Antique Japanese hikeshi banten, fireman's coat. Made of layers of cotton fabric and stitched in the sashiko quilting technique. Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel. These special coats were... Click for details

Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks associated with the teachings of Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) would embark on a pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here. Also with extensive calligraphy and... Click for details

Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks associated with the teachings of Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) would embark on a pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here. Also with extensive calligraphy and... Click for details

Antique Japanese light summer kesa (Buddhist Priest's vestment). Made with a sheer layer of black silk embroidered with silver crayfish medallions and lined with white silk.

Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit. Meant as a reminder of the Buddha's own simple patched garment, kesa are formed from many fragments of cloth. Within each garment, the fragments are typically organized in a series of columns... Click for details

An antique Japanese Taiko drum and stand made of Keyaki (Zelkova), leather and hand forged iron hardware. The leather on both sides is decorated with the Mitsudomoe (Tomoe) symbol represented in Shinto shrines dedicated to Hachiman, the God of war and archery. The image displays natural wear from years of practicing and performances. The Keyaki stand was made using Japanese joinery and separates in two parts.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 15 3/4" Long by 27" High by... Click for details

A rare pair of Antique Japanese of matching matchlock hand guns. Iron barrels with hand inlaid with silver and gold dragons. The dai stock is of a hardwood and brass jiita arquebus's firing mechanism, sakura ramrod intact. With custom antiqued bronze stands for display.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 21" long each

An antique Japanese fish Jizai Kagi made of bamboo, wood and iron. Adjustable arm allows for height changes of the hook. Bamboo body with a wooden stem.

Age: Late Meiji period (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 11 1/4" Long by 3" Wide by an adjustable Height 75 3/4" to 104"

An antique Japanese Jizai Kagi fish hearth hook made of bamboo and wood. Hand carved wooden fish. All original patina built-up over years of use and display. A wonderful work of Mingei art.

Age: Late Meiji (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 13 1/4" Long by 2 1/4" Wide by an adjustable 55 1/2" to 82 1/2" High

An antique Japanese Fish Jizai Kagi made of hand forged iron, bamboo and wood. The fish, the hook and the two segment connecting rods are made of iron while the main body is made of bamboo and the inner post is made of wood.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)
,br>14" Long by 3" Wide by an adjustable 70" to 102" High

An antique Japanese Kasa No Dai (umbrella stand) made entirely of one solid block of burled Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Entirely hand hewned and exquisitely carved into a wonderful sculpture of Japanese folkart (Mingei). Natural patina darkened over many years of careful use and display.

Age: Late Meiji Period (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 12" Wide by 21 3/8" High by 12" Deep