*FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES SHIPPING IS SET FOR EMS EXPRESS TO ALL AVAILABLE DESTINATIONS.

This listing is for a reasonably large wooden Kaga Shishi-gashira lion head okimono made about 30 years ago by kibori artisan Katsura Furuse.  This is an ornamental version of the mask used for Shishimai lion dances.  It is hand-carved from paulownia sourced from Mt. Hakusan, and decorated with gold leaf and red lacquer.  The mouth can be opened and closed and it’s holding a sword. The signature of the artisan can be found on the back, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box. 

Kaga Shishi-gashira can be traced back to the first feudal lord Maeda Toshiie (1538-1599), and it’s a recognised craft supported by the Kaga Hyakumangoku tradition.  Hyakumangoku refers to the artisan culture promoted by the ruling Maeda clan.  Maeda promoted artistry and culture which enabled Ishikawa to flourish and become a cultural centre.  It is said that a large scale lion dance was performed in honour of Maeda when he entered Kanazawa Castle in 1583.  Lion dances gradually became a form of martial arts training, and families decorated their alcove with carved lion heads to celebrate the birth of a boy.  These days Kaga Shishi-gashira items are believed to bring good fortune and brought out for traditional ceremonies. People wear them during autumn to pray for good harvest, and during New Year to drive away evil spirits.

Japanese okimono figurines are decorative items used for display purposes. Junishi okimono are those commemorating the twelve animals and mythological beasts from the astrological calendar. The Japanese astrological calendar is known as eto, and the twelve creatures are called junishi. The Zodiac’s popularity peaked during the Edo Era, and it was then that junishi okimono production became more widespread. These days, potters and production kilns produce hundreds of junishi each year to welcome the coming New Year. These are often displayed in shops, restaurants, people’s homes, and tea rooms.

Sizes

Box:  H.22.7cm (8.9”) x 38cm (14.9”) x 23.5cm (9.2”)

Okimono:  H.19.3cm (7.5”) x 33cm (12.9”) across excluding sword x 16.5cm (6.4”) from back to front

Sword:  L.37.4cm (14.7”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition aside from being a little spotty on the back where the wood isn’t covered in gold.  The box is spotty and the lid has some purple marks and a split.  There are also two gaps in the back of the box.  The white cloth is stained and has some small holes.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway:  EMS Express 7-10 days.

**Asia:  EMS Express 3-5 days.

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.