An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Originates from northern Honshu in the Tohoku region. All original hand forged iron hardware including the double pine tree catch on the lock plates and the plum blossom handle stoppers (called Atari). Storage consists of three large and three small drawers with a pair of sliding doors hiding a spacious area where merchant books and store records were kept.

Age: Meiji Period... Click for details

An antique Japanese Daruma wooden mold used for making paper mâché dolls. Retired from duty and lacquered to preserve its years of production and service. The worn lacquer is a testament to its display and use that extended beyond its useful life and paid tribute to the former artisans that supported the craft. The original removable base was made with a concave divot to allow ease of rotation of the mold when in use. Knife cuts and natural cracks from wear show how the mold was... Click for details

Antique Japanese bronze bowl in the form of a large, round lotus leaf. The bowl is raised on it's coiling lotus stem and another unfurled leaf. A tiny frog perches on the edge of the bowl.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/2" high x 8" wide

Antique Japanese cloisonné vase decorated with various types of blooming chrysanthemums from a large white variety to purple then small red and yellow flowers. The ground is a deep blue. The interior and bottom are covered in green enamel.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 7 1/4" high x 3" wide

Antique Japanese lacquer raised tray. Standing on four legs with square frame and decorated all over with scrolling vines and pine bows in maki-e lacquer on a black ground with clouds of gold nashiji. Prominent in the design is the appearance of the aoi mon (crest) of the Tokugawa clan, marking this tray as the property of the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 8" high x 14 1/2" wide x 14" deep

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting 13 Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Wisdom Kings. The deity at the very top is Dianichi-nyorai (Vairocana) with his hands in dhyana mudra. The 13 figures are (not in order of appearance): Shaka (Sakyamuni), Monju (Manjushri), Fugen (Samantabhadra), Jizo (Ksitigarbha), Miroku (Maitreya), Yakushi (Bhaisajyaguru), Kannon (Avalokiteshvara), Seishi (Mahasthamaprapta), Amida (Amitaba), Ashuku (Akshobhya), Dainichi (Vairocana), Kokuzo (Akasagarbha), and Fudo... Click for details

An antique Japanese Tohoku Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the rounded Kakute style handles with Sho Chiku Bai back plates. The full moon lock plates have an incised open fan design. In 2 sections, the upper portion has two full width drawers and the bottom section has a full width drawer, a partial width drawer and a security hinged door hiding 2 small drawers. Secret hiding space behind the... Click for details

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Famed Gifu region horizontal slats comprising the pair of sliding doors and the sides of the tansu. Comprised of 5 drawers of varying sizes, a spacious area behind the door pair and two small drawers to store valuables behind the hinged security door.

Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery.

Age: Meiji... Click for details

Antique Japanese sarugaku performance mask in the form of a monkey. Sarugaku, which literally means "monkey music" was one of the oldest Japanese theatre arts and consisted of many different types of performance including comedy, dancing, mime, singing and various acrobatics. The performers wore masks usually portraying human characters but this one is distinctly primate. The high point for sarugaku was during the Muromachi period when, along with dengaku (ritual shrine dancing), the... Click for details

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper carrying handle and hinged door that hides 4 drawers of varying sizes used by a merchant to store writing paper, receipts, money and calligraphy brushes.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 10" Wide by 12 1/4" High by 14 3/4" Deep