An antique Japanese Kanban signboard of a Sake (rice wine) brewery maker. Hand carved out of a hardwood and finished in a gold gilt with black lacquer in the back. 2 stylized opposing birds and an arrow hitting a bullseye target decorate this sign that was made to depict a celebratory sake cask.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 24" Wide by 25" High by 4 1/4" Deep

This very old breed of dog has been around for more than a thousand years. It has a long history of being a companion dog and it shows in its friendly and happy nature. The Hinoki wood carving of the Chin is in a full, round, recumbent pose with detailed rendering of its distinctive long coat; Its face painted with lacquered eyes and his red painted expressive tongue. The carver also rendered the Chin's compelling paws...

Antique Japanese wooden temple carving of a Baku, a mythological creature very similar to an elephant. Baku is known as the dream eater. Children in Japan will sometimes attempt to summon the Baku in the middle of the night to devour their nightmares and motifs of him are commonly found in bedrooms. All hand-carved with incredible attention to detail. Mounted on a high quality custom iron stand. Edo age (1615- 1868)

Size: 19" L x 6.5" W x 10" H (15" total height on stand)

A Japanese Buddhist temple wall carving / transom, with red and gilt lacquer pigments. Carved with the image of an instrument against a ground of heavenly clouds. Professionally framed to be mounted and displayed on the wall.

Dimensions: 42.24" L x 27" H

Antique Japanese natural burl wood stand. The gnarled roots twisting with knotholes cascade down the sides of the stand, the bottom appearing to have animal feet. The tabletop of the stand with dark lacquer finish.

Showa Period

Dimensions: 22" x 16" x 23 1/2" H

A Japanese Buddhist temple wall carving / transom, with red and gilt lacquer pigments. Carved with the image of an instrument against a ground of heavenly clouds. Professionally framed to be mounted and displayed on the wall.

Dimensions: 32" L x 27" H

Japanese antique Bugaku theatre mask for Genjoraku dance. The imperial court dance has been performed for over 12 hundred years. During the Edo Period, the dance was performed as part of shrine festivals to celebrate prosperity and peace. This mask is carved of wood with a moveable jaw. It has traces of red and colorful pigments. Mounted on a metal stand.
Provenance: From the Collection of Sandra Miller, New York.

Age: Edo Period (c...

A very attractive and rare Pair of Mandarin Ducks OSHIDORI made of slightly modified and patinated root wood. The male wIth raised head and the female looking at the ground after food. Meiji, c. 1880/1900. H 16 cm, L 25 cm. Mandarine ducks are symbol of long life fidelity as they stay together forever. It comes with inscribed Storage Box Tomobako. Condition: Excellent

An unusual mask with gaping jaws and flattened features covered in red and black lacquer with golden teeth and eyes dated a lucky day in the 6th month of Tenmei 2 (1782). The mask is of carved wood covered in cloth over which has been applied layers of colored lacquer, gold and gofun (powdered shell) to form the white eyebrows. It is quite unusual in configuration. Most masks are open at the back, however this is carved with curling hair all the way down to the neck...

Japanese okimono boxwood carving of Ashinaga and Tenaga. Old Japanese folklore tells that Tenaga (with his very long arms) would climb onto the back of Ashinaga (with his very long legs) and would work to catch fish together. Dates from Taisho Period c1920.

Dimensions: 2 1/4" x 8" H

Antique Japanese Noh mask of the O-beshimi fierce deity, or mythical tengu. "Beshimi" means "mouth clamped shut". This mask is hand-carved from kiri wood, and inside you can see the chisel marks left behind by the artist. There are visible traces of white gesso in the crevices of the face, which was used as a filler to cover the wood grain. Edo period, 19th century Size: 9.5" tall, 7" wide

Japanese antique transom made of keyaki (elm) wood and carved with scenes of samurai warriors. On the left hand side, a general gives orders to his troops (small figures carved in the round) partially behind a camp curtain. On the right hand side, another samurai rides a battle horse and raises his weapon high over his head. All around them are pine branches and swirling mist.

Edo Period (19th century)

Dimensions: 17 1/4" high x 45 1/2" long x 5 1/2" deep.

Japanese antique transom made of keyaki (elm) wood and carved with a scene of Ushiwaka and Benkei battling on Gojo Bridge in Kyoto. The young samurai, Yoshitsune (also known as Ushiwaka-maru) is depicted in an acrobatic pose, leaping over Benkei, the giant wild-man who was intent on stealing Ushiwaka's sword. Another samurai is carved below them, his much smaller form suggesting he is far below the action...

Unique Japanese Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood kanban shop sign carved to resemble a calligraphy brush, with black, beige, and red pigment lacquer, hung by an iron hook and chain, with two character shop name carved in front of the brush handle. Original finish and patina consistent with age.
Hand forged 200 year old Japanese Iron mounts included with sale.

Early Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36 1/2" L (46" L w/ chain) x 4" W

A pair of unorthodox Edo period guardian corbels in the shape of mythical lion-like creatures (Shishi) made to be notched into a corner under the eaves of Shinto and Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Ordinarily just the heads are carved, these are unusual in that their fore-paws have also been depicted, granting a greater sense of movement than most. Carved Hinoki (cypress), they are 30 x 18 x 20 cm (12 x 7 x 8 inches) each and in overall fine condition.

Antique Japanese mounted carving of a group of 6 flying bats. Sculpted with detail and lacquered gold, the group moves together through the air like a small cloud. Mounted and framed in a plexiglass shadow box. Bats are symbols of prosperity and good luck. This carving was most likely part of a larger temple decoration.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Carving alone: 9" wide. In frame: 12 1/4" wide x 9 1/4" high x 5 1/2" deep.

An antique Japanese Buddhist temple freize wooden carving of waves centered by a Hoju sacred jewel. Carved from one solid block of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Professionally mounted on an iron stand.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)

Dimensions: 32 1/2" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 5" Deep

A set of shishi guardian carvings from high up on the front of a Buddhist temple, each cut from a single block of wood with fore-paws extended in a leaping motion and vicious snarls. Each is roughly 30 x 30 x 24 cm (12 x 12 x 9-1/2 cm tall and in overall excellent condition. These date from the Edo period...