Catalog (262)

Reverberating Zen Temple Bell from a Buddhist Temple with lacquered stand with inscription on the bell reading, 'Showa 3' (ca.1929). Deep, sonorous sound. With red lacquered striker. Excellent condition. Stand and bell height: 67cm; bell: 24cm height and 37cm diameter.

In its original box, this beautiful red bronzed flower vase has ducks and ume plums in wonderful relief. Has the signed original box made out of kiri. c.1930. (9" x 9") (23cm x 23cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $95.

Elegant pair of copper lanterns for candle or oil. Glass has the character for `gold or money` leading us us to believe these were hung outside a merchant`s establishment. Condition excellent per photos. 16" tall and 12" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Late Meiji Period C.1900 gold lacquer on zelkova wood mirror stand. Used in the inner chamber of altar shrine to reflect the void. Bronze mirror has plum blossoms and pine leafs in relief. Very good condition. (see pics). 11" tall by 7" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Elegant signed Keisen bronze vase with carp undulating and frolicing about. With original paulownia signed box. Characters on box read: "Daruma seiyu koi bori doki kabin" meaning daruma holy playing carp bronze flower vase. C. 1950. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Lovely serene buddhist Jizo bodhisattva diety with almost a knowing smile breaking. Carved out of granite in the Late Meiji Period. H:32cm; W:19cm; depth 13cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Striking Japanese sweets shop sign with the kanji 'ame' sweets and the name of the store ' Koko Ame Ya' written on the bottom in stylized kanji. Koko means 'with the intention of doing good for all'. 16" tall by 13" wide. great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Written on the inside of the original box is the artists' testimonial to this piece. Carved by famed carver Terada Keitaro (artist name : Kei'in) when he was 71 and his retirement piece. Carved in Showa 29 (1954) he went into Ryozen-zan mountain in Shiga Prefecture and found the perfect wild mulberry wood for his final masterpiece. He states he put his whole spirit and soul into this piece. Signed and in excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Fabulous Early Showa Period Ca. 1930 'Rutsubo" ceramic crucible for melting bronzes. Repeated firings at extremely high temperatures to melt bronze alloys has produced the most remakable art deco glazes on the outside. Great condition. 33cm tall x 27cm in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Rare paulownia wood Meiji Period Ca. 1890 herbal apothecary chest, 'kusuri dansu'. Each drawer is labeled with various healing herbal names. Size is smaller than normal, 23" tall x 15"wide x 9' deep. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Pair of beautiful gold hanging Shinto Shrine lamps. Made of copper Ca. 1930. Excellent condition. Height of each lamp: 13"; diameter: 10". Ask for shipping quote.

Important pair of Taisho Period c. 1921 bronze zen buddhist temple lamps with lacquered wood stands. Inscribed on lamps is date and village of temple. Stands are older from Meiji Period C.1890. Inscribed are parishiners names. Great condition. Stands 31" x 18"; lamps 25" x 11". Ask for shipping quote.

A briliant late Taisho Period C. 1930 murashido bronze brazier/flower vase. Murashido is now a favorite among bronze collectors for its art deco appeal and sensual colors. Dipped in hot oils at firing and then using straw smoke for added coloring. Heavy bronze. Good condition. Ask for shipping quote. 12" hig and 9" in diameter. heavy bronze.

Very unusual Ca. 1930 iron lantern in the shape of a Shinto Shrine Drum with the 'mitsu tomoe' (three commas) which symbolized Raijin the god of thunder and lightning. Often this symbol is on the end of temple roof tiles as protection against thunder and lightning. Great condition. 9" in diameter and 9" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Exceptional early Showa Period c.1937 art deco bronze flower vase in the original signed paulownia box. The kanji on the box reads: Chudo Ume Moyo "bronze vase with plum petal motif. Also Kabin or "flower vase". On the inside is the signature of Tatsugo and his seal. The bronze has plum petals in raised relief and inside small crosses. The vase itself is divided in sections by incissed lines. Ask for shipping quote. H:20cm ; diameter is 22cm.

Fascinating Taisho Period C.1920 tea ceremony bronze tripod incense censor. Almost art deco in design and feel. The Murashi-do bronze was dipped in hot oi at firing to create the mottled patinated colorings. The handles are elephant heads. The highlight of the piece is the very rare and exquisite square mouth and lid. The lid is adorned with a shishi lion which covers the hole the incense smoke wafts out of. Simply superb. To date we have never seen a square mouth incense koro. Ask for shipping quote. H:about 12cm; W:about 13cm

Exceptional tea ceremony ceramic sweets box from the Taisho Period C. 1925. Natural dyes used to achive the stunning art deco alternating striped look. We have it on a tansu and it fills the room. Sits on 3 delicate legs and the top has a glazed pull to open the lid. 5" wide x 3 1/2" deep x 2 1\2" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Exceptional large keyaki wood mask covered in negoro lacquer, C.1890. Aged and worn which adds to the character and allure. Tengu is a legendary creature found in Japanese folk religion as a supernatural being. It is a Shinto kami or god spirit of the forests and mountains; a vigilent protector of forests. Associated with the mountain buddhist and shinto ascetic practices of Shugendo. 19" and 13" wide. Ask for shipping quote. Original carving.