Small bronze flared muzzle cannon of this type where made for shooting flaming arrows at ships. For launching fireworks at festivals and for signaling purposes. The example of cast bronze with a bore that is described as at the breach and the bore is reduced to a half round section to form a chamber for the powder mount for use.
The gun would be imbedded into a wooded block such as the lower half of the barrel and the entire breach end is covered...

Elegant Japanese bronze hanging lantern from the Taisho Period, C.1920. Each of the four panels has a different scene of auspicious symbols: bamboo, plum blossoms, cherry blossoms. On the top and base is a wave diaper pattern. Thick bronze chain is attached. 11" tall and 9" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Antique Japanese hair ornaments, Gin(Silver) Kanzashi with bira-bira danglings. This is an unusually large and heavy Kanzashi probably worn by Geisha. It was made for a very special occasion when a particularly elaborate hair style was needed. The ornaments are all made with silver and the bodies are plated on mixed metals. 16 petals chrysanthemum heads. This one is definitely for Kanzashi collector. Shorter one is tarnished more than the other

Long Kanzashi is 13" x 6"...

Exquisite dochu hand hammered copper flower vase from the famed Gyokusendo Foundry in Niigata Prefecture of Japan. Showa Period C.1960. Loveyl drip glaze in relief and in perfect condition. Has the Gyokusendo seal on the bottom and comes in the original paulownia signed wood box. H:25cm x diamete:21cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Antique Japanese gumbai, war fan. It was sued mainly as a signaling device during war. Today, they are most often seen in use by sumo referees. It measures 21.5" long 11" wide. Meiji 1868-1912. Inscribed with the Hachimandaibosatsu, in the same style of calligraphy as the Tsuruoka shrine in Kamakura. It may have been as shrine offering or a decoration in the shrine. Made of white bronze with a pewter or silver handle.

Beautiful Japanese 19th century gilt copper Keman with lotuses. This keman once hung from beams above the altar of a Japanese Buddhist temple. Traditionally, keman are decorated with floral designs originally derived from the use of flower garlands in temples in India. This keman has rare and very old blue glass beads and is remarkably intact. Translation writes that an honored donor named Demura Kojiro presented to temple in city of Wakayama in January Meiji 23 (c1890)...

An antique gilt bronze Buddhist tower finial with three pierced flame flanges richly engraved with scrolling vines mounted on a hardwood pedestal It is 53 cm tall and in overall excellent condition.

Antique Japanese okimono gilt bronze rooster crafted in the shokado method of casting comprised of bronze, gold, and silver. The cockerel's feathered body is finely chased and carved, delineating each feather with gilding and blackened patinated silver this is infused into the finish.

Detailed gilt feet, beak, and eyes using the same technique except the red lacquered Comb of the cockerel...

A beautiful Meiji period basin of light weight metal gilded with genuine gold leaf with each individual petal rising to form the fluted rim. Much worn from handling, the bowl measures 25 cm (10 inches) diameter and is 12 cm (5 inches) tall.

A 19th century (Edo to Meiji periods) gilded bronze branch bearing three golden fruits, each of which opens to reveal a small compartment. It is 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) long, 6 cm (2-1/2 inches) tall and comes enclosed in an age darkened kiri-wood box. Certainly of Buddhist connotations, it likely held some small sweets or incense.

Unusual original Japanese flint lighter netsuke. Constructed of iron and brass, this piece would have been used to create a steady fame in less then perfect conditions. The striker would create contact friction and create a spark igniting the fuel source. Firearms at this time required a flame in order to ignite the fuse. Original russet patina with all parts still intact.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Size: 2" L x 1" W x 1.5" H

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

Superb example of the famed Takaoka bronze guild. C. 1920 Taisho Period. Written on the original paulownia wood box is 'Natsume-gata' (in the shape of the tea ceremony natsume tea container). Also written is 'Enji Kabin' (Murashido flower vase). The Takaoka red hanko or seal is on the wood lid. 10" tall by 6" in diameter. excellent condition.

Ultimate iron doorknockers! Two halves of of an iron chryasanthemum, the imperial family creast, creating a full chrysanthemum with heavy iron knockers from the Edo Period, Ca. 1860. Underneath each iron ring is a kanji character: one is "Kotobuki" meaning 'long life' and the other "Fuku" meaning 'happiness.' The chrysanthem is attached to the wood by iron screws. The chrysanthem is 13" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

A museum piece. Dated Manji 2 (ca. 1659) April Auspicious Day. Large, heavy bronze shrine lantern with hoju embossed under the top petals. Beautiful diaper patterns on the panels. Originally used as an oil lamp. Very good condition. 15" wide x 22" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

A pair of art deco bronze early Showa Period Ca. 1930 hanging lanterns. 27cm tall x 20cm in diameter each. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Naturalistic crayfish made of copper from the Meiji period, 1868 -1912. The piece is unusual in that the legs, antennae, and tail move in the same way that a real crayfish moves. It is signed Shinju on the base of the body. It measures 6" long.

Antique Japanese copper hanging lamp, Meiji period, 1868-1912. This is a beautiful lantern with panels decorated with peonies in a field of arabesques. Three smaller hanging blossoms hang off the top of the lantern. The lantern has two doors that open and are fastened shut with a decorated arm. The lower register is decorated with panels incised with a repeating wave design. The feet of the lantern are petal or leaf shaped, decorated with an incised arabesque design...