Antique Japanese Carpenter Reel, Sumi Tsubo, Ink Line. 8.25 x 3.5 inches, 21 x 9 cm. It is rare to see sumi tsubo (Japanese carpenter's reel or inkline used for layout) fully intact with all its parts, including line and original stick pin, like this one. The Japanese word for tools is Dogu, which was originally the word for an itinerant monk's belongings. It alludes to the spiritual value which craftsmen put on their tools...

Antique Japanese calligraphy scroll painting by the Confucian scholar, poet, koto musician, calligrapher and artist, Ryū Kōbi (also called Ryû Sôro) (1714-1792). Sumi ink on paper. With three seals, one being his trademark Dragon seal.

This work is Waka poetry done in traditional 5-7-5-7-7 syllables or a 5-line wake poem. Which traditionally calls up an image of nature that then alludes to an emotion...

Antique Japanese 6-panel byobu (folding screen painting) depicting 6 hawks. Each hunting bird is tethered to pole with a silk cord. Every feather is painted in detail. Mineral colors on paper with gold leaf and silk borders. Each panel is signed by the artist: 常建筆 Painted by Tsunetatsu.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 67" high x 145 1/2" long

Antique Japanese burl root wood formation. Collected for it's unusual, gnarled beauty. Mounted on a square stand of iron and cherry wood. Exhibited at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 16 1/2" high x 16 3/4" wide x 12 1/4" deep

Japanese antique burl hand warmer, typically used in the tea ceremony where each participant would have their own charcoal heater. Nowadays, this container (hibachi) can be used to store all manner of small items and makes a delightful table top accessory.

Dates Edo Period 19th century
Size H 6 1/2" x W 13" x D 10"

Antique Japanese gracefully curling tall lotus leaf. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27 1/2" high (including stand)

Antique Japanese wide lotus leaf. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 20 3/4" high (including stand)

Antique Japanese tall and graceful lotus blossom. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Lotus petals are carved separately and joined. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27" high (including stand)

Kohai, a halo made of metal (copper). Very little bit of gold plate is left. 19th century. L:38.5cm, W:13cm

Antique Japanese long silk textile, possibly used as an altar cloth. Made of blue silk and woven with thin strips of metal leaf covered paper in a dramatic scene of a dragon in swirling clouds above waves. Framed in antique silk textile with woven designs of dragons.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36" wide x 11 1/2 feet long

Antique Japanese bronze vase molded with a pair of phoenixes in flight. Signed on the bottom. Also called hou-ou, the pair of mythical birds together are often symbols of fidelity but also represent fire, sun and justice. When used in reference to the imperial household, the phoenix represents the empress.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 13" high x 8 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese tall bronze vase in the form of a section of a cherry tree trunk. The tree has been pruned and it's new growth is just starting to blossom. 5 bats flit around the trunk. Details like the texture of the cherry tree bark, the faces and fur of the little bats add a life-like feel to the scene. Made for use with dry branches or an insert for water (not included).

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 13 3/4" high x 6" wide

Antique Japanese small bronze vase with a round body and long neck. With a reddish finish and patina.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 12 1/8" high x 3 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese tsuba (hand guard for a samurai sword). Made of bronze in the form of bending grain and leaves inlaid with gold details.
Meiji Period (1868 -1912) Size: 2 3/8" long x 1 7/8" wide.

Antique Japanese teshoku candle holder made of bronze. A long handle makes it easy to carry a candle around for light as well as very stable when set down. Cut-out design is of a Hoju, the Buddhist wish granting ball...

An antique Japanese bronze temple bell known as a Bonsho with a carrying handle depicting diverging dragon heads called Ryuzu. The upper protrusions called chi chi or nye improves the resonance of sound. There are two opposing striking panels called Tsuki-za upon which the bell should be struck for the best and longest sound. Large bells such as this one are found in Buddhist temples throughout Japan and they are used to summon the monks to prayer...

An antique Japanese bronze Buddhist temple bell called Bonsho with a carrying handle depicting diverging dragon heads called Ryuzu. The upper protrusions called Chi or Nyu improves the resonance of the sound when struck. Two opposing striking panels called Tsuki-za is the point on the bell where the best and longest sound is achieved. A bell of this size was hung in a small temple to summon the monks to prayer...

Antique Japanese bronze koro (censer) in the form of the trickster, Tanuki. In this depiction, Tanuki takes the form of a monk with a wide hat on. Fine details of his fur and vines of grape leaves wraps around him (fittingly as Tanuki is fond of wine). The leaves on the vine and on his hat are made of cloisonné in various fall colors. There is a raised cartouche on the bottom. The hat can be removed to put incense inside the Tanuki container...