A rare sake-daru (Sake Keg) made of piled woven bamboo in combination with Japanese red lacquered pine. This tsuno-daru has two horn-like staves with inscriptions, a cross piece forming a carrying handle, and a wooden plug that pulls out. This saki barrel dates pre 1920. Sake casks such as this were prepared by sake factories to be used for special ceremonial occasions in the late 19th to the early 20th centuries. In excellent condition, it measures 21” tall and 7” in diameter.

Japanese lacquer box form the Meiji/Taisho period circa 19th century. Decorated with gold flowering clematis vines on dark brown lacquer interior with gold rim inset and shallow tray. Accented with gilt fittings with paulownia decoration and ring handles. Dimensions: 5 1/2'' X 6 1/2'' X 5"

Large Japanese antique oshi-e ningyo(doll), Geisha playing the koto: Matsumoto Oshi-e bina (hina ningyo in Oshi-e style) was originally made by the Samurai family who served in the Matsumoto Castle to supplement their income sometime in the mid Edo period (1603-1868). They became quite quite popular in the 1800s, 400 million dollars sale (in current currency) was recorded in 1888...

Japanese Ningyo of a Mother and Child or Mary and Child. 13.25 inches (33.5 cm) height.

Kimono, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. "Suzu" means bamboo grass. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. It is made of thick cotton and dyed with sumi (ink)...

Scruffy looking old Japanese warrior doll (musha ningyo). This doll is not so tall (11 1/2" tall) but heavily padded, solid and quite heavy. When we acquired this doll, his hair was already replaced once and most of it was; one side is painted in black. Old glass eyes. The checker design (ichimatsu design) on his clothes is very similar to "Enshu-donsu", one of the famous fabrics used for tea ceremonies in the Edo period. 11 1/2" high x 11" wide x 12" deep. Circa Meiji (1868-1912)...

Featuring rich earthy tones and intricate hand-drawn stencil designs of passion flowers resting on a string of vines, this bowl would be perfect for displaying an ikebana flower arrangement. A kintsugi (gold) repair attest to the age and care that went into maintaining this piece through generations. The label on the lid of the box reads “e-Seto Karatsumon O-wan” indicating a large Seto bowl with arabesque hand drawings (絵瀬戸 唐草文 大鉢)...

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...

Know more for his works of powdery-blue celadon, on occasion Sozan also produced fine white porcelains as well. This delicately-crafted porcelain kashibachi (sweets bowl) is one such example. Displaying a wonderful low-relief vine and leaf pattern on a backdrop of nearly eggshell thin ivory-white porcelain—this is a rare and interesting composition by Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan I (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture...

Antique Japanese ikebana basket made of woven bamboo, with large strips of bamboo interwoven with a network of thinner strips, and a tightly twisted handle. The inner vase is a large section of bamboo lined with metal.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Size: 11" W x 16" H

Japanese tall armoire made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. This single section cabinet opens with two hinged cabinet doors. The interior has it's original metal rod for hanging clothes, a smaller metal rod on the right hand door and it's original small rectangular mirror. At the base is a single large drawer. Conservative design, with the only decoration being metal handles on the cabinet doors which are cut in a scrolling vine motif...

Adorable Japanese antique porcelain baby doll head, swaddled in silk and nestled in a basket, most likely intended for use as a pin cushion, Taisho Period. Size: 4" high x 4 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese adorable doll. Doll is dressed in traditional japanese layered garments with multi-colored orange and red flower scenery. Sash has an embroidered dragon design, with fan accessory tucked in. Face is well sculpted with hand painted lips and eyebrows. Taisho Period (Circa 1920) Dimension: 27" Tall, 12" Wide at Arms

This very well carved 20th century Japanese netsuke is 1 1/8 inches high, 1 ¼ inches wide and 3 quarters of an inch thick. It depicts a worried monkey carefully pulling a splinter from his leg. The impression on his face is just great. It is signed but not readable and is in excellent condition.

A Myochin iron forged Jizai Okimono articulated spiny lobster. Each iron plate is carefully reppouse hammered iron creating a natural realism representing the spiny lobster. The amount of fine detail that goes into this piece is equal to that of one of his most well known helmets. The lobster is fully splayed on a well mounted bronze stand.
All ten legs and long antenna and articulated with multiple joints on each leg...

Antique Japanese ikebana (flower) basket. Stunning Hand-woven in fine bamboo. signature on bottom by artist Ko-Sho. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Wonderful original condition. Size: 17" H x 12" W

Here we see a Chinese style celadon floral bowl by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. The potter, Sozan, spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Southern Song Dynasty as evidenced here with his powdery blue “kinuta” glaze...

This set of dolls was made for Japanese Boy’s Day...