Antique Japanese 6-panel byobu screen painting depicting a noble woman's carriage (gosho-guruma) parked under a blossoming cherry tree (sakura). The tassel cords are untied. The yoke rests on a black lacquered stool. The cart is decorated with irises and peonies with raised rimpa paint. The sudari is shut closed with chrysanthemum pattern curtains billowing out. Painted in mineral colors and raised gofun on gold leaf...

19th century long wooden netsuke of nyoi - a Buddhist scepter carved as a length of a reishi fungus with three fungus heads. Did not photograph well. Nyoi, or Ruyi scepter is a traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge, and reishi fungus represents the fabled Fungus of Immortality. Carved out of dense beautiful brown rosewood, elegant design in Japanese taste, great depiction of fungus texture, wonderful patina and excellent sheen to the surface from being handled...

A 19th Century Japanese six panel screen of Nara preparing for the Matsuri Wakakusa Yamigaki festival. This elegant bird's eye view of the city of Nara in the Edo period depicts a scree of village life in preparation for the traditional rice festival. Dancing and drinking are on display and the excitement fills the air with anticipation. The Nara temple is the major sponsor of the activities. The temple is open to patronage and veneration. This festival celebrates the rice harvest for the city...

Early 18th C Edo period Japanese byobu painted screen of scholars in retreat. It is composed of 2 panels. The screen has a predominate gold leaf ground on gofun paper. Paint composition is a mineral rimpa paint. The subject matter is a belief of mythology made real. Shu-ton (a scholar's attendant) found a longevity turtle that is believed to be 1000 years old. This turtle is also known to be a messenger to the gods. The expression on the master's face reflects wonderment...

Japanese 17th century Momoyama Period six panel Byobu painted screen of the Tale of Genji. This remarkable screen is in great form painted with rimpa polychrome mineral paint on gold gilt gofun paper. The composition is complex and it allows the viewers to have a bird's eye view of the scene and events amidst swirling clouds...

A mid-century 18th C Japanese Tosa school six panel byobu painted screen. Rimpa paint of gofun paper with gold leafed clouds dividing each of the scenes. The screen begins by exposing us to the art of seduction by listening to poetry. The proper approach to a desired lady was through poems written on scented paper of the finest quality by an elegantly dressed go-between of appropriate social ranking...

A medium sized Japanese Oribe dish with a rich, brilliant green glaze and plum blossom brush painting. The crackle in the glaze adds to the design and the edging is painted. The bottom is unglazed and has 4 indented strips. Invented in Japan in 1605, Oribe ware introduced vivid pattern and color to a ceramics tradition that had previously favored somber, monochrome designs.

Dimensions: 9.5" diameter

Date: circa 18th C

19th century netsuke carved as a group of four seals - two of simple square section, one in a shape of a natural lotus bud stem (its stem serving as himotoshi), and one with shishi and ball finial. Elegant design in Japanese taste, bottoms are carved with raised and sunken characters in seal script and stained to resemble real seals - one of them could be a signature of the carver. Possibly made for a silk merchant - the seals resemble actual chops used for stamping silks...

Ko-sometsuke porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). A small Japanese porcelain plate glazed with 3 images of a person on an island, a row boat and mountain.

Dimensions: diameter 6" X 1.5"

Date: 17th C

Late 18th to early 19th century Kyoto school netsuke of a dog wearing a collar with its head turned back while resting the front of its body on a ball. Strong piece, superb carving to the last detail, fantastic hairwork, beautiful flow to its tail and bumpy spine, large eyes inlaid with dark horn. Wonderful wear and patina consistent with age, great classic netsuke. Height 1 13/16 inches.

19th century netsuke carved as Amida Buddha sitting with his hands in jo-in mudra - hand gesture signifying concentration. Amida (Amitabha) - "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life” - is the principal buddha in Pure Land Buddhism. Excellent carving of his facial expression of quiet meditation, beautiful rhythm to the flow of the folds of his robe, remnants of gold lacquer on his hair. Wonderful staining and patina, very pleasant to hold. Height 1 9/16 inches.

