The bronze cast cannon is decorated in low relief of a coiled dragon. The shape handle stock and body represent a carp. The signaling cannons shows a smooth casting which indicates it was lost cast from wax. Fine detailing shows high level of craftsmanship. Mounted on custom Bronze stand.

Meiji Period 19th Century

Size: 4" L x 1.25" W x 1.5" H (4.5" H on stand)

This bronze cast cannon is decorated in low relief of a coiled dragon. The fish like handle stock and representing a carp is in homage to the original purpose of such cannon. These examples where used to shoot flaming signals from ships at sea. Mounted on custom Bronze stand. Pitting finish shows indication of sand casting. Fine detail shows high level craftsmanship.

Meiji Period 19th Century

Size: 4" L x 1.25" W x 1.5" H (4.5" H on stand)

Antique Japanese print depicting the founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism, Kūkai (774-835). He was a famous calligrapher and engineer who invented the kana, syllabic Japanese scripts used in the Japanese writing system. In his hands he holds a vajra, a ritualistic weapon representing firmness of spirit and spiritual power, and prayer beads. Above him is Dainichi Nyorai, the central deity of the Shingon religion, surrounded by Bonji (single letter words derived from sansk...

An antique Japanese scholars table with inlaid mother of pearl (Raden). The top features a landscape scene with blooming Wisteria, a tree with flowers, birds, water side huts, borders and rippling waves of water. The scene is surrounded by a checkerboard design with a raised lip. Gold makie lacquer highlights the designs on a chestnut brown hardwood.

Age: Meiji Period (1870-1890)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide by 7 3/4" High by 15 1/2" Deep

Antique Japanese carved Keyaki hardwood Raijin, God of lightning, thunder, and Storm. A protector deity for the Shinto religion. The surface of the grain is raised with the original red rimpa paint still intact. Typically these sculptures would be very fierce with demonic features. Which in this case, is contrary which makes it more benevolent, compassionate, and sympathetic in its appeal. The condition of the piece is consistent of its age. Minor repairs on base with large iron staple. ...

A large futamono (covered dish) in the shape of a Tai-fish by Ninnami Dohachi enclosed in a triple wood box signed and annotated by renowned potter Miura Chikuken (Chikken). The Tai fish (Red Snapper) is a popular motif and commonly served in celebratory occasions because its name (Tai) is a homophone for Medetai (celebration). The stomach section is removable to reveal a compartment where fish might be served. It is 36.5 x 23 x 20 cm and is in excellent condition. The piece comes wrapped in...

Antique Japanese hardwood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame, carved with scene of a bridge, surrounded by small islands with pine trees.

Size: 74" L x 1" D x 13.5" H

Antique Japanese hardwood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame, carved with scenic imagery of large temple lanterns, pine trees, stylized bridge, and an island village.

Size: 73.5" L x 1" D x 15" H

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel is carved with a crane flying through pine trees. The crane, as well as the pine, are both symbols of a long and healthy life.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 14 3/4" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel is carved with a landscape scene of a bride with pine trees and rock formations.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 13 1/2" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel is carved with a hawk (taka) on a pine branch. This motif in Japanese art is called "matsutaka-zu".

Dimensions: 67 1/2" L x 1" D x 14 3/4" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel carved with lakeside scene of pagodas in a pine tree forest.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 13 1/2" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel carved with lakeside scene of pagodas in a pine tree forest.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 13 1/2" Height

Antique Japanese wood ranma (transom) with a black lacquer frame. The center panel is carved with a landscape scene of a bridge with pine trees and rock formations.

Dimensions: 73" L x 1" D x 13 1/2" Height

An antique Japanese Ranma (transom) made of Akita Sugi (northern Japan Cryptomeria) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. The frame was finished in a black Urushi lacquer while the design was hand carved in relief on both sides. It depicts a scene of a male and female flying crane (each symbolizing 1,000 years of long life and together symbolizing a harmonious partnership) gliding through a forest of gnarly pine trees (symbolizing longevity).

Traditionally the Ranma was used above the sliding F...

An antique Japanese Ranma (transom) that was highly detailed and hand carved out of Akita Suginoki (Cryptomeria from the Akita region) with a Hinoki (Cypress) frame. It features a landscaped Shinto shrine grounds complete with the shrine complex, pine trees, clouds, a Torii gate, a Pagoda, and a beautiful footbridge. The image is carved on both sides to show the front and back of the complex.

The Ranma was used in Japan typically above the Fusuma sliding doors between rooms to provide...

An antique Japanese hand carved wood Ranma (transom) framed in Hinoki (Cypress) and hand carved in deep relief of Akita Sugi (Northern Cryptomeria) woods. Featuring a complex multi level temple and grounds amidst a a beautiful pine tree forest with mountains and clouds in the foreground and background. Continuous elaborate design on the reverse side of the transom.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 72" Wide by 15 3/4" High by 2 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Ranma (transom) made of Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria from Akita prefecture) and Hinoki (Cypress). Natural Urushi black lacquer frame. Hand carved scene featuring a good luck turtle with longevity tail admiring an old Plum Blossom tree with scatterings of Bamboo underneath.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 73 1/4" Wide by 14 1/2" High.