Large toad in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, in Japanese sugi).
Black and gold painted glass eyes.
In the Japanese bestiary, the toad has a special place, carrying positive values. The toad as well as the frog, both called Kaeru (蛙) return every year and regardless of the distance to the pond where there were born. The word kaeru is a synonym for "coming home". It is the protective animal for travelers and the symbol of hospitality...

OKAME

Plaster mold for making *Okame mask, Showa period, 20th century, Japan, approx. 21 x 18 x 6cm (8.26 x 7.08 x 2.36in), in actually used condition as is. Not stands on its own...

Peacock in cast bronze and partially gilded shakudo in 2 shades of gold. Japanese work in the style of Miyao around 1900. No signature. Hardwood and boxwood plinth.Good condition, no welding and original patina. Very slight wear, insignificant for a century-old object. The body of the peacock is raven wing black which suggests that it is in shakudo which represented a significant additional cost, the shakudo alloy being obtained by adding gold to copper. Total height about 16cm.

A fine deep grey Saji river stone in the form of a miniature mountain landscape with high peaks and deep ravins; looking from the front and back sides there is a long passage in between the peaks, completely natural! The stone has a perfectly fitted rosewood base, daiza. Suiseki are highly appreciated for their aesthetic or decorative value in Japan but also by collectors in the western world...

A masterpiece by one of Japan's preeminent artists, Seiko Sawada b.1894-1988. This signed piece was executed out of keyaki wood in his younger days in the 1930's depicts Ebisu, one of the seven lucky gods, riding a fish and a wave spouting out of the fish's mouth. Daikoku, the god of abundance, is riding his treasure bag holding his hammer of magic. The Sawada Museum is in Atami, Shizuoka. Sawada was awarded the Order of Merit in the 1970's.

CANDLESTAND

Old Japanese mingei wooden shokudai (candlestand) that applies the original spiral form created by natural forces to its main body attaching with pedestal, Taisho-Showa period, 20th century, approx. H 41cm (16.14in). Expected aged deterioration as is as seen...

Japanese bronze bull with signature by famous artist.

Age: Japan, Showa Period, Early 20th Century
Size: Height 11.2 C.M. / Width 7.5 C.M. / Length 18.3 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall. Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.

SUISEKI, KAMUY KOTAN STONE

Kamuy kotan stone from the canyon called ‘Kamuy-kotan’ (‘Whereabouts of God’ in the Ainu language) in the western part of Asahikawa city in Hokkaido, Japan. Supernatural black creation as the God (‘Kamuy’=’Kami’) itself with no processing by human hands, except attached with a footed wood stand as an Art of Japanese ‘Suiseki’ (specifically called ‘Chusho-seki’ (Abstract stone)). Size including stand: approx...

Chiseled wood sculpture representing a sitting hare.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old...

Sculpture in chiselled and stained wood representing a hare lying down.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old...

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...

Polychrome lacquered wood sculpture of a tanuki dressed as a pilgrim, carrying its baby on its back. Their eyes are in horn.

The tanuki is a kind of racoon dog which is part of the yôkai (spirits) of Japanese folklore. It is endowed with magical powers: it can metamorphose and take many different forms. This spirit is a symbol of luck and prosperity...

Chinese Qing dynasty lacquered wood guardian figure standing on a square base with arms raised and his left black boot resting on a thin circular object embedded in the square platform. He is dressed in elaborately decorated animal head armour painted in red, blue, and black polychrome pigments with fine gilt highlights. 15 7/8" high. 19th century. Sturdy and in very good overall condition...

FOOT IN GETA

Anonymous vintage wooden sculpture of a right foot wearing geta (Japanese wooden sandal), Showa period, 20th century, Japan, approx. H 25cm (9.84in), thinly with varnish-like coating all over surface and gold paint only on the top surface...

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 sculpture of a monkey with shakudo eyes. Sitting, he is contemplating or examining attentively a small turtle placed on his right hand, held with care. The latter is removable. The monkey's eyes seem to be illuminated by what he is observing through the shakudo (copper alloy typically containing 3-7% gold, mainly used for its black-purple lacquer-like patina).

In Japanese art, there are many representations of monkeys (paintings, sculpture, ceram...

An antique Japanese Kannon Bosatsu (Kwan-Yin, Guanyin) large Buddhist wood statue. Depicting the Goddess of compassion, mercy and kindness she hears the suffering souls of the world using her hands to help save them through their misfortunes. With Amida Buddha atop her head overseeing and assisting her actions, she has 11 heads surrounding her crown to hear those in pain and suffering. Her manifestation of 20 hands and arms occurred when her two arms broke apart in trying to help all those in...

An incredible and massive Japanese Buddhist Temple Ranma (transom) carving of a crouching Shishi (Fu Dog) under an overhanging pine tree flanked on both sides by exaggerated Peonies. Beautifully hand carved with great detail. The pine tree represents longevity while the large Peonies symbolize an abundance of wealth. The frame and carving both are made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Very good original condition.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 94" Wide by 27 1/2" High by 4" Deep ...