Catalog (6154)

Nine prong bronze bell and matching nine prong bronze vajra (diamond / thunderbolt) with carrying case of patchwork cloth. Used together for spiritual ceremonies. Beautifully rendered design with ritual wear. Bell has dorje design on outer rim, with lotus design on inner bell and a bronze clapper. Nice ringing note when sounded.

Provenance: Lama Les of the Orgyen Dorje Den Tibetan Buddhist Temple.

Dimensions: Bell - 3 3/4" x 7 1/4" H
Vajra: 5 1/2" x 2"

Copper kapala with vajra top handle cover lid, its skull base with design of outlines and seams on outer body. Resting on copper triangular stand with three detachable skulls and foliate design in bas relief on body.

Provenance: Lama Les of the Orgyen Dorje Den Tibetan Buddhist Temple.

20th century

Dimensions: 7" x 5 1/2" x 9 1/2" H

Thangka of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjushri, the central figure holding her flaming sword. Depicting the five peaceful manifestations of Manjushri, including the wrathful Mahakala as protector deity of the thangka. There are five monasteries depicted in the painting, each with title describing their identity. WuTai-shan, the five-peak mountain, is shown which contains the five monasteries. At the top of the thangka is Tsongkhapa, the Wisdom manifestation. Painted with mineral pigments and bl...

Rare Japanese weight driven wall block with finished Keyaki wood frame, strait palisade case with three sided glazed movement, beneath rectangular brass dial with time display by going down weight, peony flower engraved brass, small drawer on bottom.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1880s

Dimensions: 2.5" x 2.5" x 15.25"

Maeda Toshinaga was a Japanese daimyo, who was the second head of the Kasa Domain. He was the eldest son of Maeda Toshiie and married one of Oda Nobunaga's daughters, Ei-Hime. He supported Tokugawa Ieyasu and, after receiving his brother Toshimasa's lands (Noto, 215,000 Koku), controlled a total of 1,250,000 Koku, an amount exceeded only by the Shogunate. Toshinaga built and resided in the Kanazawa Castle. He had no children and adopted his brother Toshitsune as his heir.

2-panel s...

Unusual Japanese stacking box comprised of 10 shallow compartments for the storage of important documents or calligraphy implements. The edges of each compartment are reinforced with hand-forged iron plates. The tall box is held together by a long cord.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 9.5" : x 14" D x 16.5" H

Rare Japanese gyosho bako (peddler's chest traveling backpack) made with 100% Kiri wood (paulownia). With raised lacquer Ichi mon on its hinged front door with red lacquer backside. The door opens to a shallow front compartment with red lacquer frame interior. The top of the chest has a hinged lid with hand-forged iron plating and lock, opening to a deep inner compartment. The bottom area of the peddler's box holds a long sliding drawer with iron ring pulls on either side and red lacquer sides. ...

Antique Japanese bar tansu with dramatic natural Keyaki burl front hardwood. The locking bar has hand-forged iron bamboo motif plating; Its handle is a 16 petal chrysanthemum Imperial seal mon. The piece has 4 large drawers and a safe box containing 2 smaller drawers. Original condition lacquer finish.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 24" x 12" x 24.5" H

Japanese ko tansu, or small chest, with natural finish kiri wood front drawers. The outer frame has the Akamatsu wood dramatic woodgrain in black lacquer finish and cut-out handles for carrying. The hand-forged iron lock plates are in motifs of the Mokko mon.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 22.5" x 10.5" x 10.75" H

Unusual Japanese single section kannon biraki tansu. This safe chest holds an open top shelf and 2 drawers behind the front hinged locking doors.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 27.5" x 14" x 13.5" H

The pistol has an octagonal russet iron barrel with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". The dai stock is of a hardwood and brass jiita arquebus's firing mechanism, sakura ramrod intact. Good condition.

Dimensions: 16" L x 3" x 2"

Japanese 2 section kimono tansu. Made with Kiri (paulownia) wood, all natural finish. The upper section holds 8 drawers, which is considered an auspicious number. The bottom section contains 2 drawers with warabite pulls mounted on pierced metal plates. The piece also contains a secret hidden compartment beneath the bottom drawer.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 39.5" x 17.75" x 66.75" H

One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteshvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from Samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into 11 pieces. Amitabha, seeing his plight, gives him 11 heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteshvara attempts to reach out to all those...

