Antique Japanese large and deeply carved ranma depicting three sages (from left to right): Le-tieguai (with the iron crutch) , Zheng si yuan (with the tiger) and Gama Sennin (with the frog). There is much of the original paint still intact. Wonderfully carved with great detail and expression. Most likely from a Shinto temple. Edo Period (18th century). Size: 27" high x 87" long x 3" deep. (very heavy!)

Antique Japanese mokugyo, fish bell, carved of keyaki (zelkova, elm) wood with traces of red and white lacquer. This wooden temple bell was used by Buddhist priest during religious ceremonies and chants. Laid on it's side on a pillow, the bell was struck to a rhythm to match the cadence of the chant. The carving on the bell is of two fish embracing a pearl, a symbol of unity. The fish themselves symbolize wakefulness, in this case to remind the chanters to focus on the sutra...

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...

Wonderful antique Japanese okimono of the mythical characters Ashinaga and Tenaga. The two friends live on the beach and survive on fish. Tenaga catches them with his long arms while sitting on the back of Ashinaga who wades out into the water with his long legs. Carved with great detail and whimsy out of boxwood. Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 14 1/4" high x 4 3/4" wide

Japanese antique highly intricate carved boxwood okimono depicting an elephant with a group of seven children in Chinese dress, extraordinary detail, signed, Meiji Period. Size: 2" high

Japanese okimono of two Chinese lions one on top of each other carved of boxwood. No signature is found on the okimono. Size: Length:2.75" Width:1.5" Height:3.25".

Japanese pair of shrine figures depicting two Lucky Gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. On the left is Ebisu, a popular god of business prosperity and abundant crops as well as the patron of fishermen. Carved from wood, he stands with a fish under one arm and a smile on his face. On the right is Daikoku, who represents prosperity and is the protector of crops. He is the patron of cooks, farmers and bankers. Carved from wood, he stands on bales of grain with a big bag slung over his shoulder...

Antique pair of small Inari Shinto shrine foxes carved of wood. Originally painted, these foxes have acquired a deep, dark over many years. Also called Zenko, these good spirit Kitsune (foxes) are specifically associated with the Goddess, Inari.
Believed to be both messengers and guardians, Kitsune serve Inari in her role as the Goddess of agriculture, specifically rice. Part of the folklore surrounding the fox is it's ability to shape shift into a human form...

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

Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from hinoki wood on both sides with a scene of a twisting pine tree. Framed in natural, unfinished hinoki wood. The carving is unusually detailed. This architectural detail would have been built into a Japanese home usually over a door or window.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (earl 20th century)

Dimensions: 84 1/2" long x 17" high x 2 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from sugi wood on both sides with a scene of a twisting pine tree and stalks of bamboo. Framed in black lacquered hinoki wood. This architectural detail would have been built into a Japanese home usually over a door or window.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (earl 20th century)

Dimensions: 65" long x 14 3/4" high x 1 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from sugi wood on both sides with a scene of a blossoming plum tree and stalks of bamboo. Framed in black lacquered hinoki wood. This architectural detail would have been built into a Japanese home usually over a door or window.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (earl 20th century)

Dimensions: 65" long x 14 3/4" high x 1 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese ranma with wonderful large scale hawk sitting in pine tree, beautifully carved on both sides, carved of keyaki (elm) wood, Meiji Period. Size: 59 1/2" x 16 1/4" high x 2" deep.

Japanese antique burl root wood container, two carved circular areas, tall handle, made all of one piece of wood, beautiful piece. Meiji Period (circa 1900). Size: 10" high x 8 1/2" wide.

Antique Japanese set of 7 lotus leaves and blossoms. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Made for a Buddhist temple altar, these leaves and blossoms symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. The individual parts of the lotus are carved separately then joined in an arrangement. Sold separately or together. Each comes fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: range from 35 1/2" high (including stand) to 19 1/2" high.

A four panel shoji screen decorated with carvings of cranes, pine, and bamboo framed in a black lacquered frame. The screen is often seen on the side of a Japanese alcove so that the light during the day can shine in and illuminate the alcove while protecting the piece decorating the alcove. Age: Late Showa Era:1970-1980. Size: Height: 39.5" Length: 69.75" Width: 1"

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 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...