Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from sugi wood on both sides with a scene of a blossoming plum tree and stalks of bamboo. Framed in black lacquered hinoki wood. 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: 65" long x 14 3/4" high x 1 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from sugi wood on both sides with a scene of a twisting pine tree and stalks of bamboo. Framed in black lacquered hinoki wood. 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: 65" long x 14 3/4" high x 1 1/2" deep

Lovely serene buddhist Jizo bodhisattva diety with almost a knowing smile breaking. Carved out of granite in the Late Meiji Period. H:32cm; W:19cm; depth 13cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Written on the inside of the original box is the artists' testimonial to this piece. Carved by famed carver Terada Keitaro (artist name : Kei'in) when he was 71 and his retirement piece. Carved in Showa 29 (1954) he went into Ryozen-zan mountain in Shiga Prefecture and found the perfect wild mulberry wood for his final masterpiece. He states he put his whole spirit and soul into this piece. Signed and in excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Circa 1920's hand carved Japanese ivory okimono of a long tailed rooster on a wood perch. Excellent antique condition.

Superb Meiji Period c. 1900 zen buddhist temple ramma featuring chrysanthemum and leaves carved in fabulous relief. Carved out of cypress wood with gold gilt lacquer, the piece is large at 49" wide and 12" tall. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Smashing pair of zen temple buddhist cloud carvings form the late Edo Period/early Meiji Period c. 1870. Carved out of cypress wood and with gold gilt. Slight wear due to age on a couple of spots but adds character (see photos). Condition very good. One is 10" tall by 12" wide the other slightly smaller. Ask for shipping quote.

A Mingei style sculpture of a sake-sprite (Shojo) making off with a barrel of rice wine on his shoulder dating from the 19th century. This architectural work was likely originally part of a gate, and would have been a welcome sign to thirsty fellows after a day of work. Carved from a single piece of hard Keyaki wood, It is in excellent condition. 28 x 12 x 5 inches (71 x 13 x 13 cm). Keyaki as a wood is known for its hardness, beautiful grain and pest resistance.

Japanese Edo Period carved wooden mini KANNON and attendants. The carved and painted KANNON, attendants (8) and hillside are beautifully done with great detail and expression. The hillside measures 9 1/2" tall, 9" wide and 7" deep. There are suppose to be 12 attendants but only 8 remain.

From our Japanese Collection, a large and attractive pair of bamboo carvings, late Meiji - Taisho Period, depicting a continuous battle scene of fighting samurai, with some on horseback and some on foot, all well-carved and with a good patina. This pair makes a strong decorative statement. There are several age splits to the base of each piece, ranging from a half inch to an inch long, but none threaten the structural integrity...

Mingei jizai with Keyaki wood carved folding fan, hard-wrought iron chain, and a clover ring and hook. Unusual small size making for a charming sculptural item. Originally used to hold and suspend tetsubin (tea pot) over coals for heating.

Early 19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Chain hanging 35".
Fan Dimensions: 12" x 3 1/8" x 2"

Antique Japanese mokugyo, fish bell, carved of keyaki (zelkova, elm) wood with traces of red and white lacquer. This wooden temple bell was used by Buddhist priest during religious ceremonies and chants. Laid on it's side on a pillow, the bell was struck to a rhythm to match the cadence of the chant. The carving on the bell is of two fish embracing a pearl, a symbol of unity. The fish themselves symbolize wakefulness, in this case to remind the chanters to focus on the sutra...

Finely carved mask, with strong features and delicate painting meant to enhance the strength of the character it represents. The character depicted here is of Hashihime. The mask is made of wood, its eyes are made of metal. The mask is signed. Japan,Taisho and Early Showa Period (1912-1945). Height: 20.8 cm. Very good condition. NOTE 1: The most famous hashihime story comes from Tsurugi no Maki, in The Tale of the Heike, and is retold in the noh play Kanawa...

Beautifully symmetrical granite stone buddhist stupa. Late Taisho Period Ca. 1920. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote. H: 17" by W: 41/2".

An impressive magnifying glass with a carved ivory handle with 18 natural red coral beads. We believe the ivory handle to be a Meiji period Japanese parasol handle and sometime in its history converted to a magnifying glass. In very good antique condition with all beads intact, the handle measures 5 inches x 1 1/8". Magnifying glass with handle is 10.5 inches long.

Solid wooden folk art carving of a giant penis. Strapped around it are red and white twisted cotton cords (imenawash) with paper strips (gohei). Penises of this size were donated to Shinto shrines dedicated to fertility, in the hopes of getting pregnant. Or they were carried around during fertility festivals.

Cryptomeria (sugi) wood, red and white cotton, paper

Japan, 20th century

H 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)

Excellent condition

Antique Japanese ranma with wonderful large scale hawk sitting in pine tree, beautifully carved on both sides, carved of keyaki (elm) wood, Meiji Period. Size: 59 1/2" x 16 1/4" high x 2" deep.

An antique Japanese Shinto Shrine (also known as a Kamidana, Yashiro or Omiya) housing the deities Ebisu and Daikoku. The shrine was made from Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) while the deities were hand carved from Tsugenoki (Boxwood).

Ebisu is characterized by the lucky Sea Bream (Tai) fish that he holds under his arm. Sitting on a rocky shore, he looks to the water as a protector of fish, fisheries, seafood, fishermen, sea merchants and anything else that is related...