Antique Japanese shinto shrine mirror. The mirror has a central motif of a turtle meeting the beaks of two cranes. Three baby cranes and a small turtle walk along the beach. The three auspicious symbols of pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms invoke the island of longevity, horaisan. There is an inscription to ward off calamities. This mirror would have been placed on a wooden stand at the entrance to a shinto shrine for the visitor to see their reflection as they entered. Edo period, (c1800).... Click for details

Antique Japanese shinto mirror, tenka ichi. This mirror has a tassle tied through a turtle. The central motif is of a turtle over bamboo meeting the beaks of two cranes. The birds and turtle are on a beach with pine trees and bamboo bushes. This mirror would have been placed along with three others at the entrance to a shrine for those entering to see their reflection as they entered. Made of bronze, Edo period (c1800).
It measures 4 5/8" by 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese gumbai, war fan. It was sued mainly as a signaling device during war. Today, they are most often seen in use by sumo referees. It measures 21.5" long 11" wide. Meiji 1868-1912. Inscribed with the Hachimandaibosatsu, in the same style of calligraphy as the Tsuruoka shrine in Kamakura. It may have been as shrine offering or a decoration in the shrine. Made of white bronze with a pewter or silver handle.

An interesting curved board with three openings on the wooden tool. It is not known what the object was used for but the wear on the wood invokes a rustic or the beauty found through the soft roundness of the edges. Age: 19th century. Size: length 35" width 13.5"

Pair of Japanese keyaki wood carving of the fortune gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. Ebisu and Daikoku are both known in Japan as the gods of fortune and finance. Both have been worshipped together by businesses in Japan. The work contains a signature on the back, Atsushi. Age: 20th century.Size: length: 6.5" Width: 5.5" Height 17.5"

Antique Japanese bronze Bishamonten or guardian. Taisho period, 1912-1926. The Bishamonten is the protector of Buddhism, distributor of treasures and wealth and protector of warriors. He is the Shitenno guardian of the north, of riches and scourger of evil doers, and healer of illness. The Shitenno are the four heavenly guardians that protect the Buddha and his attendants. There is a seal on the base reading Nobu. It measures 38" tall.

Antique Chinese wood brush washer in a hexagonal shape. Each face is beautifully inlaid with a floral arrangement: a pine branch, a flowering apricot or peach branch, a magnolia branch, a pair of narcissus flowers, a vase with lotus and a second vase with magnolia. It measures 7" tall, 6" wide at base. 20th century.

A large Buddhist scroll painting of the Amitabha triad where Amitabha is attended by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. The bodhisattvas are adorned with elaborate accessories often seen in images of bodhisattvas. The Buddha, is wearing a red garment painted with medallion like patterns to make the cloth appear like brocades. Age: 20th century. Size: height 111.5" width 54.5"

Beautifully carved soap stone figure of sage Fulushuo, he leans on an elaborately carved staff and hold the peach of longevity, on an intricately carved dark stone stand on which are carved a bat and a deer, also symbols of happiness and longevity, wonderful expression, stone of a lovely orange and green, Republic Period (circa 1910-1930). Total size: 20 3/4" high x 8" wide x 5 1/2" deep.

A fairly large Korean style Buddhist painting portraying the image of the Water Moon Avalokitesvara or Suwol Gwaneum in Korean. The Avalokitesvara is dressed in vestments and accessories common to the figure of a Bodhisattva and has the water vessel which offers blessings to all sentient beings. The bodhisattva is attended by a boy figure known as shan nanzi who often seen in pictorial and textual depictions in East Asian Buddhism. Age: 20th century. Size: height 105.5" width 53"