An antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Ninoki (Cypress woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles. In 2 sections, the upper portion has three sets of sliding doors with storage space behind each and 3 small drawers to the right with 5 side by side drawers along the lower part...

A rare and fine example of a Japanese Nihon Matsu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Honoki (Magnolia) and old growth Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Early merchant chest configuration featuring a pair of sliding doors above, a large storage drawer in the center and a pair of sliding doors below hiding small drawers, a secret box and a storage space for merchant books and records...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with bronze sliding door handles and Warabite style drawer handles. 3 sets of sliding doors each set progressively larger with removable shelf behind each set. Side slats provide strength, stability and visual architectural design...

Height: 21.5 cm (8.7 in)
Width: 10 cm (4 in)

Quality pair of Japanese hexagonal Satsuma vases; finely raised gilt decoration of individuals in rural settings; gilded diaper-work to the rims; marked on the base; good condition

A beautiful original large Buddhist temple sitting lantern called Koshi Tsuridoro. These lanterns are placed in front of the entrance to the temple itself. The verdigris copper and wood construction is decorated with 8 panels of scrolling arabesque designs of lotuses. The front pair panels are hinged and they are secured with a lock and sliding flat pin.The diminutive transom panels of swirling cloud cut-outs sets the square domed roof on 4 piers...

Antique bronze sculpture of a male lion. Standing with head raised, he lets out a roar. Beautifully rendered with naturalistic details especially in mane and face. Signed with a raised cartouche on the underside of his belly: 誠谷作 Seiya saku "Work of Seiya". His full name is Genryūsai Seiya (源龍斎誠谷) and he was the master craftsman of a studio specializing in high quality wares for export...

Antique Rare Ainu woven pouch, created by the indigenous people of northern Japan. The Ainu are well known for their especially beautiful attusi garments made of woven elm bark. This rare pouch is made of a variety of natural fibers, with reinforced corners and edges. The detailed patterns of the Ainu were past down through generations of women and were believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits. This pouch is beautifully constructed with another smaller woven pocket on the inside...

Edo Period (19c) Yusai Awazu Brown Glaze Chawan formerly in the collection of Nishimura Toshimichi.
The mark Awazu is stamped at the bottom.

Yusai Awazu (1770-1848) was a government official in Inaba Province, an old province of Japan in the area that is today the eastern part of Tottori Prefecture, in the late Edo period.

He was from the house that served as Toneri (servants for imperial house and aristocrats) for generations, and was a disciple of Suehiro Unge in Hig...

An incredible and massive Japanese Buddhist Temple Ranma (transom) carving of a crouching Shishi (Fu Dog) under an overhanging pine tree flanked on both sides by exaggerated Peonies. Beautifully hand carved with great detail. The pine tree represents longevity while the large Peonies symbolize an abundance of wealth. The frame and carving both are made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Very good original condition...

Antique Japanese Tansu Chest Nambu Kimono Chestnut Meiji An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu (chest of drawers) from the Nambu region made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the three dimensional style lock plates and top drawer handle backplates of which Nambu is known for having created. The handles are of the Warabite style and the lock plates feature floral designs...

A Very rare example of an antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest) made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova), Kuri burl (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original iron hardware and translucent Urushi lacquer finish. Sliding doors hides a large storage space with a small drawer tucked away. Below are three side by side drawers for additional storage. Side slats provided strength and durability to the chest during moves while providing a Japanese visual design element...

Mid Meiji black lacquer gold maki-e borders document box. Features three raised gold designs with very fine details and Japanese characters. The has a gold sprinkled nashiji interior. In excellent condition, it measures: Length 10-1/8" x Width 3-3/4" x Height 2-1/8". Circa 1890. More photos available upon request.

Antique Japanese small kodansu (jewelry box) made of silver and incised with fans decorated with waves, birds and flowers. Two hinged doors open to reveal 3 small drawers, lacquered black and lined with green velvet.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 3/4" high x 4" wide x 5 1/4" deep

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...

A rare example of a Japanese bamen, samurai horse mask. Hand carved of wood to resemble the face of a dragon, this bamen was worn to express the power and prestige of the horse's owner. Custom fabricated antiqued bronze finish, ready to be enjoyed.

Age: Mid to late Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 11 1/2" high (14" high on metal stand) x 6" wide x 7" deep

A breathtaking pair of 19th century (Meiji period) sake cups decorated with hawks stored in silk pouches and enclosed in a red lacquered period wood box. In the basin two hawks, one perched in a pine accented with inlayed mother of pearl, the other soaring high overhead, are depicted in minute detail in raised gold designs. Opposite waves crash over rocks speckled with solid gold lichen. The cups are 10.5 cm (4-1/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.

Antique Japanese pair of koro (censers) made of bronze. The round, facetted body of each koro stands on 3 small legs in the shape of leaves. The lids are similar to fans with the openings between the ribs made in an open fashion to allow for the escape of incense smoke. Each with a deep black patination.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 5" high x 4" wide each

An antique Japanese 2 part Usubata in bronze featuring a Minogame (age old turtle) base. Mounted to the shell is a flanged cloud rendering with four terminating columns that undulates to a removable wide rim water receptacle. Artist signed at the base of the receptacle. Beautiful craftsmanship including the fine stimple work to the underside of the turtle.

In Japan, the turtle is a good luck animal symbolizing 10,000 years of long life. It is considered the chief amongst all shelled c...