Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.
Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.
Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.
Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.
Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Japanese antique stone Buddha statues / Underworld scribe / Edo period/SC168
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an exceptionally rare stone statue of Shiroku, carved during the Edo period (18th–19th century). Shiroku is the scribe who serves under Enma Daiō, the great judge of the und...
Stone
Japanese Rare Serene Stone Buddha Kanon Guan Yin, 19th century
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese Acquisitions Imagine this wonderful antique stone sculpture in your garden- a warm and lovely example seated in a quiet, relaxing pose- she may be seen In ...
Stone
Japanese antique stone Buddha "Nyoirin Kannon" Edo period / 1750-1850
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a statue of Nyoirin Kannon (Nyoirin Kannon) created in Japan during the mid- to late Edo period (circa 18th to 19th centuries). Nyoirin Kannon is a form of Kannon Bodhisattva...
Stone
Japanese antique stone Buddha / Divine General / Guardian deity / Edo period
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a stone guardian deity statue created in Japan during the mid to late Edo period (18th–19th century). It is carved from a single piece of natural stone. With a height of 38.5...
Granite
Antique Japanese stone Buddha / Jizo Bodhisattva, Sado Island / Edo 1750-1868
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This stone Buddha was made on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. Sado Island is a special island with its own distinct history and culture, considered a rare place even within Japan,...
Sandstone
$1,920Sale Price|49% Off
Japanese Tall Antique Stone Garden Spiritual Jizo 19thc. 30 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese Acquisitions An early and hard to find Japanese large 30" tall scale hand carved stone Jizo holding his staff of compassion. Signed on both sides in kanj...
Stone
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Large Antique Stone Garden Kanon Guan Yin in Royal Ease 19thc, signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
Big, Beautiful And Signed From our recent Japanese Acquisitions An early and hard to find Japanese larger scale hand carved stone Kanon in a mudra of contemplation. Nyoirin Kannon ...
Stone
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Japanese Hand-Carved Granite Double Jizo Sculpture
Located in South Burlington, VT
Large work of garden art, 18th/19th century, 200 years old Japanese stone rectangular plaque Jizo Bosatsu in unusual "double Jizo" Desojin panel form. It stands tall in a fine m...
Granite
Carved Buddha Bust Thai Buddhist Art 1930
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Extra Large carved Thai wood painted gold buddha head bust This stunning buddha bust is mounted on a wooden block and is extremely sturdy Circa 1930s Good size at over four feet tall...
Wood
Late 19thC Cast Iron Lawn Jockey in Old Paint
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular and most likely a 19th century representation of a lawn jockey in cast iron. In excellent antique condition with minimal wear, some separation at the seams where they joi...
Iron
$3,640Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 24 in W 15.5 in D 10 in
Japanese Big Antique Hand-Carved Stone Happy Couple Bring Joy to your Heart, 24"
Located in South Burlington, VT
This duo -pair -couple bring joy and happiness to you and your garden. This pair are considered to be deities of marriage and fertility. Large work of garden art hand carved in the ...
Stone
Tranquil Chinese Stone Bodhisattva Head
Located in Chicago, IL
Exuding an energy of calm and tranquility, this larger-than-life stone bust depicts a Buddhist bodhisattva in serene meditation. A disciple of the Buddha, a bodhisattva is a compassi...
Limestone
Carved Burmese Buddha Statue Lotus Pose Mudra Buddhism
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A large and impressive carved wooden seated Burmese Buddha figure, richly decorated with gilt and polychrome decoration The Buddha is depicted seated in the meditation pose on a lotu...
Giltwood
Pair of Chinese Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Chicago, IL
Often referred to as “Fu Dogs” in western culture, these handsome stone sentinels are iconic gatekeepers seen throughout China and elsewhere in Asia. Traditional symbols of protectio...
Limestone
$2,250Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 16.5 in Dm 20 in
Monumental Pair of Antique Cast Stone Fruit and Flower Baskets
Located in Redding, CT
Monumental pair of antique cast stone fruit and flower baskets. Lovely aged patina to these beautiful detailed bouquets. These incredible garden ornam...
Stone, Cement
Stone Cherub Statue
Located in Stamford, CT
Stone Cherub holding scrolled tablet statue (late 20th century) originally made in England from reconstituted stone. Signed on back David Sharp & Co. Inc....
Stone
Grande Cariatide in Antique Style in Reconstituted Stone
Located in Madrid, ES
Introducing an exquisite Grande Cariatide in Antique Style crafted from reconstituted stone, representing a draped woman in the classical antique styl...
Stone
$1,500
H 15.95 in W 6.38 in D 3.94 in
Antique Chinese stone Buddha statue / before the 19th century / Tathagata
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a seated stone Buddha statue believed to have been made in China. While its date of creation is unclear, the weathering of the stone surface, surface wear, and texture formed...
