A Myochin iron forged Jizai Okimono articulated spiny lobster. Each iron plate is carefully reppouse hammered iron creating a natural realism representing the spiny lobster. The amount of fine detail that goes into this piece is equal to that of one of his most well known helmets. The lobster is fully splayed on a well mounted bronze stand.
All ten legs and long antenna and articulated with multiple joints on each leg. Exquisitely crafted, showing off a very high skill of the metal w...

Japanese Jumonji Yari cross spearhead. Hand forged steel done in the same fashion as samurai swords.

Early yari are believed to have been derived from Chinese spears, these hoko yari are thought to be from the Nara period (710-794), and while they were present in early Japan's history, the term yari appeared for the first time in written sources in 1334 but this type of spear did not become popular until the late 15th century.
During the peaceful Edo era yari were still produ...

Japanese kaidan tansu, or step tansu with glowing hardwood finish, Hinoki (cypress) frame and Sugi wood steps. The bottom two steps have Keyaki (elm) front drawers with warabite iron handles. A Sugi wood cabinet door with vertical slats opens from the largest area with roomy storage. Unusual Size, very usable. Size: 45.25" height, 31.5" length, 23.25" depth

Ink and polychromy on silk. Charming kakemono of a musician on horseback holding her samisen. A child holds out a side of her richly decorated kimono. Courtesans seem to relax. One with a fan has lost her sandal (zori) while the other 2 are preparing to enjoy a tea. A poem at the top of the painting describes the scene. It is signed by 2 stamps which can attribute this painting to Kitagawa Fujimaro (1760-1850). Dimensions of the painting: H112 x W45.5cm.

Rare Japanese woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) depicting Onoe Kikugoro V as Nikki Danjo, the archvillain of kabuki roles, transforming himself magically into a rat. The kabuki play “Meibuku Sendai Hagi” (“The Disputed Succession”), deals with an assassination attempt on Tsuruchiyo, a child who had inherited the position as head of a Semdai clan. A stolen scroll containing a list of assassination conspirators is in Nikki Danjo’s mouth. Pub...

Four little red-lacquered Kamakura-bori dishes with a decorative carving of a dove. All with Hanko stamp to the back. Diameter "6 ¼ / 16.3 cm. Condition: a few minimal scratch marks.

A vintage Japanese Kamo Isho Tansu (Kimono storage chest) in 2 sections made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original metal hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the Plum blossom arabesque door lock plates. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors behind which lies two small drawers, a split level shelf and a pair of hinged doors that hide 4 removable Kimono trays. The lower section has 3 side by side drawers and 3 full width drawers.

The upper left drawer under th...

A vintage Japanese 2 section special Kamo Tansu kimono chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Kuwanoki (Mulberry) wood. The Kiri wood comes from the Aizu region of Japan which is well known for its high quality of Kiri lumber while the handle and trim accents were made of hand carved Kuwa. The wood is very thick and dense while the parts fit so perfectly that the interior of the tansu is nearly air tight keeping the valuable silk kimonos dry. The top portion has sliding panels coveri...

A 2 section Japanese Isho Biraki Kamo Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Constructed using high quality Kiri wood from the Aizu snow country region of Japan known for their slow growth and dense grain. Upper section features 2 hinged doors behind which are 7 Kimono trays and three small side by side drawers. A secret interior wood latch locks the left and right drawers from opening while the left drawer has a secret drawer accessible from the back. The bottom...

Japanese kanto style Kannon Biraki double-stacking personal clothing chest (isho-dansu). Often referred to as a "wedding chest," this tansu would have been used to store a bride's formal wedding kimono. Hinged doors on the upper section open to reveal four drawers. The layout of the drawers is characteristic of the earliest form of kanto style chests. The doors exhibit the traditional configuration of five iron hinges and iron strapping surrounding a round foliate lockplate at the center. W...

This hair comb and kogai hair pin set is probably from the Taisho to early Showa period, 1920 to 1945. Tortoiseshell. There is an artist signature on the hair pin. Please wear this with a half of signature on each side for better fitting -- see enlargement6. Other than that, it is in good condition.

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) on crumpled hand-made momigami paper by Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) titled “Entry into Jerusalem” depicting Christ on a donkey riding over a flower strewn path and surrounded by a crowd of followers. Set against a light grey background. The print is signed and dated 1978 at the lower right and numbered 17/70 at the lower left, all in black ink. The paper measures about 27”V x 21”H (22 ½” unfolded). The print was n...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992) titled “Goro in the Rain” (“Ame no Goro”) dated 1980. This boldly colorful kabuki theater image features an actor portraying Soga Goro, one of two historic samurai brothers who avenge the death of their father. In this image, Soga Goro is dressed in fine clothing and holds an umbrella though no rain is evident. He is apparently travelling to the pleasure quarter to visit a courtesan. ...

Oversized Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) of a tengu mask titled “Mayoke Tengu” (also known as "Tengu-shaped Amulet") by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). The print is pencil-signed “Yoshitoshi Mori,” dated ’87, and numbered 10/50. The artist’s red seal is above the signature. The known paper size is about 17”V x 27 1/4”H. The framed size is 19"V x 28 1/2"H. The print is nicely framed in the original Kato Gallery frame and appears to be in very go...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) of a samurai titled “Tobacco Pipe” (Kiseru) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). The warrior grasps his sword with one hand and holds his smoking pipe with the other. The print is pencil-signed “Y. Mori,” dated ’86, and numbered 11/70. The artist’s red seal is above the signature. The paper measures 15 3/4”V x 19”H. This print is in very good overall condition. The print is backed by a thin sheet of archival pape...

Japanese sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992) depicting Zenzoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. The print is pencil-signed “Yoshitoshi Mori” at the lower right. The artist’s red seal is above the signature. The paper measures 16 3/8”V x 12 1/4”H and dates circa 1980s. This print has never been framed and is in very good overall condition.

Circa 1900 Japanese ivory netsuke of a Kappa creature on the back of a catfish. According to Japanese folklore kappa were the size of a small child, but with the strength of many men and lived in streams, ponds, and rivers. Hand carved and artist signed, please note this kappa's facial and eye details. He also features a dish type indentation on the top of his head for holding water when on land. Measures 2.75 inches long

A finely crafted Japanese tobacco tray (known in Japanese as Tabako Bon) which is often seen being used in tea ceremony. Karaki is a term used to describe the foreign hardwoods that were imported from China and used to make furniture and accessories for the home. Age: 19th-20th century. Size: Height: 3.25" Width: 6.75" Length: 6.75"