An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Kasane (stacking) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original natural Urushi lacquer finish. Hand forged iron hardware with lock plates that feature a quarter moon with a butterfly and Chrysanthemum knobs, Warabite handles with upper Pine tree and lower Plum Blossom Atari, and side handles on both sections. Constructed using Japanese straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

The Nihon Matsu Tansu is po...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Multiple drawers of 8 exposed and 4 hidden behind the lower sliding doors. The upper sliding doors hides a spacious storage area where the merchant kept his store records and books. All original hand forged iron hardware with construction using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails. Natural darkening surrounding the metalwork where the original patina had built-up.

T...

This is a super-clean, excellent example of an Imperial Japan, Military, Type Gunto 1943, or better known as Type 3. It dates back to Word War II, when it was developed as an improvement over the Type 98 sword. It is mounted on a beautiful, heavy, very clean blade, in excellent condition, with a cutting edge that measures 27 inches. It displays a straight hamon and it is very sharp. The tang has two holes to strengthen the grip of the sword, and it is stamped with Kanji characters on both s...

An antique Japanese 2 section Kyoto Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and HInoki (Cypress) woods. The upper and lower sections feature sliding doors behind which removable shelves allow for split level storage with 5 drawers for organizing small items. The small hinged door to the upper right features a secret sliding locking panel that opens and closes the door. Side horizontal ribs for additional strength and visual design. Mortise and tenon Japanese joinery was used in its construction...

An antique Japanese Sakata Bo Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original natural Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware. Locking bar secures three Kimono drawers. The main lock features a stylized Chrysanthemum with leaves design. A hinged security door hides two small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and wooden nails. Very thick wood case construction and thick iron fittings that is a testament to its Edo Per...

An antique Japanese Mikuni Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. 5 drawers allow for spacious clothes storage with a hinged security door hiding 2 small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery and hardened wood nails. Side ribs add strength, support and a visual design element to the piece.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)<...

This is a very rare form for a Jade Bottle, its Cylindrical Form, and the variety of color skins that surround it and that appear to portray their own artistic rendering with splashes of Russet, brownish, light brown, black, gray, over a white-gray ground. It was probably made during the period Qing Dinasty period, 1740-1840. It is perfectly symmetrically rounded with rounded shoulders, and ends rounded around a perfect circular raised bottom that features a flat base. It comes with a stopper...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Made in 2 stacking sections, the upper part features 2 sets of sliding doors with four drawers below and the bottom part has a pair of sliding doors with a removable split level shelf. All original bronze hardware including the Marui style handles. Center doors have intact copper wire mesh screen used to prevent flying pests from entering. Built with slide slats for strength and visual...

A large antique Japanese Buddhist altar table decorated with black and gold lacquer on wood. Divided into three visual sections, each one held a Buddhist item such as a Sutra, an incense burner, a temple bell, a Mokugyo, etc. Inscription on the back appears to read "Dedicated by Tokuto Eizo."

A large Korean black lacquered wood box with mother of pearl inlay. The depiction of pairs of cranes and songbirds within the decorative panels likely relevant to a wedding gift.. Joseon dynasty, 19th century. Condition is fair to good, with some some light loss to inlays and minor distress from age and use. From the hardware, 19 1/4 inches wide, 10 1/8 inches deep, 10 3/4 inches high.

The fire is still alive on this striking Shigaraki Tsubo by Furutani Taketoshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen-yu Yohen Tsubo. Yohen, literally translated Kiln-altered, is a word for the unexpected results, or fortuitous accidents of firing. In this case, they are likely speaking of the unusual coloration of the running ash wrapping around the blackened surface. Kiln effects are what this family is known for, and this does not disappoint. It is 27.5 x 27.5...

Circa 1880, Chinese red cinnabar circular box with stand. The box is presented on a carved wood stand having several coats of cinnabar lacquer, giving it the appearance of a solid carved cinnabar stand. Extremely well done and deeply carved, the scene depicts a well known Chinese story about Kuan Ti’s defense of Lin Bang's wife before the advance of Hsian Yu. Please note the beautifully carved horse. In excellent condition, the box including stand measures 5.5" diameter x 5.5" high. The b...

Antique Japanese pair of jingasa, hats worn by samurai or foot soldiers. Lacquered black and marked with the mon (family crest) of the Ogasawara clan. The Ogasawara were descended from Seiwa Genji. They acted as shugo, governing Shinamo Provence during the Sengoku Period (1185-1600). This pair of hats dates to the Edo Period (1608-1867) when the Ogasawara were daimyo (feudal lords) of territories on Kyushu.
The underside of each jingasa has gold leaf and remnants of padding.
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Edo Period (circa 1820) Japanese Musha Ningyo of Ushiwaka- maru, a brave boy who grew up to be the great warrior Minamoto Yoshitsune. This is a wonderful, rare early example with ail of his original accessories. He is wearing sumptuous brocades and lacquered armor and has a wonderful bearing and just a great face. 13.25 inches, (33.5cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Large Japanese Early Meiji Period (circa 1880) Okimono of a Kirin, one of the most magnificent and admired creatures in Japanese mythology. The Kirin is a Japanese unicorn, an animal-god who punishes the wicked with its single horn. It protects the just and grants them good luck. Seeing a kirin is considered an omen of extreme good luck - if one is a virtuous person. This spectacular carving is a masterpiece. It truly captures this fantastical creature in every detail. 13.25 inches (33.5cm) ta...

Very Rare Early Edo Period (early 17th Century) Japanese Lion Mask for the Gion Festival. It would have been part of a two man costume, one man holding the mask and the other at the back covered by fabric to perform the traditional Lion Dance. To find this mask from such an early period is really quite an important find for the serious mingei collector. 12 inches (30.5 cm)h x 10.5 inches (27 cm)w x 11 inches (28 cm)d. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at t...

One of the best shiwan (shekwan) sculptures we've ever encountered, this large masterpiece displays the legendary Laozi riding an ox: Laozi means "old master". It is said that he mounted an ox and headed west, before leaving, the border guard asked if he would write down his ideas, which Laozi obliged to do, thus he wrote the Tao-te ching (Book of Changes). The robes are done in a rich white glaze that is naturally aged with time, the glass-like eyes of the ox reflects the pinnacle of the pott...

Antique Tibetan carved wooden ritual staff handle with three heads; the top head is a skull, the second head is presumably Padma Sambhava, the third is presumably Guru Rimposhe, on new metal stand. Size 5.5" 16th / 17th century.