Japanese antique small Buddhist zushi shrine in the form of a lotus blossom enclosing a tiny figure of Buddha Amitābha. Also known simply as Amida Buddha, he stands on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Amitābha (which means Infinite or Immeasurable light) is much loved for his gentle wisdom and his all accepting nature...

A large pair of temple foxes carved from granite. The Inari foxes come complete with separate plinth bases. This pair of Kitsune (foxes) is finely rendered with ears pricked back, tail upright, with paws and hinds seated on its bases. The stone Imari foxes have bryophyte moss growth which is now dormant...

Antique Japanese small and detailed wood carving of standing Buddhist attendant figure. Gracefully positioned on a rocky out cropping, the male figure, possibly a Bosatsu himself exudes a sense of calm strength. Flowing drapery is carved with movement and intricately painted with mineral colors.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 9" high x 4 1/2" wide x 3" deep.

Antique Japanese figure of a Buddhist guardian, possibly Fudo Myoo, the Immovable One, the protector of Buddhism and true Buddhists. His stature, his curls, and his intense eyes are all traditional characteristics of Fudo Myoo. His red coloring is reminiscent of a Nio guardian. He stands on a rocky ground with one hand raised as if shielding his eyes. Carved of wood and painted with mineral pigments and gold. His eyes are painted glass...

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 sarugaku performance mask in the form of a monkey. Sarugaku, which literally means "monkey music" was one of the oldest Japanese theatre arts and consisted of many different types of performance including comedy, dancing, mime, singing and various acrobatics. The performers wore masks usually portraying human characters but this one is distinctly primate...

Antique Japanese Satsuma pottery group of three fu-dogs wrestling. Each of the three seems to be attacking another in this playful scene. A medium sized fu-dog lays with it's back on the ground, fending off the largest of the group who, in turn, has a smaller fu-dog biting his ear. The overall modeling gives off a feeling of whimsical turmoil and one can almost hear the playful snarls as they bite at each other's ears and toes...

Antique Japanese Okimono Bamboo Sculpture of a Snow Monkey Holding a Peach. Unique master carving of wonderful charm and presence with a fine patina. A must for the monkey and Japanese enthusiast. 12 inches, 30.5 cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

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 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...

Pair of Fushimi Kitsune Stone Foxes, Shinto shrine guardians have a lively and attractive appearance, red pigment to mouths. Inscription on back shows the address of the Inari Fushimi Shrine and the name of the carver...

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 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 suiseki, a stone for contemplation. The art of suiseki viewing stones emphasizes an appreciation for the natural formations. Each stone tells a story not only of it's geological creation but of it's path through time, how it has been shaped by other elements like wind and water. Viewing a stone such as this, a person can feel transported to a world where the stone is a mountain (or a sleeping dragon) and the viewer is quite small...

Antique Japanese suiseki on base. Suiseki (sui=water, seki=stone). This natural stone formation resembles a mountain and has pleasing fine quartz striations. It sits on a low wooden base.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 11 1/8" high x 17" long x 7 1/2" wide

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...

Antique Japanese tall stone sekitō (pagoda) with five tiers. Made of granite and carved in 9 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: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 101 1/2" (8ft, 5in) high x 26" wide x 26" deep

Japanese antique carved boxwood figure of Soko-tanuki. Here he is disguised as a monk with a large temple bell. The story goes that a tanuki (who is famous for his shapeshifting abilities) worked in the temple for many years. One day while he was taking a nap, he was caught in his original form. But the kind monks allowed him to stay and continue his hard work as a page in the temple.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 3/4" high (11 3/4" high with bell striker ...