Antique Japanese shinto shrine mirror. The central motif has a turtle and two cranes beaks meeting in the center. The background has pine trees, paulownia, plum, and bamboo branches with a turtle walking along the shoreline. The characters under the heavens, are marked under the central turtle.
There is a large sixteen petalled chrysanthemum above the turtle...

Antique Japanese shinto shrine mirror. The mirror has a central motif of a turtle meeting the beaks of two cranes. Three baby cranes and a small turtle walk along the beach. The three auspicious symbols of pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms invoke the island of longevity, horaisan. There is an inscription to ward off calamities. This mirror would have been placed on a wooden stand at the entrance to a shinto shrine for the visitor to see their reflection as they entered. Edo period, (c1800)...

Antique Japanese shinto mirror, tenka ichi. This mirror has a tassle tied through a turtle. The central motif is of a turtle over bamboo meeting the beaks of two cranes. The birds and turtle are on a beach with pine trees and bamboo bushes. This mirror would have been placed along with three others at the entrance to a shrine for those entering to see their reflection as they entered. Made of bronze, Edo period (c1800).
It measures 4 5/8" by 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese bronze Bishamonten or guardian. Taisho period, 1912-1926. The Bishamonten is the protector of Buddhism, distributor of treasures and wealth and protector of warriors. He is the Shitenno guardian of the north, of riches and scourger of evil doers, and healer of illness. The Shitenno are the four heavenly guardians that protect the Buddha and his attendants. There is a seal on the base reading Nobu. It measures 38" tall.

Antique Japanese Meiji period, 1868-1912, bronze cast deer. The deer is lightly walking across a surface. Excellent naturalism. It measures 10" long 6" tall.

An elegant rendition of the famous Rimpa Crane standing alongside a swirling river of silver created by Shoun for the Shobido Art Studio enclosed in the original wooden box. Extremely well crafted, the creature stands 11 inches (25 cm) tall and is signed Shoun Saku. The black lacquered table is 18 x 13 inches (45 x 33 cm) and is in fine condition.
Shobido has been commissioning works with first rate artists and craftsmen for its own facilities and top Department stores since 1900...

Antique Japanese bronze usubata made of woven bronze. An usubata is a floral arranging container for ikebana. The base is made in the form of an open weave bamboo basket with a six point star pattern. The top is a close weave. The handles are bamboo branches with leaves climbing over the basket. Meiji period 1868-1912. It measures 12" wide 11" tall.

Rare large pair of beautiful original Japanese bronze temple lanterns with gilt highlights. A Sasarindo crest on the section where the light would be placed; the Sasarindo is the bamboo leaves and gentian flowers crest of the Minamoto clan.
The doors are fully functional. Each lantern is made of 6 individual cast bronze sections. A pearl in a flame sits on top of each lantern. Two very intricate dragons wrap around the lanterns. There are abundant motifs of dragons, flames and clouds...

Japanese Buddhist devotional plaque made of bronze with design of lotus blossoms and braided cord tied in a bow. This keman would have hung in a temple as an offering for the Buddha. Age: Meiji Period (19th century). Size: 14.50" high x 10.25" wide.

A dramatic pair of Japanese okimono fighting cockerels, using the shokado method: mixture of bronze, gold and silver. The birds have naturalistic plumage and the fierce intensity of their fight is captured.

The artist has used this same technique in crafting a superior samurai sword onto this beautiful sculpture. The intertwined gestural pose of each bird gives the viewer the sense realism and drama of a cockerel fight...

A bronze brazier, also known as a hibachi. The workmanship of the brazier is intricate with one side showing a motif of Chinese stye lions mingling among peonies and the other, geese flying over reeds in a marsh. The sides are demon or beast like shaped heads with an insert to put rings to decorate the piece. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter 8" Height 13.25"

A pair of bronze temple lanterns with a cross pattern design in the section where the light would be placed. The pair may have been used in a small shrine within a temple altar complex. Age: 20th century. Size: Height: 15" Diameter: 8.5"

Antique pair of dramatic bronze censers, each with a warrior seated on top, the surface of each censer is decorated all over with ornate damascene (metal inlay) patterns, standing on four feet on stand inlaid with dragon, each leg is inlaid with the face of an oni (demon protector), each warrior sits on a rocky outcropping with hidden holes to allow incense smoke to escape dramatically around the figure, Meiji Period...

A large bronze sculpture in the form of a censer decorated with auspicious motifs, cranes, and scrolling clouds. The lid has a small sculpture of Shoki, the demon queller standing on top of a rock with crashing waves. The side of the censer are two dragons staring at the central figure. The bottom of the censer is held up by four spirits known as shojo, known for drinking large amounts of sake and often seen in Kabuki and noh plays...

Antique Japanese bronze and mixed metal vase with a beautiful and highly raised design of blossoming magnolia branches and a small bird, great details, late Meiji Period. Size: 7" high

A simple bronze with mixed metal applied to the surface utilizing the method known as zogan where gold and silver is used to apply the decoration and is fired on the surface. The motif is a plum branch with a bird known as an onagadori which is similar to a rooster, but is a distinct bird found in Japan. Piece is signed by Mitsufune. Age: 20th century/ Diameter: 2.25" Heigh: 6.25"

The subtle pair of Japanese bronze vases with the detailed work done of motifs of lotuses, herons, and carp fascinate the eyes. The gold metal are arranged to show the changes in color of the lotus leaves and to bring forth the beauty of the lotus blossoms. Work is signed by Miyabe Atsuyoshi who was active during the Meiji period and paved the way for contemporary Takaoka Bronze. Age: Meiji Period Size: Height: 5" Diameter: 2.75"

Pair of bronze vases with mixed metal inlay of motif of herons perched and flying near a willow tree. The vase contains the inscription: Dai Nippon Kyoto Ju, Ikkodo Bunryu Atsuyoshi. Trans: Residing in Kyoto, Japan Ikkodo Bunryu Atsuyoshi followed by a kao or a distinctive signature of the artist. The artist, Miyabe Atsuyoshi was active during the Meiji period and paved the way for contemporary Takaoka Bronze art. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter: 3.25" Height: 9.75"