Fairly large shrine with three carved figures: Shichimen Daimyojin, Kishimojin and the patriarch of the Nichiren sect, Nichiren. All are positioned on a rectangular base. Although all three can be connected with the Nichiren sect, the formation is a rather unusual one, leading to the assumption that the pieces were carved to the specific order of someone, for a very specific reason. The crest on the outside of the zushi (tachibana branch in well) hints in the same direction...

A small Pure Land Buddhist shrine -zushi- containing a figure of the 11-headed Kannon on a lotus, holding a flask in his left hand, standing before a full-size mandorla.
Painted in mineral colors and gold onto the gilded doors are Jizo bosatsu to his right and Kokuzo bosatsu to his left.

Carved wood (probably boxwood), decorated with gold. Jewelry gilded metal (now black).
Red lacquered shrine with fine gilded hardware. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.
Case: ca...

Ivory okimono of a toad carrying an orchestra of five monkeys.
Four monkeys is playing instruments such as the shamisen (long-necked lute with three strings), the shime-daiko (small drum) and the flute. The fifth monkey is larger and is singing while holding a book in his left hand and plugging his ear with the other...

Beautiful Japanese Satsuma lidded jar featuring four different scenes with immortals. One scene includes a boy and another an animal. In excellent antique condition with wear to gold gilding, it measures 11.5 inches high x 8" widest point. Dates Meiji Period, circa 1880.

Japanese shigaraki jar, Edo period 17th-18th century, thickly potted, the skin showing the characteristic pock marks and imbedded fieldspar with a natural ash glaze. This jar was originally used to store tea but became desired as an object of mingei beauty due to the tea ceremony aesthetics. It measures 4.5" wide at mouth 21' tall.

Antique Japanese small lacquer tebako (accessory box) with image of a crane standing on the bank of a lake or stream. Looking up at the crane from the swirling water, is an ancient turtle. A pine tree and fruit tree grow on the hillside behind the crane. Fine gold maki-e lacquer with dense gold nishiji on a black lacquer ground. The interior of the box is entirely covered in gold nishiji. The rim of both the bottom and lid of the box is edged in silver...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a skeleton. Realistically rendered for use in a doctor's office. Great detail and shading. Frontal view with a top view of the foot. Painted in sumi-e ink and light colors on paper. Signature seal.

Dimensions: Total size: 77 1/2" high x 27 3/4" wide (30 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 55" high x 23 1/4" wide.

Japanese antique fu-dog carving for temple. Also called a shishi, the mythical creature is shown here with blossoming peonies. The shishi and peony together is called Karajishi in which the ferocious beast is tempered by the beautiful queen of flowers, Yin and Yang. Carved from one solid piece of sugi (cryptomeria) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 52 1/2" long x 9" high

Ivory netsuke depicting a monk intent on decisively cutting an Oni horn using a large knife. The act itself suggests a struggle between good and evil. Shōkusai signature with engraving under the base. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.9 x 1.9 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Midsize storage jar, tsubo. Greyish brown stoneware, with the typical white stone inclusions, partially bursting out through the surface. The ashes in the wood burning kiln settled during the firing onto the surface of the pot and melted, creating the beautiful brownish yellow ash glaze. This is a natural process that cannot be controlled by the potter beyond the decision of placement within the kiln...

Antique Japanese cloisonne oval-shaped container with fantastic designs outlined in wire of flying birds amidst scrolling vines and blooming lotuses, with draping blue and red panels, depicting a phoenix whose tails resemble fish fins or flower petals, and a red dragon with flames and smoke clouds against a sparkling background. The main body color of the cloisonne piece is a pastel speckled yellow and its inside is a pale blue. It stands on four brass legs and sits upon a carved hardwood stand...

Joli petit okimono en bois sculpté en forme d'enfant jouant du tambour. Sa robe est finement incrustée de motif de fleurs stylisées de différent matériaux, argent, os teinté, corne ou ébène et nacre. Dessous 2 caractères gravés sur une tablette de nacre indiquent le nom de l'artiste qui est certainement célèbre au regard de la qualité de l'oeuvre. Il manque quelques perles et les baguettes de tambours, mais celà ne nuit point à l'équilibre de la sculpture...

