Here is a rare Jizai mantis. It is by an artist named Tomiki Munenobu, one in a line of artists carrying on the Myochin style of metalwork. Teh piece likely dates from somewhere in the later Meiji, 1890-1910. Life-size, it is roughly 3 inches long, the same height and in fine condition. It is as found, not yet cleaned or tampered with. The head is mobile; the thorax with retractable arms and folding wings...

A very beautifully rendered Japanese treasure ship with intricate details that are just amazing, this large cast iron antique is lacquered with the 'old red' traditional lacquer that can only be found on your older Japanese antiques. Its function is rare as it doubles up as a censer, fine slit holes are found in the front and backsides of the sail, allowing a fine mist of smoke to create an allusion that the ship is sailing through a fog...

This pair of Japanese handmade long square cut nails are 5" long and appear to have never been used. The nail heads are solid and shaped into a hemisphere. The silver colored decorative metal escutcheons have scalloped edges and markings to represent a flower. The escutcheons are just under 1" in diameter and have a squared center hole which exactly fits the nail shank.

A pair of lacquered iron abumi (Japanese stirrups) decorated in fine gold and nashiji (pear skin) lacquer on a roiro urushi, black lacquer ground. Each carries a Tokugawa aoi crest (three hollyhock leaves in a circle) within scrolling leaf background, the bottom constructed with wood pieces within an iron frame which made it lighter, thus gave a better control. Edo period (17th/18th century).  9" high, 5 1/4" wide.

Rokkaku Roukaku Sansui (Fine Hexagonal High Building) Japanese Garden Hanging Lantern of Iron and Sheet Metal with a lovely Cicada on the roof hoop, symbolizing Summer and the brevity of life, reminding the garden stroller to cherish each moment. A rare and unusual Edo Period example for the collector of exceptional pieces. 14 inches (35.5cm) high x 11 inches (28cm) wide.

Yukumi Gata Toro (Lantern for View of Floating) that was used near water. Iron and Sheet Metal with a very rare Double Roof design. The door panels are in the shape of bamboo trees, the ancient Japanese symbol of resilience. A rare and unusual Edo Period example for the serious collector. 15 inches (38cm) high x 10.25 inches (26cm) wide.

Yukimi Gata Toro (Lantern for Snow Viewing) that was used in the winter. Iron and Sheet Metal with a very rare Double Roof design. A rare and unusual Edo Period example for the serious collector. 12.5 inches (32cm) high x 10.25 inches (26cm) wide.

Pair of Japanese antique chrysanthemum shaped slider pulls for tansu hardware, large size, radiating petals cast of iron with separate copper oval shaped pull in center, Meiji Period. Total size: 4 5/8" high x 4" wide Size of oval inset: 2" high x 1 5/8" wide

Antique Japanese extremely fine articulated dragon, made of individually cast and incised segments of iron, shakudo eyes, every piece moves, very realistic rendering of a small dragon, body swivels and twists, head stays up on its own accord, so well executed it seems living, beautiful condition. With original tomobako signed, "property of (Emperor) Tsuchimikado, dated Tenai Geddei 31, c. 1781. Attributed to Myochin the famous armer maker...

Antique Japanese iron sake server or sakatsugi. The body contains an image of a turtle, a symbol of longevity and used in festive and auspicious occasions. Next to the turtle, although hard to see, is a signature which reads Tosa no Kami Mitsusada, who was a painter from the Tosa School (1738-1806). The image on the sakatsugi is possibly based on a painting by the artist and was incorporated into the design...

Refined tetsubin cast from iron with a bronze lid with a flower motif at the base of the lid's handle. Age: Taisho-Early Showa Period (1912-1920). Size: height 9.5" diameter 6.75"

A hand forged Uchidashi Iron votive tablet in the form of a Shojo sake sprite knocking back a massive cup. It is 84 x 58 cm (33 x 23 inches) and in fine condition, enclosed in the original black wooden frame. Uchidashi is a technique of hand hammering shapes and images into iron from behind, and is highly valued in Japan, a land where metal was extremely scarce and hand formed from iron ore up to the Meiji period. This dates from the 19th century.

A Japanese iron garden lantern often referred to as a toro. Often these lanterns are placed within a garden setting to guide guests towards a tea house or an entrance to a building. The iron lantern contains a short inscription with the date when the piece was made (first year of Taisho, 1912) and that the lantern was made by Yojiro. Age: Taisho Period Size: Height 19" Diameter: 18.5"

Wonderful Japanese figure of the Buddhist deity Bishamonten (Hindu name: Vaisravana), made out of iron. Bishamonten is cheif of the Four Heavenly Kings and is the guardian of the northern direction (in Japan he is one of the Seven Lucky Gods), he holds a small pagoda in one hand symbolizing the divine treasure house, whose contents he both guards and gives away. Signed by the artist: Seiun. circa mid 1930's. Size: 25" high x 12" wide x 9" deep.

Japanese iron lantern that comes in four pieces: The base, which stands on three slightly curved legs, the caged middle with a hinged door, the lid, and the finial on top. Size: 13.5" height, 12" width

Japanese stunning cast iron Choshi (Sake kettle) from the Edo Period around 1750.

It is designed with a great relief, showing an Ebisu. Ebisu, also transliterated Yebisu or called Hiruko or Kotoshiro-nushi-no-kami, is the Japanese god of fishermen, luck, and workingmen, as well as the guardian of the health of small children. He is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, and the only one of the seven to originate purely from Japan without any Hindu or Chinese influence...

Charming and life-like set of iron crabs and one lobster. Crabs are two separate sizes, one large and one small. Beautifully made, this adorable set adds an oceanic feel to any home, garden, or office. Dimensions: Large Crab- 13" from claw to claw, 12" Tall Small Crab- 11" from claw to claw, 7.5" Tall Lobster- 9" Tall, 12" Long

Antique Japanese fireman's pick axe (tobiguchi), made with a hardwood handle with iron bars and ring, an iron axehead and secondary tool at the bottom of the handle with a nice, aged patina. Edo period (1615-1867) Size: 23.5" length, 4" axehead