Charming Japanese kanban (shop sign) hand carved from solid carved Keyaki hardwood with gold gilt lettering. Carved with the image of a snarling bulldog in red lacquer and beige pigments. Shop sign for Bulldog sauce shop.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36" L x 1" D x 23" H

Japanese okimono boxwood carving of Ashinaga and Tenaga. Old Japanese folklore tells that Tenaga (with his very long arms) would climb onto the back of Ashinaga (with his very long legs) and would work to catch fish together. Dates from Taisho Period c1920.

Dimensions: 2 1/4" x 8" H

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)...

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...

Japanese small amber carving of a frog resting on a leaf. The golden yellow amber has natural inclusions.

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

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

Pair of Architectural corbels of mythological elephant baku’s are commonly placed under the eaves of Japanese Buddhist temple and Shinto Shrines to wore 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 Japanese Mokugyo wooden temple bell, carved from kusunoki (camphor) wood in the form of a lifelike human skull. Used to accompany chants (sutras) in Taoist and Buddhist ceremonies. The base of the skull is signed "Bononshi", with matching tomobako.

Dimensions: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" x 4 1/2" H

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.

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel is carved with a landscape scene of a bride with pine trees and rock formations.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 13 1/2" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel carved with lakeside scene of pagodas in a pine tree forest.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 13 1/2" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel carved with lakeside scene of pagodas in a pine tree forest.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 13 1/2" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel is carved with a landscape scene of a bridge with pine trees and rock formations.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 13 1/2" Height

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...

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.

It was carved by a late 19th century or early 20th century artist Ryuzan (柳山). It depicts a smiling mother holding an umbrella and carrying a child on her back. It is 7 1/2" high and 2 3/4" wide (from the bottom) and 2 3/8" thick (from the bottom). It is in great condition.

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.

An unusual Japanese multi layer lacquer brush pot inlaid with three metal coins. The oil spill pattern lacquer is in hues of red, black, and beige.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

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