An 18th century Zen image of the Bodhidharma seated in meditation dressed in red robes, eyes aflame, the gold irises gleaming in the shadow of the Zendo hall, his countenance stern as he contemplates the mysteries of all and nothing. He is seated on the original wooden stand. Writing inside the diaper indicates it likely belonged to a temple called Jorakuji. It is 45 cm (18 inches) tall seated on the stand. The stand itself is 33 x 26.5 cm (13 x 10-1/2 inches)...

An extremely rare White Robe Kannon Ishigami, natural rootwood embracing stone, spirit stone. Kannon is the Bodhisattva ( Bosatsu)of Compassion, and Kannon figures of this kind are extremely rare! It is made of a natural rootwood grown around a stone, which forms the face and body of the image. These kind of rare “spirit stones” have always been highly appreciated by the Japanese literati and are still much loved and collected nowadays ...

An Edo period lacquered wood yosegi-zukuri scale model utsushi (honorific copy) of the original, Kamakura period sculpture of Kūkai (A.D. 774 - 835) enshrined as a manifestation of Maitreya Buddha in the Kongobu-ji shrine in the Okuno-In temple. Kōbō Daishi (so named posthumously), was the founder of esoteric Shingon, Vajrayana Buddhism in Japan. Weathered but fair condition. Ex H. I. Gates collection. Height, 9 1/2 inches

19th C Japanese wood mask of Uba, Noh/Kyogen tradition. Signed in cartouche above left eye, 6.5” tall and about 4.5” wide. Overall good condition, for details, please see images. The Uba mask represents old women, often dignified characters in Noh/Kyogen plays, such as in "Takasago" where it portrays a deity in the form of an old woman, often alongside the Okina (old man) mask.

19th C Japanese wood mask from a Noh/Kyogen tradition. 6” tall and about 4” wide. Back side has signs of old restoration. Front with a few chips. The mask represents a stylized male character with furrowed eyebrows and a downturned mouth, beard and mustache in black hair.

19th C Japanese wood mask of Ebisu/Daikoku type from a Kyogen tradition. 7 ¼” tall and about 5” wide. Front side with chips, for details of the condition, please see images. The mask represents a stylized smiling male character, one of the seven gods of good fortune, which originates from Buddhist tradition. The mask is featured in Kyōgen plays like Ebisu-Bishamon, where actors use the exaggerated smile and wide-open mouth to convey the god's jolly persona.

The mask is carved from a single piece of very light wood, covered with gofun (powdered oyster shell and animal glue) and painted with pigments to create a natural-looking facial expression. The face depicted portrays a cheerful and benevolent character. The eyes are made of glass for a realistic effect. This type of mask was hung on the walls of Japanese homes either to ward off bad luck, to drive away evil spirits, or to attract joy and happiness, as is the case here...

STONE DRUM VASE

Stone-carved Buddhist flower vase (bukkaki) in the form of a Japanese hand drum (tsuzumi). Edo period, Northern Kyushu, Japan. Approx. H 19 × W 12 × D 9.5 cm (7.5 × 4.7 × 3.7 in)...

A domestic Buddhism shrine of the Nichiren Zen Sect, made of gilt wood. On top of the altar are shown two Buddhas, in praying posture, backed by an aureola and sitting on a lotus throne. Between the Buddhas, a smaller altar bearing an inscription. The wholle altar is resting on an elevated pedestal. Japan, mid 20th century. Height: 23.7 cm. Very good condition.

Pair of Wooden Temple Shishi (Guardian Lions), Mid-Edo Period

An original pair of wooden shishi (guardian lions) dating to the mid-Edo period. These substantial carvings, once part of a temple or shrine structure, display powerful modeling with boldly rendered manes and dynamic flame motifs. They embody the enduring symbolism of strength and protection in Japanese sacred architecture.

Dimensions: approx...

A rare tiny pocket Buddhist shrine, made of gold lacquered wood. Hosting a wood sculpture of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of compassion, standing on a rock and holding a scroll. Condition: fine, lacquer with only few traces of age and usage. Dimension total: c. 4.6 cm high, open c. 6.2 cm wide, c. 2.2 cm deep.

Ca. 1950 bronze 'Hotei' by master bronze craftsman, signed 'Masayoshi. Excellent condition. Great expression. 15" deep x 10" wide x 8" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Regal, tall Jizo stone diety. Dated Ca. 1699. Buddha in Gassho mudra. Granite with lichen. 30" tall x 13" wide x 9" deep. Ask for shipping quote from CA warehouse.

STONE JIZO

Early 20th century, Japan. Approx. H 26 × W 18 × D 10.5 cm (10.2 × 7.1 × 4.1 in)...

Pair of Koma-Inu Shrine Guardians – Muromachi Period (1336–1573)

A rare Muromachi-period pair of wooden Koma-inu (lion-dog) shrine guardians, later finished in the Edo period with pigments and gold leaf. Their surfaces show graceful wear, revealing earlier decorative layers from centuries of ritual use. Each figure retains crystal inlaid eyes that glimmer with lifelike presence, enhancing their protective aura...

A hand woven antique Japanese rattan bowstring holder (tsuru-oke), crafted in a circular form with intricate basketry technique. This utilitarian yet elegant object was used to safely store spare bowstrings (tsuru) for the yumi, the long asymmetric bow central to Japanese archery. By keeping strings coiled, dry, and protected from tangling, the tsuru-oke ensured a warrior or archer was always prepared in training, hunting, or battle...

A creaturesque glass object straight out of Bio-fiction by female glass artist Koyama Atsuko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A plum colored nebula splaying out to an organic orb, beginning to stretch as if one were about to view cellular division in some anamorphic form floating in the cosmic drift. Suspended between the cellular and the celestial, this bioluminescent form glows with quiet intensity...

Edo period lacquered wood sculptural figural group of a Buddhist monk and an emaciated figure. Upon first consideration, this may represent Mukaku (a monk) and Seshin (an ascetic) - two Bodhisattvas associated with Buddhist teachings, particularly in Japan. But an inscription on the back appears to reference Dai Nichi[ren?]...