Antique Japanese full length tanegashima rifle with working original matchlock mechanism. Made of burl keyaki hardwood with original lacquer finish. The hand forged iron barrel is inlaid with a 3/4 length silver dragon swirling through clouds. Original decorative brass fittings with auspicious animals such as fu-dogs, birds and flowers. Unusual silver inlaid stripes on the mouth of the barrel.

Comes with custom iron stand to aid in display...

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)...

Antique Japanese unusual funa tansu (funa-dansu, ship merchant's safe box). Rare side-by-side configuration with a safe on the right and a compartment with sliding panels on the left. The right side safe box opens with a hinged door heavily decorated with iron work. A ivy leaf in circle mon (Itowa-ni tsuta) in the center with a ring for opening and a fan motif on the lock itself. The interior has 3 drawers in a vertical row, all with square handles and the bottom drawer with a lock...

Very rare antique Japanese cross and Buddha made of cast iron. Extremely unusual as most pieces at this time where in bronze. This is a secret object of the Kakure Kirishitan, "Hidden Christians", devoted Japanese members of the Catholic Church who went into hiding during the beginning of the Edo Period. Brought to Japan mostly by the Portuguese, the practice of Christianity was forbidden when Japan closed itself off to the world in the early 17th century...

An antique pair of medium sized bronze Japanese temple lanterns each comprised of three sections with hinged door for access to the interior. Original beautiful patina consistant with age. Sturdy and overall great condition. Would do well inside or outside and could command a presence in any garden setting.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Each 36 3/4" High by 14" Diameter

An antique Japanese temple carving of a flying dragon protecting a sacred Hoju while flying through the tumultuous clouds. Hand carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Beautiful three dimensional high relief detail.

Age: Edo Period, circa pre 1850s)

Dimensions: 53 1/4" Wide by 26 1/4" High by 5 1/2" Deep

Golden cranes soar among clouds etched into the surface of this solid silver Japanese hanging incense burner (Tsuri Koro) dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. Inside is an ash-cup suspended in a triple-hinged gimble which keeps the ash pot upright no matter the angle of the ball itself. On the side is impressed the official Kokuin which reads Jungin (pure silver). The cranes have a soft golden sheen and are likely gilded or damascened with gold...

An antique Japanese Tohoku Todana Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original wiped Urushi lacquer finish. With two sets of vertical ribbed sliding doors, the upper section has triple level storage and the bottom section has a split level storage separated by shelves...

A beautiful antique Japanese Sendai Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Mokko handles. The lock plates feature a center design of the original owner's family crest with scrolling Peony buds that represents wealth and prosperity. The security door hides three smaller drawers that was used to keep valuables and important documents. Beautiful natural wood grain throughout...

Currently awaiting an uncertain succession to the 14th generation, this preeminent line of craftsmen has been a cornerstone of Hagi pottery for over 400 years. Here we see an historically important work by the second generation potter dated to the Japanese Era “Kanbun” (1661-1671)—placing it as a very mature work, completed near or at the very end of the life of this craftsman...

Chinese antique porcelain vase with another vase inside. The inner vase spins allowing the decoration to be admired through the many round windows in the the wall of the outer vase. Decorated with famile verde glazed bands depicting landscapes, flora, figures and fish.

Age: Qing Dynasty (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 15" high x 8" wide

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...

Rare maedate (frontal element of the Japanese helmet) representing a Ho-oh (phoenix). The bird is in cut, embossed and chiseled copper. Red oxide patina, gilding and silvering. Metal maedates are very rare and almost always made of iron. The most common, without much interest, are made of wood. This one is an exceptional model in terms of material, quality, interesting subject matter and the shape elegantly occupies the allocated space...

Exceptional example of a very old Japanese bronze. This type of lacquered bronze of the best quality is extremely rare. We only know a handful...

Japanese antique black and gold lacquered kanban (shop sign). Decorated with unusually beautiful calligraphy advertising cosmetics with words like 艶 tsuya "luster/gloss/sheen" and 白粉 Oshiroi which literally means "white powder"; the powder foundation worn by kabuki actors and especially by geisha and their maiko apprentices. The area of the nape of the neck was covered with oshiroi white powder leaving only a swallow-tail area near the hair line bare, an erotic feature specific to geish...

Box (Kobako) in lacquered wood powdered with gold (nashiji) decoration representing Daruma (with cut eyelids), face in red lacquer (cinnabar), eyebrows in silver powder and transparent eyes (crystal, glass or mica?). Daruma stands in front of a circular opening in old cracked walls. Its silhouette stands out against a background of rich kinji lacquer. Daruma wears a meditation robe lacquered in relief (taka-makie) with gold dust. The interior and the underside are richly decorated with a gold mo...

Rare antique Japanese large kuruma tansu, wheeled storage chest. Made with keyaki (elm) wood on the front. The sides and back are reinforced with hinoki (Japanese cypress) slats. The upper portion of the chest has three full-width drawers held shut with a locking bar (bo). The lower portion has two medium sized drawers also held shut with another locking bar. On the lower right hand side is a safe box with a hinged door (with key) which opens to reveal 3 small interior drawers. The hardwa...

Cast bronze warrior with multiple patinas, partly gilded. The samurai, wielding a naginata, fights furiously. The artist may have wanted to designate here the Japanese medieval hero, Miyamoto Musashi because the latter fought bareheaded and during the fights his hair electrified by fury stood on his head. History teaches us that he would have triumphed in 60 duels during his life as a swordsman. Good condition, original gilding and patina. The spear blade appears to have been broken and welded ...