Japanese Bunraku Samurai Puppet, Meiji Period

Two exquisite Japanese musha ningyo dolls, crafted as courtiers, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The older man can be identified as the h...

A powerful Chinese figure of the Taoist diety Zhenwu (Xuanwu), carved and lacquered wood with applied lacquer details, Qing Dynasty, 19th century or earlier, China. Zhenwu, also kno...

A lovely Kutani porcelain model of a beautiful woman, bijin, or perhaps a geisha, Showa era, circa 1930's, Japan. A charming and delightful Japanese Kutani enameled porcelain figure of a bijin or geisha, early Showa Era, circa 1930's, Japan. The elegant figure of a beautiful woman, called a bijin, or perhaps a geisha, is portrayed dressed in full kimono and holding a closed folding fan in one hand. Her kimono of a rich and deep blue hue, with images of plump pomegranates in gilt. Her wide obi of a striking red color, and patterned with branches of pink blossoms. One foot, clad in a white tabi...

A fine lacquer decorated carved boxwood netsuke of a Noh dancer in a Hannya role, unsigned, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. The boxwood netsuke finely carved as a kneeling Noh dancer dressed in striking geometric patterned robes. The actor holds an opened war fan behind their back in one hand, a Shinto wand slung over the shoulder in the other. The war fan, tessen, decorated in red lacquer with a golden rising sun at the center. Tessen were sturdy fans used by samurai as protective devices, and sometimes as weapons. The wand, called an onusa, is a traditional Shinto ritual implement comprised of folded paper streamers, shide, attached to a wooden wand, often used in purification rituals. Here, the shide are crafted from silver maki-e, with the handle of the natural boxwood. The actor wears a fierce and unearthly hannya mask...