Wooden sculpture of an old man and woman taking a break from the rice harvest. They are sitting on an elevation. He is preparing his pipe, taking tobacco out of his tonkotsu. She is getting out a lunch box and two tea cups, while the tea kettle is at her feet. Behind them a sheaf of rice and two sickles. Perhaps a modern reference to Jo and Uba, the old couple on the island Takasago who symbolize longevity...

A man-headed snake coils atop this incredible mid Edo period (18th century) image of Benzaiten (Saraswati) inside a mountain shaped reliquary of dark wood. Inside the gilded cave she sits on a gilded lotus base. The figure holds a variety of sacred implements in her 8 hands. Riding on the benevolent figures head is the snake seated behind a Torii-shaped Crown settled between two Buddhist jewels...

Snake carved out of a natural piece of twisted keyaki (paulownia) wood, stained dark brown. Japan, Showa era, perhaps a bit earlier.

H ca. 24 in.

Excellent condition.

A pair of Japanese wooden carvings of the Nio, or wrathful guardians to the Buddha. While Buddhism beliefs are typically pacifist, the Nio justified physical force in order to defend against evil and are usually found on either side of a temple door. The Nio called Misshaku Kongo or Agyo keeps his mouth open to represent the first sound in the Sanskrit language "a", symbolizing birth and overt violence...

Japanese Edo period carved wood polychrome and gilt Buddhist figure in the form of Bishamonten, one of the Guardian Dieties of the Four Directions (representing North). A protector of the Buddhist faith, Bishamonten is clad in armor and holds a stupa believed to carry the ashes of the Buddha, and by extension, the teachings of the Buddha. He is depicted standing on a gilt base atop a lion-type creature to symbolize the subjugation of evil in the world...

Antique Japanese keyaki (elm) wood temple carving of a fu-dog. Beautifully carved with mane of swirling curls and mouth full of sharp teeth, this fierce guardian would have once graced the eves of a buddhist temple roof. Edo Period. With contemporary black metal stand. Size: 15 1/2" high total (10 1/2" high not including stand) x 15" wide x 7 1/2" wide.