Here is a rare Jizai mantis. It is by an artist named Tomiki Munenobu, one in a line of artists carrying on the Myochin style of metalwork. Teh piece likely dates from somewhere in the later Meiji, 1890-1910. Life-size, it is roughly 3 inches long, the same height and in fine condition. It is as found, not yet cleaned or tampered with. The head is mobile; the thorax with retractable arms and folding wings...

Green or Blue, which will win this contest? Two shishi lions vie for our attention on this absolutely fabulous pair of 19th century screens. The images are performed with pigment on applied silver, not an easy medium from the start. One creature pounces, mouth open, teeth barred while the other crouches, mouth shut, ready to leap. Peony, a flower typically associated with the creatures, grows about them. Each screen is 68 x 137 inches (173 x 348 cm)...

Jingu, guardian Empress of Japan, stands ready to defend her princely child Ojin held by General Takenouchi Sukune within a painted border of martial articles. Swords, armor, bows and quivers full of arrows, a horse-bit and court cap, tea bowl and other implements precious to the samurai tradition all hand-painted about the central image, laid scroll-like over top but actually all part of the same canvas...

A superbly crafted free standing image of a Heron standing high on a rocky outcrop, balanced on one leg, the other curled up tightly in its feathers. It is made in dusted silver, likely over a bronze body. The form is expertly crafted, incised with a fierce expression showing awe for the power of nature and its inhabitants. Keen eyes scan the river for fish, and the horizon for predators. Worn, we have had the original bolt fixing him to the rock bored and replaced...

 

Japanese Meiji period teardrop form cabinet vase covered in a rich mottled blue glaze over a brown base. The vase bears the impressed mark of Okumura Shozan (1841-1905) on the glazed base. Shozan is perhaps best known for his remarkable copies of Ninsei and Kenzan works. 19th century. 4 1/8" high (5 1/8" on the stand). Stand included. Very good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. There is a tiny pin-head sized area at the foot where the glaze does not cover...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) depicting Nikki Danjo Naonori changing into a rat from the series "One Hundred Ghost Stories of China and Japan" (Wakan hyaku monogatari ) published by Daikoku-ya Kinnosuke (Kinjiro) in 1865. Vertical oban size (14 1/4"V x 9 5/8"H). Very good overall condition and color with margins evident. The print was removed from an album and is lightly album backed and slightly trimmed...

Old Japanese Banko Ware Marble Pattern Tiger

The tiger is 4.5 inches tall, and 5 inches wide.

It is in good condition with no repairs, chips, nor cracks.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we place on Trocadero. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid...

Japanese bronze mirror. 19th century. 9.9 x 0.7 cm. 236g.

 

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 5.25". This is an example of the "Nambu-kei" tradition of Iwate Prefecture. It was made at Hanamaki Onsen (Hanamaki Hot Spring) by an unidentified artisan. The wood used is "keyaki" (Zelkova-Chinese Elm.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the past 20 years. This particular tradition of kokeshi is unique in that there is no painting, as in all other traditional kokeshi of Tohoku (NE Japan.) The wood is left bare...

A silver inlayed bronze incense burner by Inami Keishu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) tall and in fine condition. Inami Keishu worked in metal for more than 60 years. He has been often exhibited and prized with the Nihon Kogei Kai (National Crafts Association) among many other National Events.

An incredible amount of work went in to the burl-like lacquer finish of this early 20th century three-drawered calligraphy box...

An extremely fine bronze Koro in the form of a mythical Kirin by Living National Treasure Katori Masahiko (1899-1988). Masahiko, a graduate of Tokyo National University of Art, went on to an illustrious career. Unlike his colleagues, he produced very limited numbers of his pieces, often only one. As this piece is not numbered, I believe it also is a one of a kind. It has a rich, green patina that lends age to the work, actually most likely no more than 30 years old. It is 8 inches (20cm) lo...

Dragons writhe across the face of this astounding free standing temple which was a long time display piece in a Butsudan Shoten, an example of the finest work available for Japanese altars. The piece is more than 60 years old, as the current owner of the store (third generation) mentions it has stood there for as long as he can remember. It is entirely hand made; each piece of wood finely shaped and lacquered, each bit of metal hand etched before assembly. It rises from a 9 stage base of red,...

Silver canines gleam menacingly in the corners of the mouth of this terrifying Edo period sabiji-nuri iron Menpo face mask. It has a three lame nodokake also with sabiji-nuri, laced with tight blue chord. The mustache is a bit ragged and there are typical chips around the edges from use.

A Nihonga Scene mounted on a two panel screen of a thatched house in the winter forest, blossoms just opening on the garden trees by Takahashi Shiko (1897-1970). The scene has been created over a complete wash of white, making the crisp early spring morning real and sharp. The screen measures 74-1/2 x 67-1/2 inches (189 x 172 cm) and is in excellent condition bordered in a red lacquer frame typical of the 1920s and 30s and retains the original backing paper. A superb example of the early Show...

19th century Japanese Yokohama woodblock print depicting the famous Italian painter and printmaker Titian showing a bust portrait to a patron. This image is from a series of anonymous educational prints published in the early Meiji period that related to important Westerners. The print is unsigned and undated. 13 1/2"V x 9 7/8"H. Very good overall condition with margins evident. The print is not backed and has been stored away from sunlight. As the picture of the back shows, this image is ...