This is a Japanese antique natural Safflower dyeing katazome cotton & shibori kimono of the edo-Meiji era. There is a change of color that oozes out of safflower dyed cotton. but there is no damage. They are not disturbing, and as a whole it is in very good condition. Around the hem and the part of the okumi and the red part of the cuff are muslin. Shibori under the sleeve is cotton. Size:Length:150cm / 59.0inch Cuff to cuff, across the back: 120cm / 47.2inch

A Japanese wood carving of a seated figure, probably the poet Matsuo Basho (1644~1694), the most famous poet of the Edo period. 19th century or earlier. Fine old patina.

Approximately 14.5 cm high...

Stunning set of ten art deco lacquered wood serving trays for pickles or sweets. Used in the tea ceremony. C. 1920 and in the signed original box. The back of each tray top is also signed. Great condition with just age wear. See pictures. (20 are available upon request). Ask for shipping quote.

This is a Japanese antique handspun & natural indigo dye cotton tsutsugaki and katazome child hanten of Horse and ema ,shogi pattern of the Meiji era. The design of the shogi piece from hyoutan is an auspicious proverb that jokes really come true. There are stains and discoloration.It has no damage. Size:Length:61cm / 24inch Cuff to cuff, across the back: 66cm / 25.9inch

Old (1920's) Japanese Studio Sake Liquor Bottle

It is 6.1 inches (15.5 cm) tall by 3.2 inches (8.2 cm) wide...

A sublime and very rare 10th-12th century Heian Period Japanese Jizō Bosatsu wood sculpture. 8 inches (20cm) high x 6 (15cm) inches wide.

Well cast Japanese Edo period round-form bronze kagami (mirror) decorated in relief with a motif of cranes among pines. The perforated central boss, which is designed to hold a tassel, is in the form of a minogame (tortoise). Two cranes reach toward each other with their beaks to kiss the head of the tortoise. Marked "Tenka" (all under Heaven) at the lower right. This decorative motif has been attributed to the Momoyama period (16th/17th century). We are unsure of the specific dating, but a...

An unusual shallow Japanese porcelain plate (#2) decorated with confronting dragons, one in blue and gold, the other gold and red. The plain back with 5 neat spur marks.

Arita porcelain, circa 1750 ~ 1780.

Approximately 18.7 cm diameter. Fine condition with only slight wear to the gold.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank transfer is preferred.

Customers resident in China must make arrangements to pay by International Bank Tr...

An unusual shallow Japanese porcelain plate (#1) decorated with confronting dragons, one in blue and gold, the other gold and red. The plain back with 5 neat spur marks.

Arita porcelain, circa 1750 ~ 1780.

Approximately 18.7 cm diameter. Fine condition with only slight wear to the gold.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank transfer is preferred.

Customers resident in China must make arrangements to pay by International Bank Tr...

A large Japanese export porcelain charger decorated with a design based upon a Ming Chinese ‘Kraak’ porcelain dish. Arita, 1680.

For a similar but smaller plate see item 12 in the Impey Collection. ‘Ko-Imari Porcelain from the Collection of Oliver Impey’, Barry Davies Oriental Art, 1997.

Approximately 28.2cm diameter. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank transfer is preferred.

Customers residen...

Length: 17.2 cm (6.8 in)
Height: 7.9 cm (3.2 in)
Width: 4.5 cm (1.8 in)
Weight: 700 gm (1.5 lb)

Good quality Japanese bronze elephant from early 20th century; unsigned; good condition

Height: 12 cm (4.8 in)
Length: 20.1 cm (8.1 in)
Width: 6.5 cm (2.7 in)
Weight: 1.5 kg (3.3 lb)

Excellent quality bronze elephant from the Meiji Period; produced by and signed Seiya; good condition

Japanese bronze usubata, used for ikebana flower arrangements. With tripod cabriole legs. The interior of the usubata shows verdigris patina from age. The casting is very heavy and shows simple elegance.

Dimensions: 9" w x 4 1/2" h

An Arita abalone (Mother of Pearl) shaped dish painted in somenishikide style with a stylised landscape of Mountainous Islands, a shoreline with rocky outcrops with various trees including Pine, flowers and grasses with a rather peculiar and precarious structure in the foreground seemingly lacking several posts in its construction. The reverse decorated with landscape vignettes to the reverse and a six character mark for the Chinese Emperor Qianlong. It dates to the Horeki era of the Mid-E...

