Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1910 to 1930...

Wearable art: Beautiful Shibori hand tie-dye work on silk haori (short kimono jacket). It is lined with a white silk with some basting stitches still intact. This haori will make a gorgeous jacket.

Japanese Showa period monochrome green musen shippo wireless cloisonne vase decorated around the circumference with a band of flowers and scrolling foliage executed in layers of stacked enamel. Chrome rims. 8 1/2" high. Post World War II (circa 1945-1960s). Very good overall condition.

Japanese early Showa period rectangular form cypress wood tabako-bon smoker’s hibachi with a removable top containing a small round hole (2 1/2" diameter) designed to hold a cylindrical bamboo holder for pipes and ashes and a larger hole with a copper cylindrical container (about 5 1/4" diameter) for holding charcoal. Recessed side carrying handles. 14” long x 7” high x 8 7/8” deep. The curved sides measure 7/8" in thickness. Weighs 7 lbs. Early 20th century...

Japanese plique-a-jour cloisonne enamel vase densely decorated with a bouquet of flowers set against a celadon green background. Chrome rims. Dates from the Occupation period (1945-1960). Measures about 3 3/4"H x 3" diameter. Very good overall condition. There is a faint interior stress crack at the shoulder that cannot be felt (see enlargements 6 and 7). The neck is very slightly tilted.

Vintage Japanese Showa period ink and color on silk scrolled painting of an autumn landscape with mountains in the background and tiny horses and figures in the foreground by Kawashima Baikan (1902-1977). Black ink signature and red artist’s seal at the lower right. Signed tomobako wood presentation box. Mid-20th century. Painting: 17 5/5” x 20 1/8” (scroll: 54 1/2” x 26”). Very good overall condition.

A Japanese shrine lantern often seen hanging outside of shinto shrines. Generally there are devotional lanterns that are donated to the shrine and lanterns that are part of the architecture and design of the shrine complex. This lantern would be the latter, where it was part of an Inari Taisha shrine. The lantern contains the distinct crest of the inari shrines and each panel is decorated with a cut out design of scrolling vines. Age: Meiji to Taisho Period...

Japanese Bronze Shrine or Temple Bell with attached long rope, 19th century, 5" high, 4 1/2" wide for Bell only, pellet is inside and ring nicely, in original old condition.

Japanese wooden Money box, Coin Box used in Shrine or Temple Prayer's Alter, later part of Meiji period, late 1800's, 10" high, 10" wide, 15 1/2" deep, with black wrought iron lock compartment, round flower shape button slide from left to right to open. The top front section lift up and open the box, there are round coin slot and paper money slot on top. This is all original condition and some scratches on wooden surface, no major damage.

This rare Edo period (江戸時代 1603~ 1868) silk covered accordian-fold book is hand painted on rice paper. The title and artist's seal appear on the cover. It is 9 5/8" long, 7 1/4" wide and 1" thick. The opening pages (both verso and recto) from either direction are blank, gold flaked rice paper; the end pages (bother verso and recto) are plain rice paper. The book contains 12 paintings, 6 paintings on each side...

Japanese Brass signed Hibachi Ash Rake and Pr. Chopsticks for moving Charcoal, 1930's, Ash Rake(8" long,3" wide bottom), Chopsticks(10 1/2" long, 3/8" wide handle top)etched signature on the handle of Brass Ash Rake, used for Tea Ceremony, some wears on the bottom of the Rake.

An early Meiji Period (~1872) Bronze Censor with Scholar riding a Carp. Signed. Size: 25 cm. x 29 cm. x 16 cm. Weight: ~ 2.5 kg (~ 5.25 lbs.)

Japanese bronze suiban, or shallow dish for the arranging of viewing stones called suiseki and small plants. It is of a rectangular form with four feet, the sides forged with scrolling vine motifs and two handles. Signature on underside.

Size: 7.5" W x 13.5" L x 3.75" H

Simple yet refined Japanese patinated bronze vase. The mouth of the vase is cut in a way that appears like a flower in full bloom. The vase contains a signature by an artist named Seifu. The vase comes with a wooden stand. Age: Showa Period Size:Height 13.5" Diameter 9.5"

Decorated with bamboo and characters (poem?). The bronze lid signed on the inside by Ryobundo. Condition: old repair on the inside of the pot. Late Meiji, early 20th century. H. 21 cm, Diameter 16 cm.

Hand-forged iron Jizai Okimono articulated spiny lobster. Each iron plate is carefully repousse hammered, creating a natural realism. The lobster is fully splayed on steel plates and armature wire. All ten legs and long antenna and articulated with multiple joints on each leg. Exquisitely crafted, showing off a very high skill of the metal worker. With artist signature underneath the lobster.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 13" x 7" x 5" (8 1/2" on stand)

A magnificent and detailed noh mask known as Shojo, which is used specifically for the play that contains the same name as the mask. Shojo originated in China as a mythical beast and was imported to Japan as a sake loving creature. In Noh theater, the play is performed for festive and auspicious occassions where the character is dressed in a colorful noh costume and wearing a red wig. Depending on the school of Noh, a jar with a ladle at times are used for the performance...

Antique Japanese boxwood okimono carving of Shoki, the Demon Queller, commander of evil spirits and beings, shown holding onto a small demonic figure by the wrist. He is a popular figure in the household as a guardian. Intricately carved details apparent all throughout. Signature on foot reads "Sei Gyoku". Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 6.5" H x 3.5" L x 3" D