Lovely Japanese Hira Taiko Drum, made from a light hardwood, and hung from a Hiratsuri stand. The drum has iron studding to keep its drum skins in place and gold kanji/kana on a black metal strip, with a gold taiko logo for Maru Masa. A drumstick is included which hangs off a hook from the Hiratsuri stand. Makes a lovely drum sound as it is intact and in good condition. Taisho/early Showa period (c1930) Size: 33" High x 34 1/2" Wide

Antique painting of a scene from one of the poems in the Kokin Wakashu or "Collection of Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times", dated from the Heian period (794-1185 AD). It was invented and published by Emperor Uda and his son, Emperor Daigo in the year 905, and was compiled by four of their court poets: Ki no Tsurayuki, Ki no Tomonori, Oshikochi Mitsune, and Mibu no Tadamine. This scene is likely taken from a poem by Tsurayuki in which the narrator laments over his loneliness and... Click for details

Antique Japanese print depicting the founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism, Kūkai (774-835). He was a famous calligrapher and engineer who invented the kana, syllabic Japanese scripts used in the Japanese writing system. In his hands he holds a vajra, a ritualistic weapon representing firmness of spirit and spiritual power, and prayer beads. Above him is Dainichi Nyorai, the central deity of the Shingon religion, surrounded by Bonji (single letter words derived from... Click for details

Beautiful antique painting of a scene taken from the Japanese novel The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), written by Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period (794-1185 AD). The painting depicts chapter 4, in which Genji, 17 at the time, goes to visit his old wet-nurse, Koremitsu ,who had fallen ill. He notices some moonflowers growing in the adjacent yard, and he orders his servant to pick one. As his servant follows the order, a beautiful girl steps out of the neighboring house and offers him a... Click for details

Antique round bronze suiban, a shallow tray or bowl to be filled with suiseki or viewing stones, as well as sand and bonsai, signature on the bottom, 19th century. Size: 3.5" height, 12" width

Gentleman's wooden walking stick with a carved antler handle of an adorable little bobtail monkey, sitting upon an ocean cliffside and clutching a shell. There are various seashells carved around the monkey, including one with a hermit crab peeking its head out. Very precisely carved. Taisho period (1912-1925) Size: 36.5" height, (antler carving only) 5.5" height, 1.5" width

Antique ukiyo-e style woodblock print by artist Utagawa Kunisada, also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III (1786-1865), of a samurai warrior blocking the strike of another warrior's sword with his own. He has very detailed undergarments in mesh-patterned blue with light pink flowers, a black and white robe with jagged designs and red trim with a blue obi, and a red headband, with his hair styled in a traditional chonmage. Set behind glass and framed, part of the 47 Ronin series "Stories of the... Click for details

Gorgeous woodblock print by shin-hanga artist Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) titled "Plum Gateway". In the foreground is a small girl wearing a kimono, standing next to a tree with long, spindly branches and flower blossoms, gazing into the background at her mother and young sibling standing under a gateway. Signed and stamped. Size: (entire frame) 20.75" height, 15.75" width, (artwork) 14.25" height, 9" width

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a samurai warrior in a crouched pose, one sword on his hip and one in his hands. He wears a blue and red kimono and he has a traditional chonmage hairstyle. Framed behind glass. The back of the frame lists artist Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864). Size: (entire frame) 21.75" height, 17.25" width (artwork only) 14.25" height, 9" width

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a man wearing a white kimono with designs of black bamboo shoots, a black apron, and black lacquered geta (footwear). Artist Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1905), pupil to Kunisada. Set behind glass in a large frame, with artist and publishing information written on back. Size: (entire frame) 22.5" height, 17" width, (artwork only) 14" height, 9" width