Wooden toad with long legs. In the Japanese bestiary, the toad has a special place, carrying positive values. Both the toad and the frog, called kaeru (蛙) return every year and regardless of the distance to the pond where they were born. The word kaeru is a synonym for "coming home". It is the protective animal for travelers and the symbol of hospitality...

Hitotsusage tabacco pouch with a netsuke. Unlike the tabako-ire, there is no kiseru case.

Netsuke of kagamibuta type, made of two parts: a silver plate with peonies decoration and an ivory bowl.
Leather snuffbox (pouch) with menuki (metallic decoration) of a silver dragon. On the pouch, painted decoration of a Hôô phoenix surrounded by flowers...

Bronze sculpture of a giraffe beetle (Prosopocoilus girafa). The top of the abdomen is raised, revealing a perfume burner. The lucanus, in Japanese kuwagata mushi, is highly valued for its playfulness and aesthetic value.
Insects (mushi) have a very important place in Japanese culture. Insect hunting is a popular pastime, especially among children. Using nets and cages, they catch cicadas, beetles and other insects to observe them...

Bronze okimono with brown patina of a mouse lying down. The coat, the tail and the legs are chiselled. The details of the head are particularly detailed, such as the moustache hairs and the long eyelashes.
In Japan, the term nezumi refers to both the mouse and the rat. They are regarded as the messenger of Daikokuten, the deity of trade and wealth...

Large natsume in black lacquer covered with gold powder (maki-e). Gold and silver snowflakes decoration in togidashi maki-e on nashi-ji background. The interior is made of dense nashi-ji lacquer.

The natsume is a tea box intended to contain matcha tea for the preparation of the tea ceremony. It is named for its resemblance to the natsume fruit, i.e. the jujube (also called the Chinese date). It is round, short and has a flat lid. It is often made of lacquer...

Small namban style chest with a semi-cylindrical lid made of black lacquered wood (urushi) with gold lacquer (maki-e) and inlaid with mother-of-pearl (raden).
Mon style decoration (family emblem) of ginkos and chrysanthemums framed by friezes alternating three grooves and mother-of-pearl inlays...

An antique Japanese Sakata Kotansu (Japanese personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. 5 Drawers with 3 drawers secured by a locking bar. Hinged door behind which lie 3 small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using thick wood with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. A beautiful elegant chest that is perfect for a night stand or a side table...

A baby carrier belt made of indigo dye cotton for warp and washi (Japanese handmade paper) yarn for weft. It is made in Shonai region in Yamagata district in Tohoku. In good condition with beautiful tassels but the seam loose part in one selvedge (30cm). The first half of the 20th century. 13.5cm x 3m60cm

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Kotansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze and iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Locks feature a Chrysanthemum motif and the door handles display stylized clouds. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area and five drawers used for additional storage and organizing...

Japanese Green Kutani Stoneware Dish, 8 1/4" diameter, 1 3/8" high, with very design of two(2) horses, one is white, other horse is gold, with attendant enjoying two(2) Birds singing on the tree branches in the Forest, surrounded with ornate intricate macramé design in Orange and green overglaze Border. Signed on the bottom "KUTANI" on top of the dark orange color inside the bottom rim, and black scrolling Vine design on top of the overglaze Green. The condition is good, no damages.

A fabulous wavering form accentuates the fissured ice-like glaze of celadon master Uraguchi Masayuki enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seiji Kokusho Mizusashi. The black lacquered lid is like a dark pool in the middle of the flaring body. The sleek shape is very much his own, and the deeply crackled glazes he employs have been developed over a lifetime of experimentation...

Large incense burner made for a Buddhist temple...

This little guy is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. A tiny mouse rests atop a bulging white radish, bristling blue leaves in full detail attached as if pulled fresh from the ground. Dating from the 19th century (later Edo to early Meiji period), it comes enclosed in an age darkened wooden box titled Daikon Nezumi Futamono (Radish/Mouse Lidded Receptacle). I confess in over 25 years dealing in Japanese art and antiques I have never seen one like it. It is in excellent condition. ...

Kohai, a halo made of metal (copper). Very little bit of gold plate is left. 19th century. L:38.5cm, W:13cm

This is a japanese antique Boro Cotton woven tabi socks (Japanese socks with split toe). It is a rare socks from the time when cotton was precious. Size:Length:21cm (8.26inch)

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu (Tea Chest) made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood and hand lacquered with hand applied Mother of Pearl inlay. The central theme is longevity as the landscape design captures the Pine tree throughout the chest. Foliated accents highlight the front outline and sides. Four sliding doors at the top, 2 sliding doors to the bottom left, a pair of wood hinged doors to the bottom right, and two small drawers along the bottom.

Age: Meiji period (1900-1910)

Dime...

Antique Japanese woodblock print, framed oban diptych entitled "The Story of the Strong Woman Takashima Oiko of Omi Provence" from the series "A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures" by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). In the scene, the strong-woman, Takashima Oiko leads Saeki Urinaga, the sumo wrestler home in order to strengthen him for an up coming match. Printer: Tsunajima Kamekichi.

Age: 1889

Dimensions: diptych print: 14" high x 19" wide. Framed: 21" high x 2...

A vintage Japanese 2 section Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. 3 drawer top section and 2 drawer bottom section. Both sections can be separated for use and display in different rooms of a home. Side handles used to carry each section from place to place with the lower section handles serving a dual purpose of also securing the top section in place.

Age: Early Showa ...