Catalog (228)

A pair of Edo Period C.1860 shishi wood lion carvings. Quite playful as one looks back at the other in chase. Excellent detail in the carving and very expressive. Carved out of hinoki cypress. One shishi is missing a claw but otherwise very good condition. See photos. Each 12" long x 5" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Exceptional bronze lantern with nengo dating on the bottom from Meiji Period 4 (C.1872). With the crest for gold `kin` on the panels and beautiful diaper vine patterns, this is a stunning piece of workmanship from the early Meiji period. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Exceedingly rare late Meiji Period C.1900 gold and black lacquered wood buddha stand with lotus leaves and buddhist clouds in carved relief. Negoro lacquer rim in back half with some wear, but otherwise in perfect nick. 20" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Lovely late Meiji Period C.1890 Imari hand painted ceramic vase. One side has phoenix and ikebana flowers, the other side a hawk and more flowers painted in great detail. Colors from natural pigment glazes. Great patina. Top lid has amythical shishi lion. Perfect condition. 32" tall by 13" diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Exceptional and rare thick earthenware ceramic ebisu and daikoku masks that have slots on the top of their heads for money. Holes on the back to hang but piggy banks would have to be broken to get out the money. Great expressions and beautifully made folk art. 11" high by 10" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Fabulous cypress wood dragon carving from a zen temple. Well preserved. Stands upright. Excellent condition. When the carp swims up a waterfall and makes it over the top it becomes a dragon and resides in the celestial realm protecting the buddha`s teachings. 34" long bu 11" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

A one of a kind huge bronze lotus temple basin with a dragon wrapped around the base and coming over the top as a water fountain. The base has bronze shishi in relief. C.1880. Stands over 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide. We had the fountain installed. Comes in two pieces; the base and the basin. Excellent condition with a minor dent in the tail of the dragon. Video available for serious enquiries.

Eye-catching gold gilt Meiji Period C.1900 sake shop sign. Kanji characters read `Kiwami no Kotobuki` sake or Ultimate Happiness sake. The carving is in the shape of a sake keg. Excellent condition with minor lacquer wear. Old iron clamps were added in the back. See pictures. Size is 15" tall and 13" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Exceptional lacquered traveling altar with a bodhisattva riding an elephant inside. The carving is finely detailed and unbelievable. Late Meiji Period C.1900. Copper metal fittings on zushi. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote. Height:9" by 4" (when closed).

Exquisite pair of lacquered wood temple lotus offering stands in lotus motif. The Lotus is the penultimate buddhist symbal of purity. The base is a lotus with lotus flowers on the stem and lotus cup at the top. Minor lacquer wear but in fabulous condition for its Meiji Period C.1890 age. 12" tall and 6" wide.

First of its kind we have seen with a carving on the table top. A kannon , goddess of mercy is riding a dragon carved into the top and lacquered. Exceptional. Copper metal fittings. Some wear as expected with this age c. 1850. Ask for shipping quote.

Superb Meiji Period c. 1900 zen buddhist temple ramma featuring chrysanthemum and leaves carved in fabulous relief. Carved out of cypress wood with gold gilt lacquer, the piece is large at 49" wide and 12" tall. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Smashing pair of zen temple buddhist cloud carvings form the late Edo Period/early Meiji Period c. 1870. Carved out of cypress wood and with gold gilt. Slight wear due to age on a couple of spots but adds character (see photos). Condition very good. One is 10" tall by 12" wide the other slightly smaller. Ask for shipping quote.

We usually don't buy kimonos but this is a spectacular example of the highest level of yuzen kimono art. Late Meiji Period C.1900 yuzen hand painted chirimen silk girl's kimono. Chirimen silk being the top class of silk used for kimonos. All natural dyes bringing the chysanthemum and peony flowers to life, the wisteria and butterflies woven into a museum masterpiece of textile art. Excellent condition. Height: 45" x Width:41". Shipping included.

Beautiful Meiji Period C.1890 maki-e raised gold lacquer Tachibana citrus tree with silver inlay cherry blossoms floating around the Tachibana tree. Some of the Tachibana citrus fruit also have silver inlay. Lacquer on rest of mirror case is Nashiji or speckled gold lacquer. The pad the mirror rests on is hand dyed sarasa with natural vegitable dyes from India. On the back of the miror is " Made by Takashima Sagaminokami Mitsutada". 12" tall by 8" 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 gold gilt Meiji Period c.1900 Zen Buddhist Altar Inner Mirror meant to reflect the soul. Beautifully carved buddhist clouds and waves. Holds a bevelled round mirror. Back is thick black lacquer. Ecellant condition. 11" by 11". Ask for shipping quote from California warehouse.

Very unusual Late Meiji Period C.1900 cypress wood 'Kannon' bodhisattva. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote from CA warehouse.