19th century boxwood netsuke depicting a sitting man who is about to sneeze. The scene represents a street entertainer, in this case a man who tickles himself with a stick and sneezes for the delight of the audience. Excellent carving with unusual absurdly long and narrow head, perfectly captured facial expression, beautifully stained, wonderful patina. Height 1 3/8 inches.

A very nice Japanese, Meiji Period (1868-1911) drum form Satsuma lidded box with two faux molded handles to the sides. The exterior and interior of box and lid each are decorated with scenes. Signed on bottom, it measures 5.5 inches diameter, 3" high.

Japanese satsuma Earthenware Vase, signed "Kinzan" on the bottom in gold in the black background, Ca. Meiji period, 1880's, 6 1/4" high, 3 1/8" wide-widest part, with brilliant gold accent on finely overglaze hand painted figures under the Pink Flowering trees around the entire vase. Gold diaper design in black on the neck and repeated wide leaf pattern border in overglaze enamel on the bottom, signed "Kinzan" in gold on the bottom. The condition is good.

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a standing blind masseur with a staff in his hands and a habitual bump on his head. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and then wood starts showing, thus adding yet another color to the piece. Wonderful elegant carving with fantastic sour face and clean lines of his robe, rich warm patina. Height 2 1/8 inches.

Antique Japanese solid Keyaki (Zelkova) hardwood Funa Tansu or ship safe chest. The front of the box has heavy iron plating with the number one (ichi) within a circle, motifs of reishi mushrooms, pine trees and flowers with heavy lock plate. The chest's interior hold two medium drawers over three small drawers, with squared and round iron pulls, and red lacquer fronts. Original finish.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 15 1/2" x 19" x 18"

Japanese iron tsuba, or hand guard for a samurai's sword, with cast motifs of waves inlaid with gold and silver, the patina indicates age and wear from use.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 2 3/4" x 3"

Japanese porcelain vase of a tapered cylindrical form, with flatted top, and small fluted mouth. The piece depicts three herons in white against a navy blue enamel ground. The foot is signed by Nishiura Enji with two character signature in cobalt blue. Nishiura's studio was famous for it's 'spraying technique' which was unique at the time.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3 1/2" w x 7 1/2" h

An unusual Japanese circular wooden stand with black and red lacquer finish, the edges of the stand are inlaid with shell, standing on slight cabriole tripod feet.

Early 19th century Edo Period

Dimensions: 19" W x 5" H

Early 19th century wooden netsuke of sitting man with a folded fan in his lap. The figure probably represents a traveling street entertainer - a storyteller. Superbly expressive face left unlacquered to allow for detailed carving, the rest of the netsuke is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and then wood starts showing, thus adding yet another color to the piece...

19th century Satsuma ceramic vase with tear drop body and narrow neck with painted enamel decoration of a seated rakan (one of the 18 original disciples of the Buddha), his raised hand holding a bowl, Benten - the only female among the 7 Gods of Good Fortune - seated next to him, and an attendant boy with box of offerings kneeling between them. Extraordinary high quality detailed painting - see fine depiction of their faces and supremely fine rich clothes with numerous patterns...

Circular jingasa with a gradual domed top. The composition is of bamboo, paper, layers of lacquer work with intricate shell inlay. The jingasa is decorated to the edge of three gilt lacquer circular crests (mon) The interior is finished in red with its original cotton gear straps and cushion...

Japanese two(2) section Tansu, chest on chest, Ca. Meiji period, late 1800's, 41" high, 41" wide, 17" deep, Black Iron round Back Plate with floral Mon design, beautiful shaped heavy black iron handles. Two(2) small drawers behind black iron mounted small blind door on lower right side. Two(2) small drawers are "as is", one(1) missing small round ring and damaged wooden area in front.

Unusual Japanese hardwood low shop desk tansu. Original red lacquer finish with heavy iron plates and mounts. The table surface is hinged with three doors that open to interior compartments for papers and other merchant's effects. The middle door has a lady's portrait with calligraphy inscriptions detailing the piece is from a merchant business in "Ume-yashiki, Tokyo" with the merchant name "Shimbashi Kotatsu" and dated 25th year Meiji 1893...

A White porcelain ware figurine of a Japanese puppy. The puppy has a small hole in its' neck, and an open mouth, and functions as a water dropper. Water droppers were used by a scholar to add water to the ink stone when mixing ink. The puppy is very attractive with Hirado style pierced eyes, large ears, modeled toe nails and a raised left foot. The puppy measures about 4" high x 5" long x 3 1/2" wide and dates to the late 19th, early 20th Centuries. The condition is excellent/perfect...

Japanese Erotic Shunga Prints. 8 double-page book illustrations in colours from a shunga book (6 with erotic motifs). Extremely good details of the interiors and clothing. Also part of the lot are 3 pages with poetic inscriptions. Probably by Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865). Japan, late Edo, c. 1850. H 18.5 cm, L 26.5 cm. Condition: Good colours, general fine state of preservation with minor worming (repaired) on a few of the leaves.

Japanese heavy Brocade silk Shrine Uchishiki, or altar cover, Meiji period, 1868-1912, 26" x 26" square, Gold and Silver brocaded double Phoenix birds in the gold metallic background and narrow bands of egg plant color background between. Water stain in one corner on the silk backing, not in front, otherwise the condition is good, still retain the thread to keep the edges flat. There are some writings in the back, but not able to read.

Small shunga book (vol. 1) with indistinct title in oblong format. 14 colour prints with erotic motifs and texts, five scenes in black ink and other pages with text only. Japan, late Edo, early 19th century. H 8 cm, L 18 cm. Condition: Good impressions and bright colours. Some wear to paper.

Japanese tenmoku ware ceramic vessel with ribbed handle, short front spout, and wide open top. The thick oil slick glaze stops just short above the foot left in buff. Tenmoku glaze is made with feldspar, limestone, and iron oxide. The more quickly a piece is cooled, the blacker the glaze will be. Tenmokus are known for their variability. During their heating and cooling, several factors influence the formation of iron crystals within the glaze...