Rare Kamakura Period Sculpture of a of a Nio Guardian King exhibiting power and fierceness. According to Japanese tradition, they traveled with the historical Buddha to protect him. Within the generally pacifist traditions of Buddhism, stories of Niō guardians like Kongōrikishi justified the use of physical force to protect cherished values and beliefs against evil. It is rare to find such an early example...

Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo (Boys Day) Dolls, Samurai Set. Ningyo this early almost never appear for sale, much less with accessories, as we have here with this very fine quality pair. They have finely carved faces, and are lacquered with many coats of gofun (white oyster shell pigment). They are adorned with sumptuous silk brocades and silk armor, indicative of Edo Period Ningyo artistry. Tallest Ningyo: 19 inches (48.25cm).

Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, mid-19th Century late Edo early Meiji Period. An unusually large and early version holding a captured Oni (demon). This is a rare find for this subject. He is powerful and majestic. His face carved of wood with crystal eyes and massive beard and hair made of silk is a masterwork. He wears a Chinese cap and a robe with gorgeous, sumptuous brocades. According to Japanese folklore, the spirit of Shōki is able to scare away demons...

Antique Japanese set of 7 lotus leaves and blossoms. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Made for a Buddhist temple altar, these leaves and blossoms symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. The individual parts of the lotus are carved separately then joined in an arrangement. Sold separately or together. Each comes fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: range from 35 1/2" high (including stand) to 19 1/2" high.

Inrô in gilded lacquer according to the takamaki-e, hiramaki-e and kirigane techniques, with five squares of a mountain lake landscape.

On the first side, there is a samurai on horseback, who is drinking from the stream. A servant accompanies him, his sword in hand. Next to the pine tree are the things they would have left behind...

Inro of exceptional dimensions with 3 boxes in black lacquered wood, decorated with chrysanthemum flowers with 32 petals in powdered lacquer on a background of geometric zigzags, details in Nashiji and nuances in silver powder. The chrysanthemum with 32 petals (2 rows of 16) was the Imperial symbol. This geometric decoration of zigzags is typical of the beginning of the 17th century during the short period of Momoyama...

Spectacular 19th Century Japanese Bamboo Ikebana Basket. A real masterpiece. 39.5 inches (100cm) tall, 11 inches (28cm) wide.

Polychrome bronze statuette of a group of mice around a pumpkin and a pomegranate. The five mice have a dark brown patina, while the hollowed-out gourd is dark brown and the split pomegranate is dark red.

Written in a cartouche on one of the pumpkin slices, "Shôsai Foundry" (正齊鋳, shôsai-chû).
Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 6.4 in. (16.3 cm) – width: 7.8 in. (20 cm) – depth: 7.3 in. (18.5 cm)

A bronze okimono of an owl, constructed in two sections, the short-eared owl (detachable) perched on a tree branch with its head cocked quizzically to the right and its wings folded at its sides; signed on one side of the branch Seimin chu within a rectangular reserve, by Murata Seimin (村田製眠, 1761-1837)

Japan - Edo period (1603-1868)
Height : 10¼ in - length : 10¼ (26 cm x26 cm)

A gorgeous Japanese framed silk hand-embroidered fukusa (gift-wrapping or tea ceremony cover), with the image of Jurojin, one of the Seven Lucky Gods. He holds his attributes, a staff and a fan. A crane, tortoise, and a deer accompany him, all of which are symbols for longevity. The detailing is very careful and breathtaking such as the glass eyes of the crane and deer...

Black and gold lacquer sageju-baco (picnic box) decorated with floral motifs in hiramaki-e. It includes a sake bottle, a four-compartment box with nashi-ji lacquer inside, a simple tray and a hollow tray. At the top, there is a bronze handle for transport.

The sageju-bako is divided into four superimposed boxes for food on the left; a simple tray, a sake bottle and a hollow tray on the right. They are in the shape of a plum blossom.
On the top, on both sides a phoenix...

Very unusual antique Japanese matching pair of black lacquer gyosho bako (peddler's boxes). Each has a full height door with eight hand forged brass hinges in stunning original patina. One box opens to a large compartment. The other opens to a series of 5 drawers of different sizes. Each box has a square hole for a carrying pole.
This piece would have been used to carry and store a merchants livelihood. Selling objects or services carried out by the tools store inside...

