Among popular Japanese symbolic animals are frogs. There are many species of frogs in Japan as a result of flooding rice fields in Japanese agriculture. These creatures are often used in poetry and art, and are sometimes carried by travelers to make sure they return home safely from their journeys. The word "frog" in Japanese means "return" which is why the frog is considered a Japanese lucky animal and seen as good fortune in things returning...

A whimsical Japanese boxwood carving of a toad, with inlaid eyes, crawling atop a functioning cylindrical box carved of bone. The box is hand-carved with flying insects and leaping frogs in a lily pond, the base carved with a floral band. Signed by the artist.

Dimensions: 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 6 3/4" H

Antique Japanese boxwood okimono of swimming carp fish with sinuously shaped body and realistically carved scales and details. Lovely soft patina of golden brown color. Good condition.

Age: Meiji Period circa 1900s
Size: 14"L 4"H 4"W

Antique Japanese wooden bowl carved in the form of a wide lotus leaves. On the inside of the bowl, a frog with turquoise eye climbs the stalk of a lotus blossom. Two more frogs cling to curling leafy edges. The underside of the bowl is carved like the underside of a lotus leaf including it's spiraling stalk.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 12 1/4" wide diameter x 3 1/4" high

Antique Japanese tobacco pouch and matching pipe case, each carved with an octopus. The pipe case is made all of boxwood and holds a tobacco pipe made of bamboo with silver and mixed metal fittings. The matching tobacco pouch is carved of kiri wood in the form of a fisherman's basket with a lid made of of boxwood and carved in the form of another octopus. Both practical and whimsical.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Pipe case: 8" long...

A Japanese boxwood okimono depicting Okame, a figure from Japanese folklore known for his cheerful smile. The figure of Okame is depicted smiling, in an elegant pose while she holds her clothes in her hands and holds a carved fan in her right hand. The fan, a symbol of sophistication in Japanese culture, adds an element of beauty. Boxwood is a precious and versatile wood...

Sagemono complete with wooden tonkotsu with applications depicting different insects in the Shibayama technique, black stone ojime and horn netsuke. Tonkotsu, made of wood, is used in Japanese culture to contain tobacco dust, flavorings or medicines. A group of insects are depicted in great detail on the surface of the tonkotsu, including butterflies, a cricket, bees, a ladybird and a dragonfly...

SEATED BUDDHA FROM KYUSHU

First half of Edo period (1603-1868), Oita, Kyushu region, Japan, approx. H 53 x W 29 x D 20 cm (20.86 x 11.41 x 7.87in). Carved from a single wood (though with the insertion hands), with slight remains of original paint (so possibly it will comes off little more) and aged cracks (but it's stable and won't splits more)...

Antique Japanese carved wooden panel depicting a pair of pheasants. The male is seated on a blossoming cherry branch while the female looks up at him from near a spray of bamboo. Beautifully carved and painted with intricate details. The frame is lacquered.

Age: Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 22" high x 16" wide x 1" deep

A carved wood figure of a wandering priest, robes billowing in the wind, his large straw hat full of holes, signed Yasuchika on the back. Dating from the late Edo to Meiji period, it is by a member of the Tsuchiya Yasuchika lineage. The figure is 31 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition, complete with walking stick.

Ivory okimono depicting a fisherman returning on his journey, carrying on his back a basket on which his child is resting and holding a large fish. The woven basket, the ropes, the engravings on the clothes and the hands were made with great precision and care. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 24.5 x 10 x 6.5 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Japanese noh theater mask of a woman, carved with pierced eyes, mouth, and nostrils for the wearer, as well as two pierced holes at the temples to be secured against one's head. Lacquered in flesh tone, black hair and blackened teeth and eyes, red lips, and black lacquer interior. With kiri (paulownia) tomobako, inscribed with the name "Zouonna".

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

It was carved by a late Meiji period (1868~1911) artist Tozan (東山). It depicts a smiling wood cutter taking a break and tying his straw sandal lace. A sparrow is resting on his straw hat. It is 6 1/5" high, 3 7/16" wide (from the bottom) and 3" thick (from the bottom). Aside from two hair line cracks; one on his back head and one on the bottom, it is in great condition.

An antique pair of architectural corbels of mythological elephant baku’s are commonly placed under the eaves of Japanese Buddhist temple and Shinto Shrines to ward off evil spirits. The baku devour dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The baku cannot be summoned without caution, however as ancient legions say that if the baku is not satisfied after consuming the nightmares, he may devour ones hopes and dreams...

A very large mask of heavily carved wood covered in black lacquer with golden eyes dating from the mid Edo period (18th century). There are minor losses to the lacquer on the cheeks and along the edges typical of age. It is 37.5 x 30 cm (14-1/2 x 12 inches) and is in overall fine condition.

Japanese antique okimono carved of boxwood in the form of a lovely lady standing with an octopus. A whimsical scene with the lady holding the "nose" of the octopus who in return is sneaking his tentacle up her kimono. Wonderful attention to detail can be seen in the weaving of the basket behind the two figures as well as in the suction cups of the tentacles and the fashionable Edo Period knot in the woman's long hair. Unsigned. Edo Period. Size: 2 1/2" high x 2" wide.

An antique Japanese Kanban signboard of a Sake (rice wine) brewery maker. Hand carved out of a hardwood and finished in a gold gilt with black lacquer in the back. 2 stylized opposing birds and an arrow hitting a bullseye target decorate this sign that was made to depict a celebratory sake cask.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 24" Wide by 25" High by 4 1/4" Deep

This very old breed of dog has been around for more than a thousand years. It has a long history of being a companion dog and it shows in its friendly and happy nature. The Hinoki wood carving of the Chin is in a full, round, recumbent pose with detailed rendering of its distinctive long coat; Its face painted with lacquered eyes and his red painted expressive tongue. The carver also rendered the Chin's compelling paws...