Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (342)

A wonderful and rare late Edo Period Musha Ningyo (Warrior doll or Boy's Day doll) of a seated Empress Warrior Jingu. She has an unusual and striking presence. She is seated (most are standing), and she has all her accessories, wearing sumptuous silk brocade textiles. She has a beautifully carved face and hands of varnished gofun. 20 inches (51cm) high and 16 inches (40.5 cm) wide.

Fine Meiji Period (circa 1870) Bunraku Puppet of a Sambaso Dancer. This rare puppet is operated by three Puppet Masters, who make it come to life to present a magical theatrical experience. He is carved of wood and covered with Gofun. He wears a rich blue and red robe with white under robe, and his head is adorned with a gold and black velvet hat. An embroidery Crane graces his back. The bells on his feet sound when he dances. 35 inches (89cm) height.

Early Meiji Period (circa 1870) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) of Emperor Ojin, Japan's first historically verified emperor. He has been deified as Hachiman Daimyojin, regarded as the guardian of warriors. This boys day figure is gorgeous in every way. The brocades are so sumptuous and the face is magnificent. He is wearing a Kabuto (court hat) and holding a long battle baton complete with a sword. The figure is 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall, and the overall height is 24.5 inches (62cm). From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Late 19th Century Japanese signed Noh theater Mask of Okame, the Goddess of Mirth, a very popular image in Japanese culture. A beautiful example of this type of mask done by a master carver, using Cypress wood (Hinoki) and many layers of Gofun, crushed oyster shell lacquer. A very charming and well rendered image. 8.25 inches (21cm) high x 5.25 inches (13.5) wide.

Japanese Late Edo Period Bronze and Cloisonne Phoenix Incense Burner, presented as a fantastic rendition of the subject, with gorgeous colorful inlay creating a great work of art. Height: 10.5 inches (17cm), length: 11 inches (18cm).

A Splendid Meiji Period Kyo Satsuma Vase with overglaze enamel decoration by the very well known potter, Taizan Yohei IX, and one of the Meiji Period's foremost painters, Kono Bairei. cf. Meiji Ceramics by Giesela Jahn, page 157, figure 81. Taizan was a renowned Kyoto potter who exhibited and won prizes at a number of international events, including the 1893 Chicago World Expo. This is a very good example from a great potter of the Meiji Period, with auspicious symbols of Sparrows, Foliage, and Gourds beautifully composed on a yellow orca field with raised gold accents, the choice of colors and wireless technique enhancing its mystical feeling. 10.5 inches (27cm)h. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Japanese Clay Figure of a Sino-Japanese War General on a White Horse. This would have been displayed in a Boys' Day festival in the late Meiji Period. Wonderfully painted with fine details. Height: 7.5 inches, 19 cm.

19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Black Lacquered Box with River, Bamboo, Flowers, and Fireflies. A gem of high quality with gorgeous fine details. 9.25 x 6.75 x 1.5 inches, 23.5 x 17 x 4 cm. Excellent Condition.

One of a collection of three fantastic and rare, large Edo Period Iki masks, de-accessioned from the Musée Archéologique in Strasbourg, France during the mid-20th Century. These three are rare for their large size. They have never before been offered on the art market. The other two masks are posted on this site. Carved Poloma wood with gofun (oyster shell lacquer), glass eyes and human hair. 9 inches (23 cm) high x 8 inches (20 cm) wide.

Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) depicting the Legendary Toyotomi Hideyoshi, seated in court position wearing dramatic brocades and gold lacquered armor, a gembun fan in his right hand and wearing a classic winged cap. His face is finely carved with a regal expression. This Ningyô is Meiji craftsmanship at its best. 14.5 inches, 37 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Pair of 19th Century Japanese lacquer miniature composition masks representing living ("Iki" living figures) expressive faces, with ivory teeth, glass eyes and human hair. They have an arresting presence and are a great study of portraiture, representing fine Japanese craftsmanship. 5 inches (12.5cm) x 4.25 inches (11cm) wide (each). From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, mid-19th Century late Edo early Meiji Period. An unusually large and early version holding a captured Oni (demon). This is a rare find for this subject. He is powerful and majestic. His face carved of wood with crystal eyes and massive beard and hair made of silk is a masterwork. He wears a Chinese cap and a robe with gorgeous, sumptuous brocades. According to Japanese folklore, the spirit of Shōki is able to scare away demons. Families with male children even today display Ningyo of Shōki to ward off evil spirits during the Boys' Day festival (Tango no Sekku, May 5th of each year). 23 inches (58.5cm) high.

Late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. This wonderful example of high quality has an extraordinary presence, sumptuous brocades, gold lacquered armor, a spectacular helmet, and many other fine details. His face is gorgeously and masterfully carved with finely burnished gofun. Figure height: 20 inches (51cm), with arrows: 25 inches (63.5 cm). Excellent Condition.

Japanese Antique Walking Stick of Bamboo and Bamboo Root with a wonderfully carved Shangri-la scene depicting a goddess' arms extending to reach the Heavenly Peaches of Immortality. A fun and delightful work of Japanese art that you can take with you anywhere you go. 35.5 inches (90cm).

White Rabbit Ceramic Sculpture by Takegawa Chikusai (1809-1882), created in his final year, 1882. Takegawa Chikusai was responsible for putting Banko Yaki, and the Banko-gama kiln (established 1829) and its home of Yokkaichi City in Mie-ken back on its feet and on the map. Banko Yaki had previously been made in the early Edo Period in Kyoto. Takegawa Chikusai's work was bequeathed to the Yokkaichi Museum's permanent collection, so this is an extremely rare opportunity for you to own a masterpiece by this great artist. 11 x 7.5 inches, 28 x 19 cm. Excellent Condition. Signed with original box and inscriptions on the lid of the box.

Finely Carved Wood Iki Mask with Japanese Collection Label on Back. A wonderful example featuring a dynamic human presence. Detailed with glass eyes and human hair, and a burnished gofun lacquer finish. 6.25 x 6 inches, 16 x 15 cm.

Late Edo Period Musha Ningyo (Boys' Day Doll) of a Samurai and Attendant. Pairs of ningyo of this very fine quality almost never appear for sale, much less with all the accessories, as we have here. They have finely carved faces, and are lacquered with many coats of gofun (white oyster shell lacquer). They are adorned with sumptuous silk brocades and lacquered armor, indicative of this period of ningyo artistry. Seated Figure: 19h x 14w inches, 48.25h x 35.5 cm; Attendant Height: 15 inches, 38 cm; Banner Height: 26 inches, 66 cm.

Japanese Antique Ajiro Kago (Bamboo Fishing Basket) with an elegant form and design, signed by Kazuhiro. 18 inches (46cm) high x 6 inches (15cm) wide.