Specialties
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Edo Japanese Imari Arita Plate Namban
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Pre 1837 VR item# 192106
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
sold
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7.75" diameter, excellent condition with no damage. c1770-1820. This attractive and finely painted blue and white dish depicts a landscape with what appears, by the profile of the hat, to be a European foreigner (representation of a Portugese or Dutch man, specifically). The subject matter and style was common in the late 18th century, a style that evolved from about 1770 until the 1830s. Namban designs (meaning Southern Barbarians) along with Karako (Chinese children) were common on Imari porcelains in this period, which showed as a strong Chinese design influence overall. Chinese arts and specifically Chinese style tea ceremony known as Sencha saw a peak in popularity from the end of the 18th century into the early 19th century , and had similar influence on other mediums aside from tea utensils. The reverse of this attractive plate is marked with a spurious Chinese reign mark, typical of Imari from this period.
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Fine Koransha Japanese 19c Porcelain
Vase
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Pre 1920 item# 185300
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
sold
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Approx 12.5" x 5.75". Excellent condition with no damage. Dating to the Meiji Era, probably circa 1880. This extraordinary vase is a magnificent example of the best of Meiji porcelains. The company Koransha was established in 1875 aimed at producing exemplary quality porcelains for export, specifically aimed for presentation at the historic Philadelphia World Expo in 1876. Eizamon Fukagawa, Kamenosuke Tezuka, Suminosuke Fukami and Katsuzo Tsuji worked with the Japanese government to set up the company after Kunitake Kume from Saga prefecture visited European expositions prior to this and returned expressing disappointment in the technological inferiority of Arita ceramics. This helped to galvanize area producers toward making technical production improvements and led to the foundation of Koransha. Koransha went on to win awards at the Philadelphia Exposition (76), and the Paris Exposition of 1878. Internal conflicts led the company in 1879 to to split up, with one group leaving to create Seiji Kaisha, and Fukagawa taking over the name Koransha, which has existed to the present day. This piece decorated in a rich vocabulary of fauna and fowl, is typical of exhibition level pieces in the 1880s, and may have in fact been one of those pieces as it has an American provenance. The fine quality of under and overglaze painting is less common to see, versus the many later pieces of more ordinary craftsmanship that appear on the market made in the 20th century.
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Vintage Silk Japanese Kabuki Kimono
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Pre 1920 item# 180844
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
sold
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approx 56" x 56". Very good condition with exterior showing small wear in some brocaded panels, with a few areas of slightly worn (pink) layered silk revealing under blue layer. No significant losses or deterioration of gold threading. Interior appears more recent than exterior, as it was customary to replace the interior of kimonos as needed in time. This magnificent and dramatic kimono dates from the late 19th to the early 20th century, it is typical in design and form of kimono made for theatrical Kabuki performances, which are significantly different than Kimono made for normal wear. Designs are larger and bolder for impact on a stage and for distant visibility. Designs are outlined by a heavy rolled gold border, with the inner design accented with a thin colored silk on top of the thick heavy royal blue silk base. Naturally these are rare to come by and are ideal for display on a wall to create a dramatic interior. Kabuki kimonos were historically quite influential in terms of fashion and often retained a strong association for roles and actors. Additional photos available on request.
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Antique Japanese Raku Kogo Tea
Ceremony
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Pre 1900 item# 177061
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
sold
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2.25" long, 1.5" tall, very good condition with some glaze flecks common to the very lightweight Raku surface, no actual damage. Marked but unidentified, at least 19c. Kogo have a long history in Japan, predating the Edo era, they are used in the preparation of a setting for tea ceremony. Kogo can be made of a variety of materials, ceramic ones being associated with the use of compressed incense. Raku pottery has a long history in Japan and is best known as a pottery favored by tea ceremony devotees. Raku is a soft, lightweight and thickly glazed pottery fired at a relatively low temperature.
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19c Japanese Pottery Tea Cup Soma
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Pre 1837 VR item# 158321
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
sold
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3.5" tall, 3.25" wide, excellent condition no damage normal wear from use. Late Edo era, early to mid 19c. This cup appeared in my article on Tohoku ceramics in Daruma magazine issue 29, similar examples can be seen in Morse's c1900 famous catalog of Japanese pottery. This marvelous hand modeled and painted cup is an excellent example of Ohori Soma pottery from the Tohoku region of Norther Japan. Obori Soma (or Ohori Soma) was one of a number of Soma kilns in Fukushima Prefecture which developed out of traditions transplanted from Kyoto in the 17th century. Producing utilitarian wares for commoners, the umbrella of “Soma Obori” actually represents a number of varieties of pottery by many families. A detailed history of Soma ceramics can be found in my article, a copy of which I will include with the cup . It is a relatively rare example to find.
