Perfect Aka Raku Tsutsu Chawan made by the 10th generation Kichizaemon Tan-nyu and enclosed in an authentication wood box written and signed by the 12th generation master of Omotosenke, Seisei (1863-1937).

Tan-nyu (1795-1854) was firstly named as Sojiro. He was the second son of Ryōnyu, the second generation master. In 1811, at the retirement of his father-master Ryonyu, he succeeded as Kichiza’emon. In 1819, together with his father Ryonyu, he assisted Oniwa-yaki Kairakuen ...

Antique Japanese black lacquered cha tansu (tea display cabinet) with fabulous, intricate inlay designs of temple scenes, peacocks, and floral motifs. From the southernmost Japanese island known as Ryukyu.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 31.75" L x 12.5" W x 34.5" H

The tatami armor was used by foot soldiers, archers, and spearmen. Its a lightweight armor which allowed the warriors to be more swift and fluid with their movements. It is also an economical munition armor as a alternative to the traditional lace scale construction. Going to battle was costly and this gave the clan army full protection from all levels of warfare.
The armors head gear covering has two flaps with a back slit. The head gear is completely made of russet iron plates tha...

A very rare pair of ironwood chairs also know as Tieli mu. Ironwood has been used with huanghuali items since the Ming Dynasty. In all the years that I have been collecting Chinese furniture, this is the only pair of ironwood chairs I have come across. Ironwood is usually been confused with jichimu. I find it just as desirable. Size: H. 112cm. W. 60cm. Depth. 45cm Age: Mid Qing.Condition: No repairs.

A boxwood sculpture of the elephant deity Shoten embracing the female Kangiten. In Esoteric Buddhism, they signify matrimonial peace and bearing of offspring. Shoten is derived from Ganesha and is regarded as a wild one. Kangiten is an incarnation of the Eleven Headed Kannon. She appeases and converts him to Buddhism. Shoten and Kangiten are usually kept in a closed shrine as "secret sculptures" or Hibutsu (because of the sexual allusion).

Edo Period (1603-1868)

2.5" x 2"...

Chinese 18th Century bronze censer. The base cast with a sixteen-character inscription incorporating an apocryphal Xuande date, reading Da Ming Xuande wunian Jiandu Gongbu guanchen Wu Bangzuo zao (Made by Wu Bangzuo, supervisor of the Ministry of Works, in the 5th year of Xuande of the Great Ming). 16,5 cm diameter.2048 gram weight. Censer has smooth dent (please see on the picture) No crack or repair. original patina.

In 1563 the Amako of Izumi province won a victory over the Kikkawa with 33 of their adversaries wounded by Tanegashima. As a result, in the year 1567 Takeda Shingen announced that "Hereafter, guns will be the most important arms, therefore decrease the numbers of spears per unit, and have your most capable men carry guns".

Oda Nobunaga used used Tanegashima in the battle of Aregawa (1570) and again against the powerful Takeda clan in the battle of Nagashima (1575); 3000 gunners help ...

The russet iron menpo depicts an older man's face with wrinkles and a long hair mustache (missing). The removable nose plate has small perforated holes for the insertion of horse hair for the mustache. The rivets are rendered in a plum blossom configuration, and the strap posts holder is in the form of petals and stems. The ears are pierced with plum blossoms. The yodare has four plates laced with blue, calico, and pale orange silk cords. The backside is lacquered in red for the face and black f...

Antique Tibetan flint carrying pouch (also mechag or chuck muck), made of leather with heavy plaques of silver and gold with inlaid coral front. Motifs of filigree and animals are seen through the silver plating. The backside of the pouch features a central image of a coiling silver dragon. The pouch is suspended by a red leather strap with rivets.

19th century

Dimensions: 5" x 3" x 3" (10.5" from end of strap)

Antique Japanese single section tansu with locking bar. With Keyaki (elm/zelkova) hardwood front panels in original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame. The top and bottom drawers feature a large iron lock plate in the form of a flying phoenix, while the middle drawers are secured by the vertical locking bar with original key. The bottom corner of the chest holds 2 small drawers behind a safe door.

Rare Iwayado Tansu Meiji Peroid (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 34" L x 18...

A kartika referred to in Tibetan as a "trigug" or "drigug" is a small crescent-shaped handheld ritual flaying knife, used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism. The kartika is said to be one of the quintessential attributes of the wrathful tantric deities. It is commonly known as the "knife of the dakinis". While the kartika is normally held in the right hand of a dakini in Vajrayana iconography and spiritual practice, occasionally it can be seen being held by esoteric male deities, su...

A rare gentle-faced bronze figure of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy) seated on a lotus pedestal. She wears an ornate necklace and has prayer beads on her right wrist. There is an image of Buddha beneath the veil on her head. Placed before her is her ambrosia bottle (kalasa). At the foot of her lotus pedestal is a band with two dragons facing a flaming pearl. Some design elements (robe trim designs, lotus design at her back, etc.) have been etched into the bronze whereas others are from the cas...

Japanese pair of 2 panel byobu screens, with hand-painted scenes of small flying birds, a pond with foliage, a blossoming plum tree branch with gold flecks.Applied gold clouds and pigment on silk. enclosed in a black lacquered frame dating circa 1930.
Yamashita Chikusai (1885-1973) was born in Kyoto and studied under the important turn of the century master Yamamoto Shunkyo (1871-1933) from the age of fifteen, becoming one of his highest ranking pupils. He regularly exhibited at the Bun...

Japanese art deco bronze vase, with a globular form decorated with silver damascened and chased key fret motif; patterned in the round midway down. The richly patinated russet color contrast with the delicate silver gives it an unmistakably up to date modern look. The vessel form successfully takes a basically traditional shape, in this case, probably derived form Chinese ceramics and the key fret design can be seen on a Han Dynasty pottery that is unambiguously Asian and yet also very much a p...

Rare pair of Blackwood side chairs. These were usually reserved for the men. This is classical Northern Chinese design. Very simple but elegant, classical Ming design. My favorite type of Chinese furniture. Size: H.104cm W.52cm. Age: 18th century Condition: Old repair on one leg. See last photo.

Museum quality early Edo Period C.1690 buddhist temple dragon carving out of zelkova (keyaki). Just spectacular. 4ft. long and 2 feet tall. Excellent condition with minor age wear. See photos. Ask for shipping quote from California warehouse.

Japanese set of 2 Yari spears, signed Yamato Fujiwara Sensada. Hand forged steel, done in the same many and technique as samurai swords.

Early yari are believed to have been derived from Chinese spears, these hoko yari are thought to be from the Nara period (710-794), and while they were present in early Japan's history, the term yari appeared for the first time in written sources in 1334 but this type of spear did not become popular until the late 15th century.
During the ...

Japanese two section futon tansu made with solid Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood. The top section holds a large open compartment behind two sliding Keyaki burl front panels with openwork carvings. Below are three drawers with mokko shaped iron pulls. The bottom section has another pair of sliding panels with horizontal slats. Behind the left panel are two large drawers and behind the right panel are two drawers and a small safe door with ornate iron plates, holding a third drawer inside. Beautiful or...