Stone
Late 19th century Carve Stone Cambodian Buddha
Located in Hudson, NY
This sage green carved stone Buddha was purchased from an upstate NY garden where it has resided for the last 120 years. The family began the house and garden in the late 1890s and traveled through China, Southeast Asia and Europe acquiring objects to create a complete retirement home for themselves and their family from New York City. Sculptures like this are a typical form found at Angkor of numerous sizes representing Nagas and used as guardians of temples. This figure was a favorite motif of Angkorean sculptors from the 12 century...
Stone
Antique Chinese Glazed Guardian Lion Foo Dogs, a Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent pair of large antique Chinese porcelain temple Guardian Lions - Foo Dogs. The near matching male and female pair of handcrafted arc...
Porcelain
Japanese Antique Stone Rice God Buddha Ensures Bountiful Harvest
Located in South Burlington, VT
Seldom Seen Arts and Crafts early 20th century "Mingei" folk art Buddha Of Rice Protection- an unusual find A charming early and seldom seen Japanese hand carved effigy of Ta-no-Ka...
Stone
Sold
H 35 in W 12 in D 12 in
Japanese Big Antique Stone Garden Spiritual Jizo Bodhisattva With Hat 35 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese Acquisitions An earlier and hard to find image of this Japanese large 35" tall scale hand carved stone Jizo Bodhisattva with a carved hat on his backside a...
Stone
Sold
H 18 in W 8 in D 7.5 in
Japanese Rare Serene Hand Carved Stone Shinto Rice Prosperity Goddess , 19thc
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our Japanese Acquisitions - An ancient design with an unique modern contemporary feel. Imagine this wonderful antique stone sculpture in your indoor gallery or favorite garden...
Stone
Sold
H 13.71 in W 8.35 in D 6.11 in
Japanese antique: Three monkeys from the Edo period / 19th century / "San-en"
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
[This item is sold as a set of three.] This stone statue of the "Three Wise Monkeys" is believed to have been created around the late Edo period in Japan. Widely known as "see no ev...
Stone
Sold
H 20.87 in W 11.03 in D 8.67 in
Japanese antique stone Buddha "Kannon Bodhisattva" / Edo period/ Garden ornament
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This stone Buddha statue is thought to have been created during the Tenmei era (circa 1781-1789) in Japan's mid-Edo period. Although difficult to read, the characters "Tenmei" can be...
Granite
Sold
H 16.46 in W 9.06 in D 8.67 in
Japanese antique stone pagoda tip/Edo period/Temple item/Garden decoration
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is the upper tier of a pagoda that is said to have once stood within the grounds of a Japanese temple. In Japan, stone pagodas have long been built within temple grounds and rev...
Stone
Japanese Antique Stone Garden Kanon Guan Yin in Royal Ease 19thc.
Located in South Burlington, VT
Big, Beautiful And Signed From our recent Japanese Acquisitions An early and hard to find Japanese hand carved stone Kanon in a mudra of contemplation. Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu is b...
Stone
Sold
H 12.6 in W 8.27 in D 5.91 in
Small stone Buddha made in the Edo period in Japan/18th to 19th century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This small stone Buddha dates back to the Edo period (around 1603–1868), and the moss and weathering on the surface of the stone quietly tell the story of time’s passage. Made from s...
Stone
Sold
H 24 in W 12 in D 8 in
Japanese Big Antique Stone Garden Kanon Guan Yin in Royal Ease 19thc 24 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese Acquisitions An early and hard to find Japanese larger scale hand carved stone Kanon in a mudra of contemplation. Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu is beautifully depi...
Stone
Sold
H 16.54 in W 9.06 in D 4.93 in
Japanese antique stone Buddha “Nyoirin Kannon”/1750-1850/garden ornament
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This Buddha is called "nyoi-rin-kannon" in Japanese. It is a Buddha statue that grants wishes as you wish and removes suffering. This sitting figure with his hands on his cheeks show...
Stone
Sold
H 9.57 in W 4.53 in D 3.23 in
Japanese antique small rice field god / Edo period / Jizo Bodhisattva stone stat
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese stone figurine in the shape of Jizo Bodhisattva. In Japan, there is a concept of Shinbutsu Shugo, which is the idea of merging gods and Buddhas. This statue...
Stone
Sold
H 26 in W 15 in D 7.5 in
Japanese Big Antique Stone Garden Kanon Guan Yin in Royal Ease 19thc 26 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese Acquisitions An early and hard to find Japanese larger scale hand carved stone Kanon in a mudra of contemplation. Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu is beautifully depi...
Stone