Antique Japanese figure of seated Quan yin, made of carved cinnabar lacquer. She is seated on a lotus throne and holds a scroll in her hands. Her robes are carved all over with floral and Buddhist motifs. Her facial expression is serene, befitting her role as goddess of compassion.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6 1/4" high x 3 1/2" wide x 3 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese wooden bowl carved in the form of a wide lotus leaves. On the inside of the bowl, a frog with turquoise eye climbs the stalk of a lotus blossom. Two more frogs cling to curling leafy edges. The underside of the bowl is carved like the underside of a lotus leaf including it's spiraling stalk.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 12 1/4" wide diameter x 3 1/4" high

Extremely rare Japanese antique usagi (rabbit or hare) mask for a Noh performance. Carved of wood and covered with gofun, a raised paste made from ground oyster shells. The surface of the usagi mask is carefully textured so that every hair is visible and some areas are polished from wear. The eyes of the hare are a pink color, similar to those of an albino snow rabbit.

Usagi is the creature most closely associated with the moon. The tale of how the hare came to inhabit the moon... Click for details

Antique Japanese pair of paintings depicting two dragons in a dense mist. Gold flashes light up the clouds. Symbolizing the ultimate yang, or masculine energy, the dragon is the controller of both winds and water. Painted in sumi and gold ink on silk and signed by the artist. Both panels are loose (unmounted). Dates from 1834 or later by painter Kanō Seisen'in Osanobu (1796-1846) Some biographical information here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG4764 Here he's... Click for details

Antique Japanese ceramic figure of the moon faced Otafuku. Her name was once Uzume and evolved into Okame which means "tortoise", a symbol of longevity. Otafuku or Okame is considered the goddess of mirth, a cheerful woman who's name means "abundant good fortune". A bringer of victory and success, she is good-natured, good-humored, good-hearted, generous, kind, serene, and patient. She is smart, strong-willed and competent as well as powerful enough to easily frighten away evil spirits.... Click for details

Antique Japanese tsuba (hand guard for samurai katana) decorated with a monkey peeking though the bamboo rails of a cage or gate. Often occurring in Japanese folk tales, the monkey generally symbolizes a trickster. Since tsuba were often a warrior's source of personal expression, it is likely this monkey held specific significance to the blade's owner.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3" high x 2 7/8" wide x 1/8" thick (1/4" thick including monkey).

Antique Japanese lacquer box for incense. Decorated with scenes of flying geese over gently swirling water and marsh grasses in maki-e lacquer on a black lacquer ground. On the reverse side, pheasants and chicks peck among flowers. The interior of the box is fitted with a separate tray decorated with seven children playing with three dogs in maki-e and color lacquer on a black ground. The tray stands on 4 small feet and the sides are decorated with tiny scrolling vines and butterflies. The... Click for details

Antique Japanese bronze vase molded with a pair of phoenixes in flight. Signed on the bottom. Also called hou-ou, the pair of mythical birds together are often symbols of fidelity but also represent fire, sun and justice. When used in reference to the imperial household, the phoenix represents the empress.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 13" high x 8 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese screen painting in 6 panels. Painted to resemble a samurai encampment space divider. The simple graphics of the curtain-like camp divider are painted in black and white and displays the kamon (crest) of the Takiyama Family. Narrow slits between the white and black sections of cloth were for the wind to pass through, preventing the curtain from becoming a sail. Thick striped rope securely ties the curtain to tall stakes in the ground. This screen was intended to be used... Click for details

An incredible original and rare 16th Century Gagaku Karasu Tengu ritual mask dating from the Muromachi period in Japan. Hand carved out of a single piece of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Finished in its original black lacquer, the extremely old reddish pigment is still visible. Well carved with nice detailing, the Karasu (crow bird) is depicted with a round food offering in its beak. The scalp shows holes where there were originally long hair strands that have since worn away due to the age of... Click for details