Obi (sash) with design on both sides. One side taupe colored silk embroidered in brown, murasaki, pink, green and blue with a design of bamboo leaves and matsukawabishi. The other side decorated in silver and some colored silk on murasaki colored silk with an intricate design of a river bank with stone barricades, containers and vegetation: bamboo, pine, chrysanthemums and momiji. The end of the obi marked with two strokes of gold thread. Japan, early Showa period.
Length 151 ¾ in...

A powerful drawing of Shoki, a demon queller, is hand painted over two nobori banners (each has two panels sewn together) on a thick and loosely woven cotton. The size of two panels together is huge; approx...

An haunting 17th century sumi-e image of a goose at twilight by Kano Toun (1624-1694) in the original Edo silver threaded brocade border patterned with clouds, upper and lower extensions of heavy coffee colored cloth ending in ivory rollers. The almost complete dominance of white seems to convey a passage through space, from clarity into obscurity, leaving the viewer with a slight sense of loss echoing in ones memory...

Fantastic Funa-dansu from Sado Island. Keyaki (elm) wood with very heavy and ornate iron work on entire front face, interior behind bottom panel contains set of drawers with lacquered keyaki fronts and more iron work, early Meiji Period, keys. This chest has been published in several books and is one of the top fune tansus in the world. H 20", W 23", D 17".

Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Yamagata area, made of kuri (chestnut) wood and sugi (cryptomeria) wood with lovely original deep red and black lacquer finish, iron hardware with ivy leaf lock plates, hirute handles, safe box with two small interior drawers, Edo/Meiji Periods (circa mid 1800's). H 35-1/2", W 39-1/4", D 17-1/2"

Rare Mid Edo Period choba, merchant's chest, from the Sakata area, made of kiri (paulownia) wood with original patina (not refinished), nice iron hardware, interior (behind sliding panels) contains set of five drawers (three on the right, 2 on the left) and one hidden drawer. Incredibly rare Large oversized iron handles flanking each side of the chest.

Edo (1603 - 1868)

H 35-3/4", W 38", D 16-3/4".

Antique Japanese Satsuma ware bowl in the shape of a money pouch, decorated with motif of procession of children pulling flower cart, ceramic with gold and polychrome overglaze, Meiji Period. Size: 5 1/2" high x 6" wide (diameter).

Beautiful antique Japanese choba tansu, merchant's storage chest, all original finish with keyaki (elm) wood panels on the front finished in a medium brown, sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame finished with a black lacquer, iron hardware, safe box with two small drawers on the inside, Edo Period (early 1800's). Size: 33 1/2" high x 36" wide (37 1/4" wide including side handles) x 15 1/2" deep.

Japanese Buddhist scroll painting with the image of Amida raigo, the descent of Amida Buddha from the Western Paradise to earth. He comes down to transport the newly deceased devotee to the Western Paradise. In the middle Amida, to his right the bodhisattva Seishi, hands folded in prayer, to his left Kannon holding the lotus throne for transporting the deceased to Paradise. A ray of light comes from Amida’s urna. All three figures are standing on lotus thrones, floating on white clouds...

Japanese woodblock print depicting an actor portraying a samurai by Kuniteru II (1829-1874), published by Daikokuya Heikichi (Shojudo) in 1867. The paper measures about 14 5/8"V x 10 1/4"H. The print is in very good overall condition with good impression quality and color. There are lacquer highlights in the black areas and mica at the top. There is an ample margin on the left and top. The paper is fine, the print is not backed, and the image is clearly visible on the reverse...

Shrine with inside the figure of the bodhisattva Jizo. He sits on a lotus base, positioned on a rock, his left leg hanging down, the foot resting on a small lotus base. In his left hand he holds a sacred jewel, in the right he formerly held his staff. The rock is placed onto a six tiered hexagonal, elaborately decorated base...

Shrine with the exquisite carving of the eleven headed Kannon, holding the vase with the flower in the left hand, a rosary in the right. Dark wood. The garment, finely carved with pleats and scarves, decorated in gold with flowers and geometric designs. On the crown 8 of the 11 heads (three missing), with individual faces. The accessories on the chest and the crown in gilded metal. Kannon is standing on a nine tiered base (six tiers hexagonal, three tiers, the lotus, are round). Excellent piece...

A skeleton sits in meditation, dried autumn grasses rustling in the wind the only sound on this unusual Edo period scroll. Above is an epitaph reading: Impermanence takes life like wind strips the petals from a flower, Neither Gods nor Saints can evade, Evil within mars the spirit, Lofty stature or humble servitude, All fall prey, Yet all can be forgiven. To the right of the seated figure is a tablet covered in Sanskrit characters...

Finely carved wooden figure of Gyochu Kishimojin, the hands folded together in prayer, standing on an upside down lotus leaf, positioned on a rocky base. Plain wood, carved in a slightly facetted way that gives texture to his garment and skin. The base and the lotus gilded over lacquer. Inscribed on back: Kishibojin, opening of the eyes, Nichiren. Inscribed in black ink on bottom of lotus leaf: Hirono Naomasa. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.
Height without base 7 ¼ in. (18.3 cm)...

Plain wooden sculpture of the founder of the Nichiren sect. He is sitting, holding both his hands with the palms up. He is positioned on a rectangular elevation, decorated with water whirls and gilded over lacquer on the sides. Plain wood, carved in a slightly facetted way that gives texture to his garment and skin. On the back in black ink inscription reading "Nichiren". On the bottom inscription in black ink, partly covered by paper. Japan, Edo period, 19th century.
Height 4 11/16 in. (12...

Plain wooden sculpture of the deity Shichimen Daimyojin. She is sitting on the top of mount Shichimen, crossing her left leg over the right, holding a jewel in her left hand. She is positioned on a rectangular elevation, painted green on top and gilded over lacquer on the sides. Behind her a jewel decorated nimbus. Plain wood, carved in a slightly facetted way that gives texture to his garment and skin. Crown of gilded metal. On the back in black ink inscription reading ‘Nichiren’. On the bo...

Fairly large shrine with three carved figures: Shichimen Daimyojin, Kishimojin and the patriarch of the Nichiren sect, Nichiren. All are positioned on a rectangular base. Although all three can be connected with the Nichiren sect, the formation is a rather unusual one, leading to the assumption that the pieces were carved to the specific order of someone, for a very specific reason. The crest on the outside of the zushi (tachibana branch in well) hints in the same direction. It may very well hav...

DESCRIPTION: A very elegant and complete porcelain Noritake dinnerware set for twelve in the Camillia pattern, having intricate hand painted gilt designs with medallions and floral swags against white porcelain. The set includes twelve dinner plates, luncheon plates, large and small bowls, salad plates, and cups and saucers. Serving pieces include a creamer, sugar, gravy boat, covered tureen, two vegetable dishes and a platter. This mid 20th century set is in remarkable, excellent condition ...