An antique Japanese Hibachi with Maki-E gilt lacquer and inlay in a melon shape made of kiri wood. The gilt lacquer designs are of a bird in peonies and ivy trailing around the edge. Gilt nashiji flakes and inlay add depth to the nature scene. Interior has an old patina.

Date: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 11" diameter X 8.5" tall

Antique Japanese hikeshi banten, fireman's coat. Made of layers of cotton fabric and stitched in the sashiko quilting technique. Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel...

Fine old zuishin dolls from the Meiji period (1868-1912), approx. 8” (20.3cm) tall. Zuishin dolls are commonly called daijin (minister) dolls; the elder man on the right (facing) is called "left daijin" and the younger man, right daijin or ya (arrows) daijin. They were created as an addition to the emperor and empress Dairi-bina sometime in the mid 18th century by Kyoto doll makers. Armed with a sword, bow and arrows, they were the toneri (zuishin) from the Heian court (794-1185)...

Three Jokan Dolls are part of a Hina doll set for the Japanese Girl's Day. They are to serve the Emperor and Empress with drinks and food. The young and pretty are usually choosen for this role. Many sets have one older married woman sitting in the middle, possibly a supervising figure? Her hair is usually done in a less attractive manner and she often has her teeth blackened. It was the sign of being a married woman at the time...

Japanese antique hina dolls, large musician ningyo from the 1800s. The hayashi musician dolls were added to the emperor and empress dolls (Dairi-bina), sometime in the mid to late 18th century. They were first made in Edo (today’s Tokyo) while the Zuishin, Court Guards (also known as ministrator dolls) were being created in Kyoto.

There are two types of costumes for the musician dolls, Kamishimo or Suou (su-ou)...

Antique Japanese Two Section Kansai area Choba Tansu. Many drawers, and two sets of sliding panels. Miniature version of a regular size two section tansu, making this piece rare for its size. Beautifully finished hinoke wood throughout tansu, with dark iron locks, handles, and fixtures. Tansu comes with original key that unlocks door on bottom right. Good condition, and wonderful rich color of wood...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with Hinoki (cypress) wood. Tastefully designed with hirute style handles, and slats on its sides and front sliding panels, opening to reveal an open storage area and two drawers. Original honey tone finish. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 36" H x 36" L x 17.75" D

Antique Japanese hirado porcelain brush washer in the form of a fu dog, laying on his backside and sporting a large, whimsical smile. The brush washer sits on three short legs. The form and detail in this little guy are wonderful. Size: 2.5" length, 2.25" height

Humorous blue and white porcelain netsuke depicting a recumbent Chinese boy with movable biscuit porcelain tongue. The base unglazed and with two himotoshi. Condition: fine, only two short firing cracks. Dimension: 7.7 cm x 3.5 cm wide.

A whimsical Japanese Hirado ware porcelain fu dog holding a reticulated xi qui ball under its paw. The precious face of the dog is hand detailed with shapely nose, fangs, whiskers, and tiny carved eyes. The dog has cobalt blue enamel swirl accents to its fur.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 5" x 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" H

Japanese Hirado-ware porcelain dish with blue and white design of Mount Fuji and pilgrim hiker gazing from the mountain path. Meiji period (1868-1912). It measures 6" diameter.

Japanese Hirado porcelain ware dish with blue and white kirin in center. Raised design with a foliate design. Meiji period. It measures 5.5" diameter

A fine Japanese hirado porcelain okimono of a recumbent horse. The horse has a whimsical expression. Its eyes are left unglazed with blackened pupils, its unglazed teeth exposed in a wide grin, the corners of the mouth and nostrils pierced through. Touches of cobalt blue underglaze accent the hooves and snout of the horse. The base is impressed with maker's cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/2" L x 4" W x 6" H

Antique Japanese Hirado ware porcelain puppy dog wearing a ribbon around its neck. Carefully hand sculpted in a realistic manner. It has an amusing expression on its face full of detailed character. Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 4" H x 5" L x 3.5" W

Small bronze cannon of this type where made for shooting flaming arrows at ships, launching fireworks at festivals, and for signaling purposes. The example of cast bronze with a bore that is described as at the breach and the bore is reduced to a half round section to form a chamber for the powder mount for use. The gun would be imbedded into a wooded block such as the lower half of the barrel and the entire breach end is covered...

Small bronze flared muzzle cannon of this type where made for shooting flaming arrows at ships. For launching fireworks at festivals and for signaling purposes. The example of cast bronze with a bore that is described as at the breach and the bore is reduced to a half round section to form a chamber for the powder mount for use.
The gun would be imbedded into a wooded block such as the lower half of the barrel and the entire breach end is covered...

Small bronze cannon of this type where made for shooting flaming arrows at ships, launching fireworks at festivals, and for signaling purposes. The example of cast bronze with a bore that is described as at the breach and the bore is reduced to a half round section to form a chamber for the powder mount for use. The gun would be imbedded into a wooded block such as the lower half of the barrel and the entire breach end is covered...

A 19th century Bronze incense burner int eh shape of a burning Buddhist jewel supported on five legs of curling smoke tendrils, alternating with five looping handles. It is 20 cm (8 inches) tall to the finial, and in excellent condition.