Large shrine, zushi, made on special order for a temple. Inside, right in front of the back wall is a silk covered panel. Towards the bottom of the panel, on a gold background, are painted Fugen Bosatsu on his companion the elepahant, and Monju Bosatsu, sitting on the back of his companion the tiger. Above them, set in the center of a red painted circle is a circular crystal reliquary, sitting on a gilt bronze lotus dais, surrounded by gilt bronze flames, forming the wish granting jewel hojugata...

Dusk puddles and drips among the thick textures of this mid-century oil by Yamada Eiji titled on back “Mori” (Forest). Oil on canvas, it is 18 x 24 inches (46 x 61 cm) and is in excellent condition, wrapped in a simple raw wood storage frame.
Yamada Eiji (1912-1985) was born in Fukuoka on the Southern main island of Kyushu and was accepted into the Nikkakai Ten exhibition in 1933 for the first time...

Okutani Shuseki (1871-1936) was born in Osaka and lived in Kyoto for most of his life. His artistic lineage is among the very best. He, along with Yamamoto Shunkyo and others, studied under Mori Kansai, who was the pupil and adopted son-in-law of Mori Tetsuzan, who was one of Maruyama Okyo's best pupils. Like all painters of the Mori family school, Shuseki's nature paintings are remarkable for their unsentimental naturalism, showing his keen interest in the essence of nature...

An oil on canvas painting by famed artist Waki Shiro depicting the Moss Temple (Koke-dera) in Matsuo, Arashiyama. It is performed with unreasonably thick pigments and textures, rising 1/2 an inch (1 cm) of the canvas surface. This use of extreme texture was his signature style, and makes his work easily identifiable. The canvas is F4, 24.5 x 34 cm (9-1/2 x 13-1/2 inches) and it comes with the orginal frame...

Large shrine board (known as an ema) of Bishamonten chasing after a demon. Polychrome pigments, gold, and sumi ink on wood.Dated Second year of Enki, year of the wooden bull (kinotoushi):1745, November (Shimotsuki). Board was donated by Omiya Souhachiro, who was living in the Kudara-cho district of Osaka City (near the vicinity of Shinsaibashi area). The board was painted by Hanai Bunsen Tsunemine (active early 18th century)...

VOTIVE RUNNING DOG

Worshipper's wooden tablet dedicated to the shrine called 'Ema' (lit. 'Horse picture'). Heisei period, 20th century, Japan. approx...

VOTIVE HAND

Worshipper's wooden tablet dedicated to the shrine called 'Ema' (lit. 'Horse picture'). Heisei period, 20th century, Japan. approx...

VOTIVE GOOD LUCK SACRED HORSE

Worshipper's wooden tablet dedicated to the shrine called 'Ema' (lit. 'Horse picture'). Heisei period, 20th century, Japan. approx...

Bodhidharma. Painted with ink on silk. Signed and sealed.

Bodhidharma is a monk who is said to be the founder of Zen Buddhism in China...

At first glance this appears to simply be a large image of a burning tree, however, look again and find the tree like figure is in the from of two entwined lovers, flames leaping from their impassioned bodies. This was likely made as an exhibition work, as it certainly would be difficult to fit into even a large Japanese home. The piece is signed Yoneda Mio, (Yoneda Mionosuke), and likely dates from the 1930s...

A most unique pair of Chinese Pig Skin Trunks, obviously painted by a Japanese screen artist who made these wonderful decorative, rare creations, featuring a marvelous crane and flowers painted in the Japanese style. Late 19th to early 20th Century. 22w x 9.5h x 13.5d inches, 56 x 24 x 34 cm.

Japanese Meiji to Taisho period ogi folding fan decorated with a single bird in flight over treetops. Signed at the right and with artist's seal. Late 19th to early 20th century. Measures about 8 3/4" vertical x 18 7/8" across from tip to tip. Very good, clean overall condition with some minor crinkling of the paper at the corners. The paper at the right edge is slightly distressed. From an old New Orleans collection.

Two erotic shunga drawings in black ink and mineral colors on thin paper.
On the right hand painting a double-sided dildo, to pleasure two women at the same time. The left half is made of tortoise shell (yellow with black patches), the right half is probably indicating buffalo horn.
The left-hand painting shows how to use the dildo properly.

Unsigned.

Japan, 19th century.

Each drawing 9.75 x 9.75 inches. Both drawing fully mounted onto a thicker sheet of paper.

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One-sided orihon accordion album with 12 paintings. 10 images of man-woman scenes, one rape scene, one scene with a woman with dildo.
Paintings in black ink, mineral colors (some with gold), and gofun on silk.
The covers are bound in silk brocade, with a small silk sumie painting of a heron on the front cover, by way of a title slip.
Paintings unsigned, but in the style of Tomioka Eisen (1864–1905).
Japan, Meiji era, around 1900.

Album 11.25 x 14.75 inches
Pa...

Okutani Shuseki (1871-1936) was born in Osaka and lived in Kyoto for most of his life. His artistic lineage is among the very best. He, along with Yamamoto Shunkyo and others, studied under Mori Kansai, who was the pupil and adopted son-in-law of Mori Tetsuzan, who was one of Maruyama Okyo's best pupils. Like all painters of the Mori family school, Shuseki's nature paintings are remarkable for their unsentimental naturalism, showing his keen interest in the essence of nature. He won prizes...

Four kiri panels are set into a rosewood framework, each uniquely painted by Osaka Literati paragon Mori Kinseki. It is 12 x 12 x 11-1/2 inches (30 x 30 x 29 cm) and is in fine condition. The brass insert too, looks almost unused. Included is a small folding fan in the original box by the artist as well. Mori Kinseki (1843-1921) was born the third son in a family of Inn owners in the hotsprings town of Arima, Hyogo prefecture, in 1843. At the age of three he was sent away to be raised by ...

Pines in the Rimpa style grow on the folded surface of this fan painted by Kamisaka Sekka and enclosed in the original signed wooden box, retaining the original paper binding on the fan itself. It is 12 inches (30 cm) long folded, and in excellent condition.
Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) is the godfather of 20th century Japanese design and the Rimpa revival. He was born in Kyoto in 1866, one of six siblings. From 1882 he began his artistic career, however did not take-off until visiting t...

Antique Japanese album with 12 pages of paintings depicting one large scene of rural life. A woman with a child carries lunch to workers in rice paddies. A man and ox plow a field of grain. Two men chat as they peddle an irrigation apparatus while a child looks on. At a mill, men sift and grind grain. Many other charming vignettes, including a man with a monkey. Painted in mineral pigments and sumi ink on paper with gold leaf and square flecks. Bound in silk with dragons. Signed on the ...