Japanese bamboo brush pot on three feet carved in sunken relief with the head of Zen patriarch Daruma, also known as Bodhidharma, holding a fly-whisk. Fly-whisks were carried by Buddhist priests to wave away flies which, according to Buddhist tenets, they could not kill. The fly-whisk is also a symbol of leadership. Early 20th century. 6 1/2" high x 4 7/8” diameter. Very good overall condition with typical wear from use. There are some small separations in the bamboo...

Rare pair of Taisho Period, C.1920 clay Shinto Inari foxes. One has a scroll in its mouth, the other the Hoju sacred gem. Very good condition. 13" high by 7" wide. Ask for shipping quote from CA warehouse.

Small, sturdy platter, called ishizara, used as kitchen ware. Gray stoneware decorated with underglaze iron black and cobalt blue tama (sacred jewels) and characters, covered by a creamy, yellowish translucent and finely crackled glaze. Five spurmarks. Mingei.

Seto region, Japan, Edo period, 1800-1850

H 2 x Diam 10.5 in.

Several knicks and chips esp. on the rim edges and a short, old crack commensurate with age and heavy usage...

Fabulous Taisho Period c.1920 iron lantern. Repapered and electric source added. Very art deco. 10" tall by 9" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote from California.

Expertly executed noh mask carved out of cypress wood. Okina, among all Noh masks, the Okina (old man) mask is considered particularly sacred and has been at times treated as the embodiment of god, bringing longevity and prosperity to families. C.1920. In silk bag. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Rich patina Late Taisho Period C.1920 bronze garden lantern. In the Yukimi snow lantern style. Each panel has an auspicious Japanese symbol: pine, plum, bamaboo and grasses. Great condition. 25" tall by 16" diameter. Ask for shipping quote from CA warehouse.

An antique Japanese Jizai (hearth hook) used above an Iron (fire hearth) and hung beneath the house rafter to support a rope and hook or a Jizai Kagi (adjustable hook) to hold a kettle or large teapot above the burning charcoal. The main body is carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood...

Kanban or shop sign. The sign indicates that the store would sell or manufacture ornamental pin holders for the oars on a boat (ireko), in the shape of dolls. According to the sketch pasted to the back of the kanban, this holder is mounted on the oar and is placed over a pin mounted on the boat edge. The oar pivots around that pin, so that the oar moves the boat through the water.

The pin holders are decorated as a male and a female doll in court style, their mouths wide open...

A set of plain candle sticks, called shokudai, used for hanging on a wall (like sconces). Each stick is made of bamboo. On top of the stick is a forged iron hook to hang it from a horizontal beam or slat on the wall, together with a candle pricket. On the bottom is an iron sheet dripping saucer with pricket. Mingei.
Japan, Edo period, early 19th century. Very rare pieces.

L stick 1: 15 in.; depth saucer 3.5 in. L stick 2: 16 in.; depth saucer 3.5 in...

Simple wooden shishi (or lion) dance mask with movable ears and jaw. The ears and eyebrows are stained black. Behind the ears a row of small holes have been made, used for attaching the garment (the body of the lion). Mingei.
All light wood, wooden joints (ears on sticks for manipulation by hand).
Japan, 19th century.

H 6.5; D 9.5 inches.

Nice patina, minor traces of usage: small chip at one of ears, short and unimportant crack in skull. All in all very good condition.

Antique Japanese small Gigaku performance mask. Gigaku (literally meaning "skill music") is an earlier form of Japanese theatre that was brought over from Korea and China in 612. Gigaku reached a high point during the Nara Period and continued it's popularity until it was eventually replaced by Bugaku theatre. Traditionally performed outdoors at a temple, Gigaku masks were carved with exaggerated features in order for them to be seen by an audience seated at a distance...

An antique Japanese large Jizai (hearth hook) used above an Irori (fire hearth) and hung beneath the house rafter to support a rope and hook or a Jizai Kagi (adjustable hook) to hold a kettle or large teapot above the burning charcoal. Carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, this sculpture epitomizes the true feeling of the Japanese word Mingei (folk art)...

Japanese pair of shrine figures depicting two Lucky Gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. On the left is Ebisu, a popular god of business prosperity and abundant crops as well as the patron of fishermen. Carved from wood, he stands with a fish under one arm and a smile on his face. On the right is Daikoku, who represents prosperity and is the protector of crops. He is the patron of cooks, farmers and bankers. Carved from wood, he stands on bales of grain with a big bag slung over his shoulder...

Antique Japanese teshoku candle holder made of bronze. A long handle makes it easy to carry a candle around for light as well as very stable when set down. Cut-out design is of a Hoju, the Buddhist wish granting ball. History of the HoJu: Known as the hōju 宝珠 or hōju-no-tama 宝珠の玉 or nyoi houju 如意宝珠 in Japan, this jewel signifies the bestowal of blessings on all who suffer, for it grants wishes, pacifies desires, and brings clear understanding of the Dharma Buddhist law ...

Beautiful small wooden jizai, or pothook. This type is called Daikoku, after the shape of Daikoku’s hat. These hangers were suspended with a rope from a heavy beam, over the sunken hearth. From the hanger an adjustable hook was hung that held the kettle. Good piece of mingei.
Zelkova wood with rests of smut, especially in the grooves.
Japan, 19th century.
H 9.5; w 9.25; 2.75 inches.
Slight traces of usage, very good condition.

Keyaki (zelkova) wooden pulley, used to scoop water out of a well. Wooden wheel with forged iron block. The inside of the wheel groove (where the rope would run through), lined with a thin sheet of copper. Mingei.
Japan, 19th century

Diameter wheel 12.25 in.; height pulley and block 16.75 in.; thickness wheel 3 in., thickness block 6.5 in.

Keyaki wood with beautiful patina, some dents and scratches commensurate with usage, copper on wheel slightly damage due to usage, otherwise v...

An Asian wood cookie press. Folk art (Japanese or Korean - if Japanese would be considered "Mingei") utilitarian object. The "cookies", or treats, pressed from this mechanism could have been sweetened bean paste, possibly with rice starch, and not necessarily cooked. The iron nails slide along routing to enable the pressing action. Well used and in fair condition - exhibiting some distress by loss of wood on ends of the top board. A nicely decorative curiosity. Length, 9 7/8 inches

An antique Japanese Shinto Shrine (also known as a Kamidana, Yashiro or Omiya) housing the deities Ebisu and Daikoku. The shrine was made from Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) while the deities were hand carved from Tsugenoki (Boxwood).

Ebisu is characterized by the lucky Sea Bream (Tai) fish that he holds under his arm. Sitting on a rocky shore, he looks to the water as a protector of fish, fisheries, seafood, fishermen, sea merchants and anything else that is related. Daik...