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...

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...

Pair of Carved Wooden Koma Inu Temple Dog Figures, each seated in the traditional posture. These are a very rare find from the early Heain Period, and could be even earlier, possibly Nara Period. The wood is aged to a beautiful patina. There are not many works of art of the period that come up for sale...

Black-patina bronze hare standing on its hind legs.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in the legends and superstitions of Japan. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Height: 5.7 in. (14.5 cm) - width: 2.8 in. (7 cm) - depth: 4.3 in. (11 cm)

Large Rare Japanese Clay Figure of a Young Girl playing with her pinwheel. Beautifully executed and glazed with wonderful colors, exhibiting the style of the 1920s Art Deco Period in look and form. Taisho Period. 16h x 9w x 9d inches, 40.5h x 23w x 23d cm.

Jizo is one of the most beloved Buddhist Boddhisatva in Japan as a guardian of children and travellers. Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture was once ringed with Jizo statues, and its granite quarries made it a center of religious statue production and sales. This Jizo holds his hands in front of his chest in prayer, or in the traditional Indian greeting of "namaste." His face is well worn from the elements and time, but a faint smile seems to grace his lips. H.25cm(10") x W.13cm(5").

Jizo is of one of the most beloved of Buddhist Boddhisatvas in Japan as a guardian of children and travellers. Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture was once ringed with Jizo statues, and the granite there made it a center of religious sculpture production and sales. This Jizo hails from Sado and holds a lotus leaf in his right hand and a "tama" or Buddhist ball of wisdom in his left. His face is well worn from the elements and time. H.24cm(10") x W.17cm(6.75").

Antique Japanese ranma (architectural transom carving for over a door). Made all of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, this carving is a rare beauty in it's detail. A cross section view of a gnarled plum branch in bloom along side a stand of bamboo. The straight leaves of the bamboo contrasts sharply with the curving tendrils and round blossoms of the plum tree...

Charming original Japanese antique bronze figure of a swimming koi, very beautiful detailed work especially on face, fins and scales, graceful naturalistic movement of the fish, Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 11 2/4" long

An amazing small wooden figure covered in with glass eyes made in the hyper-real likeness of a Rakugo-shi Comic storyteller, dressed I traditional Hakama trousers and seated on a large cushion clutching a fan in his right hand. It is 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall, while the cushion upon which he sits is 19.5 x 15.5 cm (just under 8 x 6 inches) and the figure is in excellent condition. There is what appears to be a signature on the bottom; Ta?Saku...

From our Japanese Collection, a large and attractive pair of bamboo carvings, late Meiji - Taisho Period, depicting a continuous battle scene of fighting samurai, with some on horseback and some on foot, all well-carved and with a good patina. This pair makes a strong decorative statement. There are several age splits to the base of each piece, ranging from a half inch to an inch long, but none threaten the structural integrity...

Japanese Antique Bronze Horse in a classic galloping pose. A solid, strong image with rich patina, finely rendered detail, naturally executed. A fine addition for horse fanciers. Signed, circa 1920. 12 inches (30.5cm) tall x 15.75 inches (40cm) long. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Pair of Inari Foxes of sculptured and fired clay with luminescent powered white glaze. In traditional Japanese art, a pair of foxes typically flank the deity Inari’s shrine image. But in modern times, images of Inari have all but disappeared, replaced instead by images of Oinari’s messenger, the magical shape-shifting fox (kitsune 狐). Here the symbolism is two-fold. First, rice is sacred in Japan, closely associated with fertility (the pregnant earth) and with sustaining life...

Antique Japanese bronze hiten (Sanskrit, apsara), celestial musician. Seated on swirling clouds, she moves her flute to her lips to play. Stylistically represented in the Indian or Southeast Asian traditional garb of bodhisattvas with high crown, elaborate pectoral jewelry and flowing drapery. The billowing clouds on which she sits have a green patina.

Age: Taisho period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 15" high x 9" wide x 7" deep

A pair of wood sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku which are two of seven gods. Ebis is for good business and Daikoku is for luck with money. They are put on the ouse shrine. In good condition but some parts are missed in Ebis (left). Late 19th to early 20th century. Base:15cm x 5cm, Height:12cm

Dark brown patina bronze sculpture of a monkey with shakudo eyes. Sitting, he is contemplating or examining attentively a small turtle placed on his right hand, held with care. The latter is removable...

Late Meiji Period (circa 1900) Japanese Signed Okimono Sculpture of a pair of Mandarin Ducks, symbols of life long faithfulness and one of Japan's most beautiful birds. Original artist signed box is included. Beautifully carved of Poloma wood, one of the finest woods used in Japanese sculpture, and gorgeously painted with vivid colors. They can be exhibited in an endless variety of positions and make a wonderful object of art...

Antique Japanese carved keyaki (zelkova, Japanese elm) wood panel from a temple or shine depicting two dragons. The dragons are intricately carved and have reverse painted glass eyes. They coil amidst swirling clouds.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 49 1/2" long x 7 1/2" high x 1 3/4" thick