Antique Japanese iron sake server or sakatsugi. The body contains an image of a turtle, a symbol of longevity and used in festive and auspicious occasions. Next to the turtle, although hard to see, is a signature which reads Tosa no Kami Mitsusada, who was a painter from the Tosa School (1738-1806). The image on the sakatsugi is possibly based on a painting by the artist and was incorporated into the design...

Antique Japanese bronze usubata made of woven bronze. An usubata is a floral arranging container for ikebana. The base is made in the form of an open weave bamboo basket with a six point star pattern. The top is a close weave. The handles are bamboo branches with leaves climbing over the basket. Meiji period 1868-1912. It measures 12" wide 11" tall.

Rare large pair of beautiful original Japanese bronze temple lanterns with gilt highlights. A Sasarindo crest on the section where the light would be placed; the Sasarindo is the bamboo leaves and gentian flowers crest of the Minamoto clan.
The doors are fully functional. Each lantern is made of 6 individual cast bronze sections. A pearl in a flame sits on top of each lantern. Two very intricate dragons wrap around the lanterns. There are abundant motifs of dragons, flames and clouds...

A spectacular set of bira-bira-kanzashi hair pins in the form of cranes among blossoming plum and pine formed of silver which come enclosed in a custom made silk-lined wooden box. Two are 13 inches (33 cm) long, the other is 9 inches (23 cm) long and all are in fine condition. According to a label inside the box they are from Akita City in Northern Japan, sold by Takeyaso Hon-ten. The box is 15 x 17 x 5 inches (38 x 43 x 13 cm). I do have more images if someone is interested.

Japanese Buddhist devotional plaque made of bronze with design of lotus blossoms and braided cord tied in a bow. This keman would have hung in a temple as an offering for the Buddha. Age: Meiji Period (19th century). Size: 14.50" high x 10.25" wide.

A dramatic pair of Japanese okimono fighting cockerels, using the shokado method: mixture of bronze, gold and silver. The birds have naturalistic plumage and the fierce intensity of their fight is captured.

The artist has used this same technique in crafting a superior samurai sword onto this beautiful sculpture. The intertwined gestural pose of each bird gives the viewer the sense realism and drama of a cockerel fight...

Antique Japanese woven copper Ikebana flower basket, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Rich patina on whimsical flared rim form with skillfully rendered weaving. Ideal platform for dramatic floral display. Very good condition. Dimensions: 5” high x 8” at rim.

A bronze brazier, also known as a hibachi. The workmanship of the brazier is intricate with one side showing a motif of Chinese stye lions mingling among peonies and the other, geese flying over reeds in a marsh. The sides are demon or beast like shaped heads with an insert to put rings to decorate the piece. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter 8" Height 13.25"

A letter open done in mixed metal with motif of cranes, chrysanthemums, magnolia-like flowers, and other flowering plants. The letter opener contains a signature that is difficult to read. Age: Meiji Period. Size: Length 13" Width 1.5"

Beautiful Japanese antique Buddhist temple bell made of bronze or brass with repousse design of scrolling vines and chrysanthemums, long double-linked chain of hand foraged copper, both chain and bell all with lovely green patina, Meiji Period. Size: approximately 75" long including chain when hanging.

A Japanese shrine lantern often seen hanging outside of shinto shrines. Generally there are devotional lanterns that are donated to the shrine and lanterns that are part of the architecture and design of the shrine complex. This lantern would be the latter, where it was part of an Inari Taisha shrine. The lantern contains the distinct crest of the inari shrines and each panel is decorated with a cut out design of scrolling vines. Age: Meiji to Taisho Period...

A pair of bronze temple lanterns with a cross pattern design in the section where the light would be placed. The pair may have been used in a small shrine within a temple altar complex. Age: 20th century. Size: Height: 15" Diameter: 8.5"

A Japanese gilt copper hanging lantern decorated with engraved motifs of scrolling clouds, waves, and vines. The bottom contains a six petaled flower like design. The feet of the lantern is known as neko ashi, or cat legs, which is often seen in Japanese designs.Age: 20th century. Size: Height: 17.5" Diameter: 14.5"

Antique pair of dramatic bronze censers, each with a warrior seated on top, the surface of each censer is decorated all over with ornate damascene (metal inlay) patterns, standing on four feet on stand inlaid with dragon, each leg is inlaid with the face of an oni (demon protector), each warrior sits on a rocky outcropping with hidden holes to allow incense smoke to escape dramatically around the figure, Meiji Period...

A large bronze sculpture in the form of a censer decorated with auspicious motifs, cranes, and scrolling clouds. The lid has a small sculpture of Shoki, the demon queller standing on top of a rock with crashing waves. The side of the censer are two dragons staring at the central figure. The bottom of the censer is held up by four spirits known as shojo, known for drinking large amounts of sake and often seen in Kabuki and noh plays...

Antique Japanese small iron and mixed metal damascene vase, design of grape vines on shoulders and base, two reserves one with a scene of birds and flowers the other with huts near water and fishermen in boat, neck is decorated with chrysanthemum mon, underside has two character inlaid chartouche, with the name, Asai. Meiji Period. Size: 4 5/8" high x 2 1/8" wide diameter

Charming small Japanese lidded box in the shape of a folding fan, made of silver with copper for handle, incised with two family mon inside and two impressed marks on back of outside, one reads the name of the maker, Kyuka-sei and the other which reads jungin or sterling silver. Piece comes with small original tomobako, Taisho Period (1912-1926) Size: 3 7/8" long

Antique Japanese bronze and mixed metal vase with a beautiful and highly raised design of blossoming magnolia branches and a small bird, great details, late Meiji Period. Size: 7" high