Antique Japanese bronze okimono, animated in a recumbent pose. The tanuki clothed in Buddhist monk robes, curled and withdrawn for rest. A strand of prayer beads is visible out from underneath his crossed front legs. The sculpture is skillfully cast with a bronze dark russet patina, essentiated by the chasing of the hair and the smooth surface of the folds. The artist has also rendered in detail of the tanuki's paws, which is the underside of the sculpture signed "Yoshiyama".

Me...

Pair of dark blue cloisonne vases with scenes of birds among reeds. The base and mouth of the vases are bordered with an intricate design. The backs of the vases have a simple depiction of reeds with grasses. They measure 1.75" wide at base 11" tall. The bases are both signed with the same signature. Meiji period, 1868-1912.

Late 18th to early 19th century netsuke of a standing Dutchman holding an oversized rooster in his hands. Excellent carving, superb depiction of bird’s head, feathers and feet, great face with overly round eyes, wonderful depiction of his knee-length coat decorated with wave designs, textured pants and Chinese style hat with feather. Eyes inlaid with black horn, stands on its own, excellent patina, compressed dust on the surface. Himotoshi goes through the back down to the bottom of the coat i...

Bronze incense burner with brown patina with shibuishi inlays. Composed of an enormous wave or a dragon also in shibuishi emerging from the waves holds the sacred pearl in its claws. The sphere cover grip represents a tengu also holding a sacred pearl in one paw. The base of the wave is decorated with small crabs and octopuses. Period: Meiji (1868-1912). Height: 51 cm.

A sublime and very rare 10th-12th century Heian Period Japanese Jizō Bosatsu wood sculpture. 8 inches (20cm) high x 6 (15cm) inches wide.

A massive imari vase with decoration of the Genroku era of bijin (a beauty) and hana (flowers) on two opposing panels alternating with two more opposing panels of a structure (tea house?) in garden landscape - all in red, gold and black enamels with blue underglaze. Similar landscape decorated panels appear on the shoulder over a ground of hanabishi (flowery diamond) in repeating diamond bordered pattern. The hanabishi (sometimes also referred to as karabana, or 'Chinese flower') could be repres...

This is a Kake-fukusa in this Edo period( 1646-1710)is very excellent in the museum Item class. It is konbuin kake-fukusa of the Kyoto museum and the one of the same class. All embroider it by the hand with silk. The colors are all dyestuff of nature.There is a very thin stain. There is a very little rubbing. However, the state is very excellent. It is made by the technology of workman's highest class in Edo period. It is original of Edo period. Please add to your collection. As ...

Antique Japanese rare kuruma tansu (wheeled chest). Made of solid quartered sawn keyaki (zelkova) wood with hand forged iron hardware. The upper portion of the chest has a large compartment opened by sliding panels with horizontal slats and heavy iron latch. The bottom portion has one large drawer. There is a small hidden compartment between the two portions of the chest. Gorgeous original finish with beautiful patina.

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 30 1/2" high x...

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a view of lush garden flowers. Large yellow and red poinsettia and cockscomb grow beside a bamboo fence. Painted in mineral colors on silk. Signed by 祥雲 Shо̄un ("Auspicious Cloud"). A label identifies the artist as as Nonouchi Yasutarо̄ (Nonouchi is the family name), who used the artist name Shо̄un until 1932. After that he used his original given name Yasutarо̄, but this one has the Shо̄un seal, so it should be from 1932 or earlier.)...

Edo Period Musha-ningyo of Minister Takenouchi no Sukune and Attendant. Superb large-scale Edo period example (circa 1800) of Musha-ningyo warrior dolls for the Boy's Day display. Takenouchi is depicted kneeling and holding the baby Ojin in his arms. He has an unusually animated and well-rendered face, with fine gofun lacquer and painted features. Both figures have rich silk brocades in near mint condition. Height: 15 inches, 38 cm.

Japanese antique Tsutsu chawan (tea bowl) with yellow crackle glaze. The bottom displays lovely glaze drips. Raku school, Kyoto. Very rare tea bowl. Evaluated by TZ Shiota (#12) in 1930's when the family inheritied the collection from their great grandfather.

Age: 17th century.

