Antique Japanese granite chôzu’bachi 手水鉢 (water basin) with carved Buddha design

An antique, outstanding signed suji’bachi kabuto (helmet with ridges) surmounted by a gilt metal maedate (forecrest) shaped like a full moon emerging from the clouds heightened by a ...

Pair of enticing cast iron chôshi (sake kettles) with a detailed lacquered lid, raised by three low feet. Its rotund body with a subtle embossed design of stylized symbols, like myth...

Important unique set of two suits-of-armour (yoroi), complete with two high six-panel screens, that belong together as is indicated by the used family crests (mon). Two crests are used, both belonging to the Nakagawa family of Oka Castle, Ôita prefecture on Kyûshû. They are: – the Nakagawa-kurusu, a circle depicting a Celtic-like cross through a ring. The cross was originally a Christian symbol but after the ban on Christianity in Japan the use of a hidden cross in family crests could continue. – the Nakagawa-kashiwa, two leaves of the Japanese Emperor Oak turned to each other (dakikashiwa mon). The remarkable aspect of this ensemble is the presence of matching crests on both the yoroi and the accompanying folding screens. The kurusu and kashiwa crests adorning the yoroi are elegantly replicated on the screens, providing compelling evidence that these pieces form a harmonious and unified set. This exceptional cohesion between the armour and screens further enhances their artistic and historical value. After the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) had interfered in the battle between the Lord of Bungo Province Ôtomo Yoshi-mune (1558-1605) and the Shimazu of Hyûga Province, he split the Bungo Province in a number of small fiefs and transferred in 1594 Nakagawa Hideshige (1570-1612) from Miki Castle in the Harima Fief to Oka Castle in Kyûshû. The Nakagawa family stayed in possession of Oka Castle till the abolishment of the military use of castles in 1873. In 1884 the Nakagawa family received the title of Count (a title in use till the abolishment of aristocracy in 1947). After the Nakagawa’s left, the castle and the building soon dilapidated and is now known as Oka Castle Ruins. The castle is located in Taketa Village part of Taketa Town in Ôita Province on Kyûshû. > Set of two tall byôbu (folding screens), painted with large red jinmaku (camp enclosure curtain) on a gold leaf ground. The curtains show both crests of the Nakagawa family: one screen depicts two Nakagawa-kurusu crests next to a Nakagawa-kashi crest in the middle, and the other shows the symbols the other way round. Dimensions: Total width 148.66 in/377.6 cm (2 x 25.35 in/64.4 cm, 4 x 24.48 in/62.2 cm); Height 72.63 in/184.5 cm. Period: Japan – Late Edo period (First half 19th century), and maybe even older. > Yoroi with Nakagawa-kashiwa crest: A Japanese black lacquered suit-of-armour (yoroi) completely laced with orange cords (kuro’urushinuri hi’ito odoshi nimai’dô’maru). A thirty-two plate suji’bachi kabuto (helmet with raised ridges) with in front a maedate (fore crest) -with traces of gilding- in the shape of flames, resembling a mythical flaming bird flying down. The fukikaeshi (face guards) and the mabizashi (visor) have the Nakagawa-kashiwa crest in gold maki-e lacquer. Five curved ‘itazane’-plate neck guards (shikoro) laced with orange cords. Together with an ‘angry man...

Rare museum-worthy Japanese lacquered wooden festival support for a flag. In feudal Japan this kind of supports sat on the back of a horse or ox during pr...

A charming gosho’ningyô (palace doll) of plump, seated child with a brilliant white skin and a small delicately elegant face, reminiscent of a young noble. The doll is playfully rais...

An imposing, capital Japanese Imari-verte porcelain vase with hand-carved hard wooden cover. The vase, in a baluster shape, showcases a vibrant and continuous scene of elegant ladie...

Stunning and one of a kind Buddha sculpture. There are only very few people in the world who can accurately date this hand carved marble or granite Japanese Buddha head...

Japanese Pottery Water Dropper executed in a Swirl Design A water dropper is used in calligraphy as a small container to hold a small amount of water to make ink for calligraphy.

A 25.25 inch tall antique carved polychrome standing Buddha Amitabha. The Buddha of infinite light.

This work is produced by Egawa, a master craftsman from the Meiji era. It can be said to be a representative of brilliant metalworking technology. "Kaga zougan", an excellent met...

An impressive Imperial Meiji period Japanese throne chair which is finely and lavishly carved with dragons holding the eternal pearl in their mouths. ...

Hanten is a type of traditional Japanese garment that is often referred to as a "short coat" or "jacket". `it has a loose, kimono-like design with a straight collar and is typically ...