Magnificent set of Kamisugi Sake Brewery bronze doors from the Taisho Period, C.1920. One door has gold gilt wood letters reading 'Kamisugi' the other 'Shikishima', both sake brands. Kamisugi Sake Brewery was established in C.1805. 42" wide by 67" high. Great condition. Back with some wear. Ask for shipping quote.

Beautiful Early Showa 'asa' hemp noren curtain with auspicious congratulatory crane and turtle for happiness and longevity. 5'ft by 3ft. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

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.

Magnificent, very rare wood Bugaku dance mask depicting the Dragon King, Ryo-o. Mounted on a round frame covered on silver leaf paper. Ca. 1820. The mask has a bristling moustache and beard, 4 teeth and a hanging moveable chin piece. The top has a dragon carved. All was lacquered. A similar mask is on exhibit at the British Museum. Bugaku is a courtly ritual dance which has survived in Japan since the Heian Period, Ca. 794-1185...

This homemade Japanese tool was used in rural areas for cutting the groove in the tree to release and collect the sap which was harvested for the lacquerware. The wood handle is smooth to touch and has years of patina. The cutting blade is heavily aged but is in good condition. The tool is about 9" long and at least 150 years old.

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...

Beautiful Japanese burlwood vase for ikebana, or floral arrangements, with a complex, twisting, gnarled form. 20th century. Size: 14.25" height, 8.5" width

Japanese early Showa period rectangular form cypress wood tabako-bon smoker’s hibachi with a removable top containing a small round hole (2 1/2" diameter) designed to hold a cylindrical bamboo holder for pipes and ashes and a larger hole with a copper cylindrical container (about 5 1/4" diameter) for holding charcoal. Recessed side carrying handles. 14” long x 7” high x 8 7/8” deep. The curved sides measure 7/8" in thickness. Weighs 7 lbs. Early 20th century...

Epic Edo Period Ca. 1860 keyaki wood (japanese elm) money box with hand forged, thick iron metal fittings. The stamp of the maker, "Shimizu" is branded on the inside. 13" long x 5 1/2" tall x 8" deep. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

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...

Antique Japanese carved wooden theatre fox mask (kyogen mask) with a movable jaw that would be opened and closed by the wearer's mouth. The eyes are painted in gold while the face is painted in white lacquer with red pigment accents. A fierce scowling expression is carved into the face. Chisel marks are apparent on the backside showing it was handmade. Custom iron stand included. Eco Period (Circa 1800's) Size: 7" H x 5" W (9" H on stand)

Antique Japanese Noh performance mask of Doji, a physically pretty and youthful boy to represent eternal youth. Wonderfully hand-carved and painted with wispy hair, red lips, and blackened teeth. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 8" H, 5.5" W

An antique Japanese Jizai Kagi fish hearth hook made of bamboo and wood. Hand carved wooden fish. All original patina built-up over years of use and display. A wonderful work of Mingei art.

Age: Late Meiji (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 13 1/4" Long by 2 1/4" Wide by an adjustable 55 1/2" to 82 1/2" High

KUGUTSU

Mask part of primitive wooden puppet as the original form transitioning to Ningyo Joruri (Japanese puppet drama) called Kugutsu. Edo period (1603-1868). approx. 14.3 x 19.5 x 6 cm (5.62 x 7.67 x 2.36in)...

A pair of Edo Period C.1860 shishi wood lion carvings. Quite playful as one looks back at the other in chase. Excellent detail in the carving and very expressive. Carved out of hinoki cypress. One shishi is missing a claw but otherwise very good condition. See photos. Each 12" long x 5" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Antique Japanese Noh mask of the O-beshimi fierce deity, or mythical tengu. "Beshimi" means "mouth clamped shut". This mask is hand-carved from kiri wood, and inside you can see the chisel marks left behind by the artist. There are visible traces of white gesso in the crevices of the face, which was used as a filler to cover the wood grain. Edo period, 19th century Size: 9.5" tall, 7" wide

GETA SKATES

Unique and rare old Japanese footgear for ice skating when kimono was still everyday dress for the people, Meiji-Taisho period, early 20th century.

Length with iron blade: approx. 28cm (11.02in). Height: approx...

Beautifully symmetrical granite stone buddhist stupa. Late Taisho Period Ca. 1920. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote. H: 17" by W: 41/2".

Very rare 'Noshi" celebration wood carving. Noshi is an ornament attached to gifts and presents offered on festive occasions in Japan like weddings, births etc. This carving is a jizaikagi used on a hearth pot holder with iron fittings and bamboo pole. This would hang over the irori hearth and hold the pot above the coals. 61" long by 13" wide. great condition. Shipping from CA warehouse.

This 8" high wooden figure of the sitting Tenjin was carved during the Edo period, the mid 19th century (1850). Tenjin is the Japanese "god" name name given to the Japanese statesman and scholar, Sugawarea Michizane, the 9th century poet and writer of Chinese prose and verse.

Possibly carved from cryptomera wood and darkened with age, this carved figure has both a simplicity and elegance which are, for me, the major characteristics of Japanese asthetics.