Antique Japanese round lacquered wood container decorated on both sides with a karakusa (octopus vine) pattern and blossoms around the central aoi mon of the Tokugawa shogunate. Gold lacquer on a dark brownish black ground. Possible for archer bow strings.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 3 3/4" wide diameter x 1 3/4" deep

Wonderful Japanese antique tetsubin (tea pot), made of cast iron with concentric ripples across the body. The handle is beautifully shaped. It has the bronze lid which is also signed, and a flower bud serves as the lid's handle. The signature reads: Ryubundo zo, translation: Created by Ryubundo. Age: Meiji Period. Size: 8" high (including handle) x 6.125" wide (including spout).

Antique Japanese Ryukyu Cha Tansu (display and storage chest for tea items). Lacquered black and inlaid with Mother of Pearl (Raden) in intricate and extraordinarily fine designs of noblemen and scholars in pavilion gardens. The upper portion has a compartment with four sliding panels. Below this are two open shelves inlaid with larger designs of birds on a blossoming dogwood branch. The lower portion has a large compartment with two large dowel-hinged doors on the left side and a rounded ar...

A fabulous two section Japanese Sado Island Isho Tansu made of burl Keyaki wood with Sugi frame and Kiri wood interior dating from the Meiji period (c.1900), with beautiful forged iron fittings on a lacquer finish, all original and in top condition, 3 keys. Size: L 45.5" x H 45" x D 17"

This is a Japanese antique nature Safflower dyeing itajime shibori hanjyuban From the Edo period to the Meiji period.There is aged fading and very slight stains. There is no damage. The lining is cotton. Recommended for antique textile collections.Size:Length:75cm( 29.5") / Cuff to cuff, across the back: 124cm (48.8")

Antique Japanese tansu with locking bar over three drawers, one large bottom drawer with chrysanthemum lock, safe compartment with two small interior drawers and one secret compartment, opaque black lacquer finish on front, sides and top are a deep red translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware with scrolling design and mon on locking bar, Sakata area, early Meiji Period (late 19th century). Size: 36" high x 35" wide x 17 1/2" deep.

Original Antique Japanese Isho tansu with locking bar over three drawers. One large bottom drawer with chrysanthemum Iron lock. Locking safe compartment with two small interior drawers and one secret compartment hidden away! Original opaque black lacquer finish on front, sides and top are a deep red translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware with scrolling design and mon on locking bar. From the Sakata area in Japan (known for its Lacquer work). Early Meiji Period (Circa 1870's). Wonderful ori...

Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) from the Sakata area, made of keyaki (elm) wood with kiri (paulownia) wood interior. The upper and lower portions of the chest have drawers of various sizes. In the center is a compartment opened by two hinged doors. To the right of this is a safe box with a door that opens to reveal two small interior drawers. Substantial iron hardware includes decorative pierced designs of a crane and turtle on the safe door, raised fruits on the double doors, squa...

Japanese sodenashi (work vest), made of indigo and other neutral colored sakiori (rag woven) cotton, edged with indigo cotton, beautifully worn, late 19th century. Size: 26" high x 21 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese sodenashi (work vest), made of indigo and other neutral colored sakiori (rag woven) cotton, edged with indigo cotton, beautifully worn, old reinforcement stitching in some areas adds wonderful character to this worker's vest, late Meiji Period. Size: 31" high x 20" wide

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes. It has more than 600 fragments, mostly hand-spun and vegetable dye but some warps are chemical dye and also some fragments have silk threads. The second half of the 19th century. In good condition but some fragments are mildewy. 38 pages. 18.5cm x 13cm x 2cm

Antique Japanese musha-ningyo samurai doll of the old warrior, Takenouchi no Sukune and the baby Ōjin. Takenouchi was the vassal of the Empress warrior, Jingū-kōgō.
The wife of the 14th sovereign, Chuai, Jingū ruled as empress-regent after her husband was killed in battle in 200 A.D. Considered the 15th Japanese imperial ruler, she lead an invasion of "the promise" land (believed to be the Korean Peninsula). After 3 years away, Empress Jingū returned to Japan, surviving a s...

Antique Japanese meadate in the form of a hornet, hand forged iron with gilt brass plate. Mounted on a stand.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: Total including stand 7" high (meadate only 4 1/2" high)

Antique Japanese warrior dolls, musha ningyo displayed for the Japanese Boys Day. Clad in armor is a beautiful young widow, the Empress Jingo with her faithful retainer/high ranking minister, Takenouchi no Sukune. He is holding her baby Ojin (Oh-jin) who was later known as “The God of War”, the 15th Japanese emperor, Emperor Ojin. These are all original dolls including the baby.

Some old records indicate that in 300 AD, God came down to talk to Empress Jingo in her sleep. This was...

Antique Japanese sarugaku performance mask in the form of a monkey. Sarugaku, which literally means "monkey music" was one of the oldest Japanese theatre arts and consisted of many different types of performance including comedy, dancing, mime, singing and various acrobatics. The performers wore masks usually portraying human characters but this one is distinctly primate. The high point for sarugaku was during the Muromachi period when, along with dengaku (ritual shrine dancing), the perfo...

It is a sashiko hanten from the Meiji era. All sashiko are hand-sashiko. It was made in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture during the Meiji era. The white thread is used to express indigo-dyed cotton-type dyeing with sashiko stitches. There is a little dirt. But it doesn't stand out. There is no damage. The condition is very good. Cotton is thick and feels good. It is a valuable gem. Size::length 70cm (27.6inch)

Beautiful Japanese Satsuma ware plate, decorated with a scene of a dragon surrounded on all sides by 14 Arhats standing on golden outcroppings of rock, the white dragon glides over the water between, much use of gold, wonderful details, the back is all crackle glaze with a large mark in black and gold. Meiji Period. Size: 9 1/2" wide x 1 5/8" high

Japanese small and exquisite Satsuma ware censer, unusual double gourd shape with two handles and three feet, lid with delightful fu-dog finial, one side is decorated with two scenes from 100 Rakans (Buddhist saints), the other side is decorated with two scenes of beautiful ladies, everything else is covered with tiny designs in gold, beautiful condition, Taisho Period, 6 character kanji says: Satsuma yaki, Suigetsu ga. (trans: Satsuma Ware painted by Suigetsu). Size: 5" high