AOKI (青木ヶ原)

Aokigahara (青木ヶ原), also known as the Sea of Trees (樹海 Jukai), is a forest at the foot of Mount Fuji, formed by lava from the volcano’s last major eruption. It is a popular destination because it offers visitors a profound sense of solitude. This page was created to exorcise the dogmas, or perhaps the depths, that the forest and its trees conceal. Wooden objects, fetishes, amulets, votive statues are often present in everyday life, and each one seems to contain a story to tell.

The forest has a long-standing reputation as a dwelling place for yūrei, the restless spirits of the dead in Japanese mythology, and Aokigahara has become known as a site of suicide. This “Sea of Silent Trees,” in winter as in every other season, is in reality a quiet, pristine forest, peaceful and tranquil, with an almost paradisiacal presence. Yet it has become sadly famous worldwide as the place with one of the highest numbers of suicides on the planet.

Residents living near the forest claim that this cursed place is haunted by the spirits of those who took their own lives. The suicides come from the most unexpected nationalities; in a few cases, even Italians. During a stay in Japan, it was shocking to discover that there are also people who assist others who are determined to end their lives. This activity is strongly opposed by organizations and the police, but it is very difficult to stop, as these individuals contact each other using numbers or encrypted codes that are hard to trace.

The first rule to follow when visiting the Aokigahara forest is simple: never leave the path. This small gallery exists as a personal reminder never to lose hope and always to find one’s own way, remembering above all that every object has its own meaning and should never be overlooked.

This section seeks to embrace a broad “spirit” or “point of view” that, over thousands of years, has taken on many different forms. In every case, there has been an attempt to draw from life experiences, teachings, and more. Thinking in a full 360 degrees, without lingering on a single perspective, allows many forms and practices developed on this planet to help different kinds of people meet their spiritual needs through diverse methods.

Diversity is a value, and nature, the forest, and the materials that arise from it are seen as the only true witnesses, capable of preserving and revealing the deepest meaning.

Joseon Dynasty / Hyakume Tansu/ medicine box / tea shelf / storage chest / drawer / carved characters / folding type / with carp-shaped lock 

Old fragrant wood Weight about 215g box Ancient art (agarwood sandalwood) Japan 

DAINICHI BUDDHA
This precious piece comes from an old Buddhist temple collection in Japan, dating to the late Edo period. It is a wooden carving of the Buddha Dainichi in the form of a kakebotoke 懸仏 寺院旧蔵品！[Size] approximately 10 × 21.5 cm, image size: approximately 5.8 × 7.5 cm.
[Condition] Please refer to the photos for details. No major damage; age-related wear and light soiling are present.

Votive Buddhist Plaque (kakebotoke) 懸仏

Kakebotoke, literally "hanging Buddhas," are usually made from a carved piece of wood. When circular and made of metal such as bronze or copper, they derive from ritual bronze mirrors, and the term also refers to similarly decorated large mirrors hung in Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. This work presents a remarkable image of a Buddhist or Shinto deity. While metal examples are often hammered in repoussé from the reverse, this piece of wood is deeply and finely carved in its entirety.

Kakebotoke are generally circular votive plaques symbolizing mirrors and decorated with repoussé or cast images, most often of Buddhist deities. They are one of the few forms of Buddhist art unique to Japan. They appear at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, where they were commonly dedicated as offerings to protect the prosperity of the precincts and to support the flourishing of the Buddhist faith. In Buddhist settings they were hung from the eaves above the main entrance to the Image Hall, or above the frieze rail between the outer and inner sanctuaries of the shrine housing the deity that guarded the temple compound. 

1000K

【遅日亭】時代 鍍金 黒塗 木製 大経台 経机 前卓 仏具 仏教美術 横58.8cm 高さ18.5cm 奥行16.5cm Wooden Daikyodai Sutra-front Desk Buddhist Tool

唐木細工 Karaki Handcraft Table Rosewood (Origin: China) Material: Schrenckii shell mother-of-pearl inlay

【寺院古寺放出品特別委託】中国美術 中国 清朝時代 唐木紫檀 螺鈿青貝細工 細密毛彫り四方盆額 中国美術 優品・美品

From the Qing Dynasty period (清朝時), also known as the Manchu dynasty, founded by the Aisin Gioro Manchu clan in Manchuria. The dynasty expanded into China proper and the surrounding territories of Inner Asia, forming the Great Qing Empire. Initially proclaimed as the Jin Dynasty in 1616, it was renamed “Qing” in 1636 and captured Beijing in 1644, unifying China over the following forty years and ruling until 1912. This “Jin” dynasty is distinct from the earlier dynasty of the same name that ruled between 936 and 946.

Previous owner: 会社名 永世舎（山口美術） Eikanjyo (Yamaguchi Art) 代表者 山口宏亮 President Hiroyasu Yamaguchi, Art Internet Auction Division [Eikanjyo], located in Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県, Hyōgo-ken) in the Kansai region of Japan on Honshu island.

This is a vintage lacqured wooden stand for flower vase. This type of stand is called "KADAI". Natural stump is used as it is, and coated with high quality lacquer.

This was made about 40-50 years ago.

4000K

唐木細工 Karaki 寺院古寺放出品特別委託】中国美術　中国　清朝時代　唐木紫檀螺鈿青貝細工　細密毛彫り四方盆額 中国美術　優品美品唐

唐木細工 Karaki Hand Craft Table Rosewood (Origin China) Material: shell schrenckii mother-of pearl From the Qing Dynasty period 清朝 時 also known as the Manchu dynasty founded by the Manciù clan of Aisin Gioro, in Manchuria, then expanded into China proper and in the surrounding territories of inner Asia, thus constituting the Great Qing Empire. Declared later as Jin Dynasty in 1616, it changed its name in 1636 into "Qing" and conquered Beijing in 1644, unifying China during the next forty years, ruling it until 1912. The name "Jin" is not to be confused with the homonymous dynasty of the period between 936 and 94

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