Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (2771)

A rare example of an Karasu (raven) Samurai menpo (facial armour). Although not as celebrated today, the crow is a mark of rebirth and rejuvenation; the animal that has historically cleaned up after great battles symbolized the renaissance after such tragedy...

A wonderful original Japanese six panel byobu screen. Hand painted with natural mineral colors on gofun paper. Unusual low height for the full six panel length. Finely painted pheasant sitting central to the painting. A family of swallows swooping and dancing around in a playful fashion. Natural full wisteria branch rises up to create a perch for the pheasant.

Fun fact, pheasants are the national bird of Japan...

Japanese Amida Buddha statue, gold gilt over wood with inlaid crystal third eye. Seated on a lotus throne atop a hexagonal base, carved with smoke and flowers. The left hand mudra showing Varada: a gesture for granting and fulfilling all wishing as well as bestowing mercy and charity. The raised right hand is cradling a golden ball representing enlightenment and everlasting knowledge...

Very unusual largeJapanese rope embroidery on silk, the image is a pair of phoenixes, male and female, with the moon waxing and waning (full and crest). This is a privileged image made specially for the court. The pagoda shrine is central to the image centered around the imperial Tokugawa crest symbolizing the divine rule from heaven.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 40" W x 62 1/4" H (entire frame), 36 1/2" W x 58 1/2" H (embroidery without frame)

Japanese five section lacquer inro in the hiramaki-e technique. The low relief gilt lacquer adds depth throughout the landscape composition of pine forest, distant ocean, mountainous terrain, and the famous Uji bridge. The black ground lacquer also shows the use of nashiji gold flecks creating mist and cloud formation. The interior of the compartments are covered with the nashiji gold flecks, resembling a pear skin effect...

Rare Antique Japanese kuruma or wheeled tansu chest of drawers, constructed with solid quartered sawn Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood in original red lacquer finish, with decorative heavy iron plates and mounts. The upper section of the piece appears to hold two long drawers behind a locking bar, but is really four drawers. The lower section has two long drawers behind another locking bar, each bar with decorative plating...

Japanese collection of 23 arrows with various shaped heads and a rare set of 8 Ageha swallowtail tips. Forged steel, mounted on steel plates and armature wire. Ya used in war by the samurai had a variety of tips called yajiri or yanone; these arrowheads were forged using the same steel (tamahagane) and methods as traditional Japanese swords.

18th c. Edo p. (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 12" x 4" x 12" Height

Comprised of solid forged steel head, cut-out stencil family crest of Sada-uji and Matamasa clans.
Ya used in war by the samurai had a variety of tips called yajiri or yanone; these arrowheads were forged using the same steel (tamahagane) and methods as traditional Japanese swords...

Antique Japanese tansu from the Sado Island area, with extensive hand-forged iron hardware plating incised with dedicative Seven Lucky Gods motifs. The 2 section Isho tansu has an all Kiri wood exterior with Sugi sides and top exterior. The chest is composed of 7 drawers in an unusual configuration, with 2 keys. The safe box holds 3 internal drawers its door, above which are two unusual small drawers for seals, coins, and other keepsakes...

Japanese Kura samurai saddle in red lacquer, with black and gilt lacquer. The maewa (front arched plate) and shizuwa (rear arched plate) are adorned with a copper inlay flying crane. The red lacquer area surrounding the crane is hand-carved with scrolling vines of flowers and shippo pattern in gilt lacquer. The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands)...

Rare Japanese gyosho kannon bako. Constructed of Kiri wood with original red lacquer finish. The piece is fitted with hand-forged iron plates and mounts. The front of the chest holds 3 small drawers in its lower section, with a pair of large doors above. The interior of the chest has a large open compartment with a long drawer long the top. The sides are fitted with iron rings and handles with a long cord so the piece may be carried on a merchant's back.

Edo Period (1603-1868) circa...

A very large pair of hardwood transom / temple architectural elements, elaborately carved with charming motifs of squirrels eating from grape vines. The carvings are deeply recessed with raised outside edges of a scrolling form. Realistic grape vines and leaves continue along the underside of each transom. Very heavy. (pictured with a tansu for scale. not included)

Early 19th Century

Dimensions : 75" L x 7" D x 19" H

A rare antique Japanese merchant chest (Choba Tansu). All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the full moon lock plates. Entire exterior of the tansu is Keyaki (Zelkova) with drawer backs made of Kiri (Paulownia) woods. 16 total drawers for merchant storage of valuables...

Large Japanese religious scroll painting of the bodhisattva of compassion, Quanyin. She holds a willow branch and a container holding the elixir of life. Mineral pigments on paper with gold thread silk border.

Edo period circa 1850s

Dimensions: 105 1/2" x 32" overall

A large figure of 24 armed seated Kannon, gold gilt over wood carving of the bodhisattva of compassion, seated in meditation atop a lotus pedestal, two of her arms clasped in prayer, the other pair of front hands with palms pointed upwards and thumbs touching, in a meditation mudra.
Kannon Boudhisattva, known as Kannon Bousatsu Lord of Compassion, Goddess of Mercy. Kannon worship began in India around the 1st or 2nd century AD and then spread to Southeast Asia, including Japan, China, a...

A collection of arrowheads, pierced with the single cherry flower of the Sada-uji and the double cherry flower of the Matamasa family crests. The central arrow with the Sanskrit character for protection by the deity Hachiman, signed Minamoto no Mitsumasa, Nobokuni of Chikuzei. Both clans Sada-uji and Matamasa were in support of the Tokugawa clan.

Yanagi-Ba (Willow Leaf) These YaNoNe are very elaborate with saw-cut patterns like Sakura (cherry blossom), Inome (heart shape or boars ...

A ceremonial presentation of Japanese yan one (arrow heads) to the Hachiman deity, performed by the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Temple.
These arrowheads are made the same as swords and other edged weapons as they are folded steel and most are tempered. Yanone were used for battle, hunting, gifts or rewards and for presentations as shown here. There are many different kinds of arrowhead and they all have their own special name. Togari-ya is a simple pointed design. The yanagi-ba, also known ...

A collection of 14 piercing tip arrows, forged iron, mounted on steel plates and armature wire. Ya used in war by the samurai had a variety of tips called yajiri or yanone; these arrowheads were forged using the same steel (tamahagane) and methods as traditional Japanese swords.

Edo p. (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8" x 3" x 9 1/2" Height