During the Edo Period, there was a time when puppet play became the most popular form of entertainment among the common people. At one time, they were so popular that Kabuki actors even began mimicking the movement of the puppets.

The era of Ningyo Joruri (puppet play later called Bunraku) began in 1684 when Takemoto Gidayu, a narrator, opened a theater in Dotonbori. He was joined by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, the genius playwright who was often called "the Shakespeare of Japan."

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A tall antique Korean Nong clothes cabinet decorated in mother of pearl with nickel hard mounts. Twelve landscape scenes with six stylized book match on front hinged doors. Key fret frame design surrounding doors and drawers.

Age: Late 19th-Early 20th C Korean Empire Period

Dimensions: 64 3/4" High by 36 1/4" Wide by 19" Deep

Japanese twin pronged kanzashi with an agate ball. Late Meiji/Taisho period. Kanzashi is 6" long and the diameter of the ball is 3/4".

In the old days of Japan, agate was treasured as one of the sacred treasures. The Seven Sacred Treasures of Japan (Shippo), which originally came from the Buddhist surta, are gold, silver, ruri (lapis lazuli - blue stone with purple tint), shako (sea shell), agate, pearl, and maie (sea shell). Some are replaced with coral or crystals (old glass) depe...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Kakute handles. Two pairs of sliding doors were used to store merchant records and books. 6 drawers were used for keeping business accessories and valuables. Main drawer lock plate features an incised Turnip with leaves. Constructed using dovetail joinery and side support slats. Iron bands in the back were used to add strength t...

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron and bronze hardware including the Hirute style handles. It features 2 pairs of large sliding doors and a lift-out door behind which were kept store records and books. 12 exterior drawers were used for storage and organizing. A small pair of sliding doors near the bottom hides two small drawers where valuables were kept.

Age: Meiji P...

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite stye handles. 5 exterior drawers for storage and organizing with 2 sliding doors behind which store records and books were kept. Hinged door secures 2 small drawers where valuables were hidden away. Horizontal side slats provide strength and a visual design element complimenting the sliding door slats. Through mortise a...

An antique Japanese Honbako (book storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hardware with bronze locks added at a later date for security of drawers. 2 hinged doors open with the left door secured by a clasp style lock situated at the center of the shelf. Constructed using hardened wood nails and Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 26" Wide by 19 3/4" High by 12 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant small chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. 8 drawers of varying sizes used to store merchant wares for sale. Unusual wooden lip surrounding the top where seller showcased each item for sale to the buyer. Custom made tansu specific to the seller needs. Constructed using hardened wooden nails and Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimen...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware with Warabite style handles. Upper section includes a pair of sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers below. The bottom two sections each have full width drawers for clothes storage. Made using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Sections can be stacked as shown or used in different rooms of the home.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (1910-1920)...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking 2 section chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and beautiful lock plates with the owner's family crest incised in the design. Each section has two sets of side handles, one for long distance moving and a hand pair for room placement. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: ...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the full moon lock plates and the Kakute style handles. The backplates of the handles feature the auspicious Sho Chiku Bai (Pine, Bamboo, Plum Blossom) motif. Side carrying handles to each section with rare connecting pins to secure both sections together. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Age: M...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Locking bar secures 3 drawers behind it and the center design is the family crest of the family who commissioned this chest to be made. One large full width drawer, a small drawer and a hinged door that secures three drawers behind it complete this beautiful tansu.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensi...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Made in 2 stacking sections, the upper part features 2 sets of sliding doors with four drawers below and the bottom part has a pair of sliding doors with a removable split level shelf. All original bronze hardware including the Marui style handles. Center doors have intact copper wire mesh screen used to prevent flying pests from entering. Built with slide slats for strength and visual...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (marchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles and incised Chrysanthemum lock plates. Unusual low size with two drawers side by side, a pair of sliding doors and a security hinged door behind which lie 3 small drawers and a secret hiding box. Side swivel handles through which a pole passed through allowing two persons to carry this chest from place to place. Constructed using straight dovetail...

An antique Japanese single section Kimono Tansu (chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Front corner reinforcements on all drawer fronts with two side handles on each side for carrying this tansu from room to room. Constructed using thick straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails.

Age: Early Meiji Era (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 36 1/2" Wide by 37 3/8" High by 17 3/4" Deep

A Japanese Tanuki garden statue made of Shigaraki pottery. A perfect good luck mascot for any garden or indoor decor. Entirely hand made and created by a Shigaraki artisan. It wears a straw hat to protect its head from the elements and it carries a Japanese ledger book in its left paw. Known in Japan for its good luck abilities, it is often seen standing outside of restaurants and pubs attracting customers and diners to enter the business establishment. Minor loss commensurate with its age. ...

A nice small plate with tea cup set of Peranakan Straits Chinese Nyonya taste look at next bowl photo

Antique Turkmen rug with a Tekke garden design in red, black, navy, cream, and tan wool. Good condition, very soft. 19th Century, Stunning Rug. Size: 52" x 50"