Japanese antique samurai kura horse saddle. Carved of wood and lacquered black with shell inlay covering the maewa (front arched plate) as well as the shizuwa (rear arched plate). The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands). The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo) and are slotted for stirrup straps (chikara-gawa or gekiso) to pass through. Obscured signature on the bottom...

Antique Japanese Kasuga-dōrō 春日灯籠 stone lantern carved of granite. The hexagonal umbrella (Kasa 笠) roof has squared corners and the central light box (Hibukuro 火袋) is carved with a small round window, an opening in the front and one in the back. The tall post sits on top of a lotus base. Kasuga-dōrō like this one are named for the similar lanterns that line the path to the Kasuga shrine in Nara...

Antique Japanese Tanegashima long matchlock rifle. The entirety length of cast iron barrel is decorated with mixed metal inlay of birds and flowers, an unusual motif for a rifle. The gold mon is of the Kobayakawa clan, a powerful samurai clan with close ties to the Mōri family.

Guns were first introduced to Japan during the Sengoku era through the Portuguese in 1543...

Japanese inkstand (suzuribako) in lacquer (urushi). Decor on a spangled background (nashiji) of a lakeside mountainous landscape treated in relief (takamaki-e) flat silver powdered details (hiramaki-e) and mosaic (kirikane ) gold and silver. The rocks are particularly well treated. The interior is decorated with a rich nashiji background forming scrolls of mist and flowers in relief. The suzuribako is complete with its original simple and gilded copper stone and dropper...

Small octagonal hard porcelain vase. Decor enamelled with a landscape fenced with hedges of dry branches, there are a prunus, a pine and on the ground young bamboo shoots which would signify the symbolic presence of the "three friends", on the collar is represented a Ho-ho (phoenix) which in Japan symbolizes the Empress. Some details are gold. The style is kakiemon but this small vase is atypical. It is difficult to date and also to locate with precision...

Exceptional tripod censer in hard porcelain with a polylobed shape. The censer in the shape of a flattened melon with twelve slices, each decorated with a dragon painted on top in green, manganese and yellow enamels. Below Makuzu Kozan has chiseled his signature in relief which is very important, in fact it is much more complicated to chisel in relief than in hollow...

An original pair of plaster Japanese Inari temple foxes. Crushed oyster shell finish with mineral paint detailing in traditional Shinto colorways : orange, purple, green. Each of the foxes has a soft pink underbelly. Wonderful original and complete condition...

An antique Japanese Shibayama Cabinet in 2 sections used as a display Tansu. A center mirror is surrounded by beautiful ornamental hinged and sliding doors revealing a story of ancient Japan with a Nobleman and his servant, a Samurai warrior with his apprentice, a crane keeper letting his birds free, flowers and birds. Sliding and hinged doors open to spacious cabinets with drawers used for additional space. Fine filigree work depicting Chrysanthemums among an arabesque pattern...

A fantastic, extremely rare and important Edo Period Daki Ningyo, with a fine shibori outer kimono, and a red chirimen silk crepe inner kimono with a fawn-spot pattern. Featuring a beautifully sensitive life-like face. Looks wonderful in a seated or standing pose. All aspects of this Daki Ningyo are of the finest quality. We are confident that you have never before seen one of this age and quality offered for sale. Height: 25 inches, 63.5 cm.

Striking large Japanese ceramic Tokoname jar, wonderful irregular shape, large kiln fragments, thick ash glaze with unusual subtle blue and yellow striations, Momoyama Period (1573-1615). (The Tokoname Kiln is considered one of the "6 Ancient Kilns" and was located at Tokoname on the Chita Peninsula, bordering Ise Bay.)

Size: 181/2" high x 17 1/2" wide x 17" deep.

Momoyama Period (1573-1615)

Wonderful antique Japanese okimono of the mythical characters Ashinaga and Tenaga. The two friends live on the beach and survive on fish. Tenaga catches them with his long arms while sitting on the back of Ashinaga who wades out into the water with his long legs. Carved with great detail and whimsy out of boxwood. Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 14 1/4" high x 4 3/4" wide

Mayumi Oda. b. 1941 in Tokyo. "Chant of the Ocean Nautiles" and "Chant of the Ocean Conce" two complimenting artist proofs woodblock prints with gold and white ink printed in black paper. 17.5 x 25.5 inches and 29.25 x 42 inches with frame. No condition problems to note. According to her own biography Mayumi Oda is known to many as the ‘Matisse of Japan’, Mayumi Oda has done extensive work with female goddess imagery...

Eight lobed inlayed Japanese lacquered dish. Each lobe is decorated in makie, the flora and fauna of the four seasons with archaic designs set in between. The central area of the dish is depicting a female figure holding a lotus with a child attendant holding a bouquet of lotuses. The bottom is crafted in the nashiji style with a signature set in a medallion motif reading: Kaneko Zo, or Produced by Kaneko. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter 8.25" Height 1.5"

Japanese antique scroll painting of a praying mantis and blossoming chrysanthemums, painted in mineral colors on paper, beautiful detail and color, some minor losses, charming subject matter, Rimpa School, Edo Period, attributed to Ogata Korin. Total size of scroll: 62 1/4" high x 21 1/2" wide (19 1/2" wide not including ends). Size of art: 32 1/4" high x 14 3/4" wide.

Antique Japanese bronze with gilt traces Quanyin statue, standing on a lotus pedestal.She holds a bottle in her left hand and a seashell in her right hand. With remnants of lacquer and gilt pigment.

18th century or later.

Dimensions: 12"H x 4" W x 4" D

Japanese hirado ware porcelain figure of a tiger. With fully hand-carved fur pattern, whiskers, a wide grin with front fangs exposed. The tiger is glazed in white with the pupils of the eyes left buff. The four paws of the tiger have been hand-sculpted with the toes and claws on the bottom of the figure. The bottom and nostrils of the tiger are pierced through for air to escape during firing.

Published in:
"Hirado Ware, by C. Philip Cardeiro, pg. 75, published by Art Asia Muse...

A rare antique Japanese Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron hardware. Double side by side upper drawer design sometimes considered the matriarch pattern among Sendai Tansu collectors. Beautifully poised Shishi or Botan (Peony) motif on all of the lock plates with unusual scalloped cast framing surrounding each image. Warabite handles with incised Chrysanthemums along the bottoms of each...

Rare lacquer box with nashiji background. Gold lacquer decoration in relief of pavilions in a lake landscape. Kirikane gold and silver, pine needles in yellow metal inlaid in high relief blackened by oxidation and dirt. Early Edo period, late 17°or earlier. Inside there is a tray. 18 x 10 x 8cm. A broken and badly glued interior edge (visible on photo). Sold as is, never restored nor cleaned. No lack. Very good condition considering the venerable age.