An unusual chato (tea room sword) in the shape of an octopus, its 8 legs stretched out in uniform with one curled back exposing the suckers. Eyes are intimated on one side, with an old chip where the breathing hole is opposite. About the neck is wrapped a faded silk chord. It is 22 inches (56 cm) long. It is said that these wooden swords were produced from the mid to late Edo period, in lieu of swords for those not allowed to carry weapons (all but samurai)...

An antique oke-bound wooden bucket has been lacquered mirror smooth black inside with a natural bark handle added to create a superb sumi-tori charcoal basket for use in the Japanese tea ceremony. The original cask-like body is worn at the rim to an incredible degree, and yet remains structurally sound. It may have indeed been a lacquer-workers bucket, or perhaps used by a paper-hanger, decades of being bumped by the brush naturally wearing down the edges...

A finely brushed image of a pheasant in the blossoming boughs of a cherry tree bearing a circular Rimpa School seal in the lower right. Pigment on paper with bokashi daubing of water on the tree trunk. Shadows dragged through the back appear to intimate bamboo. It is bordered in beige silk with a black lacquered wooden frame. The screen measures 71.5 x 68.5 inches (181 x 174 cm) and is in fine condition, dating from the early 20th century.

 

A superbly detailed story Ranma carving, likely from an altar, in which five figures reside among golden maple and cherry blossoms. On the left a colorful figure dips water from the cascading blue waters of a steep fall, a man in priests robes behind him. Three other gentlemen in white robes watch from close at hand, a bundle of sticks, perhaps for making tea, perched in the foreground. Each figure is meticulously carved and painted, the entire scene gilded in gold...

A free-form watercolor on silk image of a dancer by Nishimura Goun inside a Kurogaki (black persimmon) frame with patterned brocade border. Who could not fall in love with this unusual expression of early twentieth century Japanese Art. She speaks of an era when a new freedom was growing in Japan, the growth of Democracy and rise of women’s rights. She dances free of care and self-consciousness, a blue ribbon tying her hair...

A lacquered and iron bound round lidded box called a kubi-oke made to carry the head of a man taken in battle or that of a man after committing ritual suicide for offering to the lord. It is 13 inches (33 cm) diameter, 11-1/2 inches (29 cm) tall with large handles from which it could be carried on a pole. There is mouse damage on one part of the bottom, but has not eaten through to the inside.

A matching Edo period Myochin signed Go-mai-do Gusoku yoroi lacquered black and threaded with blue chord emblazoned with a seven star crest. It features a 24 plate suji kabuto with elaborate tehen kanamomo signed Myochin Ki Munemasa saku. The blossoming Shikoro features large back-turned Fukigaeshi and mabizashi covered in leather and also emblazoned with the seven star crest. Inserted in front is a sharp kuwa-gata maedate...

Rare Edo period Japanese namazu-e (earthquake fish picture) woodblock print featuring a giant human-like catfish receiving punishment after being found guilty by a judge for causing the Ansei earthquake of 1855. A group of human-like catfish watch as the punishment is being meted out. In Japanese mythology, it was believed that giant catfish living underground caused earthquakes with their thrashing movements...

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...

 

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. This vase i...

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. The image has a prominent horizontal centerfold as the al...

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.

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