Because the Japanese used a minimum of furniture and usually sat on the floor, frequently an arm rest, kyosoku, was used either singly or in pairs. This simple wooden Meiji period arm rest would have been appreciated for both its form and finish. The wood was first burned with hot coals and then scrapped with the result that the softer sections of wood would be carved out more deeply. This process would leave the "wavy" sculptural pattern on the surface of the wood...

This rare and exceptional Japanese Mirror Chest of Japanese Ash and Elm with Hand Mirror of fine Persimmon and Gorgeous Brass Metalwork is from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The brass hinges are adorned with Chrysanthemums, the Japanese symbol of health, happiness and well-being. Truly a wonderful and rare piece. 14.25h x 9.75w x 9d inches, 36h x 25w x 23d cm. Excellent Condition.

Antique Japanese box with large lid, lacquered red and black with shell inlay, black lacquer mon of pine tree and writing in black, heavy iron hardware, has holes for tying top to bottom for travel. The inscription on both sides state the name of the confectioner. Trans.: Confectioners Matsuzaka Asano Rokkado. Late Edo Period- Meiji Period (late 19th century). Size: 17" high x 16" wide x 13 1/2" deep.

Meiji Period Japanese Safe with Drawers and Handsome Butterfly and Floral Metalwork. 13.5h x 12.5w x 12.5d inches, 34h x 32w x 32d cm.

Japanese antique shinto shrine, made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, wonderful details with elaborate staircase and other temple details including miniature baku, fudogs and a dragon, copper roof with nice patina, Edo Period. Size: 28 1/2" high x 22" wide x 27 1/4" deep.

Antique Japanese large kura door (warehouse sliding door), made of solid keyaki (elm) wood with red-orange finish, two heavy iron locks, Meiji Period. Size: 81 3/4" high x 67" wide x 2 1/2" deep.

A pair of hirobuta or trays used to place kimonos in, made from Cherry bark and paulownia. The style of using cherry bark to produce various objects is a distinct style seen in the Akita- Kaunodate region, where they are famous for the art. One piece contains a motif of deer and autumn grasses, while the other is a woman preparing silk fabric while staring at the moon...

An antique money box or zenibako made out of keyaki wood. The front panel detaches and back side of the board may have been used to test the brush before writing notes and documents. The bottom side of the box contains an inscription possibly the location of where the box was placed. Interestingly, on the front of the box next to the lock is a traditional logo carved on the panel. The logo is often used by merchants and often seen on door curtains to storehouses in the Edo Period...

Japanese gyosho bako or "peddler's box"/ship box, made of kiri and sugi wood, with iron hardware, handle on top, front door with a pin locking mechanism, which opens to reveal four rectangular drawers and two locking compartments, each with iron handle. Edo period (1603-1867) Size: 15.5" height, 13" width, 17.25" depth

Japanese Pine store Display shelf with one(1) drawer, Ca. Meiji, Ca. 1880, 15 1/2" high, 24" wide, 7" deep, the drawer has brass handle, and cut out shaped side panels. The condition is good.

House-shaped box with copper hinged lids. Open frame design with copper hard mounts, handles, and Keyaki wood construction. The Kandouko compartments hold the copper rectangular brazier and a square copper water container with lid, spout and a handle. Fitted with the essentials of travel for a hot drink and food. The brazier has a vent hole in the Sakura motif...

Unusual Japanese stacking box comprised of 10 shallow compartments for the storage of important documents or calligraphy implements. The edges of each compartment are reinforced with hand-forged iron plates. The tall box is held together by a long cord.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 9.5" : x 14" D x 16.5" H

Unusual Japanese Kiri wood stacking box, comprised of 9 shallow compartments for the storage of calligraphy implements. The edges of each compartment are reinforced with hand-forged iron plates. The lowermost compartment has a single pull out drawer with a kakute iron pull and lock.

Edo period

Dimensions: 18 1/2" x 11 1/2" x 27 1/2"

Antique Japanese hibachi or coal brazier, constructed of heavy Keyaki (elm) hardwood with natural burl grain in a The frame of the brazier and drawers are done in kurogaki (black persimmon wood). The copper lining with original patina from oxidation.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27 1/2" x 16" x 13 1/2" H

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the Hirute drawer handles and the Warabite carrying handle. It features unique Cherry blossom escutcheons behind the drawer handles and a coin slot at the top that drops into the top left drawer. The other 5 drawers were used to safely keep small store valuables...

An antique Japanese Yosegi Kobako (marquetry personal drawer box) from the Hakone region made of various natural colored woods with a Hinoki (Cypress) structure and drawer backs. The expert craftsmanship is quite evident by how the front marquetry design flows seamlessly across all of the drawers while the horizontal and vertical marquetry of the top and sides adds texture and dimension to the piece.

Yosegi is a centuries old traditional Japanese craft that began in the late Edo era...

Japanese Meiji period cylindrical pawlonia (kiri) wood domaru (tree-trunk) hibachi with a relief design of flowering grasses in gold maki-e lacquer and shell inlay. A gold lacquered bird flies on the back. Original copper liner. Late 19th to early 20th century. 8” high x 11 1/2" wide. Very good overall condition with only minor losses to the shell inlay.

A large presentation tray in finely carved polished wood in the shape of a rounded stump cutout. The sides mimic the knotty grain of a tree trunk. This type of tray was used to present bonsai.

Japan – Shôwa era (1926 – 1989)
Length : 15.75 inch (40cm) – Width : 9.9 inch (25cm) – Height : 0.8 inch (2cm)