Buddhist shrine containing a sculpture of Shichimen Daimyojin in sitting pose, one leg crossed over the other. She sits on the summit of mount Shichimen, one of her shoes by her side, holding a (golden) jewel in her left hand. In the right hand she hold another object, likely a key that is now missing.
Wood decorated with gold and mineral colors. Gilt metal mandorla behind her head, decorated with flaming jewels...

Small Buddhist shrine, or zushi, containing the figure of the Bodhisattva Kannon Nyoirin in six-armed form, sitting on a lotus base positioned on rocks. Kannon sits in position of royal ease, his head resting on his main right arm. In his other right hands he holds the wish-granting jewel (nyoi hoju) and a rosary of stringed beads. His main left hand rests on the lotus, while the others hold a script and a, now missing, lotus flower...

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this large contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the features of the landscape where he grew up.

Born in the port city of Shimoda, Sakiyama studied art in Osaka and then later went on to open his own kiln that he named “Hidaka” (High Sun)...

Very unusual pair of komainu or guardian dogs to a Shinto or Buddhist shrine. The lef one has its mouth open and has drooping ears, the right one keeps its mouth closed and has the ears perked up. Very fine and smooth bronze cast with rich brown patination.
Makers mark chiseled into the bottom of each lion dog. The name consists of a single character that can be read in a variety of ways: Yasushi, but also Hiroshi, Yutaka, Toru or Akira; followed by "saku" or "made by"...

Sculpture of a priest sitting with his legs crossed, his hands positioned on his knees, formerly holding a scroll and a rosary. He wears a robe, carved in low relief, with the usual square pattern in red and green typical of a priest’s robe. His face is very rich in expression, his bare chest clearly shows his ribcage.
Wood with a polychrome lacquer layer on top of gesso.
Japan, Edo period, 18th century.

Height 18.5 in., width 17.25 in., depth 12 in.

Beautiful patina...

Buddhist shrine with sculpture of the bodhisattva Myoken, deity of the Polar Star and of the Big Dipper.
He is dressed in Chinese garment, standing on the back of a kida (a beast that is half turtle, half dragon-snake), holding an enormous sword. Behind his back a nimbus with seven discs, representing the seven stars of the Big Dipper. To the left of the rock base the head of a snake pops out. (Probably a snake was wound ”around” the giant turtle and broke off...

Antique Japanese wide lotus leaf. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 20 3/4" high (including stand)

Antique Japanese gracefully curling tall lotus leaf. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27 1/2" high (including stand)

Antique Japanese tall and graceful lotus blossom. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Lotus petals are carved separately and joined. Fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27" high (including stand)

Small shrine with the esoteric Buddhist figure of the Fudo Myōō who personifies Dainichi Nyorai. He is standing on a rock pedestal – symbol of his steadfastness - with a rope in his left hand and formerly with a sword in his right hand (broken off and missing). Behind him a flaming red mandorla. The patterns on his garment and his jewelry painted delicately in gold and mineral colors.
Japan, Edo period, 18th century.

Height of zushi: ca...

Shrine with the very rare image of the death of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, called nehan-zu, and his entrance into the state or perfect peace, called nirvana or nehan. The Buddha lays stretched out on a rectangular lotus base, his head resting on his right arm. Although normally in nehan-zu one will see gathered around the bed 52 kinds of beings, human and animals mourning the Buddha, there are none present in this zushi. From the ceiling of the case hangs a curtain of sorts...

Sculpture of Fudo standing in front of a flaming halo from which three phoenix heads emerge. Fudo holds his sword in his right hand, his rope in his left. His flaming halo is curved, surrounding him in a dramatic way.
Exquisite carving in very soft wood, probably cryptomeria (sugi), lightly stained with a shade of darker brown.
Japan, Meiji period.

Height 10.6 in. (27.6 cm).

Excellent condition

Circular hand shrine, or zushi, in two halves. Inside, one half shows the bodhisattva Kokuzo carved in relief with a sword in the right (to cut through ignorance) and a wish-granting jewel in his left hand. He sits on a lotus base, placed on a rock. Details of the carving and the background painted in gold, black, red and malachite green. The other half shows a lotus pond, a rock and a cloudy sky painted in delicate lines of gold and silver, heightened with black...

Nichiren Buddhist shrine containing a sculpture of Kishimojin in demonic appearance, her hands folded in prayer...

Bronze sculpture of a pair of geese, necks stretched out. Both are abstracted into a beautiful silhouette with only the most essential lines to indicate movement and character. One goose is stretching its head towards the sky (or full moon), the other stretching its neck towards its companion.
Bronze with brown patina.
One goose signed Sou for Saegusa Soutaro
Japan, Showa era, ca. 1950s.
Geese (and full moon) are a symbol of the fall

H 12 ¾ and 6 ½ inches

Excel...

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. The granite has a blackish grey ombre patina due to its age being left to oxidize in the elements.

Inari is a popular diety associated with foxes, rice, household wellbeing, business ...

SOOTY GOD

Image of 'Hotei' (God with a potbelly who is one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck) enshrined for long years in a kamidana (household Shinto altar), Edo period (1603-1868), Japan. Made of wood but turn to be more solid like a stone due to such mature and aesthetic fumigation as is. approx. H 12 x W 15 x D 5cm (4.72 x 5.90 x 1.96in)


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Lovely maiden of bronze holding basket of sea life including octopus and walking with sandals, signed with rectangular cartouche reading 誠谷作, Seiya saku. That would point to Genryūsai Seiya (源龍斎誠谷). Realistic Tokyo School bronze dating from the Meiji Period (1868-1912). With natural burl wood base.

Size: 19"H x 8" D, stand 3.5"H x 21" D