Japanese mingei water wheel of hinoki wood. Constructed with iron nails, joinery, complete with 17 spokes and paddles with kanji characters. The central hub has an iron piston protruding for rotational function. The wheel comes with a contemporary custom steel mount which allows it to spin smoothly and silently.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" wide diameter x 9 1/8" deep (paddle)

Antique Japanese natural burl wood stand. The gnarled roots twisting with knotholes cascade down the sides of the stand, the bottom appearing to have animal feet. The tabletop of the stand with dark lacquer finish.

Showa Period

Dimensions: 22" x 16" x 23 1/2" H

Japanese studio ware ceramic figure of the immortal, Gama Sennin. Based on the Chinese 10th century alchemist, Liu Hai, Gama Sennin is often depicted in relation to the lucky 3-legged money-toad. Gama Sennin can assume the form of a toad and can change his skin to appear young again. In this depiction of the much loved immortal, he sits on a rocky outcropping and hold in one hand a peach, in the other a small toad. Whimsically perched on his head is a large load with a spotted... Click for details

Japanese antique small ko tansu (personal chest) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood with black lacquered iron hardware. This small chest has 7 drawers of various sizes; 2 large drawers on the top portion, 2 medium drawers and 2 small drawers on the lower portion. The hardware is all made of blackened iron and includes round lock plates and square drawer pulls.

Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 21 3/4" high x 24 3/4" wide x 13" deep.

An unusual Japanese 2 section, 6ft mizuya (kitchen buffet tansu) from the Kanazawa region. Constructed with Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) woods, with red and black lacquer frame, and Keyaki (elm) burl front panels in reddish brown lacquer. The top of the piece holds a long open compartment behind four sliding panels with bookmatched Keyaki burl hardwood. Below are a center pair of mesh sliding panels with black lacquer wood frame, carved with floral motifs and with decorative iron pulls. The... Click for details

Antique Japanese 2 section isho tansu (clothing chest) constructed of Kiri (paulownia) and Sugi (cedar) wood. With hand-forged iron lock plates, hardware, and handles. The upper section of the piece holds two open compartments side by side, and five shallow drawers of various size. One side of the chest has a lift-away door and the other with pair of sliding door panels framed with shou sugi ban panels. The lower section of the tansu holds five drawers for clothing and three drawers for small... Click for details

Japanese Buddhist scroll depicting the Legendary Sixteen Arhats. The Arhats are described as sage beings who have attained enlightenment, yet have not become a full Buddha. The Sixteen Arhats are traditionally worshipped for they are said to have renounced Nirvana out of compassion to help relieve human suffering on earth. Their Sanskrit names are: Pindola Bharadvaja, Ajita, Subinda, Kalika, Vajraputra, Bhadra, Kanakavatsa, Kanaka Bhadra, Nakula (or Vakula), Rahula, Chudapanthaka, Angaja,... Click for details

Japanese hand-forged iron tsuba, used to protect a swordsman's hand from sliding up the blade during use as well as to provide balance. The openwork motifs depict a man and ox resting below pine trees and a cottage with gold gilt, with a faint signature illegible from wear.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 2 5/8" x 2 3/4"

A whimsical Japanese boxwood carving of a toad, with inlaid eyes, crawling atop a functioning cylindrical box carved of bone. The box is hand-carved with flying insects and leaping frogs in a lily pond, the base carved with a floral band. Signed by the artist.

Dimensions: 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 6 3/4" H

Japanese small amber carving of a frog resting on a leaf. The golden yellow amber has natural inclusions.

Dimensions: 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" x 1" H