Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (4822)

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...

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"...

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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"...

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...

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...

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 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...