Antique Japanese hand scroll painting of Legends of Mount Shigi based on a painting called Shigisan-engi. The long narrative scroll depicts miracles revolving around a monk named Myoren who lived on Mount Shigi. According to the legends, Myoren was drawn to Mount Shigi by a Buddha statue. He built a shrine there and, that winter, he survived on rice provided to him by his roving rice bowl...

Fragment of a multi-section folding screen (Jp. byobu) depicting a Portuguese trader in Japan seated on a folding chair beneath a large umbrella, executed in natural pigments and gilt on silk. Momoyama Period ca. 1575. Significant old loss.

Fragment height: 73 cm
Fragment width: 23 cm
Wood-and-plexiglass frame height: 94 cm
Frame width: 43.5 cm

An exceedingly rare example of authentic namban-themed Japanese art. Decorative and highly collectible.

A young Maiko parts the curtains of an Okiya Tea-house entrance, perhaps on her way to training, or to begin a night of traditional entertainment through song and dance. Pigment and ink on silk in a fine brocade border with lacquered red wooden rollers. It is 25 x 78 inches (63.5 x 198 cm). There is some loss to the gofun in the center where it was obviously folded once before being mounted in its current state.

A very fine and detailed large 18th Century Japanese KANSHI Scroll Painting on Silk, skillfully depicting to minute details Mountains, Landscapes, Temples, People and Animals. This rare and outstanding scroll painting bears a Chinese poem in calligraphy, artist: YANAGAWA SEIGAN's signature as well as collector's seal. Good overall condition. Size of complete scroll: height 271cm x 107cm. (106" x 42"). Size of painting including silk border: 190 cm x 106 cm. (75" x 41.5")...

A mandala from the Main Kyoto Nichiren Sect Buddhist Temple Honnoji cut from a hardwood slab used in the rebuilding of the great hall in the Taisho period. Written on back is “Given in Taisho 14 (1925) to the temple supporter’s representative as a prayer for good fortune upon the occasion of the ceremonial raising of the roof beam of the main temple structure (Honden), the plackard cut from wood used in the rebuilding”. It is signed Nichijo-gan...

Japanese 2 panel byobu folding screen, painted of a fierce battle scene taking place over a bridge. Gold leaf clouds edged in raised gofun outline the image.

Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 48" L x 28 1/4" H

Antique Japanese 2 panel byobu screen painting of a stag. The male deer stands below the overhanging branch of a moss covered maple tree, chrysanthemums and other flowers growing underneath. Beside them, a vibrant blue river, carrying away the bright red maple leaves in its currents. Pigment on silver leaf.

Dimensions: 73 1/2" W x 62" H

Japanese 2 panel folding byobu screen, pigment on paper painting of peonies in red, pink, and white with gold flecks. Two small white butterflies with black specked wings float nearby. Signed with red seal.

Dimensions: 70" W x 29 1/2" H

Japanese 2 panel byobu folding screen of fu dogs and peonies. The motifs are a representation of protection (fu dog) over wealth and prosperity (peonies). Pigments on paper with silver leaf. With two red seals.

Early 19th Century

Dimensions: 48" x 61 1/2" Height overall

Beautiful antique Japanese 2 panel byobu screen painting of a hawk in flight against natural foliage background. Hand painted with exquisite detail. Excellent original condition. Signed with red seal.

Early 20th Century Taisho Period

Dimensions: 56" W x 60" H overall

Vintage Japanese watercolor painting by Fukutaro Terauchi (1891-?) depicting a village scene with figures walking under parasols in the snow. Signed at the lower right. Likely dates from the 1950s. Executed on slightly textured watercolor paper measuring about 11 3/4" x 8 1/8." Very good overall condition. There is a narrow strip of old tape residue at the top back and there are a few pencil notations on the back.

Antique Japanese Buddhist Diamond Realm Mandala thangka painting (Kongokai Mandara). In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Diamond Realm (vajradhatu kongokai) is a metaphysical space inhabited by the Five Wisdom Buddhas. The Diamond Realm Mandala is based on an esoteric Buddhist sutra called Vajrasekhara Sutra. Shuji Mandala of the Two Worlds, Vajradhatu Mandala does not directly express the forms of the buddhas but expresses them in Sanskrit character (Siddham) called Shuji seed letter...

Japanese ukiyo-e style ink and color on silk scrolled painting of a standing bijin (beauty) by Ohara Donshu (1792-1857), aka Ohara Tonshu and Ohara Kon. Signed in black ink “Donshu” and with two red artist’s seals “Donshu” and “Hara kon no in.” Ohara Donshu was a follower of Shijo-style painter Shibata Gito, who was in turn a follower of Matsumura Goshun. Although best known for his Maruyama-Shijo style landscape paintings, Donshu also produced fine figure paintings...

Kai-awase, made from a natural clamshell (Jp. hamaguri, Lat. Meretrix lusoria), the interior surfaces of both halves depicting a nearly identical scene from the Heian-Period literary classic Genji Monogatari hand-painted in the traditional Yamato-e style, characterized primarily by a predominance of gold leaf in addition to natural-pigment polychrome. Late-Edo Period ca. 1800...

Kai-awase, made from a natural clamshell (Jp. hamaguri, Lat. Meretrix lusoria), the interior surfaces of both halves depicting a nearly identical bird-and-flower (Jp. kacho-ga) genre scene hand-painted in the traditional Yamato-e style, characterized primarily by a predominance of gold leaf in addition to natural-pigment polychrome. Late-Edo Period ca. 1800...

Kai-awase, made from a natural clamshell (Jp. hamaguri, Lat. Meretrix lusoria), the interior surfaces of both halves depicting a nearly identical thistle-flower genre scene hand-painted in the traditional Yamato-e style, characterized primarily by a predominance of gold leaf in addition to natural-pigment polychrome. Late-Edo Period ca. 1850...

Japanese Meiji to Taisho period ogi folding fan decorated with a single bird in flight over treetops. Signed at the right and with artist's seal. Late 19th to early 20th century. Measures about 8 3/4" vertical x 18 7/8" across from tip to tip. Very good, clean overall condition with some minor crinkling of the paper at the corners. The paper at the right edge is slightly distressed. From an old New Orleans collection.

Japanese Buddhist scroll depicting the Legendary Sixteen Arhats. The Arhats are described as sage beings who have attained enlightenment, yet have not become a full Buddha. The Sixteen Arhats are traditionally worshipped for they are said to have renounced Nirvana out of compassion to help relieve human suffering on earth...