the world in the early 17th century...

A lot of 9 Japanese antique Buddhist temple Lotus leaves and blossoms. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The Lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved from wood and lacquered gold. Lotus petals are carved separately and joined. Each fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Varies from 15 1/2" to 36 1/2" High

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...

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)

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

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

15th Century Japanese and carved wooded with gold gilt Japanese mounted flame. Once used as a flaming back drop to an important Japanese religious statue. Original gold pigment in great condition with undertones of black lacquer.
Custom forged iron stand mounted for home display.

Muromachi period 1336 to 1573 C. 15th Century

Dimensions: Base 9" long X 4" wide 34 1/2" high

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...

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

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.

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.

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

Japanese antique 4 section butsudan (Buddhist shrine for household use). The exterior is lacquered all black with double cabinet doors to the shrine area...

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"

A large standing esoteric protector deity known as Gozanze Myoo. The piece has darkened from the smoke of the goma offerings done for the image. The statue is posed doing the Gozanze mudra, which is the mudra of subjugation. Gozanze Myoo's name literally means the vanquisher of the three realms, where this myoo destroys foolishness and anger. Age: Edo Period (c1800). Size: height 38.5" width 12.25" length 18.5"

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. Size: Height: 18" Width: 15.5" Length...

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"

Pair of rare hanging apsaras, also known in Japanese as Kuyo Bosatsu or Hiten. The style of the face, the soft appearance of the hands, and the flowing robes are fine examples of the highest quality in Edo Period Buddhist sculpture. One apsara may have been holding an object to offer the Buddhas, while the other is carrying drumsticks and appears to be hitting the drum the apsara is carrying. The pair may have been part of a set long ago, but even so, it is rare to see this set. Age: Edo Period ...

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. ...

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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...

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. Size: 18 3/4" high x 10" wide x 7 1/2" deep. Size of ...

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

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.