Pair of Inari Foxes of sculptured and fired clay with luminescent powered white glaze. In traditional Japanese art, a pair of foxes typically flank the deity Inari’s shrine image. But in modern times, images of Inari have all but disappeared, replaced instead by images of Oinari’s messenger, the magical shape-shifting fox (kitsune 狐). Here the symbolism is two-fold. First, rice is sacred in Japan, closely associated with fertility (the pregnant earth) and with sustaining life...

A lucky ammer in red decorates the inside of this large bowl by Mamiya Eishu enclosed in a period wooden box. It appears to read Kishoho or Kishohon (the method to satisfaction or the root of satisfaction respectively). The bowl is 7-1/2 inches (19 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. Eishu (1871-1945)entered the priesthood at the age of nine at Ryutakuji Temple under the training of the priest Tengan...

Seated male Shinto god in lacquered wood, joined-block construction, the eyes of inset crystal. Early-Edo Period ca. 1650, possibly earlier. Minor old loss.

Height: 17.1 cm
Width: 17.4 cm
Depth: 10.8 cm

A well-executed male Shinto god, stylistically representative of Edo-Period Shinto work in sharp contrast to the more primitive style typifying pre-Edo Shinto sculpture.

Beautiful Kyoto Nishijin silk obi, decorated with flowers, ribbons and mirrors. Gold is genuine and used in two different methods; strips of gilt paper (machine cut) and gold leaf wrapped around the silk threads. Some gold leaf are natually missing from the strips of paper - this did not show up in most photos (see enlargement photo). This obi looks older (clean) than shown in the photos. Circa 1920-1940. Dimensions: 12 3/4" x 170"

A delicately painted earthenware Satsuma dish depicting pagodas and blossoming trees in a rocky mountain landscape. The base could be signed "Sozan". This item was made in japan during the Meiji period (1868-1911). Condition - there is a little scratching and what appears to be a minor surface blemish in one small area (please see enlargement 5)- no chips, cracks or restoration...

The theme on this fukusa (Japanese gift cover) is “Kin ki Sho ga”, four accomplishments of noblemen. For a man to be well balanced and eventually become a good leader, practicing (and become good at) of “Kin ki Sho ga” was encouraged during their leisure time; ‘Kin’ (Jp. Koto, string music instrument), ‘ki’ (jp. ‘Go’, Chinese chess), ‘sho’ (calligraphy) and ‘ga’ (painting). This started in China and was brought back to Japan by traveling monks studying Buddhism...

Standing Jizo Bosatsu sculpted in bold relief from a relatively soft sedimentary stone, the right hand holding a shakujo (crozier) and the left a hoju (sacred jewel). Clearly dated to the 11th year of the Taisho Era (1922). Minor old perimeter loss; otherwise, fine. Distinctive lichen accumulation, including a rust-hued patch around the left eye.

Height: 47 cm
Width: 20 cm
Depth: 15 cm

A classic, and thoroughly charming, Jizo stone.

Kawase Hasui
Kankai Temple, Beppu Hot Springs, 1927
Publisher: Bijutsusha. One of only eight Hasui designs published by Bijutsusha. Bears the red "Rumi" publisher's seal.
Size: Oban, approximately 15.0 x 10.25 inches.
Condition: Unframed. Excellent. A small (2 mm) hole in the dark green foliage has been invisibly repaired by a conservator. Short green dash in grey upper right sky.
A lush landscape format print and a rare design...

Small flat Buddhist shrine, constructed as a triptych. When open, the middle section houses Amida Nyorai in raised carving, sitting on a lotus throne under a baldachin and surrounded by clouds. On the left panel Seishi bosatsu with his hands folded in prayer, on the right panel Kannon bosatsu with the lotus in his hands. Both bodhisattva surrounded by clouds as well. Sandalwood with details of garment and baldachin in gold. Background in lapis blue...

This is a fine old Japanese Porcelain vase from a rare Artist. The vase is very heavy and it stands 12 inches tall. The vase is decorated in underglaze blues and reds much like some of the Makuzu Kozan Pieces. There is an unknown impressed signature on the bottom. Maybe someone in Japan will recognize the signature of this fine studio artist. The vase was once a lamp and the hole has been nicely restored.

Standing Jizo Bosatsu figurally sculpted from a friable large-grained sedimentary stone, the hands holding a large hoju (sacred jewel). Mid-Edo Period ca. 1700—1750. Significant softening of the lines and contours overall, with minor points of old loss.

Height: 46.8 cm
Width: 13.3 cm
Depth: 12.0 cm.
Packaged weight: 10 kg.

An atmospheric Jizo stone redolent of time's passage.

A large cloth, silk brocade, lined with cotton with ties on one side. Dimensions: 104 1/4” long x 45” in width (2.65m x 1.14m). There are four 26” panels sewn together (sewing machine), each panel is decorated with a pair of phoenix birds one parched on a paulownia tree and the other on a rock. Although the fabric is of high quality silk, it actually is older than it appears - you need to handled gently. The gold sparkles when it is hit by lights. The color is not red...

A rarely encountered Japanese "shin hanga" woodblock print titled "Sunset Glow at the Skirt of Mt. Fuji" by Ito Takashi (1894-1982), published by Watanabe in the second month of 1952. This print is from an old Tucson, Arizona collection and was purchased in the mid-20th century. It is not a recent Heisei edition. This standard sized horizontal oban print has full margins and measures 10 3/8" x 15 1/4" (image about 9 1/2" x 14 1/4"). Very good color and overall condition...

Seated Jizo Bosatsu figuratively sculpted from a large-grained sedimentary stone, the right hand holding a crozier and the left a sacred jewel. Mid- to late-Edo Period ca. 1800. Excellent condition. Good lichen accumulation.

Height: 40.0 cm
Width: 28.5 cm
Depth: 16.5 cm

Sadogashima, an island in the Japan Sea off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, is well-known for a distinctive style of figurative stone Jizo sculpted from a friable large-grained sedimentary stone, called "Sado granite" ...

The fabric is thick, silver brocade that appears to be taken from a Japanese woman's old obi from late Edo period. The liner is cotton. During the Edo period (1602-1868), there was a custom that the family of a deceased woman would donate her favorite kimono to the temple; some beautiful temple cloths were created from those wonderful fabrics. The custom was likely to have continued after the period. The design on the fabric is the four benevolent animals of Chinese mythology; qulin, drag...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) dated 1854 depicting a beauty of the nobility practicing the art of painting. Signed at the left "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche surrounded with yellow snow." 14 3/8"V x 10"H. Very good color and in clean overall condition with lacquer and embossed highlights. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back. No tape or tape stains. There is a tiny bit of thinning at the upper left...

Top quality Kyoto Nishijin obi in maru obi style (design on both sides). We think this obi is from 1930-1940. No damages. Dimensions: 12 5/8" x 13'5"(161.5")

Japanese antique hand-carved keyaki wood badger with tally book, sake bottle and wearing a monk's hat, standing with enlarged scrotum, nice color and grain pattern, Taisho Period circa 1920s, Size: 15"H 16"W 11"D