Catalog (21)

Superb sutra book (Kammavaca) made of two book covers made of teak wood and 16 pages made of palm wood. The pages are written recto/verso, in Pali script lacquered with black tamarind seed on a gilt background and illuminations. The two covers are with red drawings representing celestial beings on a gilt background. Burma, early 19th century. Dimensions: length: 62 cm, height: 12 cm. Some signs of wear and use, tiny chip on one page (see photo), otherwise very good condition. Acquired from an an...

Beautifully decorated book cover, of very refined gilded hammered copper on wood, with, on one side, two dragons with the "Ratna", or "Mani" (the Jewel of the Buddhist doctrine) in the middle, surrounded by stylised cloud motifs and framed in lotus design. On the other side, three handpainted Buddhist figures representing Manjushri, Chenresig and the Mahakala. These paintings have withstood the test of time a little less well than the front side. Otherwise, the book cover is in very good condit...

A pair of important books on Samurai, their history, fighting techniques, armour and weapons. The first book is "Secrets of the Samurai" published in 1973 by Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc. of Rutland, Vermont, USA. This book is a definitive study of the martial arts of feudal Japan, illustrating in detail the weapons, tecfhniques, strategies and principles of combat that made the Japanese warriors a terrible foe. Profusely illustrated in 464 pages, this study provides and insight into the variou...