Antique Japanese textile decorated with a design of tea ceremony utensils. Small items such as a bamboo ladle for water (hishaku), a container of charcoal, cups, a tea whisk (chasen), a container for water (mizusashi), and other items surround a large central image of a portable iron tea kettle (kama) and brazier (furo). This design in done using a paste resist and indigo dye. A lovely blue color in four panels sewn together. 5 tabs at the top suggest it was used for a curtain similar to a... 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. Made of asa (hemp).

Age:... Click for details

Antique Japanese studio ware porcelain vase, carved all over with a raised design of a dragon in swirling clouds over churning waves. The clouds are covered with a glaze that gradates from a deep blue at the top to a light blue where they meet the waves. Both the dragon and the waves are kept white with a very pale light pink glaze on the dragon's flames. A band of repeating lingzhi pattern in blue underglaze encircles the rim and foot of the vase. A four character signature on the bottom... Click for details

Antique Japanese mokugyo, fish bell, carved of keyaki (zelkova, elm) wood with traces of red and white lacquer. This wooden temple bell was used by Buddhist priest during religious ceremonies and chants. Laid on it's side on a pillow, the bell was struck to a rhythm to match the cadence of the chant. The carving on the bell is of two fish embracing a pearl, a symbol of unity. The fish themselves symbolize wakefulness, in this case to remind the chanters to focus on the sutra. ... Click for details

Japanese antique pair of zenko, good spirit kitsune (foxes) specifically associated with the goddess, Inari. These figures are carved of wood and painted with gofun, a white paste made from oyster shells. Details are painted using black and red pigments. Gold lacquered hoshi no tama, resembling flames and symbolizing magical jewels that hold part of the kitsune's power, are held by each fox on the tip of it's tail. These foxes were believed to be both messengers and guardians serving... Click for details

Antique Japanese jizai-kagi in the form of a catfish. In a Japanese home, water in a kettle or pot is heated over an irori (sunken hearth). The jizai hook hangs from a strong ceiling beam. From this, a long device is suspended with a hook on the end that can be adjusted up or down by moving the jizai-kagi. This unusual jizai-kagi is carved of kayaki (zelkova elm) wood and has patination from hearth smoke. A portion of it's original iron chain is still attached.

Age: Edo Period... Click for details

Antique Japanese jizai-kagi in the form of a whale. In a Japanese home, water in a kettle or pot is heated over an irori (sunken hearth). The jizai hook hangs from a strong ceiling beam. From this, a long device is suspended with a hook on the end that can be adjusted up or down by moving the jizai-kagi. Often these are carved in the form of a fish. This unusual jizai-kagi is carved of kayaki (zelkova elm) wood with traces of black lacquer and patina from hearth smoke. A portion of it's... Click for details

Antique Japanese stoneware kame (wide mouthed bowl) from Shigaraki kiln. Made using the local sandy clay from the bed of Lake Biwa, Shigaraki ware is identified by the embedded granules of feldspar. Mineral and ash glaze is dribbled and spattered over the surface leaving long, uneven drips. Depending on how the vessel is positioned during the firing process, if it falls over or if it is leaning on another piece, fragments of nearby pottery can stick, adding a story about it's journey... Click for details

An incredible monumental Japanese solid cast bronze Peace Bell custom iron stand with clapper. Inscription with dated, location and donor of bell. Bell is in excellent original condition with no repairs or damage. The sound is absolutely stunning lasts for a very long time 世話人 Sponsors (or Caretakers)
[7 names]
高岡市 鋳物師 老子次右 Takaoka City Caster: Oigo Ji[emon] context seems likely to refer to 衛門, as part of the name Oigo Jiemon, a famous... Click for details

Antique Japanese Bronze Temple Bell (Bonsho). Inscribed on body with name of location, temple and date. The first 4 lines (from the right side of the 2nd photo) say: 門々不同八万四　Mon-mon fudо̄ hachi-man-shi 為滅無明果業因　I metsu mumyо̄ ka gо̄in 利剱即是弥陀号　Riken soku ze Mida gо̄ 一聲称念罪皆除　Isshо̄ shо̄nen zai kai jo I found a translation in the Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics (1914): The 84,000 doors*, each different... Click for details