Japanese four prong Vajra or diamond thunderbolt form Chisakuin Temple, bronze with worn gilt, Edo age (over 200 years old). Very powerful ritual tool representing firmness of spirit and spiritual power. Worn gilt on one side, all over relief, double sided with lotus flower in center, trident prongs emerging from the four cardinal directions. Size: 6 1/8" long

Okimono in bronze of a frog.
Seal of the founder or of his factory on its belly, not identified.

The frog (kaeru) is associated with luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the frog to return each year to the pond of its birth. A gong in the shape of a frog can thus sometimes be used as a door hammer or to protect a house.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Height: 1.4 in...

Okimono in bronze of a frog.
Seal of the founder or of his factory on its belly, not identified.

The frog (kaeru) is associated with luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the frog to return each year to the pond of its birth. A gong in the shape of a frog can thus sometimes be used as a door hammer or to protect a house.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Height: 0.9 in...

A fine Japanese lid rest or futaoki as it is known in the tea ceremony. The lid rest is done in a technique known as karakane or bronze and has been hammered. The tachizuru or motif of standing cranes is often seen in various tea accessories representing the rise of auspiciousness. The lid rest comes with a tomobako with the name of the lid rest and the artist, Seishu. Age: Late Showa Period Size: diameter 2.1" height 2.1"

A fascinating Japanese shrine bell known as, Waniguchi, or directly translated as Crocodile's mouth, which resembles the wide mouth of a crocodile. The bell is usually found in shinto shrines that enshrine deities that were imported to Japan or Shingon temples. The bell contains an inscription stating that the bell was originally donated by the ancestors of the donor in 1686 and a new bell was rededicated in 1839. The bell appears to be dedicated to Sometani Shinbei. Age: Late Edo Period, 1839...

Black-patina bronze hare standing on its hind legs.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in the legends and superstitions of Japan. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Height: 5.7 in. (14.5 cm) - width: 2.8 in. (7 cm) - depth: 4.3 in. (11 cm)

Black-patina bronze hare standing on its four legs.

There is only one Japanese word for both hare and rabbit : usagi. Hares hold an important place in Japanese myths and superstitions. As many other animals, they were believed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912) Height : 4.9 in. (12.5 cm) - width : 2.8 in. (7 cm) - depth : 4.5 in. (11.5 cm)

A bronze brazier, also known as a hibachi. The workmanship of the brazier is intricate with one side showing a motif of Chinese stye lions mingling among peonies and the other, geese flying over reeds in a marsh. The sides are demon or beast like shaped heads with an insert to put rings to decorate the piece. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter 8" Height 13.25"

Japanese Bronze Hibachi with inlaid silver and Copper, design of Shrine above the large rock next to sailing boat in the lake and pine trees, 9 1/2" three(3) needle size of pin holes on the bottom and open crack on the back side-see photos.

Bronze incense burner representing an old man, riding a carp hands joined, in a tumultuous sea.

The man could also remind the deity of fishermen and prosperity, Ebisu, which is often represented with a carp. However, it is usually represented with a large hat called kazaori eboshi.

The carp is a fish symbolizing perseverance, courage and wisdom, as it swims up rivers and waterfalls against the current...

A Japanese heavy bronze incense burner with Murashido marbled areas decorating the sides, bottom, and lid. The burner is six sided, has a lid pierced with three bats (good fortune), and a top knob in the shape of a mushroom (long life). There is a makers mark stamped on the bottom (Esteemed Hall?). The burner measures 4 1/2" tall x 3 1/2" in diameter. We cannot find any comparable bronze burners, but we believe it dates to the turn of the Century. The condition is excellent with minor wear...

1970's Japanese Bronze Kannon Buddha Marked Takamura

It is 15.5 inches (39.5 cm) tall by 4.6 inches (11.7 cm) wide. It is 2671 gram (5.9 Lb).

It has a chip at the hat tassel, oxidation, surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid...

Dark brown patina bronze figure of a standing kappa with its right leg leaning on a cucumber. The figure is put on four-legged rattan-like bronze stand.

The kappa (河童) is a aquatic creature taken from Japanese folklore having the appearance of an anthropomorphic turtle.
His skull is either slightly hollowed out to accommodate water, from which it derives its power, or hidden with a water lily leaf hiding this sag...

A small attractively patinated bronze (copper zinc alloy) koro or censer, possibly made in Japan during the 19th Century.. Condition: excellent - there is very minor surface ware consistant with careful old use as an incense burner; no damages losses or repairs.

Japanese bronze usubata in the form of an open natural lotus, standing on a coiled stem with a lotus bud. Usubata are used for beautiful flower arrangements, an art form known as ikebana.

Size: 9" L x 9" W x 6" H

Bronze sculpture of a giraffe beetle (Prosopocoilus girafa). The top of the abdomen is raised, revealing a perfume burner. The lucanus, in Japanese kuwagata mushi, is highly valued for its playfulness and aesthetic value.
Insects (mushi) have a very important place in Japanese culture. Insect hunting is a popular pastime, especially among children. Using nets and cages, they catch cicadas, beetles and other insects to observe them...

Japanese bronze statute of a peasant maiden. Signed Hidemitsu. Meiji Period. Height 30-1/2"; diameter of base 9-1/4".

Polychrome bronze statuette of a group of mice around a pumpkin and a pomegranate. The five mice have a dark brown patina, while the hollowed-out gourd is dark brown and the split pomegranate is dark red.

Written in a cartouche on one of the pumpkin slices, "Shôsai Foundry" (正齊鋳, shôsai-chû).
Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 6.4 in. (16.3 cm) – width: 7.8 in. (20 cm) – depth: 7.3 in. (18.5 cm)