Unusual Japanese wood carving of a figure, appearing to be a foreign man, who wields an axe head. The figure is seated, kneeling upon a jagged throne. The patina of the carving shows remnants of old lacquer.

Dimensions: 7.5" L x 5.5" D x 11" H

A Japanese Buddhist temple wall carving / transom, with red and gilt lacquer pigments. Carved with the image of an instrument against a ground of heavenly clouds. Professionally framed to be mounted and displayed on the wall.

Dimensions: 42.24" L x 27" H

A boxwood sculpture of the elephant deity Shoten embracing the female Kangiten. In Esoteric Buddhism, they signify matrimonial peace and bearing of offspring. Shoten is derived from Ganesha and is regarded as a wild one. Kangiten is an incarnation of the Eleven Headed Kannon. She appeases and converts him to Buddhism. Shoten and Kangiten are usually kept in a closed shrine as "secret sculptures" or Hibutsu (because of the sexual allusion)...

Rimpa paint on Hinoki wood carving of Daruma. With polychrome hooded robe, decorated in tessellating pattern of gilt dragon mon and scrolling clouds on red ground. His face is painted in a fleshy tone, with painted mustache, beard, and exposed chest hairs. The iconic eyes are reverse painted glass. He stands on a blue ground painted cloud platform.

Late Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 15 3/8" x 10 3/4" x 29" H

A diminutive carved wooden Shishi, used as architectural elements placed under the eaves of Shinto and Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Carved Hinoki wood with glass reverse-painted eyes. Mounted on custom steel metal display stand.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8.5" x 7.5" x 4.25". Mounted on a step metal base 5 x 7".

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"

An antique Guardian mask used to ward off evil hand carved from a rough slab of hardwood. It is 14-1/2 inches (37 cm) tall and in fine condition. Usually hung under the eaves of a house, it shows weathering typical of age. Late 19th to early 20th century.

A Japanese Buddhist temple wall carving / transom, with red and gilt lacquer pigments. Carved with the image of an instrument against a ground of heavenly clouds. Professionally framed to be mounted and displayed on the wall.

Dimensions: 32" L x 27" 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)

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel is carved with a crane flying through pine trees. The crane, as well as the pine, are both symbols of a long and healthy life.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 14 3/4" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel is carved with a hawk (taka) on a pine branch. This motif in Japanese art is called "matsutaka-zu".

Dimensions: 67 1/2" L x 1" D x 14 3/4" Height

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...

A beautiful stand mounted Japanese architectural (corbal) carving of ocean waves. One of this detail and design would have been built into the architecture of a temple. The carving is highly stylized with large openwork areas. The Keyaki (zelkova) woodgrain is visible on the reverse of the carving. Mounted on black iron plates.

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 32" L x 3 1/2" D x 17 1/4" H, 13" H carving only

Unique Japanese Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood kanban shop sign carved to resemble a calligraphy brush, with black, beige, and red pigment lacquer, hung by an iron hook and chain, with two character shop name carved in front of the brush handle. Original finish and patina consistent with age.
Hand forged 200 year old Japanese Iron mounts included with sale.

Early Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36 1/2" L (46" L w/ chain) x 4" W

Beautiful hand carved Japanese wood panel with stylized openwork carvings of various scrolling chrysanthemums and peonies. Each flowing one to the next layer out longitudinally on a single slab of wood. Hand chisel marks visible on the reverse of the panel. Ready to be wall mounted. Very good original condition. Natural finish consistent with age.

Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 39" L x 4" x 6" H

Antique Japanese ranma (architectural transom carving for over a door). Made all of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, this carving is a rare beauty in it's detail. A cross section view of a gnarled plum branch in bloom along side a stand of bamboo. The straight leaves of the bamboo contrasts sharply with the curving tendrils and round blossoms of the plum tree...

Pair of beautifully hand carved dragon temple corbels. Each is made of solid keyaki hardwood and hand carved with great detail. Original pigment can be seen highlighted in red, gold and black tones. Each dragon is twisting and swirling both looking in different directions. These would have originally been mounted up high within a temple shrine...

An expressive frightful yet humorous yamaneko cat (tiger) perched on a natural jagged boulder. Hand carved of boxwood with eye detailed in bone. Very well carved with fine details. An Okimono may be a small Japanese carving, similar to, but larger than netsuke. Unlike netsuke, which had a specific purpose, Okimono were purely decorative and were displayed in the tokonoma.
Original hand worn finish in excellent condition...