There is no visible image of God in Japanese Shinto religion. For this reason, people find the spirit of God in their surroundings, especially in nature. In the noh play “Takasago”, an old couple is seen together on the beach of Takasago (today’s Hyogo prefecture) sweeping pine needles under the trees. The old man Jo and old woman Uba are the spirits of the pine trees that were grown in Takasago and Sumiyoshi. The two trees are located far away but they are together with their spirits...

Very old and wonderful carved wood figure of the buddhist god Fudo Myoo, he stands with laso in one hand and sword in the other, made of wood with mineral pigments, glass eyes, metal details including sword, large and dramatic with fire nimbus, Muromachi Period, inscription on the back of nimbus says Yuwayadera (name of temple), nimbus is signed that it was restored by Minamoto Haruhisa April 16, 1560. Size: 62" high

An exquisite large vessel by Seifu Yohei III (1851-1914) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The mirror smooth surface is lightly tinged pink, a delicate touch only Seifu could create. The Fretwork about the center is absolutely perfect. The vase stands just over 12 inches (31 cm) tall, 5-1/2 inches (13 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. It is signed on the base Dai-Nippon Seifu Zo...

Like an aged boxer, the squat muscular crab takes a stance of readiness, one claw up prepared to defend against a coming attacker. This little fellow is unusual in that it is made of thick bronze, with each joint pinned in a way that allows for some mobility. Legs splayed the creature is 9 inches (23 cm) wide, standing it is 3-1/2 inches 89 cm) tall. There is a repair to the first joint of the 2nd left leg. It dates from the first part of the 20th century.

Beautiful art work of Tosa Mitsutoki* embroidered with a theme from the Noh play "Takasago" on an antique fukusa, a Japanese gift cover. The signature, seal and other characters are embroidered. To find a signature on a fukusa from this period (late Edo) is very rare; in fact, I have never seen one. The characters (at the bottom left side) read "e-dokoro azukari" which is the title for the head of the Imperial Painting Bureau...

Everything about this sencha tea implement storage cabinet is top quality; a most unusual box made up almost entirely of worm wood featuring a removable door with an inner panel of antique Chinese origin, possibly an image of a tea salesman with his baskets of leaves. A bronze handle surmounts the lightweight box, with a set of four jade rings attached through a pair of folding fans serving as a handle for the door...

Japanese uchikake (traditional wedding gown in kimono shape), embroidered flying cranes, thick red satin, new condition. 53" (sleeve to sleeve) x 73" (6'1") long

Japanese uchikake (wedding gown in kimono shape) in red and gold, thick Shioze silk, very new condition. 52" (sleeve to sleeve) x 75" long

Stunning Meiji Period Midnight Blue Cloisonne Vase in inverted pear shape with lavender and white wisteria design on a midnight-blue ground. Height: 11.5 inches, 29 cm; Circumference: 15 inches, 38 cm.

A beautiful Satsuma vase by Kinkozan, the foremost artist of the 'Golden Age' of Satsuma during the Meiji Period. In ovoid form with gorgeous relief butterfly and flower designs and a central band with floral rosettes on black. Kinkozan mark on base. Height: 12.5 inches, 31.5 cm; Circumference: 25 inches, 63.5 cm.

This is an a beautiful Uchikake (Japanese wedding gown) covered with embroideries on satin. The workmanship shown in this gown is truely amazing. It is in new condition.

The pair of loving birds are Oshi-dori (Mandarin ducks) which are popular subjects relating to weddings. The theme of this gown is probably from Chapter 5, "Lavender" (Waka Murasaki) in "The Tale of Genji". When Genji was traveling the countryside for the first time, he saw a beautiful young girl crying...

One of the most spectacular Japanese bronze hibachi's ever encountered and quite unusual in every way. Massive and weighing a solid 18 lbs. this hibachi features a well sculpted dragon that clutches the celestial pearl of wisdom that effort-sly glides about the wind that whips about its body, three monkeys in varying poses or positions support this cauldron-like monstrosity...

Wonderful Japanese hirado ware porcelain figure of a dragon fish jumping out of waves, a traditional symbol of transformation, white glazed porcelain with tinge of brown along edges on one side and blue underglazed eyes, Meiji Period (19th century). Size: 12 3/4" high x 9 1/2" wide x 10" deep.

Elegant Japanese uchikake (traditional wedding gown) sewn in the style of the twelve layered court attire (juni-hitoe) from the Heian period (794-1160). The longing for the beautiful, culture rich era of the aristocrats that existed so long ago never seems to cease in people's mind even after 1000 years. Here on this red background, the classic design of the ox-cart in a pine forest is beautifully woven in gold. The layer of robes could have gone up to 15 or even more...

A set of Japanese bira-bira kanzashi (hair ornament) with silver and gold plated peonies, foliage, coral beads and dangling chains. Meiji period. This set has been recently cleaned by a jeweler. Kanzashi 8 1/4" long, chains 4" long.

Japanese antique fukusa, a gift cover embroidered with "The Old Couple of Takasago" on wool (rasha, felt like), padded and lined with orange crepe silk, Meiji period (1868-1912).

The story of the old couple, Jo and Uba, came from the Noh play, Takasago, which was written during the Muromachi period (1336-1573) by Zeami. Jo and Uba were spirits who resided in an old pine tree which was two trees that grew together over the years...

This is a fabulous woven silk fukusa designed with Japanese tastes in mind. It is woven in silk with the addition of gold lacquered silk threads. Each of the four corners has four turtle tassels. The reverse side is red with a gold paulownia mon also woven with god threads. This is a very striking piece and makes a superb interior design statement. In excellent condition, it measures 24.5” square. We date this to mid-Showa.

Early 1900 Japanese silk fukusa featuring a turtle and a crane. Techniques used to create this wonderful fukusa are sumi-e hand painting, yuzen resist dying, some embroidery, and gold foil couching. On the reverse is red rinzu silk with crane and mons motif. Two original tassels are still intact at the bottom. There is a small cluster of tiny gray spots by the crane, see last photo. Otherwise, in very good condition/excellent, it measures 25” wide x 27” high.