A powerful and extremely rare Japanese Edo Period Kyogen mask of a Nio Guardian King, ferocious native deities, often associated with the Naga Dragon Kings, who converted to Buddhism and now act as bodyguards for the Buddha. The Edo period was the golden age of Noh Drama. Kyogen theater was performed between Noh acts. This mask is a brilliantly carved work of art, accentuating the dramatic power of this important mythical figure...

Extraordinary Japanese Antique Bronze Vessel featuring very high relief of a Hawk, a pair of Shishi, and foliage in a classic form. Strong, naturally rendered images with a rich patina and finely rendered detail. Original gold patina. A fine addition for bronze fanciers. Edo Period, early 19th Century. 11.5 inches (29cm) high x 28 inches (71cm) circumference.

Beautiful boxwood okimono of a Hazel Grouse/Ptarmigan, native bird to Hokkaido. Feathers and feet are naturalistically rendered and delightful carved details all over. In excellent condition. Signed Ryoshun. Age: Meiji Period (c1900). Size: 3.875" height x 9" length.

Rare Japanese 7th Century Asuka Period Buddha of Paloma Wood. Beautiful patina and wood grain. The Asuka Period is known for its significant artistic, social, and political transformations, having their origins in the late Kofun period but largely affected by the arrival of Buddhism from China. The introduction of Buddhism marked a change in Japanese society. The Asuka period is also distinguished by the change in the name of the country from Wa to Nihon...

Antique Japanese standing figure of Bishamonten, chief of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno) and protectors of Buddhism. He is the distributor of treasures and wealth, protector of warriors, healer of illnesses and guardian of the north. Dressed for war, he stands on the back of an evil spirit. He holds a Buddhist staff in his right hand and a small pagoda representing the divine treasure house in his left hand. Made of lacquered and gilded wood...

Antique Japanese figure of the seated Amida Nyoria (Amitaba) Lord Buddha. He is seated on a lotus throne, his hands in his lap in Dhyan Mudra (meditation). Carved of wood with gilt lacquer and traces of pigments on the lotos throne. His hair atop his subtle ushnisha is arranged in sweeping striations instead of the tight curls more commonly seen...

Antique Japanese okimono depicting a pair of cranes on a rock. Waves wash around the rock near an ancient turtle. Made of bronze and silver with polychrome details. This sculpture is an elegant representation of the traditional longevity phrase: “cranes live for one thousand years, and turtles for ten thousand.” On the back of the rock is a large, 4-character cartouche the first part of which reads: 般若 Hannya. The next 2 characters are more difficult to read...

A symbol of longevity and hope for happiness Minogame temple party headpiece. Gilt gold embossed details over leather hide. The detailed head resembles on of a dragon. Horsehair depicts the long flowing seaweed from the back of the turtle. Condition consistent with age...

Rare and wonderful Kyogen Theater mask dating from the Edo period, the golden age of Noh Drama. Kyogen are short, humorous skits performed between Noh acts to lighten the mood. He has gold eyes with a rich red lacquer finish. Red represents both drunkenness and healing. The large nose gives a striking sense of comic drama. This fine mask is brilliantly carved, accentuating the depth of the mask, and adding a sense of comic theater. 8.25 by 6.5 inches, 21 x 16.5 cm.

Large Japanese Okimono Sculpture of Jurōjin, God of Longevity with a turtle, also a symbol of long life, and a young boy representing the beginning of life. Exquisitely carved from one piece of boxwood with a beautiful, rich patina. 15.75 inches, 40 cm. In Japan, Jurōjin is one of the Daoist Seven Gods of Fortune, or Shichifukujin. He is the God of Longevity. Jurōjin originated from the Chinese Daoist god, the Old Man of the South Pole...

Tall zushi or Buddhist temple shrine, housing the wooden figure of the standing Buddha Amida, Buddha of the Western Paradise. Both his hands in mudra. He is standing on a multi-tiered hexagonal base, decorated with flowers. His eyes inset in glass or crystal, which are hardly visible due to old layers of re-lacquering and soot.

The baldachin decorated with double family crest...

An antique Japanese large Jizai (hearth hook) used above an Irori (fire hearth) and hung beneath the house rafter to support a rope and hook or a Jizai Kagi (adjustable hook) to hold a kettle or large teapot above the burning charcoal. Carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, this sculpture epitomizes the true feeling of the Japanese word Mingei (folk art)...

They are carved from a single piece of wood. They are hollowed out on the back to probably receive a column. They had to be at the entrance of a temple and supported the portico. The wood is cracked and blackened by time. I think they are Edo period Japanese, but they may be earlier. They are two magnificent creatures with a powerful and fierce appearance. The fact that the wood is excessively weathered makes me think they were outside the temple, at the front door. This blackness of the wood is...

Dark brown patina bronze figure of a standing kappa with its right leg leaning on a cucumber. The figure is put on four-legged rattan-like bronze stand.

The kappa (河童) is a aquatic creature taken from Japanese folklore having the appearance of an anthropomorphic turtle.
His skull is either slightly hollowed out to accommodate water, from which it derives its power, or hidden with a water lily leaf hiding this sag. Naturally polite, it is advisable to bow to him in order th...

Young boy in cast bronze. The subject is treated with breathtaking realism, thoughtful expression, body movement, everything is perfect and announces one of the greatest artists of his time. Examination of the fishing rod confirms this. Indeed this rod is so thin that it could not be cast, it was made patiently with a file starting with the thin end. It is movingly realistic with the knots and twists of growth. It is extremely fragile because bronze is a brittle metal. It's a miracle if it survi...

An extraordinary early Meiji Period Bronze of a Roaring Lion. It is very unusual to see a Lion in Japanese Bronzes. It has a wonderful gold bronze patina, this great bronze signed Atsushige, a master of animal bronzes. 20 inches (51 cm) long x 10.5 inches (27 cm) high. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

A unique Edo Period Tengu (Devilish Imp) Mask with a handle in the back for use in parades. In fact, this was purchased in Japan in the 1960's directly from the parade participant who was using it, after the parade was over. A rare piece from a renowned collection. 8h x 5w x 5.75d inches, 20.5 x 12.5 x 14.5 cm. Wood with traces of pigment. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was ...

A very rare late Edo Period Iki Noh mask of Hannya, the jealous, revengeful demon who was once a beautiful woman. Carved of Poloma wood with many layers of lacquer. Glass eyes and horse hair. 8h x 5w x 3d inches, 20.25h x 12.75w x 7.5 cm.