Considered auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune; foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or koma-inu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling the doorways of shops, and protecting public buildings. Here we have a fierce guardian adorning an incense cady (kogo)...

This is an antique Japanese 3 section Isho Kimono Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Each section interlocks by way of a dual carrying handle/locking bar connection. Constructed using Japanese straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. The top section features a shelf for additional storage while the center section has three Kimono trays behind the front doors with two large drawers for additional storage in the bottom section...

An antique Japanese low Tansu with two full width Kimono storage drawers made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware with Warabite handles. Unique scalloped lock plates decorate the drawer fronts. Straight dovetail Japanese joinery with hardened wooden nail construction...

An antique Japanese low Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original iron handles on upper sliding doors. A pair of large sliding doors allows for spacious storage. Originally used in Japan as a kitchen chest for the storage of dry goods and cooking/serving ware, it would function well as a buffet or sideboard chest.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920).

Dimensions: 47 3/4" Wide by 31" High by 14 5/8" Deep

A fine pair of matching square bowls on raised foot. Decoration: the inside, in the centre a gold takamaki-e medalion with a raised design of a couple of Reshiki stems in shakudo and hirame, on red ground, rim decorated with cloud pattern in gold on red lacquer...

An antique Japanese Mingei folding ladder made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Used by a landscaper or gardener for pruning Bonsai trees, large shrubs, or fruit trees. All through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery for strength and durability. Folds flat for easy storage. Timeless architectural design reminiscent of Kyomizu Temple in Kyoto.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920)

Dimensions (Opened): 21 1/2" Wide by 34 5/8" High by 24 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Cha Kobako (tea storage and serving box) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Upper open shelf for serving dish storage. Lift-out door behind which tea, teapot and teacups were stored for serving guests. Bottom drawer was used to store serving accoutrements. Lucky carved Pine motif representing longevity on either side of the chest.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 14 3/8" Wide by 12 5/8" High by 12" Deep

Antique Japanese lacquer suzuribako decorated with a pair of deer in raden (shell inlay) and lead on a black lacquer ground. The box opens to reveal a writing set including a lacquered copper rectangular water dropper, an ink stone with brush rests on either side against a background of black lacquer with Rinpa style gold maki-e designs of curling plant fronds.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" long x 9 1/2" wide x 3 1/4" high

Antique Japanese cast iron figure of Bishamonten, chief of the Four Heavenly Kings and guardian of the north. Dressed for war, he stands on the back of an evil spirit. He holds a club in his right hand in association with his role as guardian. In his left hand, he holds a small pagoda representing the divine treasure house alluding to his association with wealth and good fortune...

Bertha Boynton Lum (1869-1954)
Kites
Date: 1912
Size: 14.375 x 8 inches.
Pencil signed and copyrighted 1913 by the artist.
Edition: "197" noted at lower right.
Reference: Gravalos/Pulin No. 29.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Wrinkle in lower margin. Paper at a back margin.
"..the wind fills them up till they look like fish" - Bertha Lum: American Printmakers, (Smithsonian)

Kanban or shop sign. The sign indicates that the store would sell or manufacture ornamental pin holders for the oars on a boat (ireko), in the shape of dolls. According to the sketch pasted to the back of the kanban, this holder is mounted on the oar and is placed over a pin mounted on the boat edge. The oar pivots around that pin, so that the oar moves the boat through the water.

The pin holders are decorated as a male and a female doll in court style, their mouths wide open...

An antique Japanese Mikawa Maneki Neko also known as a beckoning cat made of clay and natural pigments. Beautiful aged patina and natural wear over its 100 years of providing luck and happiness. With its raised left paw, it is beckoning customers, friends, family, guests and good luck for its owner...

No discussion on 20th century Kyoto ceramics can skip over the importance of the Kyoto Shi Tojiki Shiken-sho ceramics research facility at which all the luminaries studied and laid the foundation for a number of the early Living National Treasures...

Antique Japanese large bronze vase with double coils on each side. This design is reminiscent of Chinese Han dynasty blackware pottery amphora with the same motif. Dramatic scale and clean lines.

Age: Taisho Period, Deco Era circa 1920's/30's

Dimensions: 12" high x 18" wide x 12" wide

Daruma standing tall, wrapped tightly in his garment, the tips of his feet just peeping out. This pose is associated with the episode in which Daruma travels to China, crossing the river Yangzi, while standing on a reed.
The figure was molded in a cast in two halves and joined before firing. A hole in the back functions as a vent and prevents the statue from exploding while fired in the kiln.
Stoneware with gomma...

An antique Japanese Ikebana basket in a Cornucopia open flared mouth design tapering to a four post square base. Finely woven using a two tone caramel colored split bamboo with binding weaves forming frogs and turtles. Each post has inset caterpillar weave and the base has a cross slatted split bamboo that was signed by the artist. The handle is comprised of three delicate bamboo branches each of differing sizes representing a child, an adolescent, and an adult...

A Chinese style celadon vase by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. Sozan spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Souther Song Dynasty as evidenced here with the powdery blue “”kinuta”. The outer ring of the foot is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay this piece is constructed from and the glazed center bears the seal of the Imperial Court Artist who fashioned this piece...

Antique Japanese ikebana basket. Woven of split bamboo in a round, footed form. The handle is made of a piece of bamboo that has been carefully curved to give the whole basket a lovely hourglass shape.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 16 1/2" high x 7 1/2" wide