Antique Japanese carved bamboo kakehana, wall vase for flowers. This section of bamboo has been carved with the figure of Quanyin (Kannon). The Goddess of Mercy is seen floating amidst storm clouds, ribbons of lightening streaking across the sky around her. There is a small rectangular hole in the back of the vase so it can hang from a hook or nail in the wall.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8" high x 2" wide

Length: 7.6 cm (3 in)
Depth: 6.2 cm (2.4 in)
Height: 1.7 cm (0.6 in)

` Exquisite carved Japanese okimono of a lotus leaf with flowers, an insect and fine detail throughout; the base is also very detailed; natural material; very good condition

A Japanese ivory netsuke depicting a dragon with a tiger, on a group of clouds of an excellent patina and softness. Signed Tomonobu 板垣. According to an old Chinese proverb “Dragons bring the clouds,”, while “tigers call forth the wind.” As the dragon and tiger govern the elemental forces of wind and rain, they were revered as rulers of the cosmos and the natural world. The flying dragon and prowling tiger also came to represent heaven and earth...

Sculpture of a penis, carved out of a section of a thick bamboo stalk, stained dark brown. Probably this is a sculpture to be offered to a fertility temple or shrine, rather than a harikata (dildo).

Name carved into the base of the penis: Nisai, painted in red.

Japan, 20th century

H/L 6 x diam. ca 1.5 in.

Antique Japanese small ink stone. Carved with leaves and fruit on front and back. The front is accented with three tiny pieces of coral. The entire back side is carved with intricately interlacing vines, leaves and fruit. A small mouse sits off the the right side. Comes with kiri wood tomobako.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/8" high x 3" wide

Noh theater wood mask representing the character of Shakumi, a middle-aged woman. The loose strands of hair give her the careworn air of one who has suffered and survived countless trials. Note the slight sag to her cheeks and the creases on either side of her mouth. She often appears in the role of a mother. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. A few signs of use, otherwise very good condition.

Mask representing the face of a Kongorishiki-Nyo, with a fierce exprssion and open mouth. Wood, eyes made of glass. Inscription at the back. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 26 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Slight abrasion, otherwise very good condition. NOTE: Kongorishiki was the first heavenly king, called Nio. The Nio were originally hindu gods in India, who were adopted by the Japanese into the Buddhist pantheon...

A Japanese ivory netsuke depicting a monkey sitting on a large carp that he holds with both hands. Tokyo school netsuke with fine and detailed details such as the hair and scales, eyes in blond and black horn. Signed Toshiyama 利山. Meiji period early 20th century Sizes: 4 x 4 x 2.5 cm. Condition report: Good condition

Noh theater mask, probably representing the character of Sarutobide, but with a rather softer expression than is usually shown. The mask is signed (see pictures). Painted wood, with metal eyes. Japan, 19th century. Height: 21 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Slight abrasion on the painting in some areas, otherwise very good condition.

Height on Stand: 16.8 cm (6.8 in)
Length: 17 cm (6.7 in)
Depth: 7 cm (2.8 in)

Fine Japanese carved okimono of a woodworker using his chouna (adze) to shape a large piece of timber; a basket alongside containing wood shavings and a sharpening stone; excellent modelling throughout; natural material; signed on the base; wooden stand; minor restoration

LARGE OR SMALL

Japanese reversible wooden signboard with two single kanji character of 'Dai' (Large) and 'Sho' (Small) as "Two sides of the same coin". Showa period, 1950s. approx...

TIGER MOLDS

Matured wooden molds for the parts (head and tail) of paper mache tiger, in such well-used condition as is. Showa period, 1970s, Japan...

PHALLUS

Smooth and refined anonymous hinoki wood carving phallus with remained original square shape at lower part as intentionally or not, as a sacred symbol of Japanese phallic worship, approx...

SIGN OF BAMBOO

Fragment of some shop's wooden signboard as 'Bamboo' of a single Chinese character, Showa period, 1960s, Japan, approx...

Japanese Meiji period okimono figure of a standing Daruma, the rounded body draped in a robe with arms hidden beneath the folds, the head peering from beneath a hood. Carved from a single block of wood with natural knots, grooves, and imperfections. 7 5/8” high. Late 19th to early 20th century. Very good overall condition. From the Phoenix, Arizona estate of a former Daruma collector.

浅沓と米俵 / CLOGS AND RICE BAGS

Wood carving asagutsu (shallow clogs) and rice bags that belong to the statue of Daikokuten (Syncretic Japanese deity of fortune and wealth). What an innovative remains and existences. Showa period, early 20th century, Japan. approx...

Unusual and particular container (tonkotsu) boxwood tobacco holder depicting a young woman sitting inside a hinoki ofuro taking a bath before entering the onsen, carved ojime and netsuke with a frog in the pose of a sumo wrestler. Meiji period 19th century Sizes: 11 x 6 x 6 cm. netsuke 5 x 3 x 2 cm. Condition report: Good condition

KASHIGATA 4pc.

Four pieces set of old wooden molds for making traditional Japanese confectionery called ‘Kashigata’, with such unique detailed carvings of shellfish, crane, turtle shell, and chrysanthemum. Early-mid 20th century, Japan. Largest mold (with turtle shell design): approx...