Ivory manju netsuke depicting Chok'aro, a character from Japanese tradition, trying to catch a miniature horse that is running away from its gourd. This netsuke shows Chok'aro in a dynamic pose, his eyes intent on catching the fleeing horse...

Woodblock print done by the artist Okiie Hashimoto. Charming image of a young woman sitting among a field of lily flowers. Done in muted colors, beautiful condition. Dimensions: 27'' Wide X 21 3/4'' High, framed

A smoke tendril rises from the mouth of a bloated toad forming an Usubata flower basin in heavy olive patinated yellow bronze. The basin is 19.7 cm (7-3/4 inches) diameter, The entire 24.5 cm (9-3/4 inches) tall and it is in excellent condition. In Japanese the word for Frog is Kaeru, a homonym for: To Return...

An antique Japanese Kusuri Tansu (herbal medicine chest) made of Kaki (Persimmon) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with each pull ring decorated with a Chrysanthemum back plate. Some of the drawers still retain label remnants of the contents that it held. Constructed using hardened wooden nails and straight dovetail joinery. Consisting of 35 drawers.

This 19th century carved wood netsuke of an Otafuku (traditional female theater character) is 2 ¼” long, 1 ¾” wide and 1” thick. It was made by a well known wood netsuke carver Shuzan; his signature is on the back. Shuzan was the pupil of master netsuke carver Shugetsu. It is in excellent condition.

Superb bronze scholar holding a caligrapgy brush and an undulating scroll with the character `Kotobuki` (congratulations) in faded silver. The folds of the robe and face and brush are of the highest bronze craftsmanship. Signed on the bottom "Shuro" one of the leading craftsman of the late Taisho Period C.1920. Roughlt 7" tll by 5" wide. Table included. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Rustic round platter, called ishizara in Japanese, used in kitchens and commoners’ households. Pale yellow glaze that typically leaves the foot free. The plate is slightly warped, as is common with ishizara. Seto ware, Edo period.

In the Meiji era this plate was additionally decorated in moriage technique with overglaze enamels that required lower kiln temperatures...

Very sophisticated and fine mid Edo Period Hirado Mizusashi for the Japanese Tea Ceremony with its original lid.

Hirado wares—alternately known as Mikawachi wares in some contexts—are known throughout Japan and also abroad for their high quality and fine craftsmanship and date back at least as far as the mid-18th century when they were produced exclusively for powerful lords and their families...

Antique Japanese small lacquer safe box with hinged door and 3 small interior drawers. Decorated on all sides including the drawer fronts with detailed harakusa (octopus vine) design in fine maki-e lacquer on a dense nashiji ground. The drawers are covered on all sides in fine nashiji gold flakes. Hardware is made of silver and incised with a similar scrolling vine motif.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1868)

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

This is a beautiful cloisonne vase from Gonda with a unique form. The Wisteria colors are wonderful. It stands 12 inches tall. Has a bit of crazing at the top but it's very hard to notice.

Square-shaped ivory netsuke manju depicting various objects, among which some fans stand out. The sculpture depicts kitchen tools, work tools and everyday objects. This netsuke features a silver bronze hook in the center. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 1cm. State of conservation: Very good

Dragon candlestick in bronze forming crucifix. Japan edo. This cruciform shape is unknown in Japanese art. I think it is a household crucifix for a Japanese Christian family who would have liked to have a discreet crucufix in their house. A non-Christian visitor would never have suspected that this three-candle dragon was a representation of Christ on the cross. It should be remembered that Christianity was banned and persecuted in Japan from the beginning of the 17th century to the end of the 1...

Exceptional antique Japanese small personal box made with beautiful keyaki (zelkova) wood burl. Two small drawers on the top, one of which is outfitted with interior lidded compartments. Below, are 3 full-width drawers of gradating depth. Patinated bronze hardware with square drawer pulls on the larger drawers and flower bud pulls on the top drawers. A matching square handle on the top for carrying. Original translucent wiped lacquer finish shows of dramatic grain. Provenance: From a Ne...

