Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo (Boys Day) Dolls, Samurai Set. Ningyo this early almost never appear for sale, much less with accessories, as we have here with this very fine quality pair. They have finely carved faces, and are lacquered with many coats of gofun (white oyster shell pigment). They are adorned with sumptuous silk brocades and silk armor, indicative of Edo Period Ningyo artistry. Tallest Ningyo: 19 inches (48.25cm).

Feminine figures dive upwards, forming the handles on this large art-deco vase by Nakajima Yasumi II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Jundo Eikan Kabin. The vase is 13 inches (32.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition. Inside the box lid is an inscription stating it was given to commemorate the first run of a three year old thoroughbred Arabian Stallion at the Amagasaki Race course in 1958...

This is a beautiful Meiji era Cloisonne vase. It is larger than most of these intricate panel vases and stands 7 1/2 inches tall. Looks great, but does have a tiny craze line in the right upper corner of one blue panels.

Extremely Rare 18th Century Edo Period (circa 1780) Musha Ningyô (Japanese Boys Day Figures) representing the famed brave warrior, Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611), who accompanied Hideyoshi on his campaign against Korea. He is gloriously represented here, along with his attendant holding a banner of a Buddhist prayer, in this spectacular Ningyô. Kato is wearing sumptuous brocades, a black velvet trim robe with gold trim and is holding a spear with a sword at his side...

A table of turned wood from the folk industry of Korea dating from the 19th century. This is a rare find, even in Korea, where very little remained after years of warfare and rebuilding. Traditionally with four joined legs called a soban, this type turned from a roundel is quite unusual. It is 35 cm (14 inches) diameter. There are some minor insect damages.

This is one of the more intriguing lacquer objects we have owned. Adorned with maki-e Aoe (hollyhock) Ka-mon on nashiji ground (also known as the Kamo Aoi as it was sacred to the Kamo shrine), family crest for prominent daimyo families including the Tokugawa and the Matsudaira during the Momoyama and Edo periods. Even the drawer pull is fashioned as an open worked shibuichi Aoe Ka-mon with the surprise of a textured, kinko (soft metal) raised backing only if you look for it...

Rare Japanese Iki Ningyo (Living Doll) depicting a man clothed only in a loincloth, showing his perfect physique, with left arm raised and right hand gesturing his strength. Superbly crafted in the latter part of the 19th century for the export market, fulfilling the demand for Japanese “exotica”, following Japan’s opening to the West in the mid-19th century...

An antique 2 section Kimono chest (Isho Tansu) made of rare solid Kuwa (Mulberry) and Kiri (Paulwonia) woods. All original bronze and iron hardware. Two sliding doors with beautiful scrolling frame behind which lies a lift-off door, small drawer and a split level shelf with hand carved bamboo-like details. Three side by side drawers and 5 full width drawers below.

Age: Taisho Period (1920-1926)

Dimensions: 37 1/8" Wide by 63" High by 16 5/8" Deep

An exquisite sake cup from the Asakiri kiln of Akashi decorated with a verse and spray of bamboo enclosed in a period wooden box signed by Yamada Takeshi (descendant of Yamada Kikutaro, Edo period founder of the kiln). It is 5 cm (2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, likely dating from the Meiji period.

An antique Japanese rare 2 section Butsudan (Buddhist Altar) hand made with elaborate Makie lacquerwork. Upper section has two large hinged doors decorated with a blooming Peony tree. The interior of the doors each feature a Buddhist diety, one holding a mushroom scepter with a Baku at his feet and the other studying a horizontal scroll with a Shishi (Foo dog) at his feet. Below the doors are three small drawers where Buddhist accoutrements were stored...

A rare antique Japanese Hangai Tansu (captain's business transaction chest) made of Keyaki Tamamoku (Zelkova Burl) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original translucent Urushi lacquer with hand made bronze hardware. Security door with two side trick latches and a top lock and key that hides 6 interior drawers of varying sizes. The trick latches unlock by lifting the knob up and to the right for the left latch and up and to the left for the right latch...

A wonderful example of an original Japanese Armored Safe chest. Constructed of hand selected and quartered sawn keyaki (zalkova hardwood) and hand forged iron hardware / fittings. Thick hinged door opens to reveal 4 individual drawers with secret compartment located under the largest (bottom) drawer. Internal drawers are made of original light kiri (paulownia) wood.

Age: Edo Period late 18th Century

Dimensions: 19" High x 15 3/4" Wide x 18 1/3" Deep

A Boro cover textile of sewn together bits of worn out Asa (Hemp) fabrics resist died with various patterns. 146 X 163 cm (57-1/2 x 64 inches).

A rare example of an early 1920's antique Japanese barber chair. The chair is made from hand forged iron with solid elm wood framing. Seat, arm rests, and head rest are wrapped in the original black leather. The position of the seat is adjustable to recline. Headrest is adjustable to many lengths.

Date: 1920's

Dimensions:50" high X 42" deep X 24" wide

A young girl, her hair loosely bound, drifts off into a fond memory with a smile as she brushes a letter, the reem of paper draped from her left hand, the bamboo brush idle in her right. Incredible detail from the Kinkozan Kiln in Kyoto stamped on the pale clay of the base. It is 18 cm (7 inches) long, roughly the same height and in excellent condition. Better known for Kyo-satsuma style pottery works, this is a rarity.

An antique Japanese single section Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Sliding main doors hide 6 drawers of varying sizes and a shelf where merchant books and records were kept. Three side by side drawers below the doors were used to keep valuables and store inventory...

An antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware including the Kakute front drawer handles and the Warabite side carrying handles. Construction includes straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nails. Lock plates include parallel vertical bars that double as decorative as well as strong security connectors preventing easy removal from the drawer fronts...

Rare Japanese gyosho bako or peddler's chest, constructed with Kiri (paulownia) wood in original dark brown/black lacquer finish. The tall, narrow box is two sections stacked held in place by iron latches on the sides. Each drawer front has square pulls and floral lock plates with brass accent hardware. The top drawer of the bottommost section has a secret hidden compartment for storing precious treasures...