1. A delightful antique Japanese ivory sculpture depicting an itinerant basket seller and his son enjoying each other’s company while they pause by the road. The artist has created a remarkable composition of skillfully carved baskets and festival drums clustered upon a wheeled cart. There is a genuine sense of gentle joy in the expressions of father and son. Signed Nyosetsu, Ritsu. Japan, circa 1890. 

Measuring 6” high by 11 ½” wide by 5” deep, including custom stand.

2. A large antique Japanese hinoki wood ‘Okimono’ – sculpture of a ‘Koi’ carp where the artist has employed the natural grain of the wood to create a sense of the movement of water across the body. Boldly defined scales, fin and tail lend an appealing textural quality that begs to be touched. Throughout the Far East, the koi is a symbol of success in one’s endeavors and the sphere he holds in his mouth represents the attainment of the pearl of wisdom. Taisho/Showa, circa 1920-30’s.

Measuring 18” long.

3. A beautiful antique narrative sculpture of bronze, wood and ivory that exemplifies the nurturing role of the grandfather in the traditional Japanese rural family. In historical Japan the extended family resided together and it was the grandparents who largely took on the role of raising and mentoring the children while their parents were working to support the family. Here the artist depicts an attentive young lad assisting his grandfather in sawing a limb for firewood. Beautifully detailed with expressive faces and sense of movement. Signed Kazuoshi. Circa 1890.

Measuring 6” high by 10” diameter, including fitted wood base.

4. A captivating antique Japanese okimono depicting the legendary episode of famed musician and courtier Yasumasa with his rival sibling and would-be assassin Kidomaru. Yasumasa played such an enchanting melody with his flute that Kidomaru was spellbound and could not bring himself to commit his evil deed. The skill of this carving is remarkable for its detail and realism to bring this epic narrative to life. Upon closer observation one realizes that the artist has actually conveyed that Yasumasa is aware of his brother’s ill intent. Japan, circa 1880.

Measuring 3 ⅝” high.

5. An antique Japanese portrait sculpture, carved with extraordinary realism depicting 'Ono no Komachi', the only female of the 6 Rokkasen or most famous poets of Japan. Every detail has been carefully observed and skillfully rendered; with respect the artist portrays her weathered skin and bones of a hard life in exile, the drapery of her care worn robes move in the wind, there are well defined locks of hair and the supple weave of her raffia hat, but most importantly he has captured the dignity of wisdom she has earned. Signed Mitsusada.

Measuring 6 ¾” high.

Born the daughter of the Lord of Dewa, she lived circa 825-900 and in her youth was renowned for her extraordinary beauty and intelligence. To this day, popular Japanese culture will say that a woman is 'Komachi' if she is seen to be an exceptional beauty. However, with these gifts the young Ono no Komachi succumbed to the folly of arrogance. She demanded an unsurmountable vigil of 100 days to a high ranking courtier to prove himself worthy of her love. His death left the Emperor no choice but to banish her into exile. 

花の色は                                        Hana no iro wa                                A life in vain.
うつりにけりな                                 utsurinikeri na                                  My looks, talents faded
いたづらに                                      itazura ni                                          like these cherry blossoms
わが身世にふる                             wa ga mi yo ni furu                           paling in the endless rains
ながめせしまに                               nagame seshi ma ni                          that I gaze out upon, alone.

6. An antique Japanese okimono carved by an artist of extremely gifted skill. The rendering of precise anatomical details, such as: the bony structure, the tautness of the skin on his emaciated body, facial features, brow, nose, etc. is extraordinary. The drapery of heavy silk robes and sense of movement as the figure is in mid-stride and expressing his voracious hunger, beckons one to observe. This is the legend of the Sennin Kensu (Chinese Xianzi), who was a Zen monk famous for breaking the Vinaya code on eating meat and thus paradoxically gaining enlightenment. The artist has created a composition that accommodates forward movement yet balances perfectly when standing. Signed by the noted artist Kihodo Masakazu. Another work by this artist in the Frederick Meinertzhagen Collection, now in the British Museum, can be seen in the Meinertzhagen card index in the archives of the British Museum, page 428.

Measuring 4 ¾” high.

7. An antique Japanese okimono of a beautiful bijin who attempts to seduce a young samurai. In this sculptural rendering we see he is concealing a dagger as he is aware that she is but an apparition of the nine-tailed fox, a devious trickster with malintent. In Japanese mythology, the fox or 'Kitsune' was an archetypal changeling, able to assume human form; some for benign purpose as in the tale of Kuzunoha and the Zenko who are the guardian spirits of the Goddess Inari (Goddess of the Harvest). However, many legends see this changeling as a trickster bent upon mischief. Much of the folklore of the nine-tailed fox are that of innocents being possessed by madness. Signed Toshichika. Circa 1880.

Measuring 2 ¾” high.

8. An antique Japanese Tokyo School carving of the Tekkai Sennin, the mystic mountain sage who had mastered the power of astral projection. Here we see him gathering his breath as he raises his right hand to project his spirit out into the universe to travel to his intended destination. This okimono is skillfully carved with a realistic sense of movement and attention to detail. Signed Sosai on an inlaid red lacquer seal. (Sosai was a pupil of Okawa Somin, School of Rakumin.) Circa 1900.

Measuring 7 ½” high.

9. An antique Japanese ivory portrait sculpture of a grandfather figure resting on his walking stick holding scissors and the freshly cut kiku blossom he brings to create an ‘Ikebana’ flower arrangement for his family home. Japanese culture reveres their elders as the head of the household and a source of great wisdom. This work of art is carved with exceptional sensitivity and reverence and conveys a highly realistic presence (perhaps inspired by an elder member of the artist's family). Signed Yoshi Aki, Tokyo School. Circa 1900.

Measuring 8 ¼” high.

10. An antique Japanese ivory okimono of a lion standing on a rocky outcropping with one paw raised encouraging two young cubs to clamber to the top. This subject in Japanese art was traditionally enacted by mythological ‘Shishi’ or temple lions and symbolized the courage to which the young cubs must aspire to be guardians of the Buddhist Temples. Here the artist Hidemitsu has been inspired by images he has observed of African Lions, all a part of the cross-cultural influence of the Meiji Period (1867-1912). Signed Hidémitsu. Circa 1890.

Measuring 4 ⅜” high.

11. A highly animated antique Japanese okimono depicting a most humorous subject. All madness breaks loose when a tribe of monkeys (saru) attempts to wrestle away a farmer's harvest of persimmons. Well-detailed with simian features of fur, hands, feet and facial expressions. Both father and son are of excellent details as well. This sculpture was carved from a large curved section of walrus ivory and very well imagined within the confines of the material. Walrus is a very dense material that is most difficult to carve. Circa 1880.

Measuring 6” high.

12. A charming antique Japanese miniature okimono (sculpture) of a seated wild boar with a rather congenial expression. The boar is an animal of the yearly Asian Zodiac and symbolizes strength and valor. A rather aggressive animal, one in such quiet repose is a talisman for peace. Japan, circa 1900.

Measuring 1 ½” long.