Antique Japanese Wooden Raban (羅盤) Geomantic Compass | Hand-Inscribed Feng Shui Compass | Early–Mid 20th Century

Title: Japanese Wooden Raban Compass, Antique
Artist / Maker: Unknown (signed but not read)
Object: Raban / geomantic compass
Material: Wood, glass, metal compass
Date: Late 19th to early 20th C
Origin: Japan
Dimensions: 17 cm diameter
Signature / Marks: Brush inscription on reverse, unread
Condition: Vintage condition with surface wear, rubbing, age marks, and patina. Compass present. Sold as a historical and display object, not as a precision navigational instrument.

Notes:  A visually strong Japanese wooden raban compass with hand-inscribed concentric markings and a central compass. These objects relate to traditional systems of direction, calendrical cycles, zodiac divisions, and geomantic orientation rather than ordinary modern navigation alone. This example is especially compelling because of its larger 17 cm size, dense hand-written surface, warm aged wood, and reverse inscription. It works well as a Japanese antique, scholar’s object, folk-science object, or sculptural display piece.

Keywords: Japanese compass, raban, 羅盤, wooden compass, geomantic compass, Japanese geomancy, zodiac compass, scholar’s object, Japanese antique, folk science, directional compass, hand-inscribed compass, feng shui compass, Japanese object, Sosaku Collection