Beautiful Japanese bronze vase of baluster shape with a dark patina. The body has a scene in relief of blossoming branch with a bees' nest and bees with gold inlaid eyes. Signed vase. Age: Meiji Period). Size: 13.625" H x 6.25" D.

A large Japanese bronze tripod censer decorated with various auspicious motifs. Dragons and phoenix-like birds are set within a wave pattern known as seigaiha. The feet of the vessel are shaped like scrolling clouds. A censer such as this would have been used for incense at a temple.

Age: Early 19th century

Size: diameter 29.25" height 16.5"

Beautiful Japanese small commemorative sake dish. Round shape on footed base and incised. The bottom of each dish is inscribed as the 12th, 13th, and 14th National Weaving Competition. The silver sake dishes were made by Yamazaki Shoten of Ginza. Each has its own tomobako with seal. Age: Taisho Period (1912-1925) Sizes: Small dish: 1" h x 3" diameter, approx. 50 grams. Medium dish: 1.125" h x 3.5" diameter, approx. 62.5 grams. Large dish: 1375" h x 4.125" diameter, approx. 85 grams.

Feminine figures dive upwards, forming the handles on this large art-deco vase by Nakajima Yasumi II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Jundo Eikan Kabin. The vase is 13 inches (32.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition. Inside the box lid is an inscription stating it was given to commemorate the first run of a three year old thoroughbred Arabian Stallion at the Amagasaki Race course in 1958...

Antique Japanese shinto shrine mirror. The central motif has a turtle and two cranes beaks meeting in the center. The background has pine trees, paulownia, plum, and bamboo branches with a turtle walking along the shoreline. The characters under the heavens, are marked under the central turtle.
There is a large sixteen petalled chrysanthemum above the turtle...

Antique Japanese shinto shrine mirror. The mirror has a central motif of a turtle meeting the beaks of two cranes. Three baby cranes and a small turtle walk along the beach. The three auspicious symbols of pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms invoke the island of longevity, horaisan. There is an inscription to ward off calamities. This mirror would have been placed on a wooden stand at the entrance to a shinto shrine for the visitor to see their reflection as they entered. Edo period, (c1800)...

Antique Japanese shinto mirror, tenka ichi. This mirror has a tassle tied through a turtle. The central motif is of a turtle over bamboo meeting the beaks of two cranes. The birds and turtle are on a beach with pine trees and bamboo bushes. This mirror would have been placed along with three others at the entrance to a shrine for those entering to see their reflection as they entered. Made of bronze, Edo period (c1800).
It measures 4 5/8" by 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese gumbai, war fan. It was sued mainly as a signaling device during war. Today, they are most often seen in use by sumo referees. It measures 21.5" long 11" wide. Meiji 1868-1912. Inscribed with the Hachimandaibosatsu, in the same style of calligraphy as the Tsuruoka shrine in Kamakura. It may have been as shrine offering or a decoration in the shrine. Made of white bronze with a pewter or silver handle.

Antique Japanese bronze Bishamonten or guardian. Taisho period, 1912-1926. The Bishamonten is the protector of Buddhism, distributor of treasures and wealth and protector of warriors. He is the Shitenno guardian of the north, of riches and scourger of evil doers, and healer of illness. The Shitenno are the four heavenly guardians that protect the Buddha and his attendants. There is a seal on the base reading Nobu. It measures 38" tall.

Antique Japanese Meiji period, 1868-1912, bronze cast deer. The deer is lightly walking across a surface. Excellent naturalism. It measures 10" long 6" tall.

Refined tetsubin cast from iron with a bronze lid with a flower motif at the base of the lid's handle. Age: Taisho-Early Showa Period (1912-1920). Size: height 9.5" diameter 6.75"

A set of stacking brass coasters in the shape of a cannon shell complete with dial settings on the warhead made for the Shobido company in the 1930s or 40s and enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Stacked it is 10 inches (25 cm) tall, 3 inches (7.5 c) diameter and in excellent condition.
Shobido has been commissioning works with first rate artists and craftsmen for its own facilities and top Department stores since 1900...

An elegant rendition of the famous Rimpa Crane standing alongside a swirling river of silver created by Shoun for the Shobido Art Studio enclosed in the original wooden box. Extremely well crafted, the creature stands 11 inches (25 cm) tall and is signed Shoun Saku. The black lacquered table is 18 x 13 inches (45 x 33 cm) and is in fine condition.
Shobido has been commissioning works with first rate artists and craftsmen for its own facilities and top Department stores since 1900...

Beautiful Japanese sterling silver overlaid glass stoppered decanter, the pinched form having a hand chased reticulated bamboo pattern overlay. Top with stylized etched letter "B". Age: Meiji - Taisho Period. Size: 8.75" Height x 4.75" width.

Antique Japanese iron sake server or sakatsugi. The body contains an image of a turtle, a symbol of longevity and used in festive and auspicious occasions. Next to the turtle, although hard to see, is a signature which reads Tosa no Kami Mitsusada, who was a painter from the Tosa School (1738-1806). The image on the sakatsugi is possibly based on a painting by the artist and was incorporated into the design...

Antique Japanese bronze usubata made of woven bronze. An usubata is a floral arranging container for ikebana. The base is made in the form of an open weave bamboo basket with a six point star pattern. The top is a close weave. The handles are bamboo branches with leaves climbing over the basket. Meiji period 1868-1912. It measures 12" wide 11" tall.

Rare large pair of beautiful original Japanese bronze temple lanterns with gilt highlights. A Sasarindo crest on the section where the light would be placed; the Sasarindo is the bamboo leaves and gentian flowers crest of the Minamoto clan.
The doors are fully functional. Each lantern is made of 6 individual cast bronze sections. A pearl in a flame sits on top of each lantern. Two very intricate dragons wrap around the lanterns. There are abundant motifs of dragons, flames and clouds...

A spectacular set of bira-bira-kanzashi hair pins in the form of cranes among blossoming plum and pine formed of silver which come enclosed in a custom made silk-lined wooden box. Two are 13 inches (33 cm) long, the other is 9 inches (23 cm) long and all are in fine condition. According to a label inside the box they are from Akita City in Northern Japan, sold by Takeyaso Hon-ten. The box is 15 x 17 x 5 inches (38 x 43 x 13 cm). I do have more images if someone is interested.