Kobako box decorated with stylized foliage in black and gold hiramaki-e lacquer. The motif is karakusa, a growing plant extending in all directions. It symbols prosperity and longevity. Interior is lined with a floral fabric and topped with a pewter border.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 2.5 in / 6.5 cm – width: 3.5 in / 9 cm – depth: 3 in / 7.5 cm

Antique pair of Japanese menuki. These small but detailed elements of a traditional samurai sword were originally made to hide the pins (mekugi) that hold the back end of the blade (tang) to the hilt (tsuka). Made in pairs, they were positioned on either side of the handle. These menuki are especially fine and depict two men, likely sages by their long hair. Probably they are the friends, Kanzan (the Zen poet) and Jittoku (a servant at a monastery). They are made of bronze and mixed meta...

Antique Japanese light summer kesa (Buddhist Priest's vestment). Made with a sheer layer of black silk embroidered with silver crayfish medallions and lined with white silk.

Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit. Meant as a reminder of the Buddha's own simple patched garment, kesa are formed from many fragments of cloth. Within each garment, the fragments are typically organized in a series of columns...

Absolutely rare and amazing pottery shisa ( foo dog, foo lion ) from the mid. Meiji Period, signed by the artist and covered with wonderful white Hagi glaze.

Do you find more impressive ones on the antique art market?

The figure shows a lot of artistic details (take a look on the teeth and the tongue). Hagi Ware Foo dogs are very rare.

No repairs, only a tiny piece of the tail is chipped off and some peaks of the teeth are missing, hard to notice! and it does not...

An antique Japanese Funa Bako (ship safe box) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and natural Urushi lacquer finish. The safe door opens to 5 drawers where valuables were kept. The heavy weight of the case combined with a buoyant interior allowed the crew members to attach a rope to the handle and throw the safe overboard during a pirate attack. The chest would float beneath the surface of the water for retrieval after the attack was...

Unusually large 19th century netsuke of a Nio lying on a straw sandal. Nio - one of the Buddhist Guardian Kings - is holding a vajra in his right hand, and a scarf is laid out around him. Strong bold carving, pleasantly heavy - might have been meant for a sumo wrestler to wear. Beautiful staining and patina. Signed GOTO SEIMIN TO (carved by Goto Seimin) on an oval reserve on the bottom. Formerly in du Pont collection - see Christie’s sale, New York, 1 November 1996, lot 23. Unusual object, goo...

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with metal top depiction a tiger on rocks by the sea and a dragon in flight among swirling clouds about to engage in a fight. Very nice pairing of most powerful Zodiac animals, bronze disc with gilding, tiger is inlaid with shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) with characteristic black patination resembling lacquer. Excellent crisp work, some wear to gilding on the dragon, marine material bowl with typical lines on the outside. Came with the follo...

Antique Japanese hanging scroll of a Geisha opening a lacquered box. The geisha's hair is worn in a traditional updo with hair pins. She wears robes that are beautifully patterned as she opens a lacquered box. The scroll is signed in the upper left. It measures overall: 7.75" wide by 81" long, image: 6.5" by 51".

Hard to find nowadays: fairly shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was covered with a potter's knife in its shoulder and around the foot ring.

The brim of this bowl covered with a green copper oxide glaze and the lower part was left unglazed and decorated in iron oxide with buddhist wheel of law on two opposite sides over which finally a transparent ash glaze was applied. The wheels were additionally highlighted with...

Japanese antique scroll painting of the Lucky God, Ebisu. He sits on a rocky shoreline with his fishing pole in his right hand. Tucked under his left arm is a giant fish.
Ebisu is the Japanese god of fishermen and luck. He is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune (七福神), and the only one of the seven to originate purely from Japan without any Hindu influence.
The weak child overcame many hardships, grew legs (and, presumably, the rest of his skeletal structure) at the age ...