A kartika referred to in Tibetan as a "trigug" or "drigug" is a small crescent-shaped handheld ritual flaying knife, used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism. The kartika is said to be one of the quintessential attributes of the wrathful tantric deities. It is commonly known as the "knife of the dakinis". While the kartika is normally held in the right hand of a dakini in Vajrayana iconography and spiritual practice, occasionally it can be seen being held by esoteric male deities, su...

The battle of Dan-no-ura was a major battle of the Genpei war, occurring at Dan-no-ura, in the Shimonoseki Strait off the Southern tip of Honshu in the year 1185. One of the crucial factors that allowed the Minamoto to win the battle was that a Taira general Taguchi Shigeyoshi defected and attacked his Taira Clan from the rear. He also revealed to the Minamoto Clan which ship the 6 year-old Emperor Antoku was on. Their archers turned their attention to the helmsmen and rowers of the emperor's sh...

House-shaped box with copper hinged lids. Open frame design with copper hard mounts, handles, and Keyaki wood construction. The Kandouko compartments hold the copper rectangular brazier and a square copper water container with lid, spout and a handle. Fitted with the essentials of travel for a hot drink and food. The brazier has a vent hole in the Sakura motif. The brazier devise heats the water for warming the sake and it can also be used to grill food; The warmer has a spout to let out the wat...

Whimsical rendering of a high relief horse (uma) tied to a pine trunk. The horse is completely harnessed with its kura and abumi fittings. The finish is untouched showing signs of age and patina.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 19 7/8" x 15 1/2" x 1 3/4"

Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout. The box interior is black lacquered with copper sprinkle...

Chinese hardwood table made from jumu (elm) wood. The sides of the table are carved with pierced panels of dragons and clouds. The four feet are carved with spirals. Original condition.

19th Century

Dimensions: 29.75" L x 21" D x 33" H

The forked arrowhead (karimata) was named after its resemblance to the V-formation flight of wild geese. Such arrows of different sizes were highly prized on the battlefield and for hunting large game. The Japanese arrowheads, many resembling miniature spears, were made in hundreds of varied shapes of folded, tempered steel.
They were attached to the bamboo shafts by means of long, thin tangs (Nakago). The most common were narrow, roughly-filed, pointed arrowheads used to penetrate armor...

Japanese munitions strong box constructed of Hinoki wood, with hand forged iron banding and with hard mounts. Original finish and condition.

Early 19th Century (Edo Period)

16 1/8" x 6 1/2" x 5 3/4"

The three-sided style of the phurba comes from an ancient tool used to pin down sacrifices. The phurba has 3 segments to represent its power to transform negative energies. These energies are known as the "three poisons" and are attachment, ignorance, and aversion. The 3 sides of the phurba also represent the 3 spirit worlds and the phurba itself unites those worlds. The handle of the phurba represents "wisdom" while the blade represents "methods".

The phurba symbolizes stability and...

Four-armed sword wielding Virabhadra is a manifestation of Shiva. In this form, he decapitated the demigod Daksha who had insulted him, but in doing so, he interrupted the demigod's sacrifice by which all beings are created. Virabhadra later revived Daksha by replacing his head with that of a goat, thus ensuring the demigod survived and the continuance of creation. Mounted on Custom Iron Mount for presentation.

South central India
17th Century bronze w/ ritual encrustation untouc...

A slight smile menpo in black lacquer, with angular high cheeks, making its naturalistic ears protrude outward. The L shaped strap holders are mounted on the dimples, the sleek shaped chin with turned strap post and a small hole to vent out perspiration. The interior of the mask is lacquered in red leather. The yodare is in the kiritsuke style plates of four and is laced in blue silk, calico, and pale ocher. The menpo is mounted on steel stand for display.

Docked for Exhibition i...

