$300.00
Hanging scroll with gold brocade mounting and gilded hardware, as used for Buddhist paintings. The image of the bodhisattva Kannon sitting on a rock, with a poem underneath, is painted in black ink, red and gold, in the center of the silk. She is surrounded by 37 stamps and poems (goeika, originally written by Emperor Kazan, after his retirement), collected on the circuit of 33 temples of the Saigoku Pilgrimage (Kansai area), that are dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon, at and four other temples. Each temple of the Saigoku circuit has a number, reflected in the read seals. The stamps used on this scroll are the ones that have been used from the Showa era on. The additional four stamps are from the Yamato-kuni Chokuku temple and the Kiko temple in Nara, dedicated to Kannon, and from two other temples.
It has become very rare that the poems are added to the stamps. The calligraphy is very good and is certainly not to be reproduced today.
Japan, Showa era, ca. late 1970s.
Image H 48.75 x W 17.5 in.
Mounting 74.25 x 23.25 in.
Width bottom scroll 25.75 in.
Excellent condition
$325.00
The figure was molded in a cast in two halves (front and back) and joined before firing. A hole in the back functions as a vent and prevents the statue from exploding while fired in the kiln.
Stoneware with some gomma. Details are beautifully worked.
Small seal impressed in the back: Bizen … [illegible].
H 10.25 inches
Japan, Bizen/Inbe, mid 20th century
Crack along the vertical joint in the right side, from which three very thin horizontal cracks spring (two towards the front, one towards the back). Despite that, stable and sturdy condition. Molding flaw in the ear that is not considered a damage.
Please ask for pictures for a detailed report on the damages
Gomma (sesame seed) is created by the ash of the pinewood with which the kiln is fired. It lands on the object and melts due to the high temperature. Gomma cannot be steered, it occurs spontaneously. It occurs more profusely near where the fire is. The ashes blow into the kiln flowing on the flames. The further away from the fire, the less ash remains floating through the air.
$450.00
Black ink and some gray on paper. Mounted in brocade and framed in wooden Asian frame. Originally this was a hanging scroll but the mounting was cut and used as a decorative border inside the frame.
Korea, first half 20th century.
Frame: H 24.75 x W 18 in.
Painting: H 17 x W 12.75 in.
Paper yellowed and thin on the lines of the paper grid
$600.00
Signed: Shoto …utsutsu. Seal: Moroku sensei.
Black ink and mineral color on paper.
Japan, Taisho era, 1910s, perhaps 1920s.
Painted area: ca. 52 x 13.5 in. (132 x 34.5 cm).
Total length ca. 77 inches (195 cm).
Few light stains and tiny spots, some foxing in mounting, otherwise very good condition.
Kurata Shoto (1865-1928) was a painter from Akita. He worked in the nanga style. His paintings were often Buddhist in subject matter, but he also painted historical and mythological figures. His sense of humor is often visible in his work.
$450.00
The figure was molded in a cast in two halves and joined before firing. A hole in the back functions as a vent and prevents the statue from exploding while fired in the kiln.
Stoneware with gomma. Details are beautifully worked out, showing best in the expression on his face.
Two small characters impressed in the back, forming the name Bizen.
H 7.75 inches
Japan, Bizen/Inbe, early 20th century
Excellent condition
Gomma (sesame seed) is created by the ash of the pinewood with which the kiln is fired. It lands on the object and melts due to the high temperature. Gomma cannot be steered, it occurs spontaneously. It occurs more profusely near where the fire is. The ashes blow into the kiln flowing on the flames. The further away from the fire, the less ashes remain flowing through the air.
$800.00
Exquisite carving in very soft wood, probably cryptomeria (sugi), lightly stained with a shade of darker brown.
Japan, Meiji period.
Height 10.6 in. (27.6 cm).
Excellent condition
$3,900.00
Makers mark chiseled into the bottom of each lion dog. The name consists of a single character that can be read in a variety of ways: Yasushi, but also Hiroshi, Yutaka, Toru or Akira; followed by "saku" or "made by".
Japan, late 19th century.
Height: left 9 inches, right 9.1 inches (22.8 and 23.2 cm).
