During the Edo Period, there was a time when puppet play became the most popular form of entertainment among the common people. At one time, they were so popular that Kabuki actors even began mimicking the movement of the puppets.

The era of Ningyo Joruri (puppet play later called Bunraku) began in 1684 when Takemoto Gidayu, a narrator, opened a theater in Dotonbori. He was joined by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, the genius playwright who was often called "the Shakespeare of Japan."

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Spectacular and extremely rare Giant size antique Buddha Figure dressed in royal robes, lacquer intricately inlaid with inset flat glass/mirror mosaics backed with colored foil and further decorated with moulded relief work forming beautiful spirals. The Buddha seated in "bhumisparshamudra" (subduing Mara), his left hand rests palm upward, on his lap, and the right hand rests on his right knee, calling the Earth to witness. He has elongated earlobes to demonstrate his princely parentage and a ve...

Burmese bronze ladle.

Age: Burma, circa 14th - 15th Century
Measurement: Length 17.7 C.M. / Width 5.7 C.M. (size excluding stand)
Condition: Nice condition overall. Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.

Antique gilt copper repouse 4 piece crown, painted details, each piece has a seated Buddha with different mudra, back is painted deep red, 19th century, on new custom metal stand. Total Size (with stand): 14" high x 14 1/2" wide x 4 1/2" deep.

Striped agate Pyu beads most likely made in India but found in Burma. These type of beads are very rare and difficult to find.Can make a nice pendant. Condition: No repairs

Chinese scholar's desk root wood (possibly cypress) sculpture depicting Sanxing (Three Star Gods) representing longevity, happiness, and wealth. The god of wealth holds a small child representing wishes for future good fortune through healthy offspring. Measures nearly 11" high by 12" long. Late Qing dynasty to early Republic period. Very good overall condition. There is old bug damage to the back of two heads which appears at one time to have been filled (see enlargements 9 and 10). I have ...

Beautiful old Japanese woven silk uchikake gown in new condition. The size of this gown is small (much shorter) and light in weight. We are not sure how gowns in this style were worn but our humble guess would be that they were either made into jackets for upper class women (style is similar to kosode from late Edo period), Noh custumes or wedding gowns (though the sleeves are short). Subtle but beautiful, will make a great wall decoration. Dimensions: 47 1/2"(120.7cm)W x 61"(154.9cm)L, sle...

Beautiful Japanese antique choba tansu (merchant's chest), made of keyaki (elm) with sugi (Japanese cedar) interior, beautiful heavy iron hardware, sliders on top, bottom with removable locking bar (bo) over two drawers, lower right side with safe box, interior of safe with two small drawers, all original deep red translucent lacquer finish, Mikuni area, late Edo Period (mid 19th century). Size: 33 1/2" high x 36 3/4" wide x18 1/2" deep.

A lurid landscape spreads across two two-panel screens by Shirakura Niho signed and dated 1929. Two colorful scholars share a quiet moment in the shelter of a thatched hut. On first examination it appears nonsensical, a chaotic collection of dashes and dots, however the closer one examines the painting the more one realizes the detail and planning that went into the imagery, It is performed with ink on paper framed in dark mulberry frame and has been recently re-backed with forest green paper....

A beautiful and subtlety carved jade of Quanyin in a standing position holding her prayer beads.She is strung with a bead to be worn as a pendant. Size: L. 6cm. W. 1.8cm. Condition. No repairs or chips.

The fish is symbolically employed as the emblem of wealth or abundance on account of the similarity in the pronunciation of the words "yu", fish, and "yu", superfluity. Age: Song. Size:L. 6.5cm. W. 2cm. Condition: No repairs or chips.

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground. It has butterfly family crests (mon) in the center of a scrolling leaf and flower border, the interior in red lacquer.

The butterfly design was a favorite among the aristocrats and was seen in their belongings, ox-carts and attire during the Heian period (794-1192). They were also seen in armor of the Heike (Taira family) before power was shifted to the Genji (Minamoto family) samurai. It ...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated in gold lacquer on a roiro ground with Ni-o, also known as Kongo Rikishi with delicate scrolling background, the interior in red lacquer. Edo period (probably 17th century). 11 1/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12" long.

Large Japanese antique processional temple cart, base made of keyaki (elm) wood with copper hardware, drum is also made of keyaki wood with a large brass rooster on top, wonderful condition (wheels roll!), lovely carving and lacquer detail, unusual and striking! Meiji/ Taisho Period (early 20th century). Size: 90" high x 69" long x 42 1/2" deep.

A demure image of grace and youth; this is a fine full sized Bunraku theater puppet dating from the first half of the 20th century; one of two from a private collection we are currently offering. The eyes open and close, but are stiff, hands are flexible and fully operational. She wears a period red brocade kimono with kiku chrysanthemum patterns and a black obi featuring dragons and phoenix. A white silk lining and silver crown of flowers complete her outfit. The puppet dates from the first...

Japanese antique gift cover, fukusa, with the design of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichi Fuku Jin), tsuzure-ri tapestry weave with wide borders (1 3/4"). The liner is made of chirimen crepe silk, Meiji period (1868-1912), 26 1/4" W x 29 1/2"L

This is a beautiful fukusa even with obvious stains. It shows the quality and professional workmanship everywhere. This fukusa is woven in tsuzure-ori. With tsuzure-ori, the weaver weaves over the drawing with their finger nails that ar...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground with dragonflies (some with aogai inlay) within scrolling leaf background, the interior in red lacquer, different necks, some chips, cracks (on red) and retouching. Edo period (17th/18th century). 11 1/2" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12 3/4" long.

Antique Japanese merchant's chest (choba tansu), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with dark red lacquer finish, 4 exterior drawers and safe box with 2 small interior drawers, beautiful heavy iron hardware including elaborate bracing on front frame, wooden bracing on sides and back, from the Mikuni area, Edo Period (late 18th/early 19th century). Size: 32 1/2" high x 38" wide x 18" deep.