Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (171)

Museum quality early Edo Period C.1690 buddhist temple dragon carving out of zelkova (keyaki). Just spectacular. 4ft. long and 2 feet tall. Excellent condition with minor age wear. See photos. Ask for shipping quote from California warehouse.

A pair of art deco bronze early Showa Period Ca. 1930 hanging lanterns. 27cm tall x 20cm in diameter each. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Superb Edo Period C.1860 bronze incense burner with silver repair on bottom. The incense burner rests on tripod legs with elephant head motif as well as two elephant handles with rings. The relief work on the rim is superb as well as the body relief. The best feature is the Edo Period repair with real silver on the bottom. Comes in original 'kiri' paulownia box. H:5" x Diameter: 9". Ask for shipping quote.

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.

Unbelievable, rare Edo Period C.1860 large shop sign 'kanban' for liver medicine. It was believed if a little boy cried too much his liver needed some help. Fantastic thick hinoki wood carving ornamentation with layers of black lacquer. Stout legs and finely detailed buddhist clouds in bronze around the frame. Great condition. Great entrance way museum piece. H:140cm x W:90cm Ask for shipping quote from california warehouse. Piece disassembles.

A museum piece. Dated Manji 2 (ca. 1659) April Auspicious Day. Large, heavy bronze shrine lantern with hoju embossed under the top petals. Beautiful diaper patterns on the panels. Originally used as an oil lamp. Very good condition. 15" wide x 22" tall. 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.

Lovely almost art deco Edo Period ceramic bowl from a Kiln in Kyoto. Signed and known as Kiyomizu yaki from the famous pottery area of Kiyomizu in Kyoto. Comes in the original paulownia wood box. Antique fixes on lip in gold leaf. Beautiful condition. H:5" x diameter: 7". Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece with extraordinary history. This altar table was one of 4 pieces we acquired at auction from the private residence of the 14th and final Daimyo (Lord)of the Tokushima Han (clan) Hachisuka Mochiaki of Awa Province on Shikoku Island in central Japan in the Edo Period. He lived 1846-1918. Hachisuka Koroku, his great grandfather, was one of Hideyoshi's (the 2nd Shogun) top generals in early Edo Period and Hideyoshi awarded the Hachisuka the province of Tokushima in Awa (Shikoku) and they ruled it throughout the Edo Period until the Daimyo system was abolished in the Meiji Period in 1868. Quick to see the direction in which the wind was blowing, he pledged loyalty to the Imperial forces. In 1869, with the hanseki hokan (Abolition of the han system), he was appointed Governor of Tokushima Prefecture. In 1872, Hachisuka went to Great Britain and attended Oxford University. After returning to Japan, he was chief advisor to the Meiji Emperor. In 1882, Hachisuka was envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to France, and received the title of kōshaku (marquis) under the new kazoku peerage system. After returning to Japan, he served as a member of the House of Peers, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture, President of the House of Peers, Minister of Education, and Privy Councillor. He died in 1918, and his grave is located in Tokushima. The condition is excellent with minor lacquer wear on the top. The intricate carvings in gold gilt on wood are of: mythical kirin, turtle, cranes, peonies and vines all symbols of longevity and purity in Buddhism. H:51cm x W: 33cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Epic Edo Period Ca. 1860 keyaki wood (japanese elm) money box with hand forged, thick iron metal fittings. The stamp of the maker, "Shimizu" is branded on the inside. 13" long x 5 1/2" tall x 8" deep. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Ultimate iron doorknockers! Two halves of of an iron chryasanthemum, the imperial family creast, creating a full chrysanthemum with heavy iron knockers from the Edo Period, Ca. 1860. Underneath each iron ring is a kanji character: one is "Kotobuki" meaning 'long life' and the other "Fuku" meaning 'happiness.' The chrysanthem is attached to the wood by iron screws. The chrysanthem is 13" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

The epitomy of wabi-sabi is on display with this Edo Period Ca.1860 wood Kannon Bodhisattva carved out of cypress. In its original box, the lovely patina and equanimous, buddhist compassionate expression is a treasure. 38cm tall x 13cm wide x 8cm deep. Ask for shipping quote. great condition.

Important Edo Period C.1850 scroll painting of Kannon holding `Yatagarasu` the divine crow and messenger to the gods. Symbolizes the sun and like the sacred phoenix resides in the celestial realm. A mark of rebirth and rejuvenation. Yatagarasu as a crow-god is a symbol specifically of guidance. This great crow was sent from heaven as a guide for Emperor Jimmu on his initial journey from the region which would become Kumano to what would become Yamato, (Yoshino and then Kashihara). It is generally accepted that Yatagarasu is an incarnation of Taketsunimi no mikoto. Crow has 3 legs. Scroll painting has been framed. Ask for shipping quote. 32" tall and 15" wide.

Superb example of the famed Takaoka bronze guild. C. 1920 Taisho Period. Written on the original paulownia wood box is 'Natsume-gata' (in the shape of the tea ceremony natsume tea container). Also written is 'Enji Kabin' (Murashido flower vase). The Takaoka red hanko or seal is on the wood lid. 10" tall by 6" in diameter. excellent condition.

Exceptional Late Edo Period C.1860 zen buddhist traveling altar usually carried by samurai. In a small wooden 'zushi' or wood altar with hinged doors, inside is Fudo-Myo, the immovable king carved out of wood sitting on a carved stand of lotus flowers. He symbolizes compassion with firmness. He holds a sword and he has the power to crush all obstacles and troubles. Ask for shipping quote. H:11cm x W:8cm

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.

Beautifully symmetrical granite stone buddhist stupa. Late Taisho Period Ca. 1920. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote. H: 17" by W: 41/2".

Elegant Japanese bronze hanging lantern from the Taisho Period, C.1920. Each of the four panels has a different scene of auspicious symbols: bamboo, plum blossoms, cherry blossoms. On the top and base is a wave diaper pattern. Thick bronze chain is attached. 11" tall and 9" wide. Ask for shipping quote.