Japanese antique burl hand warmer, typically used in the tea ceremony where each participant would have their own charcoal heater. Nowadays, this container (hibachi) can be used to store all manner of small items and makes a delightful table top accessory.

Dates Edo Period 19th century
Size H 6 1/2" x W 13" x D 10"

Antique Japanese craftsman's block. Made of keyaki (elm) wood and carved with two fan-shaped handles. Thought the term dai usually refers to plane blocks, this block also functioned as an important tool or surface for a serious artisan. It is unusual in that it is carved with a rectangular opening on the underside, a customization possibly to help hold it in place while in use.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8" high x 7" wide x 10 3/4" long

Antique Japanese drum with handle. Lacquered black on sides and wooden handle. Decorated with Tachibana mon (Mandarin-orange flower) in red lacquer on one side and black lacquer on the other.

Age: Edo Period (early 19th century)

Dimensions: 15 3/4" long x 8" wide diameter x 2 1/4" deep

Japanese antique water pump used by a brigade of firemen to put out fires. From the writing, the pump was used in December, Meiji 7 (1874). Other writing states "Edo", most likely referring that the fire company was operating during the Edo Period and/or in the city of Edo, Japan. A 3 character mark says 雲龍水 unryūsui ("cloud-dragon-water", the name for this type of pump)...

Sake (or water) container made of hyotan painted with kakishibu (persimmon juice) many times. It has hand-bladed silk cord for decoration and carrying. In excellent condition except for a bit of wear in the tassels. Late 19th to early 20th century. L:44cm Diameter:8cm

"Sorihiki-happi"from Yusa in Yamagata prefecture which was worn for sleigh pulling. It has cloth with sashiko for reinforcement diagonally, from shoulder to one side of the body, and also both sides. It was worn when sorihiki pull down a sleigh with firewood from the mountain to the foot of the mountain. Yusa sashiko is one of Shonai sashiko in Yamagata prefecture. This happi has fine horizontal as well as vertical sashiko on whole ground cloth...

Wood oke, a container with a handle. The strips around it are made of bamboo. Generally in good condition. It has carved character in the bottom but unreadable. The second half of the 19th century. Diameter:20.3cm, Height:23.3cm

Beautifully plaited bamboo basket by Iizuka Sounsai of the famed Iizuka Family of reknown basket makers in the Taisho and Showa eras. Signed on the reverse with an incised signature by the artist: Kyokusho Saku or Made by Kyokusho (Iizuka Kyokusho, the go or art name of Iizuka Sounsai, active early 20th century). Late Taisho – early Showa era, circa 1920 – 1940. Iizuka Kyokusho was a brother of Iizuka Rokansai and Iizuka Hosai. He worked in Tokyo, and liked to work with slat bamboo...

Japanese antique Jizai or "J" hook, made for hanging a large kettle by rope from rafters over fire pit, made of keyaki (elm) wood, wonderfully rough hewn and sculptural, carved with eight sides, great patina from smoke and use, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 30 1/4" high x 15" wide x 4" think (10" wide including small cross beam at top).

Antique Japanese large pulley carved of beautiful hardwood on custom Iron Stand. Two wooden wheels on the inside are built to support a rope. The hardware is made of iron and includes a large swiveling hook. A wonderful example of utilitarian Mingei elevated to sculpture. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Size of pulley including hook: 35" high x 11 1/2" wide. Height including Custom black Iron stand: 41 1/2" high

A carpet made of recycled washi fragments which were daifukucho (merchant's record book) or letters, and kakishibu (persimmon tannin) painted for strength and waterproof. It was generally put over tatami mats protecting them from sun beam or dust. It has letters "Kanei 6 (1853)", very late Edo period. It has rips, holes and moth bites. 204cm x 192cm

A pair of wood sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku which are two of seven gods. Ebis is for good business and Daikoku is for luck with money. They are put on the ouse shrine. In good condition but some parts are missed in Ebis (left). Late 19th to early 20th century. Base:15cm x 5cm, Height:12cm

Tamba-yaki tokkuri (bottle for sake) with hand-drawn letters of the sake maker. Generally in good condition. Early 20th century. H:22cm, Diameter:11cm

Antique Japanese jizai-kagi in the form of a catfish. In a Japanese home, water in a kettle or pot is heated over an irori (sunken hearth). The jizai hook hangs from a strong ceiling beam. From this, a long device is suspended with a hook on the end that can be adjusted up or down by moving the jizai-kagi. This unusual jizai-kagi is carved of kayaki (zelkova elm) wood and has patination from hearth smoke. A portion of it's original iron chain is still attached...

Antique Japanese small drum. Likely for ceremonial use, this drum could have been placed on a stand or held by its handle while in use. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood and painted leather with iron and bronze.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 7 3/4" wide x 4" deep

Antique Japanese jizai-kagi in the form of swirling clouds. In a Japanese home, water in a kettle or pot is heated over an irori (sunken hearth). The jizai hook hangs from a strong ceiling beam. From this, a long device is suspended with a hook on the end that can be adjusted up or down by moving the jizai-kagi. Often these are carved in the form of a fish. This unusual jizai-kagi is carved of kayaki (zelkova elm) wood with a dark patina from hearth smoke...

Antique Japanese taiko Buddhist temple drum. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood. Painted with mitsu domoe design, the three comma motif also used as a popular family crest. The design is painted in bold red, blue and green colors. Tightly stretched on both sides with bronze and iron hardware. Taiko (literally meaning "drum" in Japanese) first came about as a way to frighten away evil spirits and crop-threatening pests as well as to call the rain spirit to nourish the fields...

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century, however one of mending paper has letters "Taisho 4 (1916). Top:87cm x 32cm, Bottom:75cm x 32cm