This type of menpo would have fitted a formal and archaic style gosuku with silk lacing and large sode style of the Heian period. The menpo is lacquered in a dark brownish black with stylized wrinkles. The ears are pierced with plum blossom configuration, turned strap holders, and a vent hole. The nose plate is well rendered with horse hair mustache and hook-holes insertion. The interior of the mask is lacquered in red. The yodare is fabricated with stenciled leather and 3 plate kiritsuke laced ...

The mask is of dark brownish lacquer finish and the interior is black lacquer. The high jaw has two protruding hooks for strapping the cords, and underneath the chin is a vent hole. The Saru Bo is fitted with yodare kare covered in lacquered black leather with three lames plates and blue silk lacing.
Mounted on metal display stand.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 7.5" x 3.5" x 8.25" (10.75" on stand)

Edo period Japanese lacquered leather covered munitions box for gun powder. The leather hinged top has a gilt edge, on center is a copper metal clasp closure, and an iron chain handle. Double stamped in red lacquer with the Omodaka mon, which belongs to the Mizuno family clan. The box is in good condition.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8.75" x 2.75" x 4.5" H

Japanese Negoro lacquer (red over black) shrine table with squared slated legs detailed with brass hard mounts. The table expresses wear true to its age.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 20 ¼” x 9” x 10 ½”

Circular jingasa with a gradual domed top; Textured to simulate leather. The composition is of bamboo, paper, and many layers of Urishi lacquer work. The interior is finished in red with its original cotton gear straps and cushion. Excellent condition. With the mitsudome "God of War" mon.
The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather. Kasa shares its etymolo...

Mingei jizai with Keyaki wood carved folding fan, hard-wrought iron chain, and a clover ring and hook. Unusual small size making for a charming sculptural item. Originally used to hold and suspend tetsubin (tea pot) over coals for heating.

Early 19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Chain hanging 35".
Fan Dimensions: 12" x 3 1/8" x 2"

The Japanese tantutu pistol has a octagonal russet iron barrel, with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". A stock dai of Keyaki wood and brass plate jiita of the arquebus's firing mechanism. Mounted for display on a custom museum iron mount.

Exhibition at the 2018 San Francisco Tribal Art & Textile Show

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8"L x 1.5" (5.25" H on stand)

Historically, fusuma were often painted with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests, or animals. The traditional scale of the door is 5'7". The Hinoki wood panels are painted with Rimpa paint and flecks of gold, creating a mist. The floral composition is with camellia, cherry blossom, hollyhock, and chrysanthemums.

The camellia flowers symbolize young sons and daughter. Tsubaki (camellia) symbolizes the divine, faithfulness and longevity. The next flower is the cherry blossom,...

Antique Japanese tall box made from Kiri (paulownia), natural finish wood. With 5 front drawers slightly recessed into the box, opened by round "kan" pulls with lotus pod style backplates. The edges are protected and reinforced with iron plates.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 11.25" x 20" D x 24" H

The expression of this armor, with its dragon and carp maedate transformation, sets the tone of its mythological meaning. The red armor has a Zunari Kabuto decorated with a Nichirin sun motif, which supports the dragon and carp conversion. The menpo is a Reisei-men with rabbit hair mustache, rendering a fierce warrior’s expression. The menpo is attached with four Kiritsuke yodare in blue and gold silk cords. The Renzan Dou is decorated with slivers of silver in the Ronin pattern from front to ...

A diminutive carved wooden Shishi, used as architectural elements placed under the eaves of Shinto and Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Carved Hinoki wood with glass reverse-painted eyes. Mounted on custom steel metal display stand.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8.5" x 7.5" x 4.25". Mounted on a step metal base 5 x 7".

Japanese tall armoire made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. This single section cabinet opens with two hinged cabinet doors. The interior has it's original metal rod for hanging clothes, a smaller metal rod on the right hand door and it's original small rectangular mirror. At the base is a single large drawer. Conservative design, with the only decoration being metal handles on the cabinet doors which are cut in a scrolling vine motif.

Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: ...

