Partly gilt wood statue of Buddhist goddess Sho Kannon Bosatsu (one of the many forms of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara), wearing formal robes, and a diadem with a small stylised Amithaba on the front, standing, her hands joined to hold a bowl. The goddess face reflects a profound meditation. Fine age patina. Japan, Edo period, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 24.2 cm. Old insect attack on the right side (no more danger), otherwise very good condition.

Dark brown patina bronze sculpture of a praying mantis.

The praying mantis (in Japanese, kamakiri) is considered an auspicious symbol.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 0.79 in / 2.3 cm – width: 1.18 in / 3.5 cm – depth: 3.15 in / 8.8 cm

Ceramic sculpture of the white fox, messenger of Inari – the Shinto and Buddhist deity of harvest, rice and abundance.

The Inari fox (kitsune) is a benevolent animal, a sign of prosperity and wealth. This proximity to the kami Inari leads to the two figures being mixed and substituted in the imagination, with the animal becoming a fox-god. Inari’s fox is depicted holding a variety of objects in its mouth with different symbolic meaning: a wheat ear, a scroll, a ball or a key...

Ivory netsuke of a group of three compactly intertwined monkeys, the smallest holding a longevity peach against him. Their eyes are inlaid horn. Their coats are carefully incised and their fingers are finely sculpted. Natural himotoshi through one of the legs.
Signature on the right flank of the largest monkey, in an unidentified rectangular reserve.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Width: 0.8 in (2.5 cm) - Depth: 1.6 (4 cm) - Height: 1.6 in (4.5 cm)

Ivory sculpture okimono of a kingfisher on its base, with a fish in its beak. Its eyes are in hard stone.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Width: 1.6 in (4 cm) - depth: 2.8 in (7.2 cm) - height: 1.6 in (4.3 cm)

Black Bizen Guinimo and Tokkuri by Oiwa Tomoyuki enclosed respectively in their original signed wooden boxes. There is a wonderful dialog between the two pieces, the bottle blackened with dark dry ash buffeting the surface, while over the same darkness has been blasted molten ash on the cup, flowing around and beading on one side. The juxtaposition between the liquidity and dryness of the two, same colored, ash effects is delightful...

A sake serving vessel by Yamada Kazu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kaku-yu Oribe Shuchu. It is 18.5 cm tall and in excellent condition.
Yamada Kazu was born in Tokoname city in 1954, one of Japans ancient kiln areas, into a line of potters. He would have been influenced early on by his father, Yamada Kenkichi and uncle living National Treasure Yamada Jozan. He graduated the Osaka Art University before moving to Echizen to establish his first kiln...

Enryakuji Temple, Hiyeizan (Hieizan), Kyoto.
Artist not identified.
Dated August 21st, 1937.
Size: 7.5 x 5375 inches (19 x 13.6 cm).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print as the cover of a dinner menu of the Nippon Yusen Line passenger ship, Chichibu Maru.
Publisher: Likely Nippon Mokuhan Co. Tokio (Japan Woodblock Co. Tokyo), who produced another of our ship menu woodblock prints.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print made from a carved wood block...

An incredible lacquered screen decorated with a Bugaku Dancer wearing an angry devil mask opposing a snake in incredibly thick relief opposite three gentlemen heating sake over a fire under the changing leaves of a maple, their oxcart off to the side. An inlaid cartouche near the snake reads Kan. The two-sided panel is set into a frame with matt black iron texture over a raw kiri-wood panel inset with three windows...

SHIBUGAMI

Huge tanned washi Japanese paper coated in kakishibu persimmon tannin repaired with paper patchwork like an unintentional collage work, used to be laid under tatami mat or pasted on the wall of kura warehouse for humidity control and sunburn prevention. Early 20th century, 296 x 174cm (116.53 x 68.50in)...

HORSES

Japanese oil painting on canvas board, with the painter's sign of 'OHISHI '92', attached with wooden frame. Frame: 37 x 45 x 2.5 cm (14.56 x 17.71 x 0.98in). Brief biography notes (Years of prize winning by the works of 'Horse') at the backside...

Cotton cloth with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and dyed with pigments, which is called "wa-sarasa", Japanese chintz. It was produced from late Edo to early Meiji period. This one is "Sakai-sarasa", made in Sakai in Osaka. The second half of the 19th century. In excellent condition. W:34cm, L:120cm

Cotton cloth with katazome pattern which is called "Narumi-Kongata", imitating Arimatsu-Narumi shibori pattern. It is called "Urumi-zome among craftspeople. It uses plural stencils and requires high dyeing technique. In good condition but has two mending patches for the cut which used to be the neck part and in one side of selvedges. The Meiji period (1868 to 1912). W:33cm, L:180cm

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Chuzenji Utagahama" by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) dated in the left margin Showa 6 (1931). The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower right corner of the image. The Watanabe seal is missing, but the print is old and likely dates post-WWII. Paper: 15 3/8" x 10 1/2" (image: 14 1/4" x 9 1/2"). Very good clean overall condition with slight fading evident...

Lifetime edition Japanese shin hanga chuban sized woodblock print titled in kanji and English "Supper Wagon" by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) dated Showa 13 (1938). Pencil-signed at the lower right margin and with the artist's black ink signature and red seal in the image above. Paper: 7 3/4" x 10 1/2" (image: 6 5/8” x 9 3/8”). Very good overall condition with full margins.

A striking image of an itinerant monk carrying his few earthly possessions though the cedar forest in draped in a mino straw-raincoat and hat, all performed with colored thread in silk embroidery. Behind glass, it has been well protected over the last 100 plus years. The wide dark frame is stained Nara (a form of oak) emulating the arts and crafts style. The inner joints have shrunk, a testament to age...

Cotton kimono (yukata) with shibori design which was ordered matching for local people at the festival. Probably from Amagi in Fukuoka in Kyushu. Late 19th to early 20th century. In excellent condition. W:124cm, L:138cm

Cotton futonji with katazome (stencil-resist dye), which is remade from yogi (one kind of futon in the shape of kimono). It is made of hand spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo. The reddish-brown color is bengara (iron oxide red pigment). 19th century. In good condition except for three mending patches. one snag and some small holes. W:153cm, L:165cm