Rare Japanese Female Haniwa Sculpture, Kofun Period, 4th century AD. This female clay figure was set in the ground at the site of a burial mound for the wealthy and Imperial class. She is a fine and graceful piece exhibiting great feminine charm. Mounted on a wood platform. This clay female figure would have stood with others in a protective circle around the tomb-mound of a powerful ruler. Her hair is swept up into an elaborate coiffure, and she wears a fashionable dress of the Kofun Period...

Antique Japanese Satsuma pottery group of three fu-dogs wrestling. Each of the three seems to be attacking another in this playful scene. A medium sized fu-dog lays with it's back on the ground, fending off the largest of the group who, in turn, has a smaller fu-dog biting his ear. The overall modeling gives off a feeling of whimsical turmoil and one can almost hear the playful snarls as they bite at each other's ears and toes...

Next to the Kabuto (Helmet), one of the most expressive parts of the Samurai's Armor is the Face Mask. This Middle Edo Period metal "armor for the face" is known by many names: mengu, menpo, mempo, men yoroi, katchu men. Menpo means "face and cheek" and is generally used for masks with nose pieces. This menpo is covered with a high quality gold lacquer. The inside is a negoro-like finish of red lacquer. Sporting a fantastic horse hair mustache...

Pair of 18th Century Japanese Carved Stone Sculptures of the Female Buddha Sattva with beautifully polychromed colors. Inscribed on the back. These rare figures are important artifacts of Buddhism and they transmit a wonderful spiritual presence. Heights: 10.5 and 10 inches, 27 and 25.5 cm.

Contemporary Japanese Rhinoceros (kabutomushi) horned beetle. Hand molded high grade leather over resign form. Highly detailed, supple leather. Artist specializing in making one example of all types of insects.

Contemporary Japanese

Dimensions: 7 1/2" wide x 4 1/2" high x 14" deep

This is a rare, well-modeled and detailed 19th Century Japanese Arita Porcelain Elephant. It is based upon an outstanding 1680 Japanese Kakiemon model, which in turn, was derived from Chinese prototypes. This piece is enameled in red and cobalt with yellow accents. It is a beautiful and striking work of art. Width: 17 inches (43cm); Height: 8.25 inches (21cm).

Unusual Japanese okimono of an ant with lifelike rendering made out of leather hide. Mounted on custom metal base for display.

Dimensions: 16.25" H x 4.5" W x 6" D (on base)

Nagakura Kenichi's artwork is imbued with a primal energy and balance executed with a keen understanding of composition. Each piece combines classic Japanese bamboo basketry techniques with a contemporary artist's sensibility. He steps outside traditional limitations of form, function and material, challenging our concept of customary bamboo. The transition from container to sculpture is further explored in this piece, with expressive curves and a lack of any definable shape...

Worn gilt over thick copper pair of Buddhist ritual vessels, one with a single spout and movable handle, the other with double spouts and a long footed handle bisecting the middle opening of the container, the design has etched bamboo, pine, cranes and turtle on body, the handle has scrolling vines done with impressed dots, the traditional stylized crane of the Nichiren sect is on the medallion. Edo Period, (1604-1868). Size A: 8.5"H 5.75"D 8.5"L Size B: 4.5"H 10.5"D 18"L

An early pair of Japanese Kutani Porcelain Shishi (Foo Dogs). These unique porcelains have a rich brown glaze with black and white under glaze. They have a wonderful mythological presence. 7 x 4.5 inches, 18 x 11.5 cm each. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

An antique Japanese Mikawa Maneki Neko also known as a beckoning cat made of clay and natural pigments. Beautiful aged patina and natural wear over its 100 years of providing luck and happiness. With its raised left paw, it is beckoning customers, friends, family, guests and good luck for its owner...

Large, Powerful Tengu Mask by the Renowned Artisan Hashimoto Yoshinobu of the Miharu Choshi mingei studio. One of the most fantastic examples of a Tengu that you will ever see. Mid 20th Century. Papier mache on mountain-grown willow wood. 18h x 18d x 8w inches, 46h x 46d x 20w cm. Height with beard: 36 inches, 91.5 cm. From the Lea Sneider Collection.

Antique Japanese suiseki, a stone for contemplation. The art of suiseki viewing stones emphasizes an appreciation for the natural formations. Each stone tells a story not only of it's geological creation but of it's path through time, how it has been shaped by other elements like wind and water. Viewing a stone such as this, a person can feel transported to a world where the stone is a mountain (or a sleeping dragon) and the viewer is quite small...

Semi round low flat fruit basket made of split woven bamboo intertwined wisteria branch. Warm red and dark tones, over all in very good condition. Can be used as a beautiful display for fruit or other items. Unusual shape with finely wooden lip with fine bamboo strips. Undeside reveals geometric pattern with a center diamond. Unsigned.

Late Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

22" x 19" x 6" High

Absolutely rare and amazing pottery shisa ( foo dog, foo lion ) from the mid. Meiji Period, signed by the artist and covered with wonderful white Hagi glaze.

Do you find more impressive ones on the antique art market?

The figure shows a lot of artistic details (take a look on the teeth and the tongue)...

Japanese ikebana (flower basket) used in tradition ikebana flower displays. Beautifully natural finish of split bamboo and gnarled wisteria branch each twisting and blending into a full moon. Condition is very good. Includes copper insert (may allow to be used for flowers).

Edo Period C. 19th Century

Dimensions: 18 1/2" wide X 10" deep X 15 3/4" high

Very rare. Simple wooden zushi with a figure of Fudo Myoo sitting on a high rock before a flaming halo. In his right hand he holds a sword, in his left a rope.
On lower levels of the rock formation sits Seitaka doji, holding his scarf in his left hand and a (now missing) club in his right, and stands Kongara doji, holding a lotus flower in his hands.

Light brown CLAY, hand modeled (not molded!), fired at low temperature, painted dark brown...

Japanese tall woven bamboo ikebana basket by the artist, Torii Hounsai. Elegant and unusual, this basket incorporates an orderly pattern at it's narrow base which becomes more wild toward the top, ending with a subtle asymmetry while maintaining it's sense of balance. Signed on the bottom 峯雲斎 Hо̄unsai. The artist's full name is Torii Hounsai (鳥居峯雲斎). Hounsai was active in Aichi Prefecture during the late Taisho/early Showa era 1920-1930...