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

Daruma, the patriarch of Japanese Zen standing upright wrapped in long flowing monastic robes. Tokyo School technique. Meiji period 19th century Sizes: 31 x 12 x 11 cm. Condition report: Good condition – wooden opening under the base

Antique Japanese large wood carving of a fish jumping up a waterfall. Symbolizing strength, perseverance and aspiration, the large koi moves against the raging water which crashes below in a torrent of waves. Above the falls, a calm mist swirls. On either side of the water, tufts of grass grow out of the rocks. Carved of a single enormous piece of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) wood and with traces of blue and green pigment. Finely carved with extraordinary movement and depth...

Antique Japanese carved wooden ranma (decorative transom). Beautifully carved with blossoming lotus flowers on a background of swirling water. The lotus flowers range in different stages of blossoming, a Buddhist symbol for the different stages of enlightenment. Carved of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) wood and framed in brown and gold lacquered wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/2" high x 46 1/2" wide

Wooden toad with long legs. In the Japanese bestiary, the toad has a special place, carrying positive values. Both the toad and the frog, called kaeru (蛙) return every year and regardless of the distance to the pond where they were born. The word kaeru is a synonym for "coming home". It is the protective animal for travelers and the symbol of hospitality...

Antique Japanese wood carving of a pair of fu-dogs (shishi) near a waterfall. Playfully, they chase each other over the flowing stream. Clouds billow over head. Carved of keyaki (zelkova - Japanese elm) wood with details in black and red pigment.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 9" high x 28 1/2" long

Round ivory kôgô box with shibayama technique, inlaid with gold and pewter or silver lacquer. Lake decoration in two cartouches on the side and the top of the kôgô, surrounded by rinceaux.

It could be the representation of views of Ômi, around Lake Biwa (present Shiga prefecture). The temple on the rocky mountain is probably the Ishiyama-dera, built around 762 A.D. in Ôtsu. It is part of the Kansai Kannon pilgrimage circuit...

Antique Japanese wooden temple carving of a dragon in swirling clouds. Beautifully carved of heavy keyaki (zelkova elm) wood with intricate details. The large dragon clasps the sacred wish-granting pearl in one claw. Around him are billowing rivulets of clouds. Some of the details of his face are painted with red mineral pigment and his eyes are made of reverse painted glass...

Height: 20 cm (8 in)
Width: 5.8 cm (2.4 in)
Depth: 5 cm (2 in)

Fine Japanese carved okimono of Gamma Sennin, the Sage Liu Hai supporting a toad on his back; excellent carving throughout; natural material; signed on the base; good condition

Okimono of a Chinese cabbage made in woodbox. The texture and veins have been delicately detailed. Native from China, it is an herbaceous plant of the Brassicaceae family. It is eaten in many ways in Asia: in soup, in salads, stir-fried, in ravioli of filled patties. Japon – Meiji era (1868-1912) Height: 2.4 in. (6.5 cm) – Diameter : 1.6 in. (4.5 cm)

Ivory okimono of a toad carrying an orchestra of five monkeys.
Four monkeys is playing instruments such as the shamisen (long-necked lute with three strings), the shime-daiko (small drum) and the flute. The fifth monkey is larger and is singing while holding a book in his left hand and plugging his ear with the other...

Antique Japanese bamboo walking stick. Carved with scenes of snakes chasing frogs. The frogs and snakes appear on the surface of the cane as if through holes in a tunnel. With details painted in ink and light colors. Signed by 吉明刀 Yoshiaki.

Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 36" long x 3/4" wide

Antique Japanese small zushi (traveler's shrine) with unusual scene of Buddha seated on a lotus throne which rises out of billowing waves. Below him, two lords stand on top of the water while smaller lotuses bloom around them. Carved of wood with painted and lacquered details.

Age: Edo Period (1603 - 1867)

Dimensions: 5 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide (9 1/4" wide when open) x 2 5/8" deep.

Height: 14.5 cm (5.8 in)
Width: 5.4 cm (2.2 in)
Depth: 3.2 cm (1.4 in)

Japanese okimono of Benzaiten carrying her biwa; natural material; fine carving; signed to the base; good condition

1900's Japanese Lavender Amethyst Crystal Carved Kogo Box with Butterfly

It is 1.01 inches (2.58 cm) tall by 1.85 inches (4.7 cm) wide. The box is It is 1.9 inches (4.8 cm) tall by 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) wide by 2.4 inches (6 cm) in length. It is 34.8 gram. Total weight with box is 52.4 gram.

It has inclusion, flea bite chips and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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Tall vessel of square shape, cut out of a section of a Paulownia (kiri) tree showing knots on three sides, where side branches used to be. The wood is stained dark brown. One side of the vessel is decorated with inlays/appliques and lacquer paint. The appliques colored with gold sprinkle, silver flakes and green lacquer.
A sparrow is sitting on a bamboo stalk.
Red patinated copper liner.

Japan, Taisho era, 1920s

H 11.75 x W ca. 5 x D ca...

Antique Japanese zushi shrine for travelers. Doors open to reveal Aizen-Myōō, one of the Wisdom Kings. Venerated in Japanese Esoteric and Vajrayana Buddhism, Aizen-Myōō is known for transforming worldly lust into spiritual awakening. In his six hands he hold attributes including a bell which calls awareness and a vajra which represents the diamond that cuts through illusion...

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...