A marine ivory okimono, depicting a Ryu dragon fleeing upwards into the clouds passing under the arm of a character sitting on the tatami. Signature 'Gekko (?) tō' 月古かたな engraved under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 20 x 8 x 6 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Height: 20 cm (8 in)
Width: 5.8 cm (2.4 in)
Depth: 5 cm (2 in)

Fine Japanese carved okimono of Gamma Sennin, the Sage Liu Hai supporting a toad on his back; excellent carving throughout; natural material; signed on the base; good condition

Unusual antique Japanese natural root burl hardwood stand with very interesting and complex gnarling growths. Very dense hardwood with dark lacquer finish. Would make a stunning stand.

Edo Period circa 1800's

Size: 9.5" H, 21" L, 20" W

Antique Japanese ranma, or transom, carved with two rabbits jumping over waves.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

50" L x 20.25" H

Antique Japanese ranma, or transom, carved with two rabbits jumping over waves.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

50" L x 20.25" H

Small antique Japanese lacquer zushi (personal shrine) with tiny carved wooden bodhisattva inside. The standing figure inside is painted black and gold. The exterior of the zushi is lacquered black and the inside is painted a deep green with delicate gold details. Tiny copper hardware.

Dimensions: 4" high x 3 1/2" wide (opened)

The Hannya (般若) mask in Noh theater represents a jealous female demon. She possesses two sharp bull-like horns, metallic gold eyes, and a leering mouth with jagged teeth. The mask is all hand-carved with open eyes, nostrils, and mouth so the Noh performer can see, breathe, and speak. There are also two pierced holes at the temples to be secured against the head with cord...

Antique Japanese small zushi, traveler's shrine which opens to reveal a seated figure of the goddess, Benzaiten. She is the guardian of the people of Japan and is considered the goddess of all things that flow: water, music, time, words, eloquence, and knowledge. In Japan, she is one of the 7 Gods of Fortune (or 7 Lucky Gods). In the Shinto religion, she is a kami (a divine being) and is often depicted with the likeness of kami Ugajin on top of her head...

Japanese 20th century carved and painted wooden rat by KATO TOMOHIKO (1938-). KATO TOMOHIKO is a NITTEN artist. Signed TOMOHIKO. Comes with TOMOBAKO, original wooden artist signed storage box. The rat measures 10" long, 3 1/4" tall and 3" wide.

A horrifying image of a ghostly apparition accompanied by a Buddhist verse engraved into this long bamboo incense container by Ishii Matetsu. It is expertly crafted. The verse reads:
Katsu!
Dokusei Dokushi Dokko Dokurai
The literal translation sounds quite cold, but in Buddhist teaching it means: We enter the world alone; we depart it alone. Do not depend upon others for your happiness, rely upon yourself and live your life in your way to the fullest...

Ivory okimono which portrays an affectionate scene of daily life: a father holding his child in his arms while holding the toy desired by the child. The okimono is signed Tomokata under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 17.5 x 6.3 x 5.3 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Ivory okimono depicting Hotei, one of the seven Sages of Good Luck. He is depicted smiling and sitting on his sack, while he holds the stick. Next to him there is a child who hugs the end of the sack. Signed Tomihiro under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 5.5 x 17 x 4 cm. State of conservation: Very good

A unique hand split bamboo basket in the shape of a natural double gourd. Wild gnarled wisteria forms a steady base while branching up and around the backside of the double gourd.

Early Meiji Period C. 1870's

14" long X 11" deep X 24" high

Antique Japanese wood carving of a pair of celestial maidens. From the group of heavenly beings known as Tennin in Japan, these beautiful female figures, Tennyo, or Apsaras, are similar counter parts to the western angel. These crowned women, floating in intricately carved swirling clouds, represent heavenly attendants of the Buddhist realm...

Antique Japanese bamboo container for flowers. Beautifully carved in high relief with a scene of a tiger in a bamboo grove. The tiger is carved with great detail and expression standing on an outcropping of rock, mouth open in a roar. The bamboo stocks and leaves around him are enormous in comparison and are carved so deeply that the branches are not attached to the body of the container in some places. Lined with a copper insert. Signed on the back: Koseki...

Antique Japanese Noh theater mask of a woman, possibly Kohime, with black lacquer hair showing three loose strands on each side, bright red lacquer lips, pale face with blackened lips and sharpened eyes. Beautifully hand-carved, with painted inscription on the inside of the mask The eye holes are carved as 16 petal chrysanthemums. Dates from early 20th century.

Size: 5.5" L x 3" W x 8" H

A wonderful Japanese burl wood carving of a man with a very expressive face with black eyes, holding two containers, most of his body retaining the natural burl form of the wood, with a wide-stance atop a larger piece of natural burl. 19th Century

Size: 16" L x 10" W x 14" H

An antique architectural Japanese Buddhist temple carving of opposing flying Ryu (dragons) protecting a Hoju (sacred Buddhist jewel) with the eyes made using the reverse glass painting technique. The detailed relief carving shows their coiled bodies circulating amongst the stylized clouds with one dragon open mouth to expel evil spirits and the other closed mouth to keep good spirits in. Their serpentine body reveals 4 appendages with classic three claw anatomy...