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Beautiful Silk Japanese Obi Koi & Chidori
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Pre 1920 item# 158317
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
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13" x 144". Excellent condition,a small water stain, no odor, a few loose threads on the end but nothing significant. Dating Meiji to early Showa eras. Name woven into edges, but I could not get a good photo because of light reflection in this particular weave. This is a fabulous and unusual obi! The weaving is particularly fine, which one sees on certain kinds of Meiji Era obis, however the style is not typical so I am leaving the window open to slightly later dating. The koi fish design is superb, along with the classic motif of chidori flying over waves, interspersed with mountains. The design is printed in bronze, silver, gold and a khaki threading, with each motif done in varying colors. There seem to be endless amounts of obis offered online these days, what most people won't tell you are interesting and well woven ones usually stay in Japan, where prices can outdo a kimono! An unusual example we're pleased to offer.
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Fine Japanese Poetry Scroll Rengetsu
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Pre 1900 item# 157562
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
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Scroll is mounted on a fine fabric backing and measures 53" x 10", the poem itself is 14" x 2", with a kiriwood box and a legible Japanese version of poem, and a rough translation provided. Otagaki Rengetsu, known as "Rengetsu" meaning "Lotus-moon", lived from 1791-1875 and is listed in "A Dictionary of Japanese Artists" as a Shijo painter, calligrapher, talented poet and potter. Her poems were characteristically incised in her pottery, the most common form of cups modeled in the form of lotus. She became a Buddhist nun after her husband's death and her adopted son was the famous calligrapher Tessai. She was prolific and inspired many imitators, however we guarantee this piece authentic, confirmed by more than one Japanese specialist on the artist. The poem is signed Rengetsu. It is a fine example by a widely recognized Edo Era Japanese female artist. The poem is translated as follows 1. “hana o matsu” translates to “waiting for flowers (sakura) to bloom”
2. “kisaragi ya” kisaragi is an ancient word for the month of May, so “hey, it’s May”
3. “ima wa sakura no ki no shita ni”,”now below the sakura / cherry blossom tree”
4. “Ibukashi oreba” “ carrying a heavy / depressed feeling”
5. “haru same zo furu” “spring rain is falling”
There is also a note saying that “ibukashi” can refer to 1) feeling of a heavy heart (ki ga omoi), 2) anxiety 3) suspicion.
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Japanese Lacquer Negoro Covered Bowl
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Pre 1700 item# 156534
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
sold
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5.5" wide, 4.5" tall. Dating Muromachi to late Momoyama eras 15-16c. Excellent condition, no damage, good and desired surface patina, with wood grains visible through lacquer. Marked in Japanese "2" on top and bottom, and accompanied by a marked old wood storage box. The name “Negoro originated from a temple complex in Wakayama established in the 13th century where for the next two hundred years as many as 6000 monks worked at one time making the austere styled lacquer wares which would become known as Negoro (see Ford, East Asian Lacquer, p160). Using either a wood base of keyaki or hinoki woods objects would be carved or lathe turned and enameled with either domestic or imported cinnabar and black enamel coatings. Pieces showing the wear of use and time are particularly valued by collectors, in the spirit and aesthetic of Japanese Tea Ceremony. Similar examples can be seen in museum collections and are relatively rare to see outside of Japan.
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Fine Japanese Lacquer Natsume Tea Jar
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Pre 1900 item# 156310
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bleu et blanc/Blue & White America, Inc.
Tokyo Time: 011-81-90-1844-8776
sold
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2.2" x 2.5". Very good condition with some interior wear from use, and a slightly faded color. No chips or cracks. Dating to the 19th century. This exquisite lacquer tea jar demonstrates the most challenging and magnificent lacquer work in a plant motif and calligraphy design in relief, using makie, taka makie and nashiji techniques. Designs are both inlaid and in low relief in this extraordinary lacquer work in the style of work by the great lacquer artist Korin. This high quality example is unusual to see outside of Japan. Lacquer tea jars are used for dry powdered tea and are made in various sizes as one of numerous accoutrements in Japanese tea ceremony.
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