Unusual Japanese single section kannon biraki tansu. This safe chest holds an open top shelf and 2 drawers behind the front hinged locking doors.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 27.5" x 14" x 13.5" H

The pistol has an octagonal russet iron barrel with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". The dai stock is of a hardwood and brass jiita arquebus's firing mechanism, sakura ramrod intact. Good condition.

Dimensions: 16" L x 3" x 2"

Japanese 2 section kimono tansu. Made with Kiri (paulownia) wood, all natural finish. The upper section holds 8 drawers, which is considered an auspicious number. The bottom section contains 2 drawers with warabite pulls mounted on pierced metal plates. The piece also contains a secret hidden compartment beneath the bottom drawer.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 39.5" x 17.75" x 66.75" H

One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteshvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from Samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into 11 pieces. Amitabha, seeing his plight, gives him 11 heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteshvara attempts to reach out to all those... Click for details

A kartika referred to in Tibetan as a "trigug" or "drigug" is a small crescent-shaped handheld ritual flaying knife, used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism. The kartika is said to be one of the quintessential attributes of the wrathful tantric deities. It is commonly known as the "knife of the dakinis". While the kartika is normally held in the right hand of a dakini in Vajrayana iconography and spiritual practice, occasionally it can be seen being held by esoteric male deities,... Click for details

The battle of Dan-no-ura was a major battle of the Genpei war, occurring at Dan-no-ura, in the Shimonoseki Strait off the Southern tip of Honshu in the year 1185. One of the crucial factors that allowed the Minamoto to win the battle was that a Taira general Taguchi Shigeyoshi defected and attacked his Taira Clan from the rear. He also revealed to the Minamoto Clan which ship the 6 year-old Emperor Antoku was on. Their archers turned their attention to the helmsmen and rowers of the emperor's... Click for details

House-shaped box with copper hinged lids. Open frame design with copper hard mounts, handles, and Keyaki wood construction. The Kandouko compartments hold the copper rectangular brazier and a square copper water container with lid, spout and a handle. Fitted with the essentials of travel for a hot drink and food. The brazier has a vent hole in the Sakura motif. The brazier devise heats the water for warming the sake and it can also be used to grill food; The warmer has a spout to let out the... Click for details

Whimsical rendering of a high relief horse (uma) tied to a pine trunk. The horse is completely harnessed with its kura and abumi fittings. The finish is untouched showing signs of age and patina.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 19 7/8" x 15 1/2" x 1 3/4"

Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout. The box interior is black lacquered with copper... Click for details

Chinese hardwood table made from jumu (elm) wood. The sides of the table are carved with pierced panels of dragons and clouds. The four feet are carved with spirals. Original condition.

19th Century

Dimensions: 29.75" L x 21" D x 33" H