Antique Japanese inro, makie designs of phoenix (ho-o bird) on black lacquer. These large inro are sometimes referred to as sumo wrestler's inro, written "Kahei nuri". The last letter (kao like) is probably "nuri" which means painted or coated with. To roughly quote the Wrangham Index of Inro Artists – according to Soken Kisho, Kahei was a mysterious makie artist that lived in Kyoto during the 18th century. He was prominent enough to have his work called Kahei–nuri, after his name. ...

Antique Japanese silver kanzashi, the upper design part is gold plated with finely engraved three oak leaves. *This was one of the most popular crests among the warrior samurai class particularily among close devotees of Shinto. Top quality hand cut metal work. Circa (we think) Meiji period (1868-1912). 6 3/4" long and 1 3/8" in width.

*The Elements of Japanese Desgn by John W. Dower

Japanese cloth taken from an old futon bed cover, decorated with an auspicious motif of pine, bamboo and plum blossoms. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; plum blossoms are the purity, subtle beauty and inner strength of women. Bamboos are often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo, it could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bamboo (take, CHIKU) and plum ...

Japanese antique nobori banner, hand painted on cotton, a tiger in bamboo grove. The style of the painting is derived from ancient Korean paintings of tigers. It is a style that became popular in Japan from the 16th century and you will see many screens and scrolls of tigers painted in this manner. The popularity of these paintings in this style continued throughout the Edo period(1608-1868) and into the Meiji era. The quality of the artwork tells us that this nobori is likely to have been done ...

A Karatsu style shuhai sake cup with cream glaze decorated inside and out by the Zen Priest Nakahara Nantenbo, a priest who was instrumental in reviving the Zen tradition in the beginning of the 20th century. Circling the circumference is a seven character inscription, the first six reading Kaisei Fugetsu O Kan, the last we have not been able to read. Written inside is an image of the priests infamous staff from which he derived his name, and in large characters NANTENBO, written by a 65 Year ...

A humorous looking dragon twists up the paper canvas, eyes on the prize, a tama or Buddhist jewel underlying a dramatically written inscription. What is extraordinary is that the dragons scaled body is performed with a single stroke of the brush! Over this has been added a shadow for the back, and embellishment of the head. It is signed Fujiki Shuchokusai, and comes enclosed in the original signed and age darkened wooden box. Bordered with patterned green silk extended with beige and featuri...

Oribe Green runs in a curtain over the pale yellow glaze of this Edo period andon-zara oil dish. It is unglazed on bottom, measuring 8 inches (20 cm) diameter and in excellent condition, enclosed in a custom kiri-wood box.

The nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parent's wish (at the time that they were made) to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, Nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was. ...

Nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents' wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was, others were used to shift the troops. ...

What a fantastic expression worn by this Edo p. Seto Hand warmer (hibachi or properly Shuro/ Te-abure). The dark shiny Seto glaze suits well the beast portrayed. Coals would have been burned inside, heating the surrounding pottery walls, and the piece would have been placed on a step leading into the house for guests to warm their hands on or used within the house in a more formal room. It is 13 inches (33 cm) long and is in fine condition overall. It appears as if when potted the craftsman ...

Gold clouds border a spectacular and rare scene of birds flying amid wisteria (fuji) on this fine 19th century gold screen. The screen is roughly 68 by 148 inches (172 x 376 cm). We are offering this screen as is, to allow the buyer to pursue restoration to a level they deem satisfactory. In need of restoration, there are scratches in the gold over the birds, three marks low in panel three and a number of thin tears along the lower portions of the 6 panels. For detailed photos please inquire...

Large Chinese pottery jar decorated with bands of raised lines and a pair of monster masks on the shoulder.

Age: China, Han Dynasty, circa B.C. 206 - A.D. 220
Measurement: Height 53 C.M. / Diameter 36.3 C.M.
Condition: Well-preserved old burial condition overall with some amount of soil adherings (some abrasions and wearings on the piece due to the long burial time underground). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Ban...

Large Chinese pottery jar decorated with bands of raised lines and a pair of monster masks on the shoulder.

Age: China, Han Dynasty, circa B.C. 206 - A.D. 220
Measurement: Height 52 C.M. / Diameter 34.5 C.M.
Condition: Well-preserved old burial condition overall with some amount of soil adherings (some abrasions and wearings on the piece due to the long burial time underground). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Ban...

Large Chinese pottery jar decorated with bands of raised lines and a pair of monster masks on the shoulder.

Age: China, Han Dynasty, circa B.C. 206 - A.D. 220
Measurement: Height 52 C.M. / Diameter 34 C.M.
Condition: Well-preserved old burial condition overall with some amount of soil adherings (some abrasions and wearings on the piece due to the long burial time underground). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangk...

Large Chinese pottery jar decorated with bands of raised lines and a pair of monster masks on the shoulder.

Age: China, Han Dynasty, circa B.C. 206 - A.D. 220
Measurement: Height 54 C.M. / Diameter 37 C.M.
Condition: Well-preserved old burial condition overall with some amount of soil adherings (some abrasions and wearings on the piece due to the long burial time underground). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangk...

Large Chinese pottery jar decorated with bands of raised lines and a pair of monster masks on the shoulder.

Age: China, Han Dynasty, circa B.C. 206 - A.D. 220
Measurement: Height 53 C.M. / Diameter 37 C.M.
Condition: Well-preserved old burial condition overall with some amount of soil adherings (some abrasions and wearings on the piece due to the long burial time underground). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Ban...

Reddish brown shrine with three very fine sculptures: Benzaiten in the middle, to her right Daikoku, and Bishamon to her left. Benten is seated on a lotus, depicted in her 8-armed appearance, holding a jewel, her other attributes are lost. On her head a crown with jewels and the snake-shaped Ugajin. Bishamonten stands on a demon and holds a pagoda, his staff now lost. Daikoku stands on two rice bales and holds a hammer and a bag. All of them on separate rock shaped bases. Excellent carving with ...

A late Edo period (19th century) image known as the Nehanzu, death of the Buddha. It is absolutely fantastic, one of the best painted I have ever seen. Mourners of all species surround the death bed of Buddha. His mother comes from heaven dropping a bag of magical medicine, which catches on the limb of a tree, unable to reach him in time. Hawk, tiger, elephant, Shishi,. Cow, snail, horse, monkey, crane, rooster, goose, pheasant, turtle, rabbit, egret, mandarin duck, mole, centipede, snake, p...