Next to the Kabuto (Helmet), one of the most expressive parts of the Samurai's
Armor is the Face Mask. This Middle Edo Period metal "armor for the face" is known by many names: mengu, menpo, mempo, men yoroi, katchu men. Menpo means "face and cheek" and is generally
used for masks with nose pieces. This menpo is covered with a high quality
gold lacquer. The inside is a negoro-like finish of red lacquer. Sporting a
fantastic horse hair mustache. Obviously constructed by a highly skilled craft... Click for details
Fine early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese
figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of
sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses
could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the
illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu,
they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a
futuristic look. There are fun theories that st... Click for details
Pair of Inari Foxes of sculptured and fired clay with luminescent powered white glaze. In traditional Japanese art, a pair of foxes typically flank the deity Inari’s shrine image. But in modern times, images of Inari have all but disappeared, replaced instead by images of Oinari’s messenger, the magical shape-shifting fox (kitsune 狐). Here the symbolism is two-fold. First, rice
is sacred in Japan, closely associated with fertility (the pregnant earth) and with sustaining life. Inari and ... Click for details
A stunning pear-shape ikebana basket woven with loose, hexagonal open work and tight mat-plaiting. Bundled bamboo strands are wrapped along the lip to form its double handle. Incised signature of Zenunsai on the base. This basket is in very good condition with only slight wear consistent with age and use.
Height: 19.5”
Taisho/Showa Period, Japan
A superb hanging bamboo ikebana basket of lobed, oval form carefully woven in herringbone design with vertical inserts, its rim intricately braided. A braided silk cord is attached to the body with metal clasps formed as plum blossoms. This ikebana basket is in very good condition with only few signs of wear commensurate with age.
Length: 10”
Late Meiji/Taisho Period, Japan
Worn gilt over thick copper pair of Buddhist ritual vessels, one with a single spout and movable handle, the other with double spouts and a long footed handle bisecting the middle opening of the container, the design has etched bamboo, pine, cranes and turtle on body, the handle has
scrolling vines done with impressed dots, the traditional stylized crane of the Nichiren sect is on the medallion. Edo Period, (1604-1868). Size A: 8.5"H 5.75"D 8.5"L Size B: 4.5"H 10.5"D 18"L
Japanese antique standing figure of one of the Seven Lucky Gods, Jurojin. He is depicted as an old man dressed as a scholar, he leans on a long staff to which a roll (makimono) is affixed, he bears a very sweet but solemn expression, made of pewter, comes with burl wood stand, Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Size with base: 12" high x 6" wide.
Highly unusual shrine with the image of a horse looking back. The horse has a ‘brocade’ cover over his back and is standing behind a mesh wire fence, the way they would be kept in temple compounds. Polychoromed wood with some gold details. The roof of the shrine is a separate piece. Japan, Meiji period, 19th century.
Height of zushi ca. 7.8 inches (19.5 cm).... Click for details
A spectacular, sculptural ikebana work by contemporary bamboo master
Yufu Masataka, its four feet square-plaited with slim strips of bamboo.
The striking plaiting used on this basket, of thick slats of bamboo
together
with bundled strips entwined with vines and bamboo rope, defines this
great artist's signature "yatara"style. Fluid irregular plaiting forms its tall,
elegant loop handle, a dramatic touch to an already remarkable
example of the fine art of ikebana. The grea... Click for details
