Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu Head, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased in Japan in 1962 by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare...

Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased at a Parke Bernet auction by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare...

Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased at a Parke Bernet auction by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare...

Limited edition serigraph print titled "Oriental Masterprint - 7" by Roger Shimomura (b. 1939) dated 1975. This is an original, pencil-signed, edition of 20. Paper size 19"V x 19"H (image: 15"V x 15"H). Full margins. Excellent condition. This image is illustrated on page 50 of "Roger Shimomura Delayed Reactions," Spencer Museum exhibition catalogue, 1995.

Unusual Antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (Captain's ship safe), made of very heavy solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with lovely dovetail joints used in its construction. Original deep red-orange and black lacquer finish, iron hardware, Sakata area of Japan, Edo Period. Stunning original condition. Size: 10 1/2" high x 22 1/2" wide x 13" deep.

Beautiful Japanese Deco Period bronze vase, raised stylized motif on front and back, wonderful deep reddish patina, signed on bottom, Taisho/Showa Period (early 20th century). Size: 6 3/4" high x 6" wide.

Japanese writing brush in ornate case, case is made of copper with black lacquer and inlaid all over in an ornate pattern with tiny pieces of gold and shell, design of chrysanthemum on hinged ink well cover, 2 sided brush hidden in stem, large shell inlaid cartouch on bottom, beautiful and delicate.

Size: 6 3/4" high x 1 1/4" wide

Antique Japanese bronze figure of a puppy with front paws on ball with long tassle, very sweet, ball, tassle and puppy all separate pieces, late Meiji Period (1868-1912), signed: Kosan Size: 6" high x 12" wide x 4 1/4"deep.

Because the Japanese used a minimum of furniture and usually sat on the floor, frequently an arm rest, kyosoku, was used either singly or in pairs. This simple wooden Meiji period arm rest would have been appreciated for both its form and finish. The wood was first burned with hot coals and then scrapped with the result that the softer sections of wood would be carved out more deeply. This process would leave the "wavy" sculptural pattern on the surface of the wood...

A daunting image by radical Nihon Nanga-In member and founder of the Osaka Art College Yano Kyoson (1890-1965) dating from earlier in this influential artists career. Crisp white walls of a strangely elongated house perch on the edge of a dark forest reaching up to the rain washed sky. A single tree ripe with yellow leaves guards the entrance...

A very beautifully rendered Japanese treasure ship with intricate details that are just amazing, this large cast iron antique is lacquered with the 'old red' traditional lacquer that can only be found on your older Japanese antiques. Its function is rare as it doubles up as a censer, fine slit holes are found in the front and backsides of the sail, allowing a fine mist of smoke to create an allusion that the ship is sailing through a fog...

A bronze vase of mountainous form by Nakajima Yasumi I patinated in his signature mottled red-brown and enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vase is 9-1/2 inches (24 cm) tall, 8 inches (20.5 cm wide and in excellent condition. Nakajima Toyoji, (d. 1950) first came to notice in 1908, receiving an award at the Senkatsu Kinen Exhibition...

A lacquered wooden box decorated in built up Takamaki-e with Tsuba and Kozuka by Heian Zohiko dating from the first half of the 20th century. Inside is fine even nashiji. The decorations rise quite high off the surface, almost as if genuine tsuba were lying atop the box. One tsuba is in the shape of a Mokugyo, a Buddhist prayer drum of hollowed wood culminating in two dragons...

A Japanese sake ewer (kurojoka) shaped as a minogame (mythical tortoise with a tail that symbolizes long life) covered with mottled brown, gray and yellow glaze, probably from Satsuma province in southern Kyushu Island.

Kuro (black) joka is a container that is used to heat "shochu" wine which is made from sweet potatoes. Shochu, started in Kagoshima area has been a cheaper wine for common people. It is different from "sake" wine which is brewed rice wine...

7 twisted gold pines shroud a seedling on the roiro ground of this fine togidashi suzuri bako writing box dated 1931 by Moriya Shotei enclosed in the original signed wooden box...

Here is a rare Jizai mantis. It is by an artist named Tomiki Munenobu, one in a line of artists carrying on the Myochin style of metalwork. Teh piece likely dates from somewhere in the later Meiji, 1890-1910. Life-size, it is roughly 3 inches long, the same height and in fine condition. It is as found, not yet cleaned or tampered with. The head is mobile; the thorax with retractable arms and folding wings. Jizai is a term used to describe a variety of mobile or articulated crafts in Japa...

Fine Japanese cloisonne box and tray by Ando of Nagoya. The Ando company, established in Nagoya in 1880, is the only cloisonne remaining workshop in Japan originating from the Meiji period (1868 - 1912) that is still active in the creation of cloisonne enamels. They retain the highly esteemed distinction of being appointed by the Imperial Household.

The two pieces presented are executed in musen or wireless enamel technique. The musen technique is finely executed, depicting a grand a...

A wooden sign of three golden characters carved into the surface of a solid slab of burled wood enclosed in a frame expertly carved with the four gentlemen, plum, bamboo, iris and chrysanthemum. It reads Yuraku-sai, A Place of Playful Enjoyment. The sign (with frame) is 11-1/4 x 21 inches (28.5 x 53 cm). It is signed Setsuyo (?) followed by two stamps. There is a chip into a hollow in the wooden plaque, lower left (see photos) otherwise is in excellent condition. This sign would have been h...