18th century consecrated Japanese dragon (Ryu) temple carving. Its serpentine body reveals his 3 appendages with classic three claw anatomy. The high relief carving engulfs the dragon in flames. The rendering of the dragon's face exudes power and compassion.
The dragon carving was part of the architectural decoration of a Buddhist temple. It has been sanctified with sutras, located in the dragon's eye during the "Eye Opening Ceremony" (Kaigen-Kuyo). The ritual of venerating an image b...

Antique Japanese single section tansu with locking bar. With Keyaki (elm/zelkova) hardwood front panels in original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame. The top and bottom drawers feature a large iron lock plate in the form of a flying phoenix, while the middle drawers are secured by the vertical locking bar with original key. The bottom corner of the chest holds 2 small drawers behind a safe door.

Rare Iwayado Tansu Meiji Peroid (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 34" L x 18...

Large Japanese framed print by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979), signed in pencil, number 30/99 in its series, dated 1974. Scene of a silvery tree covered in snow with metallic silver on mint green ground.

Dimensions: 29" x 29.5" H (entire frame) , 22.25" x 23" H (print only)

Antique Tibetan flint carrying pouch (also mechag or chuck muck), made of leather with heavy plaques of silver and gold with inlaid coral front. Motifs of filigree and animals are seen through the silver plating. The backside of the pouch features a central image of a coiling silver dragon. The pouch is suspended by a red leather strap with rivets.

19th century

Dimensions: 5" x 3" x 3" (10.5" from end of strap)

Rare antique Japanese 2-Section Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made from Keyaki wood (elm). The top section contains 2 roomy e compartments behind sliding door panels with floral motif pulls and 3 drawers along the bottom. The lowermost section holds another compartment with sliding doors, 3 small and two larger drawers along the bottom. The sides of the piece are reinforced with horizontal panels.

Dates from the Meiji Period c 1900 Dimensions: 44" L x 17" D x 63" H

"Vajra" is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond. Additionally, it is a weapon won in battle which is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force). The vajra is essentially a type of club with a ribbed spherical head. The ribs may meet in a ball shaped top, or they may be separate and end in sharp points with which to stab. The vajra is a weapon of the Vedic rain and thunder deity Indra, and is us...

Antique Chinese small porcelain plate from the Yuan Dynasty. The body of the plate has a foliate form with scalloped rim, white glaze. The entire foot is left unglazed and is slightly recessed.

Late Yuan Dynasty (13th/14th century)

Dimensions: 5.25" x 1.25" H

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing). Made with kiri (paulownia) wood. Original finish. Classic motifs include the round iron lock plates and warabite drawer pulls. The bottom corner of the piece holds two of the smallest drawers behind a safe door.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 38" L x 17.25" D x 40.75" H

Chinese Neolithic tripod earthenware ewer (gui) of the Dawenkou culture (4th-3rd millennium BCE) meant for use in religious ceremonies. The vessel has a flared, upwards pointing mouth with a single ribbed handle on its back, ribbing along the body's edges, and its tripod legs are dramatically tapered to the feet.

Dimensions: 4.5" x 3" x 5.25" H

Antique Japanese 2-section choba tansu (merchant's chest) from the Matsumoto region. Made with Keyaki (elm/zelkova) dramatic burl hardwood front panels. The upper section features a pair of sliding panels, with an open shelved compartment inside over two small drawers. One drawer has a slot above it to deposit money inside. There is also a secret hidden compartment, holding a small treasure box with kanji inscription. This style of chest is quite rare.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)
...

Chinese Song Dynasty ceramic bowl, incised with 3 flower design. The underglaze cream white with brown flecks. Eggshell thin body with a dramatic tapered form. The foot is recessed with the center left in buff.

Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD)

Dimensions: 6.75" x 2.25" H

Antique Korean bowl with crackle celadon glaze. The bowl's interior is incised with design of flowers and filigree, with a line incision just below the rim. The outer body is slightly ribbed, tapering to the recessed foot.

14th Century Koryo Dynasty

Dimensions: 7" x 2.75" H

The russet iron menpo depicts an older man's face with wrinkles and a long hair mustache (missing). The removable nose plate has small perforated holes for the insertion of horse hair for the mustache. The rivets are rendered in a plum blossom configuration, and the strap posts holder is in the form of petals and stems. The ears are pierced with plum blossoms. The yodare has four plates laced with blue, calico, and pale orange silk cords. The backside is lacquered in red for the face and black f...

