A pair of miniature wood sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku which are two of the Japanese Seven Dieties believed to bring good luck. Ebisu is a diety of fishery which brings plentiful catch and Daikoku is a diety of agriculture which brings good harvest. Both are in excellent condition with an original wood box. 20th century. H:5cm each, w:3.6cm each.

A sitting lady in Heian era court dress and hair, clutching a giant golden matsudake mushroom. She wears a bright red hakama and light blue kimono. The shape of the mushroom has a close resemblance to a penis and the sculpture definitely has an erotic meaning.

Hand modeled, soft hollow earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold.

Japan, 1960s or earlier.

H 5 in.

Colors somewhat smudged and chafed; frittings at the bottom edge...

A male figure sitting in ceremonial kamishimo dress of a striped hakama (pants) and a golden kataginu (vest) over a red kimono, his head shaped like the top of an erected penis.

Soft molded earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold and silver.

Japan, 1960s or earlier.

H 4 in.

Colors and metal pigments chipping, otherwise good condition. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.

Rare subject matter

Bronze sculpture of a pair of geese, necks stretched out. Both are abstracted into a beautiful silhouette with only the most essential lines to indicate movement and character. One goose is stretching its head towards the sky (or full moon), the other stretching its neck towards its companion.
Bronze with brown patina.
One goose signed Sou for Saegusa Soutaro
Japan, Showa era, ca...

Late 1950's carved wood caligraphy stone and ink container carved out of one piece of wood in Kamakura-bori style.. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

A large bronze sculpture of a slender young woman undressing rendered in a quote naturalistic manner. Brown patination. Inscribed and signed storage box and with Japanese Kanji name character on the back side of the base. H 42 cm. Showa around 1950´s to 60´s. Perfect condition. Made by Nakagawa Kiyoshi (1897-1977) born in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. Graduated from Tokyo Art School (now Tokyo University of the Arts)...

A wood sculpture of a reclining young, naked woman seated on a oblong base. Carved in naturalistic style from a single piece of wood. Light, brownish color. Good expression and fine details. Signed: Shoji. Japan: Showa period, 1950s. L 33,5 cm, H 20,5 cm. Condition: Excellent.

Pair of unusual and strange Japanese seals made out of porcelain in a shape of seated rakans (original disciples of the Buddha recognizable by their long earlobes) in different attitudes and with differently colored glazes. Superb and unique modeling done in ittobori (one cut) style more typical for wood carvings from Hida Province and in that instant producing amazingly modernist sculptures...

Large, Powerful Tengu Mask by the Renowned Artisan Hashimoto Yoshinobu of the Miharu Choshi mingei studio. One of the most fantastic examples of a Tengu that you will ever see. Mid 20th Century. Papier mache on mountain-grown willow wood. 18h x 18d x 8w inches, 46h x 46d x 20w cm. Height with beard: 36 inches, 91.5 cm. From the Lea Sneider Collection.

Snake carved out of a natural piece of twisted keyaki (paulownia) wood, stained dark brown. Japan, Showa era, perhaps a bit earlier.

H ca. 24 in.

Excellent condition.

Figure of an eight-armed octopus, lying down in an almost elegant pose. Stoneware with gradient brown-beige color glaze. Signed on the back Hakushi or Hiroshi. Japan, later part of Showa era.

Length ca. 13 ½ x D ca. 9 inches.

Mint condition

Wooden sculpture of an old man and woman taking a break from the rice harvest. They are sitting on an elevation. He is preparing his pipe, taking tobacco out of his tonkotsu. She is getting out a lunch box and two tea cups, while the tea kettle is at her feet. Behind them a sheaf of rice and two sickles. Perhaps a modern reference to Jo and Uba, the old couple on the island Takasago who symbolize longevity...

Wooden figure of Tosa-inu (Tosa dog) representing Yokozuna (grand champion of sumo ). Tosa is located in Kochi prefecture in Shikoku district. In good condition except for some dirt in the ropes. 20th century. W:10.3cm x H:10.3cm D:12cm

Chinese Quan Yin from the second half of the 20th century. It is made of rare aromatic Cheng Xiang wood. The figure stands statuesque and unperturbed atop a turbulent sea holding a string of beads. The robes drape gently down the figure and almost flutter in the wind. It measures 16" tall, base 5" diameter.

Finely carved pair of reticulated carved floral bookends, each depicting a vase with flowers in it, signed by the artist, towards mid 20th century. Size, Dimensions of each item are 5"H x 4"W x 1.75"D. Condition Report; One bookend with small chip to the corner of the stone base.

An exquisite image of an emaciated man, the prominent bones about the eyes softly glowing pale white over the hollow cheeks. The mask is of the Yase-otoko type, and is signed on the back by the maker Iwasaki Hisahito in a carved seal above the eye. Superb craftsmanship!
Iwasaki Hisahito is a well known Mask carver currently 78 years old and still going. He was born in Oita prefecture, but moved to Nagoya then Yokohama at a youthful age...

HAND TAMED JIZO

Lovely Japanese stone carving figurine of Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva) that is so handy in size, H 16 x 8 x 7cm (6.29 x 3.14 x 2.75in), early-mid 20th century, in generally weathered condition as is due to aging...

Polychrome lacquered wood sculpture of a tanuki dressed as a pilgrim, carrying its baby on its back. Their eyes are in horn.

The tanuki is a kind of racoon dog which is part of the yôkai (spirits) of Japanese folklore. It is endowed with magical powers: it can metamorphose and take many different forms. This spirit is a symbol of luck and prosperity...