Antique Japanese small Gigaku performance mask. Gigaku (literally meaning "skill music") is an earlier form of Japanese theatre that was brought over from Korea and China in 612. Gigaku reached a high point during the Nara Period and continued it's popularity until it was eventually replaced by Bugaku theatre. Traditionally performed outdoors at a temple, Gigaku masks were carved with exaggerated features in order for them to be seen by an audience seated at a distance...

Antique small Hirado ware figure of a boar. Made of porcelain and glazed white with great detail and charming expression. Hirado ware was first developed in the village of Mikawachi located in the area of Kyushu which was, along with neighboring islands, controlled by the Hirado daimyo. Initially Hirado ware was made exclusively for the daimyo's use. Later, Hirado ware found it's way west through Japan's trade with the Dutch East Indian Company...

Antique small Hirado ware figure of a rabbit. Made of porcelain and glazed white with great detail especially to fur. Hirado ware was first developed in the village of Mikawachi located in the area of Kyushu which was, along with neighboring islands, controlled by the Hirado daimyo. Initially Hirado ware was made exclusively for the daimyo's use. Later, Hirado ware found it's way west through Japan's trade with the Dutch East Indian Company...

Antique small Hirado ware figure of a tiger. Made of porcelain and glazed white with great detail especially in the fur. Hirado ware was first developed in the village of Mikawachi located in the area of Kyushu which was, along with neighboring islands, controlled by the Hirado daimyo. Initially Hirado ware was made exclusively for the daimyo's use. Later, Hirado ware found it's way west through Japan's trade with the Dutch East Indian Company...

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 unusually small kannon biraki (hinged doors) tansu chest made of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top portion of the chest opens to reveal a compartment with a single shelf. The bottom portion has two exterior drawers. Elaborate iron hardware is like that of a larger kannon biraki chest and includes heavy hinges and cross bracing on the doors with an ivy leaf mon (crest).

Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 16 1/4" high x 19 1/4" wide x 10" deep.

Japanese small kesa, Buddhist priest's vestment cloth to be worn over robes. Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit. Meant as a reminder of the Buddha's own simple patched garment, kesa are formed from fragments of cloth donated to the temple by wealthy devotees. Within each garment, the fragments are typically organized in a series of columns framed by a border with angled corners...

Exceptional antique Japanese small personal box made with beautiful keyaki (zelkova) wood burl. Two small drawers on the top, one of which is outfitted with interior lidded compartments. Below, are 3 full-width drawers of gradating depth. Patinated bronze hardware with square drawer pulls on the larger drawers and flower bud pulls on the top drawers. A matching square handle on the top for carrying...

Beautiful Japanese antique small tansu with locking bar (bo), 3 drawers behind locking bar, locking bar has key and elaborate hardware with kiri mon, bottom drawer has large metal raised lock plate with crane, safe box in lower right hand corner with more metal hardware, two small interior safe drawers, front of keyaki (elm) wood, original finish, Meiji Period. Size: 24 3/4" high x 23 1/4" wide x 13" deep.

Japanese antique small ko tansu (personal chest) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood with black lacquered iron hardware. This small chest has 7 drawers of various sizes; 2 large drawers on the top portion, 2 medium drawers and 2 small drawers on the lower portion. The hardware is all made of blackened iron and includes round lock plates and square drawer pulls.

Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 21 3/4" high x 24 3/4" wide x 13" deep.

Antique Japanese small ko tansu for personal use. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood with iron hardware. Three large drawers and a small safe box in the lower right hand corner. Inside the safe box are two small drawers. Iron hardware includes round lock plates, warabite shaped drawer pulls, and corner bracing.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23" high x 20 1/4' wide x 13 3/4" deep.

Antique Japanese small tansu chest made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The chest is configured with seven drawers of various sizes: 3 small drawers above 2 medium drawers above 2 large drawers. Black iron hardware includes 7 round lock plates, circular corner bracing and square drawer pulls.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23 1/4" high x 27" wide x 13" deep.

Delightful antique Japanese tansu made of Kiri wood. This small symmetrical tansu has 6 drawers of various sizes and safe box in lower right hand corner and two small interior drawers. Iron hardware, round lock plates, oval drawer pulls and rectangular side handles. Late Meiji Period c.1910. Size: 28.5" height x 26" length x 15" deep

Antique Japanese small tansu with 5 drawers of various sizes. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and still in it's original condition. Iron hardware includes hirute shaped drawer pulls and each drawer has a lock plate. The sides of the chest have a deep reddish lacquer finish. The deep patination is from hundreds of years of careful use.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 25" high x 25 3/4" wide x 13 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese small box with 5 drawers. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Drawers of various sizes with two on the left and 3 on the right. The top two drawers are lacquered a deep red on the inside. Hardware with both moko and warabite shape and lock plates of graduating size.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 7 1/2" high x 19 1/8" wide x 6 3/4" deep

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (chest for personal use). Made all of kiri wood. 7 drawers of various size, each with a bronze hirute shaped drawer pull. Two of the drawers have round lock plates. Nice overall patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 18 3/4" high x 28" wide x 12 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese small tansu chest made of kiri (paulownia) wood. It has six drawers of various sizes and a compartment with a small shelf covered by two sliding panels. Hardware is made of iron and includes warabite shaped drawer pulls, round lock plates, corner bracing and side handles.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 18 1/2" high x 23 1/4" wide x 11 1/4" deep.

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (chest for personal storage). Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The chest has sliding panels on the top portion which open two a single compartment. Below this is a row of 3 small drawers over two full-width drawers. Hardware is made of cast iron.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 24 1/4" high x 22" wide x 13" deep