Silver square-shaped inrô representing a peony. It is considered as the queen of flowers in Japan. It symbolizes the feminine ideal and the protective force.

Shakudô (alloy of copper and gold, with a lacquered appearance) square-shaped manju netsuke with a golden border. On the front side, a delicately engraved plant, around which a moth flies under the silver moon...

Large suzuribako showing on its cover a mountainous landscape, crossed by a river, bordered by two houses and trees such as pine trees and cherry trees in bloom. It could be Okabe, the twenty-first of the fifty-three stations of the Tôkaidô. The bottom is gilded in the fundame technique, decorated with takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, hirameji and kirigane...

Rare Japanese Sado Island Funa Tansu, also known as a captains ship safe. Made of solid quarter sawn Keyaki (Zelkova wood) burl construction with heavy hand-forged iron plates and mounts. The front of the piece with a drawer above a pull-out panel, opened by Kakute handles. The bottom panels pulls away to reveal four interior drawers surrounding a second pull-out panel, all with Hirute handles. The middle panel opens to a safe keeping box with heavy iron lock and hardware...

This is a fabulous rare piece of Japanese Cloisonne. It is not signed but it could have easily been made Hayashi, Kinuken, or Miwa. It stands inches 6 inches tall and is in excellent condition.

Dark brown wooden netsuke of a rat on a radish, horn eyes, holding a seed between its paws.

In Japan, the term "nezumi" refers to both the mouse and the rat. They are considered the messenger of Daikokuten, the deity of trade and wealth...

Mounted on a black lacquered platform with wooden wheels. The horse is carved from Keyaki wood, which is covered in lacquered brown leather. The eyes are reverse painted glass. It has ears of leather, with real horse hair tail and mane. The horse is outfitted with iron bits and silk harness. The kura saddle is lacquered in red, with a leather cushion seat and silk straps. Cords are attached to the abumi stirrups and aori mats. The bagu tassel fringes and cords tuck under the tail...

Japanese Buddhist Zushi (portable shrine) with bright red lacquered wood exterior and gilt interior. Shrine with the statue of sitting Fudo Myoo, the fierce deity with his pair of attendants, is seated on a craggy outcropping. The double doors decorated scrolling gilt metal work.

Buddhist traveling altars and shrines create a sacred space of spiritual magnetism and are the product of dedicated craftsmanship...

Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout...

A collection of samurai arrows, or yajiri, mounted on a custom built museum display stand.

Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 1 1/4" x 9 3/4" H (overall)

Antique Japanese tansu from the Iwayado area. Made with Sugi (cypress) wood frame and dramatic Keyaki (elm) burl front panels, in original red/orange lacquer finish. The extensive iron plating is incised into flowers and Kiri leaves; The top drawer features a large flying Phoenix as its lock plate...

A large architectural Buddhist temple carving of a Dragon (Ryu), with reverse glass painted eyes. The dragon clutches a smooth clear quartz crystal ball in its 3 point sharp claws. The high relief carvings show the dragon's body coiled behind clouds of smoke and waves. Dragons are the powerful embodiment of yin and yang and are seen as a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy.
The myths about Emperor Jimmu descending from Toyatama-hime evidence the folklor...

Bronze okimono with brown patina of a mouse lying down. The coat, the tail and the legs are chiselled. The details of the head are particularly detailed, such as the moustache hairs and the long eyelashes.
In Japan, the term nezumi refers to both the mouse and the rat. They are regarded as the messenger of Daikokuten, the deity of trade and wealth. In the Chinese zodiac, taken over by Shintoism in Japan, the rat (or mouse) is the first of the twelve animals, a place that, according to the ...

Rare high grade Japanese mounted shubuichi dragon okimono. The dragon is seen as if it is in mid flight, twisting, an thrusting forward. Overall excellent original condition Shubuichi seen here has a Dark grey / silver tonality an has a trace of gold warm colors tones. Incredible detail seen from the fine scales to the tip of the dragons claws. The dragon represents freedom, good luck, and balance. Moreover, it is famous for having supernatural powers and wisdom. Although they re...

Antique Japanese cotton woven futon cover, dyed with a paste resist technique called Tsutsugaki on an indigo ground with the mythical creature Baku, devourer of dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The Baku should not be summoned without caution, however, as ancient legends say that if he is not satisfied after consuming one's nightmares, he may instead devour their hopes and dreams.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 64.5" x 53"

Okimono sculpture in bronze of a crow perched on a tree stump in varnished wood. Its eyes are in shakudo.
In Japan, the crow (karasu) is a symbol of gratitude and family love. It is also considered as the divine messenger of good omen. The Kojiki (713) relates that the crow Yatagarasu guided the mythical founder of Japan, Emperor Jinmu (660-585 BC), on a military campaign to Yamato.

Signed under the crow within an oval cartouche 義光, Yoshimitsu.

Japan - Mei...

A Hirado ware porcelain figure of a kirin (in Chinese, qilin). The mythical creature is part lion with the body of a dragon and the hooves of a deer. It represents good fortune, protection, prosperity, longevity and fertility. The recumbent kirin figure is executed with masterful attention to detail and form.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 5 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 3 1/2"

Black-patina bronze hare standing on its four legs.

There is only one Japanese word for both hare and rabbit : usagi. Hares hold an important place in Japanese myths and superstitions. As many other animals, they were believed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912) Height : 4.9 in. (12.5 cm) - width : 2.8 in. (7 cm) - depth : 4.5 in. (11.5 cm)