Excellent condition.
They seem to be modeled after a pair of Kamakura period komainu, made of wood, in the Daiho shrine in Shiga prefecture, which are deemed Important Cultural Assets.
$800.00
Inscription incised in the rim on the back/inside. It mentions the dedication of this gong at the Zenshoji temple in Meiji 40 (1907).
Diam. 12.5 in.; H ca. 3.5 inches.
There are several temples in Japan with that name. One in Tottori Prefecture, one on Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, one on Kyushu, one in Hyogo Prefecture, etc. Further determination based on the inscription is not possible.
Some mild traces of usage (scratches and small dents on the surface outside, one edge dented unobtrusively. Inside white circles from playing it. Good sound.
Kane are musical instruments that are used in the Japanese folk music or Min'yo. The instrument can be hung or held with one hand, and the player hits the instrument with a mallet from the inside. The kane can produce two distinct sounds: chi and chon. Chi is the sound of hitting the bell on the interior sides. Chon is the sound of hitting the flat round inner face of the bell. A third sound, ki, is produced by reversing the stroke.
This instrument is used s well in Buddhist and Shinto ceremonies like a gong, usually to tell time or to invite/alert people to a certain event, but also as a prayer gong.
$650.00
Both are standing on a rock which is placed on a pedestal and both have a small mandorla behind their heads.
Soft wood carved and decorated with mineral colors. Mandorlas, attributes and helmet ornament in gilt metal.
Case is lacquered black on outside with gilt copper hardware, and the inside is covered has gold foil. Small metal loop on the ‘roof’ used for hanging it from a temple beam.
Height 4.75 in. (12.8 cm).
Japan, late Edo / early Meiji period, 1890s-1900s.
Bishamonten is one of the four guardian kings, presiding over the north, protector of the Buddhist teaching and of the nation.
Kongoyasha is one of the five Myoo, presiding over the north. Emanation of one of the five Buddhas of the Diamond Realm, destroyer of foolish human desires and symbolizing strength.
Condition
Sculpture: 4 missing arms to Kongoyasha Myoo. Attributes in remaining two hands missing. Metal ornaments and weapons bent.
Case: dents and lacquer chips on edges. All damages acceptable as slight traces of usage.
$1,600.00
50 ¼ x 21 inches.
Some missing areas in text, gold somewhat crackled, otherwise good condition. Paper mounting.
$350.00
Feel free to ask for more pictures.
$750.00
$600.00
$1,200.00
On lower levels of the rock formation sits Seitaka doji, holding his scarf in his left hand and a (now missing) club in his right, and stands Kongara doji, holding a lotus flower in his hands.
Light brown CLAY, hand modeled (not molded!), fired at low temperature, painted dark brown. Back of halo engraved with name of temple and donors? The rope in Fudo’s hand is twisted metal wire, the sword is made of clay and wood.
Country style, folk art. Probably late 19th century.
Height figure group 8 in. (20.8 cm), height box 11.25 in. (29 cm).
Paint is flaking here and there, pieces of the halo broken off and put back (best seen in photo of the back, where they show up as purple), some larger chips at bottom of base repaired. All in all good and stable condition.
$2,500.00
Height of case: 9 ¼ inches (23.8 cm).
Left hand of left hand figure partly missing, attributes missing, otherwise good condition. Case: Gold lacquer inside chipping and cracking in places, metal door lock missing and replaced
$600.00
Height case: 7 in. (17.9 cm).
Case with some obvious traces of usage, hardware slightly bent, nails missing. Sculpture in excellent condition.
$1,400.00
Height 6 in. (15.3 cm).
Right hand missing, otherwise excellent condition. Case: some dents and chips, basically in very good condition.
$500.00
Scene from the story of the Hell Courtesan, as described by Santo Kyoden, the equivalent of memento mori.
Signed and sealed at lower right by the artist.
Ink, mineral colors and gofun on silk.
Japan, early 20th century.
Painting 34 ¼ x 8 in.
Mounting 55 x 11 ½ in.
Mounting a bit dry, causing some horizontal ribs. Otherwise very good condition.