Antique Japanese 2 section 3 ft. Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made with Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood, with Keyaki (elm) hardwood burl panels. The upper section holds two open compartments behind sliding door panels with chrysanthemum pulls, the lower pair also decorated by horizontal carved panels with floral carvings, and three small drawers below. The lower section is the largest compartment for storage with no shelving behind two large sliding doors with slats.

Dimensions: 35"...

Antique Japanese chobako (small merchant's box) made with Sugi wood (cedar). Original condition. With squared iron handles on flared backplates. Two drawers are fitted with round iron locks.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 25" L x 15" D x 10.25" H

In 1563 the Amako of Izumi province won a victory over the Kikkawa with 33 of their adversaries wounded by Tanegashima. As a result, in the year 1567 Takeda Shingen announced that "Hereafter, guns will be the most important arms, therefore decrease the numbers of spears per unit, and have your most capable men carry guns".

Oda Nobunaga used used Tanegashima in the battle of Aregawa (1570) and again against the powerful Takeda clan in the battle of Nagashima (1575); 3000 gunners help ...

Antique Japanese zenibako, or money box, made with Kuri wood (chestnut) and Sugi wood (cedar). Features on this piece include a top hinged lid with a shallow compartment for the storage of accounting papers, cut with slots for money to be dropped into the locked drawer below it. To the left are two deeply recessed compartments. A long drawer and a safe box in front of the chest provide even more secure storage. Original condition.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 25" L ...

Tall circular woven bamboo yumi arrow case. The bamboo has a sooted chestnut patina. It is held together with a long silk tassel and attached to the circular fitted cover. The yumi is stenciled with the family crest of Chiba. Included are 4 arrows. Mounted for a custom fabricated Bronze museum stand.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3.5" x 37" L (40" H on stand)

The menpo features the gentle countenance of a deep vermillion red lacquer. It is composed of three parts; The removable nose armor with white horse hair mustache and its Nara style gilt teeth and open mouth, the cheeks and lower jaw with strap holder posts and its central vent hole for perspiration to escape out. The ears are pierced with both plum blossom design, and finally the four attached yodare with pale ocher silk. The reverse backing is lacquered in black and red. The menpo is mount...

Hard to find Japanese red lacquer Chochin Kabuto. This example of munition has the ability to fold for compact storage. The front 2 prongs are made for the meadate ornament. The underside of the shikoro (neck guard) in black lacquer, and the lames plates are secured with blue silk cords. Mounted on custom steel stand.

Red lacquer menpo may be purchased separately. (#1371484)

Edo Period 19th Century

Dimensions: 13" x 12.5" x 10.5" H (18" H on stand)

Tall, rectangular arrow case completely covered with mother of pearl (Raden) inlay. The apex lid has the gilt "Mitsudome" symbol commonly associated with Hachiman, the Shinto god of war. The case is in good form with a beaded edge for a secure fitting. It is kept together by silk cord by means of tying the knot. Mounted on steel stand.

Late Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 5.5" x 4" x 27" H (41" H w/ stand)

Chinese antique huanghuali altar table with flanged top. Cloud form apron with cusp edges and round legs. Heavy solid wood top with dramatic grain and patina. Used for wine.

17th century

Dimensions: 35" high (37 1/4" high including flanges) x 47" wide x 15" deep.

Unusual circular russet iron jingasa, with 16 triangular riveted plates. The iron is flattened to a thin gauge for lightweight comfort. It sports a finial top and a hand mount ring to a silk cord decoration.
The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather.Kasa shares its etymology with the Japanese word for "umbrella" (which is also pronounced "kasa", but wri...

Japanese russet lacquered leather zunari jingasa with riveted plating. Finely disguised as metal which is completely constructed of lightweight materials strengthened by lacquer. The interior helmet is lacquered in red. The front features a large gilt mon of the Ashikaga crest. The finial form takes shape of a chrysanthemum flower. Mounted on custom display stand.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 13: x 12" x 6" H