Dimensions: 4 1/4" high x 3 5/8" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vickery, Atkins & Torrey, interior design firm and art g...

Japanese two section futon tansu made with solid Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood. The top section holds a large open compartment behind two sliding Keyaki burl front panels with openwork carvings. Below are three drawers with mokko shaped iron pulls. The bottom section has another pair of sliding panels with horizontal slats. Behind the left panel are two large drawers and behind the right panel are two drawers and a small safe door with ornate iron plates, holding a third drawer inside. Beautiful or...

A pair of Japanese negoro lacquer temple ritual sake offering containers, rich dark red lacquer over a black lacquer with a graceful body and a wishing ball stopper, Gigoshi, with a spiral design. The pair used for Buddhist purification and fulfillment rituals, and show the patina of respectful use.

Purchased in Japan from a Private Collection
Dates 18th/19th Century
Size H 14" x W 6"

Stunning Antique single section burl keyaki bar tansu from the Nigata region of Japan. The front panels are beautiful quarter sawn burl keyaki hardwood.. Top and bottom drawers have central hand forged kiri leaf mon (family crest) over iron locks. Original finish in stunning warm translucent lacquer tones.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Size: 36" height X 34.25" width X 17" depth

The russet iron menpo depicts an older man's face with wrinkles and a long hair mustache (missing). The removable nose plate has small perforated holes for the insertion of horse hair for the mustache. The rivets are rendered in a plum blossom configuration, and the strap posts holder is in the form of petals and stems. The ears are pierced with plum blossoms. The yodare has four plates laced with blue, calico, and pale orange silk cords. The backside is lacquered in red for the face and black f...

A rare antique Japanese Kyushu Choba Tansu (merchant chest from Kyushu island) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The frame of the chest was made using Suginoki wood measuring a very thick 1 1/ 8". Constructed with straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. It has 5 drawers and a pair of hinged doors that open to a spacious storage area with a split level shelf. All original hand forged iron hardware.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1870-1880)
...

An excellent shakudo tsuba inlaid with a "thousand flowers" decoration in gold, silver and sentoku. The technique is particular, the tsuba is first cast in shakudo with all the flowers in relief, then chiseled. Then each flower is covered with a thick sheet of metal, gold, silver or sentoku, this sheet is hammered on the sides of the flowers as one would border a bed sheet. Excellent work , exceedingly difficult more than inlaid. This was not done to save material nor economy, because the silver...

Antique Japanese cho bako made of keyaki (elm) wood with beautiful grain and original translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware including edge bracing, lock plates, hirute shaped drawer pulls on the front, warabite shaped handles on the sides. Five drawers with one drop in panel and hidden compartment. Comes with one key. From the Sakata area of Japan. Edo Period. Size: 17 1/2" high x 21 3/4" wide x 16 1/2" deep.

Japanese Meiji Period painted poloma wood door (sugido). Ink and pigment on a natural wood ground, depicting a peacock perched on a flowering cherry tree, signed/sealed Sho[ryo], the reverse with scattered cherry petals floating near a flowering dandelion plant. Possibly featured in a retreat of the upper class. Height: 70.75 inches, 180 cm; Width: 34.25 inches, 87 cm.

An antique Japanese six panel screen depicting a quiet pool with birds taking a rest amongst the grasses and flowers. Ink and light colors on paper. Silk boarder. Condition consistent with age.

Date: Taisho Period (early 20th Century, 1912-1926

Dimensions: 65” high X 148” wide

Rare japanese urushi lacquer box of a calabash shape. Beautiful Hoteï sleeping on his bag on a black ground. Nashiji lacquer inside with two figthers. A rare border of checkerboard and mother of pearl inlays.

Pair of finely detailed full size silver Japanese temple candlesticks. Embossed with wild flowers and scrolling vines. Blooming flowers are seen from the base, up the stem to the top. Gorgeous original patina consistent with age. Overall very good condition.

Edo Period C. Early 1800's

Dimensions: 9" wide X 25" high

Japanese Edo Period Four Panel Screen Painting of a Court Scene. This elegant image is finely painted with floating gold leaf clouds, pine and willow trees, and brings the viewer into the intimacy of the court chamber. The figures are wonderfully animated with expressive faces. 100.5 x 36 inches, 255 x 91.5 cm.