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...

Antique Japanese small zushi (traveling shrine). Red lacquer case opens to reveal the Buddha in the moment in which he attains parinirvana, dies and is released from the cycle of rebirth. Here he is recumbent on his side on an elongated lotus bed on a two tiered stand carved with blossoming branches and waves. The whole interior of the zushi is lacquered gold as is the Buddha while the lotus petals are delicately painted in colors with gold details...

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...

溶けた恵比寿 / MELTED EBISU

Wood carving Ebisu god image scorched and half-melted by conflagration, which turned to more fascinating abstract sculpture as the result. Edo period (1603-1868), Japan. approx. H 28 x W 22 x D 15.5cm (11.02 x 8.66 x 6.10in). Stained with its soot when touch, though depends on the part...

Japanese Meiji carved bamboo okimono figure of a standing Daruma (also known as Bodhidharma), the body wrapped in a draped robe covered in folds. A fly whisk emerges from the hidden folded arms and extends along the side of the head between one of the elongated earlobes with hoop earring and the furrowed brow. 8 3/4" high. Very good overall condition with typical minor wear. There are a few short cracks and one small chip at the base. From the Phoenix estate of a former Daruma collector.

Antique Japanese small zushi, a shrine made for traveling. Carved of wood and lacquered black on the outside, the tiny doors open to reveal the figure of a praying abbott standing on a lotus pedestal. The interior of the shrine as well as the abbott himself are all lacquered gold and he holds a tiny strand of glass prayer beads. There is a tiny metal hook on the top of the zushi.

Age: Edo Period 1603-1867

Dimensions: 4 5/8"H x 2"W x 1 3/8"D

Antique Japanese stone sekitō (pagoda) with three tiers. Made of granite and carved in 7 stacking pieces. The central square section is carved with a seated Buddha on four sides. The top spire is carved with 9 tiers between lotus petals. The surface has a beautiful patina and is covered with areas lichen and moss.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 75" high x 24 1/2" wide x 24 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese tall stone ishidourou. Made with an elegantly simplified rounded form in 6 sections. Carved of granite with natural form base. The tall domed umbrella section (Kasa 笠) covers a squat and rounded light box (Hibukuro 火袋) which is carved with a sun shaped opening in the front through to a crescent moon shaped opening I the back.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (circa 1900's-1920's)

Dimensions: 66" high x 34" wide x 26" wide (base)

Antique Japanese tall Kasuga-dōrō 春日灯籠 stone lantern. Carved of granite with beautiful lichen and age. The large gem-shaped finial (Hōju/hōshu 宝珠) sits on a lotus Ukebana (請花) atop a hexagonal umbrella (Kasa 笠) roof with upward curling corners. The central light box (Hibukuro 火袋) is carved with openwork lattice windows, an opening in the front and one in the back...

A very large example of an antique Japanese Baku corbel used in a temple or shrine. The Baku is a mythical spiritual creature which resides in the Buddhist realm. Its purpose is to devour evil spirits as well as one's nightmares. Carved from one solid block of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, this architectural sculpture has stood the test of time.

Edo Period (early 19th Century)

Dimensions: 44 1/2" Long by 19 1/2" High by 13 1/4" Deep

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...

Antique Japanese set of 13 lotus leaves and blossoms. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Made for a Buddhist temple altar, they symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. This set is especially lavish with giant sized lotus leaves and towering lotus blossoms. They fit into a bronze vase.

Age: Early Meiji period (circa mid 1800's)

Dimensions: Total size: 57" high x 44" wide

Wooden sculpture of a hare with coral eyes. In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare has 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. Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912) Height: 7.28 in. (18.5 cm) - width: 6.5 in. (16.5 cm) - depth: 13.58 in. (34.5 cm)

Polychrome bronze statuette of a group of mice around a pumpkin and a pomegranate. The five mice have a dark brown patina, while the hollowed-out gourd is dark brown and the split pomegranate is dark red.

Written in a cartouche on one of the pumpkin slices, "Shôsai Foundry" (正齊鋳, shôsai-chû).
Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 6.4 in. (16.3 cm) – width: 7.8 in. (20 cm) – depth: 7.3 in. (18.5 cm)

Bronze sculpture representing an owl on a tree stump covered with ivy. The owl, detachable from its base, has shakudo eyes. It is certainly an Ryûkyû scops owl (Otus elegans), present in the south of Japan in Ryûkyû Islands.
Red fabric glued to the base of the trunk to protect the base and the pedestal (not original).

The owl (fukurô, 梟) symbolizes good luck and protection from hardship...

Bato Kannon Ca. 1870 (horse-headed Kannon, also called Mezu Kannon), hayagriiva in Sanskrit, is one shape of Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) worshipped in Buddhism. It is one of the transformations of Kannon Bosatsu (Kannon Bodhisattva) and is also included in Roku Kannon (six deities of mercy). It has fierce expression, which is rare for Kannon. Granite stone, age wear, hands in gassho prayer mudra. Ask for shipping quote.

Wooden sculpture of a mouse on a mushroom. The qualities of wood have been skillfully exploited to signify the lamellae of the mushroom, not visible unless the sculpture is lifted.

In Japan, the term nezumi refers to both the mouse and the rat. They are considered the messenger of Daikokuten, the deity of commerce and wealth...

Height: 6 cm (2.4 in)
Width: 5.3 cm (2.1 in)
Depth: 6.3 cm (2.6 in)

Wonderful Japanese wooden okimono of a seated monkey searching for fleas; exquisite workmanship throughout; inlaid horn eyes; signed Ryomin