Pair of Japanese 6-panel screen paintings. Painted with a continuous scene of a rural landscape. Mountain pavilions sit atop high peaks reached by winding trails. Across an expanse of calm water stretches a long, low foot bridge occasionally interrupted by a sudden archway. Boats and tiny figures go about their business. Painted in sumi ink and with gold leaf on paper.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions of each painting: 67 1/2" high x 142 1/2" long

Japanese antique water pump used by a brigade of firemen to put out fires. From the writing, the pump was used in December, Meiji 7 (1874). Other writing states "Edo", most likely referring that the fire company was operating during the Edo Period and/or in the city of Edo, Japan. A 3 character mark says 雲龍水 unryūsui ("cloud-dragon-water", the name for this type of pump). Below this is another group of characters: the top 3 read right to left 細工所 saikōsho or... Click for details

Japanese small kesa, Buddhist priest's vestment cloth to be worn over robes. 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 fragments of cloth donated to the temple by wealthy devotees. Within each garment, the fragments are typically organized in a series of columns framed by a border with angled corners. The number of columns, in this... Click for details

A High Ranking Military Commander with the Yokohagi Okegawa Dou from the Edo Period (early 19th century). The Kabuto is finished with 64 gilt copper sleeves interlocking onto the iron Ken creating a linear effect on the bowl. The Mempo is in the Nara style with fierce gilt teeth, lacquered upper lip and horse hair mustache detail. The overall mask detail is lacquered in black. The Kiritsuke Sode (shoulder guard) is laced in navy blue and grey silk in the form of a cross.

The Kote... Click for details

Antique Japanese long silk altar cloth embroidered with three phoenix birds, also called Hou-ou birds. The mythical birds represents fire, sun, justice, obedience, fidelity, and the southern constellations. The phoenix also symbolizes the imperial household, specifically the empress. The embroiderer expresses flowing movement in in the wings and feathers of the great birds.

Age: Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" high x 145" long

This is a rare antique Japanese porcelain Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) in a side sitting pose with its left paw raised to bring happiness and good luck to its owner. It was entirely hand painted and features a Botan (Peony) flower as its main collar decoration. Its peaceful face is beautiful and serene and its fox-like raised ears shows that it is listening to the surrounding sounds.

An interesting feature is its open base and holes through each ear suggesting that its main purpose when... Click for details

Japanese Edo Period scroll painting of a yamabushi, a mountain ascetic hermit or holy man. Often believed to be endowed with supernatural powers, the yamabusi follow the Shugendo doctrine, a religion that places heavy emphasis on feats of endurance. Throughout history, they have participated in battles along side samurai. In this painting, the warrior/sage is leaning on a walking stick. He is dressed only in leaves and animal skins. A hyotan gourd tokkuri flask hangs from a chord slung... Click for details

Antique Japanese screen painting of a beautiful woman or man, possibly a taikomochi or male geisha smoking a long pipe, leaning on a padded lacquered stand and wearing elegant flowing robes patterned with flowers. In the background stands a ink painting of a mountain landscape. The right hand panel is painted with a standing kimono rack, lacquered black with gold butterflies. Hanging from the rack are two exquisitely embroidered kimonos in the manner of the classic "who's sleeves?" subject... Click for details

Antique Japanese 2-panel byobu screen. Covered with small squares of pale gold leaf. That this is antique is told by the size and quality of the gold leaf squares.

Dimensions: 35 1/4" high x 51 1/2" long

Japanese antique rectangular kesa or priest/monk's outer vestment cloth. This asa (hemp) kesa is a yellow/gold color and finely woven with a design of phoenixes and clouds.

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