A Japanese woodblock print of a kneeling male figure drying a shō, a traditional musical instrument of the reed family, a form of mouth organ, over a brazier. The print is attributed to Kitao Masanobu, 1761~1816 and probably dates to the late 18th century.

A good impression with some gauffrage on the kimono collar. The mount is inscribed in pencil “Mafsanobu”.

Approximately 20.3 x 14.4 cm. The print is laid by the edges to thin card. It is foxed at the edges...

19th century Japanese ceramic wall vase for use during tea ceremony as a flower container. Bizen ware made in Okayama Prefecture - one of the 6 oldest kiln centers in Japan. Wonderful free potting, beautifully indented by potter’s thumb on the front, subtle glaze ranging in color from gray to olive to brown. Excellent piece in Japanese taste, very pleasant warm patina, overall in excellent shape. Iron ring for hanging, inscribed with potters’s mark on the bottom. Height 4 3/4 inches.

GETA SKATES

Unique and rare old Japanese footgear for ice skating when kimono was still everyday dress for the people, Meiji-Taisho period, early 20th century.

Length with iron blade: approx. 28cm (11.02in). Height: approx...

Antique Japanese single section tansu with locking bar. With Keyaki (elm/zelkova) hardwood front panels in original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame. The top and bottom drawers feature a large iron lock plate in the form of a flying phoenix, while the middle drawers are secured by the vertical locking bar with original key. The bottom corner of the chest holds 2 small drawers behind a safe door...

Tall Japanese Sumida Gawa tankard with 6 mugs. All have the same potter's mark. Mugs measure 5" high, Tankard is 9.5" high. All are in very good condition except for a missing piece from the scroll on one mug, and broken thumb on another. Dates early 20th century.

Unusual 19th century Japanese mixed metal scroll weight in a form of a karako (Chinese boy) standing on one knee with the other one up, wearing a rich robe and a collar. Could have been used as a brush rest as well. Dynamic posture, pleasantly heavy bronze with gilding on the collar and robe, intricate textile designs on the robe superbly inlaid with silver, excellent depiction of his chubby face with a slight smile. Wonderful patina from handling, very appropriate piece for scholar’s desk...

Unusual 19th century Japanese mixed metal scroll weight in a form of a karako (Chinese boy) resting on his stomach and supporting his head by hand, wearing a rich robe and a collar. Pleasantly heavy bronze with gilding on the collar, intricate cloud designs on the robe superbly inlaid with copper and silver, excellent depiction of his chubby face with a slight smile. Wonderful patina from handling, very appropriate piece for scholar’s desk. See 2 more companion boy scroll weights in my catalog...

A rare Arita flower vase following a bronze form decorated in somenishikide style. The long flared neck decorated with a plume of stylised leaves with a pair of ring handles enamelled in green and iron red with gilding. The wasted bulbous body of the vase decorated with the figure of a Chinese scholar fishing and the reverse with stylised waves and flowering plants. The vase measures 22.5cm high and is approximately cm in diameter at its widest point 9.5cm. It weighs 620grams...

A Japanese scalloped rimmed bowl with a janome, bulls eye base, decorated wth three lotus form reserves each containing an auspicious somewhat rotund karashishi with a ribboned cash symbol inset against a rather unusual budo karakusa, grape vine arabesque. The base decorated with a stylised lotus pattern and the rim with a pattern of alternating double crested waves and gobenka. The interior decorated with a shochikubai-mon; the Three Friends of Winter...

Three well painted Shunga scenes with a loving couples. Silk with ink and colors. Fitted on traditional, gold-spotted cardboard. Meiji, ca. 1880. H 17 cm, W 19 cm. Condition: One in very good condition, the other two : over-all quite good. Minor spots.

Historically, fusuma were often painted with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests, or animals. The traditional scale of the door is 5'7". The Hinoki wood panels are painted with Rimpa paint and flecks of gold, creating a mist. The floral composition is with camellia, cherry blossom, hollyhock, and chrysanthemums.

The camellia flowers symbolize young sons and daughter. Tsubaki (camellia) symbolizes the divine, faithfulness and longevity...

Mingei jizai with Keyaki wood carved folding fan, hard-wrought iron chain, and a clover ring and hook. Unusual small size making for a charming sculptural item. Originally used to hold and suspend tetsubin (tea pot) over coals for heating.

Early 19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Chain hanging 35".
Fan Dimensions: 12" x 3 1/8" x 2"

Circular jingasa with a gradual domed top; Textured to simulate leather. The composition is of bamboo, paper, and many layers of Urishi lacquer work. The interior is finished in red with its original cotton gear straps and cushion...

The mask is of dark brownish lacquer finish and the interior is black lacquer. The high jaw has two protruding hooks for strapping the cords, and underneath the chin is a vent hole. The Saru Bo is fitted with yodare kare covered in lacquered black leather with three lames plates and blue silk lacing.
Mounted on metal display stand.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 7.5" x 3.5" x 8.25" (10.75" on stand)

This type of menpo would have fitted a formal and archaic style gosuku with silk lacing and large sode style of the Heian period. The menpo is lacquered in a dark brownish black with stylized wrinkles. The ears are pierced with plum blossom configuration, turned strap holders, and a vent hole. The nose plate is well rendered with horse hair mustache and hook-holes insertion. The interior of the mask is lacquered in red. The yodare is fabricated with stenciled leather and 3 plate kiritsuke laced ...

A slight smile menpo in black lacquer, with angular high cheeks, making its naturalistic ears protrude outward. The L shaped strap holders are mounted on the dimples, the sleek shaped chin with turned strap post and a small hole to vent out perspiration. The interior of the mask is lacquered in red leather. The yodare is in the kiritsuke style plates of four and is laced in blue silk, calico, and pale ocher. The menpo is mounted on steel stand for display.

Docked for Exhibition i...

Japanese munitions strong box constructed of Hinoki wood, with hand forged iron banding and with hard mounts. Original finish and condition.

Early 19th Century (Edo Period)

16 1/8" x 6 1/2" x 5 3/4"

Whimsical rendering of a high relief horse (uma) tied to a pine trunk. The horse is completely harnessed with its kura and abumi fittings. The finish is untouched showing signs of age and patina.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 19 7/8" x 15 1/2" x 1 3/4"