The jet-black glaze of this cha-ire (tea caddy) nicely highlights the Chrysanthemum flowers (Kiku) adorning the upper surface—long considered auspicious symbols of longevity and rejuvenation in Japan. When first introduced to the island nation during the Nara period (710 – 793 AC), the Japanese Royal Family was fascinated with the Chrysanthemum. Over time, it became the Imperial Family Emblem and during certain eras was generally forbidden to be used by the general public...

Futonji made of hand-spun cotton with tsutsugaki orizuru (origami crane) motif and dyed with natural indigo. It has green color lining which is also hand-spun cotton and dyed with natural indigo and yellow color. In excellent condition except for a hole near hem in the indigo cover, indigo faded parts and some holes in the green lining. Late 19th to early 20th century. 158cm x 188cm

An unusual Arita wall-vase, kakehana, circa 1750. The seed-shaped hollow body is moulded with trailing vines supporting a dragonfly. The painter has used two different greens, aubergine, yellow and black. The unglazed back is pierced for suspension. It is probable that this kakehana was made for the home market.

In 52 years of business I have found only two of these unusual vases, this one I kept for my collection.

Approximately 16.7cm long...

An Edo period Oribe sake bottle of simple but full proportions and with classically Japanese Zen decoration - austerely yet sensitively placed grass and blooms decoration in iron oxide on the softly crackled opaque off-white glaze ever so slightly scorched in the kiln on two sides where the body is almost slightly exposed and oxidized to a buff tone at those points. The cut foot also glazed save for a crescent reserve around the center where the warm gray body is exposed...

A Fushina (Fujina) yaki image of the three monkeys made to support the Kettle lid in the Japanese Tea Ceremony dating from the Edo period. A warning to all, the little creatures hear nothing, see nothing and speak nothing. What happens in the tea room, stays in the tea room! The figure is 4.5 cm (roughly 2 inches) diameter the same height and in excellent condition. Impressed into the base is the Rakuzan seal. It comes in an antique woven thread pouch...

Sensational Meiji Period C.1890 Imari Charger. Motif of Ikebana flower arangements. Very art deco and like a painting. Hand drawn with cobalt blues and fired at high temperatures. Signed by Fukuichi, a reknown Imari artist in Kyushu. 13"x 13". Ask for shipping quote.

An unusual Arita enamelled wall-vase, kakehana, circa 1750. The seed-shaped hollow body is moulded with trailing vines supporting a dragonfly. The painter has used two different greens, aubergine, yellow and black. The unglazed back is pierced for suspension. It is probable that this kakehana was made for the home market.

Approximately 16.7cm long...

Thick shima-cho, a sample book of cortton shima (stripes) with about 870 fragments. The age is written on the cover "Meiji 3 (1870), however the age of the fragments range from very late Edo (mid 19th century) to Taisho (1920s). The first 770 fragments are late Edo and Meiji (the second half of the 19th century) and the second 101 fragments are woven in Taisho period (1912~1925). In excellent condition. 16cm x 21cm x 5cm

A substantial large Japanese Imari covered bowl with a tear drop finial decorated principally in underglaze blue with a Chrysanthemum vine arabesque overlaid with poem card, shikishi, shaped reserves of peach and rectangular form. The peach shaped reserves containing leaping Karashishi and rock Peonies and the rectangular shaped reserves a red ground with stylised Chrysanthemums. These rather striking bolder designs, which reflect Japanese contemporary taste, date to the period 1720-50...

A fine pottery koro in typical milky white glaze supported by three figures in russet red by Okuda Mokuhaku dating from the mid 19th century. It is 13 cm (5 inches) diameter, 11.2 cm (4-1/4 inches) tall. There is a chip in the rim, otherwise is in excellent condition. It is stamped on the base AKahadayama followed by a circular seal reading Mokuhaku. t comes in a simple wooden box.
Akahada Pottery, starting around 1585, was created by several kilns in the area of Yamato-Koriyama, Nara...

Beautiful Okinawan uchikui which is a furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with cherry blossom design. The dye technique is tsutsugaki and bingata-zome which is traditional Okinawan dyeing technique adding colorful vegetable color or pigment. Uchikui is dyed with either tsutsugaki or katazome (stencil-resist-dye). Uchikui is used for not only wrapping but also covering gifts. This uchikui is two panels sewn together. Wefts are choma (ramie) and warps are cotton...

Japanese women's small tansu with hardwood drawers, and charming burl front panels. The gilt copper hardware conveys floral motifs of Kiri leaves, flower petals, and fruit. The chest is configured with eight drawers of varied size and a pair of small sliding door panels opening to a roomy compartment. Each drawer has a plush black material lining.

Taisho Period - circa 1920's

Dimensions: 21 1/4" l x 11 3/4" d x 11 3/8" h

Japanese antique small Ko Tansu (personal chest) made all of keyaki wood with black lacquered iron hardware. This small chest has 7 drawers of various sizes; 1 large drawer & 1 small drawer on the top portion, 2 medium drawers and sliding panels & 5 small drawers on the lower portion. The hardware is made of blackened iron and includes 3 round pulls and 2 scroll drawer pulls.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 19.5"long X 11"high X 11.75"wide

Japanese Hirado Figure of a Hawk, perched on a rocky mound. L19thc Height 28.5cm. Condition; excellent.

A fine early 18th sake flask, Tokkuri, of European form, the shape derived from Dutch Gin bottles. It is decorated with alternating panels of the Three Friends of Winter, Shochikubai, and a rather unusual combination of a Dragon amongst clouds, and stylised Ginko. The shoulders of the bottle are decorated with stylised Lotus mon amongst karakusa, and the top with a tako-karakusa, octopus scroll, border.

Approximately 19 cm high...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 18 1/2" H x 23 3/4" W x 11 3/4" D

This is Late 19th Century, wondefully carved Four-case Lacquered Inro carved to a cinnabar background depicting figural scenes on both sides. It comes with a beautiful lacquered Manju Netsuke that show in a rainbow fashion its various layers of red and green lacquer. Inro is signed on one of its sides. Inro measures 2.48 inches (6.3cm) wide, 0.98 inches (2.5cm) deep, and 2.95 inches (7.5 cm) tall Netsuke measures 1.87 inches (4.8cm) in diameter, and 0.50 inches (1.3cm) tall. Ojim...

19th Century, nicely hand-carved Kurogaki (Black Persimmon) wood Netsuke depicting a squatting Shishi that is placing its front paws on a Tama ‹Ê, or sacred Buddhist jewel, a symbol of Buddhist wisdom that brings light to darkness and holds the power to grant wishes. There is a large moving ball inside the Tama. Eyes inlaid in dark horn. Large chimney himotoshi that has been cleverly carved within the form of the figure. Nice compact form. Rich patina. Signed Michishige on the bottom...