Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top drawer's iron lock plate is incised with the image of a flying crane and pine branches; The bottom drawer's lock is incised with an ancient turtle with many tails. This imagery represents good health and longevity. Key is included.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 32.75" L x 15.75" D x 20" H

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top and bottom drawer are decorated by large iron lock plates, incised with a bamboo forest, blossoming cherry trees, and small flying birds. The corner hardware on the face of each drawer also show floral motifs.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33.75" L x 15.5" D x 18.75" H

A superb Sajigawa stone of deep olive patina, completely natural, on a carved rosewood base and enclosed in a fine old straight grain wood box. Notice the entirely natural arch growing between the two spires. This is incredibly rare and a fine prize. This would be considered a house shaped stone, reminiscent of a farm-house and its adjoining out-building, a covered passage between. Saji stones come from the Saji river in Tottori prefecture. This is 3 x 4-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches (8 x 12 x 9.5 cm...

A woven antique Japanese men's wallet decorated with geometric design created with brocaded silk ribbon. Inside, hand stitched with Sashiko stitches on silk. The shakudo clasp is tomo-e shaped and inlaid with copper and silver. Silvered metal (brass?) netsuke in the shape of a tongue cut sparrow attached with three colored metal chain. Circa, early 1900s (Taisho period). Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 3 1/8"

An unusual decorative wooden sword (tea room sword) carved of hardwood in the shape of a dried fish signed on the belly pierced and wrapped with a faded silk chord. An excellent example of the genre it is 13-1/2 inches (34 cm) long and in fine condition.
It is said that these wooden swords were produced from the mid to late Edo period, in lieu of swords for those not allowed to carry weapons (all but samurai). During the Edo it is true that commoners wore them to ward off evildoers at ...

Unusual Edo period safe box, 1800-1850. Original hardware and finish. Kiri leaf design on hardware with mon character, original hand forged hardware. Number 18 on front of box. Box made to be carried there is an inset handle on the back of the box. It measures 20" long by 6.25" wide by 8" tall.

Antique Japanese ship safe box, or funebako, made with Kiri and Sugi wood in original deep lacquer finish. Its sides and front door have kakute style handles, with simplistic iron bracing on its front door. Original working key is included. Five drawers are sealed away within for safe storage of valuables.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 16" H x 15.5" W x 15.75" D

Antique Japanese tansu from the Sado Island area, with extensive hand-forged iron hardware plating incised with dedicative Seven Lucky Gods motifs. The 2 section Isho tansu has an all Kiri wood exterior with Sugi sides and top exterior. The chest is composed of 7 drawers in an unusual configuration, with 2 keys. The safe box holds 3 internal drawers its door, above which are two unusual small drawers for seals, coins, and other keepsakes.

Meiji Age c1900

Dimensions: 46 ...

An antique Japanese Sado Island Kasane Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware (including Warabite handles) and wiped Urushi lacquer finish. The metalsmith showcased his talent adding Chrysanthemum corners to each drawer front and Mum backplates to each handle. As if that were not enough, the tansu maker added iron plating to the front frame showcasing the individual drawers.

Upper drawer lock plates each feature a Phoenix whic...

Beautiful antique Japanese single-section tansu from Sado Island, its front frame entirely covered by iron work. It has two large main drawers with large rectangular lockplates, the top incised with a crane and the bottom with the image of two turtles, referencing the old saying Tsuru Sen-nen, Kame Man-nen (as the crane lives one thousand years, the tortoise ten thousand years) to represent longevity. The large drawers have two warabite handles mounted on rectangular backings, and bold triangula...

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (merchant's ship safe), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, heavy iron hardware including raised Chrysanthemum buds in corners and on hinges, large iron Chrysanthemum locks, sliding panel opens to 2 interior drawers, hinged door opens to 3 interior drawers, comes with 2 keys.

Mid Edo Period

Dimensions: 19" high x 21 1/4" wide x 17" deep.

Antique Japanese wooden horse saddle frame, lacquered and inlaid with shells in chrysanthemum motif with Soroban (abacus beads) mon, bronze hardware, Edo Period (late 18th/ early 19th century). Size: 17 1/2" high x 21" wide x 26" deep.

This is a beautifully rendered Japanese Tetsubin. Done in Iron with gorgeous mixed metal inlays of gold and silver. Portrays persimmon fruit branch with birds an Maple tree leafs representing Fall. Signed Lid on bottom reads Ryubundo, the noted studio that produced cast iron tea kettles. Dimensions: 8 3/4'' High X 6 1/2'' Wide

An antique Japanese Ryo Biraki Tansu made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the natural Urushi lacquer. The two hinged doors hide 6 drawers of varying sizes. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36 1/2 Wide by 21 1/4" High by 17" Deep.

An antique Ryobiraki Choba Tansu (merchant chest with double doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Behind the doors are 7 drawers with 2 shelves for merchant books and records. The bottom shelf has a coin slot where coins were dropped into the drawer below. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

This chest would make a beautiful side table or accent piece in an...

Antique round bronze suiban, a shallow tray or bowl to be filled with suiseki or viewing stones, as well as sand and bonsai, signature on the bottom, 19th century. Size: 3.5" height, 12" width

A fabulous Rootwood stand of dark red hardwood with a web of interlacing root-legs beneath. It is 48 x 32 x 8 cm (19 x 12-1/2 x 3 inches) and is in overall fine condition, dating from the first half of the 20th century.

A pair of root-wood geese carvings 10 x 4 x 3 inches (24 x 10 x 9 cm) and 6 x 3 x 8 inches (14 x 6.5 x 20 cm) respectively. There are some minor losses around where the feet are attached to the natural form polished wood bodies, otherwise are in fine condition.