Antique Japanese tetsubin (kettle for heating water for tea) made of cast iron and decorated with a dragon in swirling clouds. The highly raised design depicts a dragon curling itself around the body of the pot. The clouds over hang in a ledge above the base. There is a large raised cartouche on the back underneath this ridge. The lid is made of bronze.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 9 1/2" high including handle x 7 1/4" wide including spout

Antique Japanese Esoteric Buddhist scroll painting depicting seated Amida Nyorai (Buddha Amitabha) flanked by the 12 Jūniten (Deva Guardians). The 12 Jūniten (6 on either side) are identified as Taishakuten (Skt. Indra) Lord of Jūniten, Katen (Skt. Agni) of Southeast and Fire, Enmaten (Skt. Yama) South and the Underworld, Futen (Skt. Yayu) Northwest and Wind, Bonten (Skt. Brahma) Heaven, Suiten (Skt. Varuna) West and Water, Bishamonten (Skt. Vaisravana) North and Wealth, Rasetsuten (Skt.... Click for details

Antique Japanese Kutani ware porcelain figure of a Pekingese dog sitting with right front paw raised, long fur flowing around him. A brightly painted collar around his neck. Painted details on his face and paws.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6 3/4" high x 7" long x 4 1/2" wide

An original 19th Century molded leather hide hat box. Round base with single hinged back conical pointed lid. forged brass front clasp that helps to latch the line securely closed. Original warm burgandy tones.

19th Century C. 1930's

Dimensions: 14" high x 11 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese small Gigaku performance mask. Gigaku (literally meaning "skill music") is an earlier form of Japanese theatre that was brought over from Korea and China in 612. Gigaku reached a high point during the Nara Period and continued it's popularity until it was eventually replaced by Bugaku theatre. Traditionally performed outdoors at a temple, Gigaku masks were carved with exaggerated features in order for them to be seen by an audience seated at a distance. There are 14... Click for details

Japanese Zenga scroll painting of a staff by the Zen master Nakahara Nantenbō (Toju Zenchu) (1839–1925). Born into the Shioda samurai clan in Saga Prefecture, Nantenbō lost his mother when he was 7 years old and was sent to Yukoji monastery to study as a novice when he was 11 where he became a monk of the the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. From there he trained at many different centers, making a pilgrimage to visit twenty four leading Zen masters, earning an inka (certificate of... Click for details

Antique Japanese bandori, peasant's woven back pad for carrying heavy loads. Woven of re purposed cotton cloth, this bandori is outfitted with shoulder straps and is folded on the bottom for extra padding. The back pad is made of cotton from two different textile: a brown striped cotton and light blue and white pattern on cotton. A bandori is made specially for the person carrying the load so it is beautifully unique in it's materials and construction.

Age: Taisho Period... Click for details

Antique Japanese small Bizen ware oil lamp in the form of Fukurokuju, one of the 7 Lucky Gods. Easily identified by his elongated head on top of which is a small bowl for oil. His expression is kind and he sits holding a large gourd (hyotan) in both hands. Fukurokuju is believed to be a sennin, a philosopher who can exist without eating food. His name literally means "happiness" (fuku), "wealth" (roku) and "longevity" (ju).

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: ... Click for details

Antique Japanese scroll painting of Buddha Amitābha also known simply as Amida Buddha and two Bodhisattva attendants: Sanzon Bosatsu (with both hands holding a lotus blossom) and Seishi Raigo Bosatsu (with hands in gassho adoration mudra). The central figure, Amida Nyorai stands with each foot on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds as he descents. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Golden rays... Click for details

Antique Japanese taiko Buddhist temple drum. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood. Painted with mitsu domoe design, the three comma motif also used as a popular family crest. The design is painted in bold red, blue and green colors. Tightly stretched on both sides with bronze and iron hardware. Taiko (literally meaning "drum" in Japanese) first came about as a way to frighten away evil spirits and crop-threatening pests as well as to call the rain spirit to nourish the fields. Taiko drumming... Click for details