Japanese antique okimono of a group of 3 frogs. The younger frog sits on a larger frog's back while one frog is separate. Carved of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with reverse painted glass eyes.
Frogs are considered symbols of luck in Japanese culture and are used widely in poetry and art. The word for "frog" (kaeru) in Japanese also means "return" which is why small sculptures of frogs are sometimes carried by travelers as a way to make sure they return home safely from their journeys.... Click for details

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Aka Matsu (Red Pine) woods. Beautiful original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Two full width drawers and sliding doors with horizontal slats that hide three small drawers on the right and a business books and records storage area on the left. Upper drawer features a lucky treasure bag lock plate with a stylized Mt Fuji lock plate below.

All sides feature horizontal slates for strength... Click for details

Antique Japanese bronze shokudai (candle stick for a Buddhist shrine) in the form of a crane standing on a turtle's back. In it's beak, the crane holds a lotus stem with blossoms, buds and unfurling leaves. The different aspects of a lotus symbolize the stages of the Buddha's life. The crane and turtle together symbolize longevity as well as the opposites of Heaven and Earth. This shokudai has especially intricate details.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 15... Click for details

Antique Japanese pair of shokudai (candle sticks) for butsudan. Made of bronze and decorated with unusual silver crest. Each with small animal head handles on either side. Nice weight and patination.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 11" high x 4" wide each

A rare example Japanese zunari kabuto (samurai helmet) made all of iron with a mixed metal (gold & silver) design of a dragon amongst swirling clouds. The eyes and whiskers of the dragon are inlaid gold and it's body coils all the way around the hachi (dome). The mabizashi (visor) is edged in bronze and decorated with more wisps of clouds. The underside of the visor shows traces of original red lacquer. The shikoro (neck guard) has five layers and shows traces of black lacquer.... Click for details

Antique Japanese gunbai, war fan belonging to a high ranking samurai officer. Made of lacquered wood with shell inlay and with 2 large cut outs. This fan would have been used to shade from the sun and to signal troops. Though this shape of fan was not used as a weapon, it could have come in very handy in battle and there are legends of samurai heroes fighting with nothing but their war fans. The art of fighting with a war fan is called tessenjutsu. This fan comes with a custom metal... Click for details

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and wiped lacquer finish. Comprised of 4 large drawers and a hinged security door housing 2 small drawers where valuables were hidden. A trick secret box was hidden behind the bottom small drawer with access by removing the bottom large drawer and reaching behind the small drawer.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" Wide by 38 5/8" High by 17 7/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacked Kimono chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles and the lock plates featuring the Takanoha Mon (crossed arrow feather family crest). Each section has two sets of side handles, one for carrying with a pole and one for placement in the home. Using thick wood, it was constructed with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Edo Era... Click for details

An antique Japanese tall 2 section Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with bronze door pulls. Upper section has two sliding doors covering a spacious storage area with a split level shelf with two side by side drawers below. Bottom section has seven outer drawers of varying sizes with 2 pairs of sliding doors. The bottom doors covers 4 interior small drawers and a faux structural wall that hides three secret drawers.... Click for details

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) in 2 sections made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original iron hardware with a natural patina acquired over many years. Upper section has 3 drawers and lower section has 2 drawers with a removable base at the bottom. Very thick wood used throughout this chest. Side handles to each section for ease of transport.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 36 3/4" Wide by 47" High by 16 3/4" Deep