Noh Mask (noh-men), Hanakobu Akujyo (Akujou), bumpy nosed fierce old man. Besides the distinctive nose, he has a deep V-shaped crease between his eyebrows and the veins on his temples to his forehead, piercing bulging eyes, teeth painted in gold, with a tan colored horsehair beard and mustache. Not an ordinary face of an old man, he appears to possess something supernatural. This men(mask) is very lightweight. Written on the reverse side is "Hana kobu Aku jyo" in gold...

An unusual chato (tea room sword) in the shape of an octopus, its 8 legs stretched out in uniform with one curled back exposing the suckers. Eyes are intimated on one side, with an old chip where the breathing hole is opposite. About the neck is wrapped a faded silk chord. It is 22 inches (56 cm) long. It is said that these wooden swords were produced from the mid to late Edo period, in lieu of swords for those not allowed to carry weapons (all but samurai)...

Lidded crystal eyes gaze serenely down from the Rakans purchase high on the lofty temple walls. The face is expertly crafted, with a distinct Chinese air reflecting the fact the Rakan (Arahat) were all from the Continent. The robes of green, white and red are patterned with scrolling vines and dials. A dedication on back Appears to be Made for/by Konoike-mura Hachiuemon and is dated Ho-Ei 7 (1710). The new wooden base on which it stands states the piece was restored in 1993...

Perhaps the best dragon carving we have ever owned, here is a solid Keyaki carving taken from the interior of a temple with glass eyes glaring fiercely out at anyone who threatens the sanctity of Buddhism. Flames leap from the body blown by fierce winds as it rises from the Churning ocean. The carving practically roils out from the wood panel, fully in three dimensions. It is 78 x 26 x 10 cm (31 x 10 x 4 inches)...

A set of old Japanese wooden combs with a cloth comb holder. These are hair styling combs used when most women had the hairdo of today’s geisha. Each comb had a different function which was basically to comb, style and clean the hair. The combs here are all hand cut and it appears that some were added later. All combs are cleaned.

The outside of the folder is covered with a fabric called sarasa...

Wonderful large Japanese carved wooden figure of Diakuku, one of the Lucky Gods, he stands on two bales of rice and he holds a large sack on his back, lacquered wood, sweet expression, lacquered wood, this piece is 17th century. Size: 36" high x 21" wide x 19" deep.

Wonderful wooden pipe case and tobacco pouch. The pipe case contains the original pipe, made of paktong and bamboo. The pouch in the shape of Daruma,made of softwood and boxwood with inlaid mother of pearl eyes. Dimensions: pipe case L. 23 cm, the pouch H. 10,5 cm, W. 7 cm. Condition: excellent. Age: Late Edo, first half 19th century.

Japanese Noh performance mask of Ko-omote the youthful beauty, made of carved wood with painted features. Size: 8 1/4" high x 5 1/4" wide.

Hand shrine, or zushi, of the triptych type. Inside, in the middle section sits Amida Nyorai on a lotus base, flanked by Seishi and Kannon bosatsu. Inside the left panel, and inside the right panel tennin (apsara) flying over a lotus pond. Image of Western Paradise.
Sandal wood...

Japanese boxwood okimono of family of 5 octopi surrounding two octopus-catching jars. The bottom contains a signature and kao (a unique signature) by Masanao. Age Meiji period (19th century). Size: Length: 3.25" Width:2.8" Height:4.26"

Japanese okimono of two Chinese lions one on top of each other carved of boxwood. No signature is found on the okimono. Size: Length:2.75" Width:1.5" Height:3.25".

An amazing wood sculpture of a standing lady looking at a mirror while fixing her hair. Sculpture was done by Owa Sakunai (1894- active 1987) originally Sakunai was a farmer in Nagano and did sculpture as a hobby. Sakunai received the opportunity to study at the Academie Julian when he was 65 years old. After his study in France, he submitted many of his works to the Nihon Bijutsu-in exhibition. The work shown may have been submitted to an exhibition during the 1960s - 1970s...

Antique Japanese beautiful ranma (transom carving) highly carved on both front and back with a scene depicting a pair of foxes in a mountainous setting with bamboo and rocky outcroppings, carved of keyaki (elm) wood and painted in mineral colors, hardware with buddhist details, Edo Period. Size: 13 5/8" high x 75 1/8" long

A good 19th century carved and lacquered wood Noh mask representing the character role of Ko Omote (young woman). The well oxidized wood visible on the inside of the mask exhibiting the knife strokes of the anonymous artist. Generally good condition and the lacquer strong and stable. In the interest of full and detailed disclosure: Some natural age checking of the wood on the figure's left side also conveying to the lacquered surface on the face...

A very fine carved bamboo okimono, depicting a saint or deity whose ear is being cleaned by a small boy. Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912. H. 5 cm. Good condition, nice patina. The piece has some written monograms of a former owner. From a Dutch private collection.

A four panel shoji screen decorated with carvings of cranes, pine, and bamboo framed in a black lacquered frame. The screen is often seen on the side of a Japanese alcove so that the light during the day can shine in and illuminate the alcove while protecting the piece decorating the alcove. Age: Late Showa Era:1970-1980. Size: Height: 39.5" Length: 69.75" Width: 1"

Beautiful large antique Japanese ranma (transom), highly carved with pair of birds in flight and gnarled pine tree. Central carving wood is Keyaki (Elm), framing Hinoki (Japanese Cypress). Period: Meiji/Taisho. Early 20th Century. Size: 87.5" length x 18.5" width x 1.5" thick.

A hand carved antique wooden mask of Tenko or the nine-tailed Kuuko, heavenly White Fox (kitsune) which do good, wrapped in a modern silk bag and enclosed in an antique black lacquered wooden box. The mask is roughly 21-1/2 x 17 x 20 cm (8-1/2 x 7 x 8 inches) and in excellent condition. A cartouche bearing the artists signature can be seen inside the black lacquer within. The Fox has many roles in Japanese Folklore. First it is a symbol of fortune and bounty, and guards Shinto Shrines as Ina...