DESCRIPTION: In Japanese lore, there are countless tales about the mischievous Tanuki, a real animal native to Japan. Masked like a raccoon but big and stocky like a badger, they are said to have supernatural powers to transform into any living or inanimate shape. Often they assume the form of a monk, as our Tanuki does here. This Tanuki okimono is hand crafted from a single piece of wood in the best of Mingei traditions...

Japanese Sushi Restaurant Plaque carved of hinoki wood with carved and lacquered characters, details of swirling carved clouds, middle with carved characters lacquered in gold, The bold lettering in the middle says: 鮨 木戸由 Sushi Kidoyosh, one at the far right, for example, it says: 堺静 Sakashizu That's the name of a wholesaler at the famous Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, so they're likely suppliers or patrons of some kind...

Pair of Japanese keyaki wood carving of the fortune gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. Ebisu and Daikoku are both known in Japan as the gods of fortune and finance. Both have been worshipped together by businesses in Japan. The work contains a signature on the back, Atsushi. Age: 20th century.Size: length: 6.5" Width: 5.5" Height 17.5"

Japanese antique burl hardwood usubata container for ikebana flower arrangements. Two tiered and with two circular openings. Beautifully natural curving form.
Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)
Size: 19" high.

A charming candlestick figure of Ashinaga, a playful spirit in Japanese folklore with incredibly long legs. His counterpart, Tenaga, is the long-armed spirit who would ride on Ashinaga's shoulders and, working together, they would catch many fish from the ocean. Ashinaga is hand-carved with adorable features.

Size: 4.25" L x 3.5" D 16" H

An incredible original and rare 16th Century Gagaku Karasu Tengu ritual mask dating from the Muromachi period in Japan. Hand carved out of a single piece of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Finished in its original black lacquer, the extremely old reddish pigment is still visible. Well carved with nice detailing, the Karasu (crow bird) is depicted with a round food offering in its beak...

Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from hinoki wood on both sides with a scene of a twisting pine tree. Framed in natural, unfinished hinoki wood. The carving is unusually detailed. This architectural detail would have been built into a Japanese home usually over a door or window.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (earl 20th century)

Dimensions: 84 1/2" long x 17" high x 2 1/4" deep

Japanese temple carving depicting a dragon (Ryu) and a tiger (Tora), with background of bamboo forest and blossoming plum branches. The dragon is a sacred creature representing great power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy. The imagery of the dragon fighting the tiger is symbolic of the opposing forces of yin and yang.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" H x 16" x 2 1/2"

Antique Japanese large carved wooden tray, natural form and curled edges reminiscent of a lotus leaf, beautifully sculptured, late Meiji/early Taisho Period. Size: 24 1/2" wide x 15 1/2" wide x 1" deep.

Antique Japanese carved wooden figure of a fu-dog (fu-lion) guardian. Traces of paint and gold guilt remain. The underside has writing in ink and a translation which reads: "This pair of Foo-lions was donated to the gate of Myoken Nichiren Shrine in Noma village of the province of Sesshu (near Osaka) on the date of 9th May, 7th year of Genroku ra...

Pair of Japanese antique hibachis. Round in form and carved to appear as if made of woven basketry. Spilling over the rims and made to look as though bursting forth from holes in the baskets are plump clusters of grapes, vines and leaves. The "basket" portion of the hibachis is lacquered a deep red while vines and leaves are lacquer a dark green. The grapes a lacquered a deep red. There are metal inserts for coals and ashes...

Fabulous celebratory Shinto Shrine gable carving Ca. 1850. Carved from keyaki wood, the sixteen petal chrysanthemum is the crest or mon (紋) of the Japanese emperor and is often seen displayed on Shinto shrines throughout the country. This chrysanthemum is framed by a 'Noshi" a celebratory wrapping for gifts. This carving must have been for a new shrine. Great condition. Length: 35";H: 12"; depth: 3". Ask for shipping quote from CA.

Antique Japanese mask used in Kyogen or Kagura theater. The mask is invoking the spirit of a joyous spirit or god and often used in plays such as sambaso, a play which is often performed during New Years. Age: Meiji Period. Size: Height: 7" Width: 3.5" Length: 5"

Antique Japanese pair of wooden fu dog guardians from a temple in Kyoto. Hand-carved with charming signs of old age. One with curly mane, one with straight mane, posed in fierce protective stance. Momoyama Period (circa 1600's). Very original and Unusual. Size: 3.75" H x 1.5" L x 2.5" D

Antique Japanese hardwood ranma (transom), ornately carved with a descending plum tree (ume) branch, bearing flowers in bloom.

Size: 73.5" L x 1" D x 20.75" H

Charming Japanese kanban (shop sign) hand carved from solid carved Keyaki hardwood with gold gilt lettering. Carved with the image of a snarling bulldog in red lacquer and beige pigments. Shop sign for Bulldog sauce shop.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36" L x 1" D x 23" H

Beautiful hand carved Japanese wood panel with stylized openwork carvings of various scrolling chrysanthemums and peonies. Each flowing one to the next layer out longitudinally on a single slab of wood. Hand chisel marks visible on the reverse of the panel. Ready to be wall mounted. Very good original condition. Natural finish consistent with age.

Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 39" L x 4" x 6" H

An antique Japanese Buddhist temple ranma (transom) carved from Hinoki (Cypress) wood featuring symbols of Dharmachakra. Dharmachakra sometimes symbolizes Gautama Buddha himself. There are three wheels of life each framed with 8 spokes, representing the noble eightfold path with lotus blossoms in the center . Accentuated by kumo karakusa (arabesque clouds). Minor losses.

Age: Late Edo Period circa 1850s

Dimensions: 15 1/4" High x 60 3/4" Wide x 2 1/4" Deep