A nyoi scepter (in Chinese: ruyi) made of a natural branch of lacquered wood. For the scholar’s table. Late Edo to early Meiji. L 42 cm. Condition: Fine all-over.

DESCRIPTION: A rare and quite old Japanese lute, or sanshin, originating from the island of Okinawa. The sanshin (literally meaning "three strings") is an Okinawan musical instrument, and the precursor of the Japanese shamisen. Often likened to a banjo, it consisted of a snakeskin-covered body, neck and three strings, and was known for its calming tune. This sanshin, dating from the late 18th C...

An Edo period Kogo incense case of pale earth tones decorated with geometric shapes and green copper glaze in the oribe style with a scrawling streak of kintsugi gold extending down two sides. Kintsugi is the art of repairing using lacquer and powdered gold. Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery or ceramics using lacquer and powdered precious metals...

Antique Japanese merchant's chest (choba tansu), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with dark red lacquer finish, 4 exterior drawers and safe box with 2 small interior drawers. Beautiful heavy iron hardware including elaborate bracing on front frame, wooden bracing on sides and back. From the Mikuni area in Japan. Edo Period (late 18th Century. Stunning original Condition. Size: 32 1/2" high x 38" wide x 18" deep.

A pair of powerful Shishi guardian carvings dating from the later Edo period, 18th-19th century, in the Ah-Un expression (Exhaling and inhaling). Ah-Un has many allusions, it is the beginning and end of the alphabet, summarizing all in between, and is said to be inhaling good fortune, and exhaling bad. Glass eyes inset into very human faces. They are 10-1/2 inches (26.5 cm) tall, 9-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches (24 x 14 cm)...

A pair Japanese hairpins in the fluttering style, worked in silver alloy and having attached metal strips. Showing beautiful peony flowers, one with tiny coral beads forming the center. Ending in a mimikaki (ear spoon). Condition: missing metal stripes, professional cleaning needed. Dimension: 16.9 cm long x 4.5 cm wide.

Pair of Japanese antique sake warmers, made of bronze with silver finish, incised all over with beautiful scrolling motif, lovely patina overall, come with kiri wood tomobako. Size of each: 6 1/2" high (including handle) x 8 1/2" wide (including spout).

A dark blue hemp fabric forms the base of these kote sleeve guards. The upper area is covered in iron chain mail with pair of double gourd plates, crest mon, gilt iron plates, throughout the kote. The shoulder edge has three hinge plates to fashion to the Do armor. Unusually mounted on a custom black iron stand.

Edo Period 18th Century

Size: 27.25" L x 12.5" H (17.5" H on stand)

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"

Antique Japanese, three section kiri or paulownia wood, stackable tansu. Each section has wrought iron fittings and hardware to stack the tansu and protect the tansu from damage. Each section is distinct in its design. The first section has a short cabinet with two sliding doors and five small drawers beneath it. The second section has a cabinet with three shelves. The shelves have cut outs so that one can pull the shelves out...

An antique Gyosho Tansu (peddler's chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Top of chest has a recessed table top where the peddler displayed and demonstrated his wares for sale. Upper hinged door houses 5 drawers where wares were stored and record keeping supplies were kept. Bottom hinged door covers 3 drawers for additional wares.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 10 1/4" Wide by 26" High by 19 1/4" Deep

A large Persian textile "Suzani" which literally means "needlework". The cotton cloth is hand-embroidered with complex floral medallions and scrolling work with brightly colored silk thread. These traditional Suzani would be used for headscarves, ottoman covers, prayer mats, wall hangings, and many other uses.

First Quarter 20th century circa. 1920

Dimensions: 135" L x 81" H

Variously colored momiji leaves in enamel blow past the under-glazed cobalt lattice of manjirushi on this large bowl by Takahashi Dohachi dating from the first half of the 20th century. The bowl is 21 cm (8-1/2 inches) diameter, 9.5 cm (4 inches) tall and in perfect condition, enclosed in a fine custom made kiri-wood box...

Otafuku, the embodiment of feminine warmth, smiles softly as she draws her robes up, a large pottery figure by Teishitsu Gigei-In Suwa Sozan I. An identical image with overglaze enamel decorations is visible in the 1929 posthumous exhibition catalog (Copies included). It is over 15 inches (39 cm) tall. There is a chip in the base near the left foot (see pictures)...

First we hear the clang of the hammer striking the bell, then the steadily approaching clop of his wooden shoes before the horrifying creature dressed in the robes of an itinerant priest appears; a ledger in one hand noting our sins. Hanging from a chord around his shoulders is an umbrella, testifying to his constant state of movement. A spectacular carving of an Oni-no-Nenbutsu praying Demon taken from burled cedar...

Beautiful Uchikake (formal gown worn over a kosode kimono by the wealthy women of the Edo period) with a pair of peacocks and peonies, "the flowers of riches and honors". I am not sure how this gown was worn- with a loose belt or no belt, with the hem up or down? The gorgeous gowns that I have seen in photos (Mitsui Collection?) were maternity gowns for the Mitsui princess in the late Edo to Meiji period. Their maternity gowns had a skinny belt attached in the back...

This quilt is made out of an old Japanese nobori banner probably from the Meiji period (1868-1912). The upper part of the banner, where the family crest (Mon) is dyed, was used for the border and two figures were sewn together side by side. The brown fabrics on each side of the design are the reverse side of an old obi sash. All hand-sewn except for the straight line where the panels were put together...

Antique Raku Chawan of rarest color, made by the 1st Choraku Ogawa, one of the most legendary potters of the 20th century. The Chawan is in great antique condition and comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box. No chips or repairs. Only natural inborn kiln cracks caused during firing.

Ogawa Choraku was the founder of the Choraku lineage of Raku potters...