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...

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

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

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...

A pair of lovely lacquered antique Japanese Hibachis (braziers) using a refined Kamakurabori technique. Featuring Chrysanthemums (Kiku) and Paulownia (Kiri) flowers and leaves with a bronze insert. Originally used as hand warmers during the cold of winter, they make elegant flower pots for plants and Ikebana flower arrangements.

Age: Late Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions Each: 11 1/2" Diameter by 8 1/2" High

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"

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)

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 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.

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)...

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.

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...

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...

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.

Wooden nyoi (ruyi in Chinese) scepter, an implement used by Buddhist priests during a ceremony or during formal preaching. Carved naturalistically in the shape of a lotus bud on a long stem with a lotus leaf wrapped around the stem. Rose wood or sandal wood. Made in two pieces.
Japan, 19th century.

Length 13-1/8 inches

Tiny chip at leaf edge. Fine condition.

Rare quality nobori Japanese banner for Boy’s day; beautiful hand-dyed work of the samurais on cotton. The nobori banners were originally used in the battlefields to shift the troops and to show the warriors the location of their generals. The designs on the banners were much simpler then and some were quite large. They must have had a scaring effect on the enemy when they saw so many flying banners in the sky approaching towards them...

Nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents’ wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes that are associated with them.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi has been one of the popular characters for Boy’s Day. He was born in a peasant family and worked his way all the way up to top commander of Japan...

Nobori banners, samurai Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, carps, musha ningyo (warrior doll) were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed to Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents’ wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes that are associated with them.

This is an old Japanese nobori banner with Hideyoshi (Toyotomi), retainers, and a streamer in the background...