Four-panel kon (dark-blue) indigo-dyed cotton bed cover, woven with kasuri technique creating patterns of squares (well frames.) Top cover only, no backing or wadding; good condition, minor repair to one corner. Ca. 1900. L.54”(137cm) x W.52”(132cm.) Futonji, bed covers, were a common bridal trousseau item in feudal and early-modern Japan. They may have been made by the bride before marriage (in very rural areas,) or more likely commissioned by the bride’s family...

An antique Japanese tansu chest called Bodansu (chest with locking bar) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. It originates from the southern island of Kyushu. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Six drawers were used for Kimono storage with three drawers being secured by a locking bar with key. Side handles were used for moving the tansu from place to place...

An antique Japanese Tohoku Tansu made of beautiful Keyaki Burl root (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish and hand made iron fittings including stylized Kakute handles. The top and sides used a traditional wiped lacquer technique. Raised tea leaf style corners on the drawers which is a traditional design for this region of tansu. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. Used as a double drawer kimono storage chest...

Beautiful Japanese antique wedding kimono of blue silk and embroidered all over with charming traditional wedding scenes of cranes and turtles, shochikubai (the three friends of winter) pine, plum and bamboo and a profusion of different flowers including chrysanthemums, magnolia, peonies, and camellias. Extensive use of gold embroidery. Lined in red silk and padded at hem. Meiji Period. Size: 66" high x 49 1/2" wide

Japanese 2 section Mizuya (kitchen chest of drawers) made with Hinoki (cypress) wood frame and Sugi (cedar) panels, with natural hardwood burl front drawers panels. The top section is configured with two small and three very small drawers below a large interior compartment. The sliding panels are decorated with carved wood accents and copper pulls with floral medallions. The bottom section holds the largest interior compartment behind sliding panels...

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...

An especially fine Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Gilded and Red and Black Lacquered Butsudan (Japanese Buddhist Altar) with an endless variety of luxuriously designed details, hidden drawers within secret compartments behind hidden panels, marvelously rendered images and elaborately carved sculpture. All other butsudan pale in comparison with this rare, museum quality showcase piece. This piece would have taken the maker close to 2 years to complete. 65 x 44 x 27 inches (166 x 112 x 69 cm)...

A charming Okimono made of fine grain wood, probably cherry wood because it is too light and wide rings to be boxwood. It represents a couple of cats or martens dressed in kimono. Very nice sculpture, neat details, hair, whiskers. Inlaid eyes. Two other sculptures of this subject are known but much smaller and are housed in the Metropolitan and the other in the Fine art of Boston. They are announced as netsuke. Good condition, nice patina. Worn of uses for a sculpture of the 19th century...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant Chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Shunkei Nuri (lacquer) on the front with a wiped lacquer technique on the top and sides which accentuates the beautiful grain pattern of the woods...

Portrait of Kawarazaki Gonjuro as a wandering monk (Komuso) issued ca. 1860

Signed Kunisada Ga, good impression, color skip on grey robe, thumbnail size paper loss mended on upper right corner.

Oban tate-e: 10 x 14 ½ in.

Antique Japanese marquetry box. The front consists of 6 small drawers of various sizes, each intricately inlaid with tessellated hardwood patterns. The sides and top are covered with larger sections framing smaller marquetry pattern bursts that echo those on the drawers.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" high x 11 3/4" wide x 5 1/8" deep

Antique bronze sculpture of a male lion. Standing with head raised, he lets out a roar. Beautifully rendered with naturalistic details especially in mane and face. Signed with a raised cartouche on the underside of his belly: 誠谷作 Seiya saku "Work of Seiya". His full name is Genryūsai Seiya (源龍斎誠谷) and he was the master craftsman of a studio specializing in high quality wares for export. It is suggested that his sculptures of animals were probably influenced by the opening...

Japanese war fan, very thick and heavy iron frame that can be used closed as a weapon. Wooden slats (bamboo?) Maintaining the paper part. One side painted with a golden circle (sun) on the other a golden circle with a silver shade (moon?). Signed inside the frame. Edo period. In a Japanese collection box bearing the references. Length about 40cm. Good condition, iron normally oxidized (see photos), paper in satisfactory condition, wear and tear (see photos), no restoration or repainting, no...

A rare antique Japanese Choba Kotansu (merchant small chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Removable hinge doors behind which hides a removable horizontal bar that securely latches the left door in place. Spacious storage behind the doors where the merchant kept his store books and records. Two upper drawers were used to keep money and valuables. Beautiful original calligraphy on the sides and back of the tansu. Side swive...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cyrptomeria) woods. The finish is an original natural Urushi lacquer. Unusual lock plates each featuring auspicious symbols with the upper design showing a lucky crane (for 1,000 years of longevity) and the lower design showing a lucky sea turtle (for 10,000 years of long life). The three central symbols represent Sho Chiku Bai (Pine, Bamboo & Plum Blossom). These are the three felic...

An early 6" koro decorated in the 10,000 flower design against a pale grey blue ground, well executed and with minimal pitting. It is unfortunately missing a number of small red cloisons edging the upper rim.

Unusual Japanese gyosho bako tansu (merchant's chest). With original red lacquer finish, this large piece holds three very deep drawers, each with squared kakute iron pulls on stylized pine tree mounts. The top drawer features a large central lock with flying crane motif, while the lower drawers feature chrysanthemum locks. The sides of the tansu also have two handles for traveling.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22" W x 27" D x 39" H

An elaborately decorated lacquered sword stand. The stand is made into a small chest with three drawers. The chest is decorated with motifs of plums, a phoenix, and a Chinese style landscape with inlaid embellishments. The interior of the drawers is done in nashiji or pear skin makie. Age: 18th/19th century. Size: length: 19.75" width: 9.5" height 20"