Japanese antique Funa Tansu (merchant's safe), all made of very heavy quarter sawn Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. The door opens to 3 interior drawers also with Keyaki wood fronts (interior of each drawer made with Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood, wooden bracing on the bottom, heavy iron hardware including double locks on the outer doors and each of the three interior drawers has a large lock as well, two handles on top of safe, 2 iron reinforced holes at the bottom of each side to allow the safe to be...

This old Japanese Noh theater mask has the expressive face of an old man. The mask is carved from paulownia wood and dates to middle Edo period, around 1750. The patina is wonderful.

Mask measures approx 8 inches high and 6 inches wide

Exquisite set of Japanese Dairi bina (hina), the emperor and the empress dolls from early to mid Showa period. This is not a large set of dolls. The measurements of the wood box are 17” wide x 12 3/4” tall x 13 1/2” deep. We should add the approximate sizes of dolls. The label indicates that they are from Matsuzaka-ya, a major department store. Matsuzaka-ya started as a kimono store in late 16th century, pre Edo period. The beautiful details are packed in the small dolls - photos could n...

Japanese two(2) section Tansu, Cedar and Cypress Wood, Chest on chest, Meiji period before 1910's, 42"high, 34" wide, 17" deep, 2 large long graduated size drawers on upper section above one long drawer above shorter drawer next to 2 small drawers on the right side, lacquer painted Crane on the black iron round back plates, and pulls. Some of the small upper section black iron pieces are broken off and one top round black iron back plate has no crane design, maybe replaced later date some time ...

An impressive spouted vessel, made of bronze, adorned with elaborate relief of animals like frogs, fishes, crabs and Chinese influenced creatures like dragons and Buddhist lions. The movable handle with a crocodile. These kettle were used during festive or ritual occasions. Please refer to "Malay Brassware - A Guide to the Collections of the National Museum Singapore" and compare with object no. TM-1408-1, on the online collection database of the "National Museum of Ethnology" in Leiden, Netherl...

With a height of 32 inches, this is a rare and impressive example of early 19th century Imari ware. Both the vase and stand are finely decorated in shades of blue, gold and orange.

Condition is excellent.

There is no visible image of God in Japanese Shinto religion. For this reason, people find the spirit of God in their surroundings, especially in nature. In the noh play “Takasago”, an old couple is seen together on the beach of Takasago (today’s Hyogo prefecture) sweeping pine needles under the trees. The old man Jo and old woman Uba are the spirits of the pine trees that were grown in Takasago and Sumiyoshi. The two trees are located far away but they are together with their spirits. ...

This Japanese okimono quality bronze turtle has a champleve decorated shell that opens to reveal a pipe stand. The turtle measures about 6 1/2" long x 3" wide x 2" tall and dates to the turn of the Century. The turtle has the makers' impressed seal underneath. The condition is very good with just a chip to the end of the tail and the hinge pin is missing. The asking price includes shipping within the USA.

Japanese black lacquered on woven Bamboo Trunk, with red lacquered wooden frame on the bottom, Ca. 1920's, 14 1/2" high, 27 1/4" x 15 1/4" wide, two(2) black iron lock compartment on the side and large handles in front and back and corners are wrapped around with black iron. Wooden stretchers on the bottom to support for strength, blue rice paper lining inside the top and the bottom. Some black lacquer loses on the surface and corners are worn.

Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Ridge Tile - Lion Dog

This sturdy ridge tile in the form of a seated lion-dog dates to the latter part of the Ming Dynasty (c. 1600 - 1644). It is coated in a thick and finely-crackled attractive turquoise glaze. The curved underneath of the tile remains unglazed and has the impressions of a finely-woven cloth on which it must have been placed during manufacture.

Height 22 cm. There is a chip to one ear and kiln scars on both sides of the animal's mout...

A Kangxi period very large baluster- shaped jar and cover, decorated in blue and white with the body showing 36 panels each enclosing a composition of butterflies amongst leafy peony sprays. The borders also reflect a floral image whilst the cover repeats the themes of the panels. This impressive example is of monumental size 57cm (22 and 1/2 inches) high and boasts a vibrant and even blue colour and meticulous painting . Important Note: There is an identical jar and cover in the Topkapi S...

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as the "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; the plum blossoms represent purity, subtle beauty and the inner strength of women. Bamboo is often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bam...

Japanese antique nobori banner, hand painted on cotton, a tiger in bamboo grove. The style of the painting is derived from ancient Korean paintings of tigers. It is a style that became popular in Japan from the 16th century and you will see many screens and scrolls of tigers painted in this manner. The popularity of these paintings in this style continued throughout the Edo period(1608-1868) and into the Meiji era. The quality of the artwork tells us that this nobori is likely to have been done ...

Nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents' wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was, others were used to shift the troops. ...

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this large contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the features of the landscape where he grew up.

Born in the port city of Shimoda, Sakiyama studied art in Osaka and then later went on to open his own kiln that he named “Hidaka” (High Sun). Appearing to have a natural gift for form and proportion, his pieces soon attracted the attention of galleries and collectors...

The warrior’s armor and helmet, samurai sword, spears, banners and paper carps (later cloth) in the sky are all tools used to showcase boy’s day in Japan. This tradition started early Edo period (1603-1868) by samurai families wishing their son’s good health and studies to be honorable samurai.

This set is made in Kyoto, Japan and is called “Kyo-armor”. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. The culture there was developed to serve the best for the emperor...

A female dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated ...

A male dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated fr...