A very large pair of hardwood transom / temple architectural elements, elaborately carved with charming motifs of squirrels eating from grape vines. The carvings are deeply recessed with raised outside edges of a scrolling form. Realistic grape vines and leaves continue along the underside of each transom. Very heavy. (pictured with a tansu for scale. not included)

Early 19th Century

Dimensions : 75" L x 7" D x 19" H

Fairly large zushi hand shrine in the shape of a lotus petal. Double sided, made of sandalwood.
Inside each half is a deep relief carving of Buddhist deities. On one side the three-eyed Aizen Myoo with a lion crown, sitting on a lotus base in the clouds before a red mandorla. His six hands hold Vajra and ghanta, bow and arrow, and lotus bud and pouch. On the other side the two-armed Kannon bosatsu, holding a lotus bud in the left hand, sitting on a lotus base in the clouds...

18th century consecrated Japanese dragon (Ryu) temple carving. Its serpentine body reveals his 3 appendages with classic three claw anatomy. The high relief carving engulfs the dragon in flames. The rendering of the dragon's face exudes power and compassion.
The dragon carving was part of the architectural decoration of a Buddhist temple. It has been sanctified with sutras, located in the dragon's eye during the "Eye Opening Ceremony" (Kaigen-Kuyo)...

A pair of powerful Shishi guardian carvings dating from the later Edo period, 18th-19th century, in the Ah-Un expression (Exhaling and inhaling). Ah-Un has many allusions, it is the beginning and end of the alphabet, summarizing all in between, and is said to be inhaling good fortune, and exhaling bad. Glass eyes inset into very human faces. They are 10-1/2 inches (26.5 cm) tall, 9-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches (24 x 14 cm)...

A large architectural Buddhist temple carving of a Dragon (Ryu), with reverse glass painted eyes. The dragon clutches a smooth clear quartz crystal ball in its 3 point sharp claws. The high relief carvings show the dragon's body coiled behind clouds of smoke and waves. Dragons are the powerful embodiment of yin and yang and are seen as a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy...

A rare, large architectural Buddhist temple carving of a Dragon (Ryu), with reverse glass painted eye. The high relief carvings show the dragon's body coiled behind clouds of smoke and waves. Its serpentine body reveals his 3 appendages with classic three claw anatomy. The relief is solid keyaki "zelkova serrata" wood with the original red patina. The dragon which symbolizes the heavenly realm has control of rain, fire, and earth...

Japanese antique giver of joy diety elephants, Shingon and Tendai sects, made of boxwood male and female elephants-headed with human body holding another. Well-carved, with inlaid eyes, hollow body. Giver of joy and prosperity. Small restoration.

Edo Period, circa 1800s
Size: Height 4" Width 2 1/4" Depth 2"

A rare full size Japanese Temple gold gilt ranma. Deep hand-carved relief depicting a floating apsara with an incredible flowing phoenix tail feathers (heavenly being) amongst swirling clouds. A phoenix rising up and through the angel with its head seen leading the way.
An apsara is a female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist culture...

An dramatic pair of large Japanese golden gilt lotus flowers. Gold gilt in excellent original condition over hand carved wooden lotus flowers. Originally these would have been exhibited at a large temple. Rare to find such a large pair. Typically when found these are much smaller. Each is mounted to a matching base.

Meiji Period (1868 -1912)

26" wide X 53" High

A large Japanese wood okimono of a shishi with its puppy on a wooden base. Silk, enamel and glass eyes. Edo period 18th century Sizes: 37 x 50 x 30 cm Condition report: Good condition

Antique Japanese carved boxwood jizai-okimono of a dragon. Literally meaning "decorative object, moves at will", this jizai-okimono is made up of many separately carved moving pieces. There are differing theories about why these articulated creatures came to be made, the most accepted being that the armorers who normally created suits started crafting jizai-okimono as a way to show off their skills to daimyos in hopes of being chosen next time their armor needed to be replaced...

Boxwood Carved Mother & Baby Toad Okimono Signed, 19th Century

The toads is 2 inches (5.2 cm) tall, and 2.95 inches (7.5 cm) long by 2.4 inches (6.1 cm) wide. It is 85.7 gram.

It has surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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A Japanese boxwood okimono of a rat-catcher preparing the miso on a big bowl before catching the rat. Black horn eyes. Excellent quality and great patina. Jigaku signature under the base. During the Edo period, blind people were recruited to hunt rats. With their sensitivity and hearing, they were able to hunt small rodents. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 9 x 8,5 x 8,5 cm. Condition report: Good condition

1900's Japanese Lavender Amethyst Crystal Carved Kogo Box with Butterfly

It is 1.01 inches (2.58 cm) tall by 1.85 inches (4.7 cm) wide. The box is It is 1.9 inches (4.8 cm) tall by 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) wide by 2.4 inches (6 cm) in length. It is 34.8 gram. Total weight with box is 52.4 gram.

It has inclusion, flea bite chips and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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Round ivory kôgô box with shibayama technique, inlaid with gold and pewter or silver lacquer...

Meiji (1868-1912) Japanese Boxwood Carved Mother of Pearl Shibayama Kogo Fan Shaped Box

It is 1.08 inches (2.75 cm) tall by 3.9 inches (10 cm) wide. It is 44.9 gram.

It has inclusions, flea bite chips, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid. All you n...

A one of a kind Edo period Buddhist censer of wood carved in the shape of a Baku, a mythical creature with the ability to eat nightmares, a brass basin inserted into the back. It is 23 x 16.5 x 27 cm (9 x 6-1/2 x 10-1/2 inches) and in fine condition. There is a strip of wood embedded in the form filling a crack in the wood.
The traditional Japanese nightmare-devouring baku originates in Chinese folklore and was familiar in Japan as early as the Muromachi period (14th–15th century). A...

A large Japanese transom temple carving framed in black lacquer with gold leaf edging. Temple ranma is masterful made up of a single slab of Keyeki (zelkova) hardwood, carefully carved to reveal there central blossoming lotus flowers along scrolling vines. Original finish showing off natural patina consistent with age. Few loses that have been sorted and stabilized with old repairs done at a high level. Ready to be mounted and installed. Originally mounted within the architecture of a tem...