Chawan, tea bowl to be used in the tea ceremony, of distorted oval shape (kutsu or clog, or shoe-shape). Thick cream-colored stoneware that turned red during firing in the unglazed area, covered with a translucent greenish ash glaze that collected in the bottom and around the rim and is very thin around the sides. The sides are ‘rough’, giving a look into the clay.

Japan, Seto region, very early Edo period.

H 3 x W 5.5 in.

Excellent condition

Comes with a red silk po...

Antique Japanese small container for the storage of incense, made with mulberry wood with raised gilt lacquer designs of gourd leaves, nashiji (sprinkled gold flakes) lacquer inside, with a gold scene of chrysanthemums on the lid's underside. Late Edo Early Meiji Period (circa 1860's). Size: 2" H x 4.25" L x 3.25" W

Japanese dark lacquered Funa Tansu, or ship safe box with heavy hand-forged iron hardware and plates. The interior of the box holds six small drawers opened by kan (ring) pulls, one with a lock plate. The piece has a warabite handle for carrying on top.

Edo period

Dimensions: 16 3/4" x 11 1/2" x 13 3/4"

Beautiful antique Japanese knarled root made of cherry wood. Used in the tea ceremony for bamboo basket or vase ikebana display. Late Meiji Period c.1895 with rich patina and fabulous asymetrical flow. Excellent condition with very tiny minor original wood splits on surface but these nicely add rather than detract. c.1895. (20" x 18" x 15") (50cm x 46cm x 38cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $200.

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake coiled around itself. Signature engraved under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji late 19th century. Dimensions: 4 x 3.5 x 2 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), original dark brown translucent lacquer finish, made of sugi (cryptomeria), iron hardware, one shelf on interior of slider compartment, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 43" high x 37 1/4" wide x 15 1/4" deep.

Antique Japanese ceramic figure of a rabbit. Glazed with a crackle glaze. Recumbent from with head slightly turned. Details of eyes and nose in black and gray.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 4 1/4" high x 8" long x 5 1/2" wide

A large heavy okimono of a striding elephant. The bronze elephant has a finely chased hide and it's original ivory tusks. The elephant measures about 19" long x 19" high, and weighs about 23.8 pounds. There is a maker's mark cut out on the belly of the beast which reads "Watanambe Made", and the patina overall is even and perfect. The elephant was made during the Meiji period, ie: late 19th Century, and the condition is perfect. The asking price includes shipping within the USA.

An antique Japanese Shinto shrine, made of solid hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood. Center doors do open and close to give access to the interior. Would make for a beautiful home shrine.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 40" tall X 38" wide X 21.5" deep

Antique Japanese cast iron figure of Bishamonten, chief of the Four Heavenly Kings and guardian of the north. Dressed for war, he stands on the back of an evil spirit. He holds a club in his right hand in association with his role as guardian. In his left hand, he holds a small pagoda representing the divine treasure house alluding to his association with wealth and good fortune. This sculpture is signed by Sekino Seiun (1889-1947)

Bishamonten is also sometimes called Tamonten,...

Ko-sometsuke porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). A small Japanese porcelain plate glazed with 3 images of a person on an island, a row boat and mountain.

Dimensions: diameter 6" X 1.5"

Date: 17th C

Pair Japanese Nabeshima Porcelain Dishes, Meiji 1920, impressed mark Kotobuki(Longevity) on the bottom, 8 1/4" diameter, 2" high, Basket weave interlocked between red and blue color for entire surface, with underglaze blue combed design on high rim, underneath has multiple coin shape design in three(3) areas in underglaze blue. Hand painted details of exact lines is superb, high quality work. The condition is good, no damages.

Two Japanese beauties (bijn) in shimmering kimono in the imari red, blue and gold enamel palette. Some erasure and wear due to age. Heights: 46.9cm and 47.3cm. Origin: Japan. Time: Meiji (1868-1912). Price : 2000€ each. Can be sold separately.

