HAIL LOTUS SUTRA

Edo period, Japan. H 13.5 cm (5.31in).

Aged wooden 'Butsugu' as a gold-foiled Buddhist altar equipment, similar to a presence like 'ikon' (Western religious painting on panel) of traditional Japanese Buddhist art piece. The seven kanji characters written in Indian ink pronounced as "Na-m-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo" as a whole mean "I devote myself (embrace) to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra."...

DESCRIPTION: A handsome Japanese hibachi, crafted from a section of kiri wood (paulownia wood) with rounded body and lacquer floral designs. Inside is the original copper liner where coals would be placed for heating or keeping a tea pot warm. Two large peony blossoms are lacquered in gold and orange on the front, with smaller leafed branches on the reverse. Paulownia wood is very light, fine-grained, and warp-resistant, and is often used in Japan for chests and boxes...

HOLES AND GEARS

Set of a reeling machine's bangboard and gears made of wood. Showa period, mid 20th century, Japan. Board: 26.5 x 16cm (10.43 x 6.29in), Large gear: D 12cm (4.72in), Small gear: D 5cm (1.96in)...

HORNED TRAINEE MONK

Details unknown, but I think he must be a very great old man, since it has remained for long years until today as a wood carving statue. Edo period, 19th century. approx...

Finely carved mask, with strong features and delicate painting meant to enhance the strength of the character it represents. The character depicted here is of Hashihime. The mask is made of wood, its eyes are made of metal. The mask is signed. Japan,Taisho and Early Showa Period (1912-1945). Height: 20.8 cm. Very good condition. NOTE 1: The most famous hashihime story comes from Tsurugi no Maki, in The Tale of the Heike, and is retold in the noh play Kanawa...

An amazing small wooden figure covered in with glass eyes made in the hyper-real likeness of a Rakugo-shi Comic storyteller, dressed I traditional Hakama trousers and seated on a large cushion clutching a fan in his right hand. It is 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall, while the cushion upon which he sits is 19.5 x 15.5 cm (just under 8 x 6 inches) and the figure is in excellent condition. There is what appears to be a signature on the bottom; Ta?Saku...

An absolutely wonderful Japanese antique doll of child. Each piece independently moving head , angles feet, arms and hands. Very finely hand carved and painted with stunning original pigment. Realizing and original glass eyes with sweet expression, wearing beautiful silk kimono Edo Period kimono (in great condition).

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimension: 18" high (standing)

A long bamboo incense case with dark wood lid carved exquisitely with blossoming lotus and calligraphy. The deteriorating leaves rise from the bottom, blossoms spreading their petals to the sun. Above three lines of calligraphy descend to meet like the squirreling rays of late summer light. The piece is 20-1/2 inches (51.5 cm) long and in perfect condition, enclosed in a cloth sack and kiri-wood box...

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...

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.

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

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...

Japanese antique Baku carving for temple. The mythical creature, part lion, part elephant with clouds represents the beast that devours dreams. Carved from one solid piece of sugi (cryptomeria) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 52 1/2" long x 9" high

Antique Japanese carved bamboo kakehana, wall vase for flowers. This section of bamboo has been carved with the figure of Quanyin (Kannon). The Goddess of Mercy is seen floating amidst storm clouds, ribbons of lightening streaking across the sky around her. There is a small rectangular hole in the back of the vase so it can hang from a hook or nail in the wall.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8" high x 2" wide

A Japanese bamboo pipe case with a cut relief design of a bearded old man with a fan, Okina from Noh play, Meiji period. Length 9".

Antique Japanese biwa, a plucked string lute instrument. Made of hardwood with kiri (paulownia) wood front, inlaid with bone and bamboo details. The four strings (missing) are struck with a wooden plectrum. This instrument is often used in narrative story telling. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, the goddess of music, eloquence, poetry and education.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" long x 12" wide

Japanese boxwood okimono of family of 5 octopi surrounding two octopus-catching jars. The bottom contains a signature and kao (a unique signature) by Masanao. Age Meiji period (19th century). Size: Length: 3.25" Width:2.8" Height:4.26"