An antique cast bronze waniguchi bell or gong, the type used to hang in front of places of prayer and under temple eaves dated 1710. Often these can be found hanging over saisen-bako where the bell is rung by clanging a dangling rope with wooden corbel against the bell to awaken the gods; coins are tossed and a prayer given. Anyone who has been to a Japanese Temple or Shrine may have noticed one. A much thinner cast than the later bell we are offering

A pimpled toad looks to the sky exhaling a clouded spirit, a truly superb version of this theme in deep caramel bronze dating from the Meiji period. It is an interesting theme, the ugly creature elevated to the status of saint. Judging by color and quality, we attribute this as the work of Kanaya Gorosaburo (1836-1890), a bronze artist of Kyoto fond of this color and known for his superb modeling and detail. Not always signed, Gorosabutro was often known to sign only the box...

Artist: Jun'ichiro Sekino
Title: Shono, from his monumental "New 53 Stations of the Tokaido" series (1959-1974)
Size: double oban, 21.5 x 16.75 inches
Self-published, with Sekino signature and seal. Also bears the Jun Sekino watermark.
Condition: Unframed. Pristine.
- To see the detail of this work, allow us to e-mail you a large tiff file of this image taken by Robert Watson Photography, Toronto.

Japanese scroll mounting of a Hokusai Woodblock with a peasant wood gatherer on bridge over stream, in the back ground are ducks on a pond. Censor seals 1790-1842. Size of Scroll: 51 1/2" high x 10" wide Size of Art: 19 3/4" high x 9" wide

Antique Japanese pair of scroll paintings, one with tiger in pine tree the other with dragon in clouds, painted in sumi ink on silk, late Edo Period Period, signed San'an Yamanobe Eisho with two seals. Size of each scroll: 74 1/2" high x 22 1/2" wide Size of each artwork: 38 1/2" high x 16 1/2" wide.

Exceptional quality Japanese Lacquer Cha Dansu from the Meiji period (c1900), exquisite gold on black lacquer with mountains scenes of cranes, rivers, bamboo and country house, hardware of acorns and cranes. A plus quality. Size h 23" x w 23.75" x 11.25" d

A very rare and unusual Japanese 2-panel astrology screen. The blue pigmented mica-flecked screen depicts the Northern Hemisphere and shows Hokuto Shichi Sei, the 7 star constellation or the Big Dipper which points to the North Star. The celestial chart is surrounded by calligraphy naming processional years.

Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Dimensions: 61 1/4” high x 34 1/2” wide.

Charming Sitting Oribe Fu Dog Figurine on rectangular base, flowing green and light tan glazes, Meiji Period 8"L 9.5H 4.5W, some restorations to base and Rear,

Eight Part Temple Stone Pagoda or Stupa with moss lichen marks on surface,Hokyointo Type, Kansai area, Momoyama/Edo Period 16th-17th century, representing the five elements-water,earth,fire,wind,space. Size H 75" x W 25" x D 25"

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 Funa Tansu (merchant's ship safe chest), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with beautiful original translucent lacquer finish with deep patina, heavy iron hardware including bracing on front with Kiri mon, interior with 5 small Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood drawers, Edo Period (c1850), on custom made metal stand. Size: 22 3/4" high (15" high without stand) x 13 1/4" wide x 17" deep.

Antique Japanese ko dansu, made of kiri (paulownia) wood, biraki opening doors with large kiri shaped iron lockplate, interior has 8 small drawers of differing sizes, Edo Period, with new metal stand. Size: 29 1/4" high (17" high without metal stand) x 25" wide x 15 1/2" deep.

Japanese Bronze Running Bull 16"L4"W7.5"H, Signed on bottom with cartouche and signature, very detailed modeling, base remnants of paper label, Meiji Period

Japanese Edo Period Boxwood Netsuke of Grazing Horse on base, lovely patination and soft wear. Two character signature on bottom (illegible), Edo Period. 1.75 inches long

Boxwood Netsuke of Two Monkeys on a Giant Bell scrubbing with a brush and rinsing. Well carved details to hands and feet. Meiji Period (mid 1850's). Length 1.75 inches.

Japanese Edo Period Peddlar's Box, gyoshobako, kiri wood throughout with mixed metal for original hardware of brass and iron on locks, side carrying rings, double safe compartments, with the lower inside containing a removable safe box with 3 drawers, worn condition with original finish, 11"W 19"D 26"H.

Japanese scroll painting with a figure of Manjusri in the center of a circular chart below which sits a fu-dog; the very bottom of the scroll has numerous signatures and seal marks. The waves along the border of the circle indicate that this is a Sea-Crossing Manjusri (Tokai Monju). The text within the circle indicates that the painting comes from the Matsumoto castle in the Shinano province (the Nagano prefecture in central Japan)...

Japanese Boxwood Recumbent ox netsuke, wonderful detail, especially carved fur and hooves, inlaid ebony eyes, signed by Tomokazu, good condition, Edo Period. The style of the signature indicates c1790 Kyoto carver Kano Tomokazu when he was under the tutilage of Tomotada, prior to returning to Gifu. Size L 2.5" x H 1" x D 1"