A fine large straight sided Japanese Ko Imari cup, inoguchi, or hogs mouth beaker; sometimes referred to as “soba choko”, a cup for “soba” buckwheat noodles. It is decorated primarily in underglaze blue with a leaping Chinese Lion or karashishi in a landscape of rocks and Tree Peonies, botan, a classic subject in Japanese art known as “Botan-ni-Shishi”, which combines the auspicious qualities of the King of Beasts and King of Flowers. A motif considered to be emblematic of the Sa...

Rare Japanese four drawer gyosho bako, or peddler's chest, constructed of Sugi (cedar) wood, with iron hardware and mounts, iron rings on the sides for carrying. The chest is trapezoidal in shape and tapers towards the top of the chest. Original finish and condition. With key included. Exhibited at the Palo Alto Cultural center

19th century Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" w x 12 1/2" d x 26 1/4" h

Antique Japanese rare plique-a-jour cloisonne vase. This is a very early plique and in perfect condition. Intricate enamel design of a blossoming tree and a blue bird flying through a light blue sky with little clouds. The design is made with fine silver wire and enamel. Plique-a-jour is made when the inside metal armature has been etched away until the enamel is held in place by the wires only. The effect is a beautiful jewel-like translucency. The rim and bottom of the vase are also silver....

A delightful Japanese wood tray in the shape of a lotus leaf. Chiseled Katabori with raised veins and stem and stippled leaf rolled back on sides. The back of the tray is as detailed as the top with an intricate pattern of veins and curved stem. The tray is used in the tea ceremony.

Date: Meiji Period circa 1890

Dimensions:12" X 9" X 1"

Nagoro banana leaf tray lacquer over wood. The black lacquer shines through the red to reveal the ribs and veins of the leaf. In the literati tradition, banana leaves were used by scholar recluses as paper to write calligraphy. Later, this motif was incorporated into other forms of art making the image one of the symbols of the literati aesthetics.

Date: Tiasho circa 1920

Dimensions: 16" x 6" X 3/4"

Japanese indigo cotton fireman's coat, with sashiko stitching and freehand paste resist decoration (tsutsugaki) of a cherry blossom, overlapping rings and striations. The front of the coat has four kanji characters on the lapel, and the inside of the coat is resist dyed with geometric designs and a round central emblem.

Late Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 47" w x 37" h

Japanese iron tsuba, an important fitting on a samurai's sword to protect their hands from the blade and provide balance. Decorated with relief gold lacquer image of a gourd and opposing catfish. The backside of the tsuba is gold plated, with commemorative inscription "Bill - Christmas, 1972". The plating is signed with 14k and 18k gold marks, and stamped Potter Mellen. With custom base.

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 3" x 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" (w/ stand)

Japanese pair of round fish plates. The raised details of the fish is painted in blue glaze. Along the edges, an impressed pattern makes up the fish's dorsal and pectoral fins. On the bottom, the maker's mark is a tiny blue floret.

Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 10 3/4" wide (mouth to tail)

Unusual Japanese Buddhist Zushi with dark, lacquered wood exterior and gilt interior. Enshrined in this portable altar is the statue of Buddha seated on a lotus. His two attendants are sitting on a dragon and fox. The double doors and roof top are decorated with scrolling gilt metal work.

Buddhist traveling altars and shrines create a sacred space of spiritual magnetism and are the product of dedicated craftsmanship. Traveling monks were required to have their own prayer tables and ot...

Japanese porcelain Kakiemon dish, of a lotus form with lobed petals and scalloped edges, with an enamel image of a blue dragon in the center of the well, its body coiled and playing with a ball of fire. The dish stands on a wide, short foot outlined in red enamel.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 9 1/2" w x 2 1/8" h

Smashing pair of zen temple buddhist cloud carvings form the late Edo Period/early Meiji Period c. 1870. Carved out of cypress wood and with gold gilt. Slight wear due to age on a couple of spots but adds character (see photos). Condition very good. One is 10" tall by 12" wide the other slightly smaller. Ask for shipping quote.