Cast bronze vase. Very elegant unusual shape. Decorated with a dragon in high relief. Probably Japanese rather chinese and very old Edo period, 18th century or before. The metal has an excellent patina of a beautiful brown color. Below a mark with Chinese characters. 205mm x 185mm. Slightly dented, barely visible. Original patina, not cleaned.

Antique Japanese mask used in Kyogen or Kagura theater. The mask is invoking the spirit of a joyous spirit or god and often used in plays such as sambaso, a play which is often performed during New Years. Age: Meiji Period. Size: Height: 7" Width: 3.5" Length: 5"

A splendid and refined Satsuma rectangular incense censer. Each painted panel is minutely painted with traditional motifs with images of a phoenix and Shi Shi Lion in raised detail. The bottom of the container contains a signature which reads, Dai Nippon Tokyo, Matsuura Yuzan Zo. Lovely condition Age: Meiji Period Size: length 3.5" width 2.75" height 2.15"

19th century Japanese single-section lacquered wood merchant tansu with black iron hardware and locks with floriate buttons, bronze hirute handles, and featuring fourteen drawers of assorted sizes. Each side has one iron side lift carrying handle. 36" wide x 30 3/4" high x 16" deep. Very good overall condition with the original lacquer finish and intact hardware. There is a separation in the wood along each side, the drawers do not close completely flush with the case, and there is a faint semi-...

A Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a scene from Japanese mythology of a warrior called Nitta No Shiro riding a wild boar. Nitta No shiro holds firmly in his hand a tanto, a traditional Japanese sword, with a sure and determined grip. The tanto itself is made with great attention to detail, with a sharp blade. This netsuke from the Edo period (1603-1868) tells a story dating back to the 12th century of the warrior Nitta No Shiro defending the Shogun of Japan Minamao No Yoritomo from the a...

19th century staghorn netsuke of a bat resting on an old roof tile. The tile face has raised characters reading TODAI-JI - it is one of the Seven Great Temples located in Nara, and is the headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism. Typical stag antler texture to the material, superb quality stippling and staining perfectly imitating the rough texture of a ceramic tile, extraordinary rich patina. Signed MASAHARU on the inside of the tile - this artist known for his original and clever designs ...

An ivory netsuke depicting an Oni and a Kappa on a giant lotus leaf. The sculpture captures the moment in which the Oni cunningly pulls the thread to prank the Kappa and steal the cucumber he is holding in his hands. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 2 x 4 x 4.5 cm. State of conservation: Very good

This is a very beautiful and stylish Japanese Cloisonne vase. It looks like it could have been made a piece made by Kawaguchi Bunzaeoman but it is signed with a tiny script by Ota. It was primarily created in the basse-taille style with traditional cloisonne then used with the flowers and leaves. The vase is heavy for its size and the enamel is thickly applied. It stands 7 3/8 inches tall as s 4 1/2 inches across. Condition is good, but in the darkest purple translucent enamel there is an odd ...

A Pretty little Bronze vase with finely crafted gold and silver leaf decoration. Origin: Japan Period : Meiji 19th Century Dimensions : 20cm (7.5")

An antique Japanese Jingasa with gradual domed top with black Urushi and a raised lacquer design of a flying dragon surrounding the top. Underside is red Urushi. Family crest in gold on top and bottom of helmet. Bronze ring Tama Buchi. Worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and foot soldiers.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: Jingasa only 17" diameter by 3 1/2" high. Jingasa on stand 21" high by 17" wide by 7" deep.

Ochanomizu in the Eastern Capital (Tōto ochanomizu) in 36 Views of Mount Fuji (Fuji Sanjū-Rokkei) by Hiroshige Ando (1797-1858). Serie 1858, n°5, Published by Tsutaya Kichizō. Format ōban (34,3 x 23 cm) Framed

Japanese Antique small and charming censer. The lid is pierced for incense smoke and the finial handle is in the form of a mouse. The round-form body of the censer has three small handles and is decorated with raised medallion reserves each with a different animal: rabbit, ox and tiger.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/2" high x 3 1/4" wide