A rare Kotou ware vase with meticulous painting done on the surface with an image of herons and reeds on one side, and a late spring flower bouquet still life. The Koto ware was established in 1829 by Kinuya Hanbei who invited an artisan trained in producing imari wares. The kilns continued production until 1842 where the Hikone clan took over and made the kilns part of the clan. The kilns declined after the assassination of Ii Naosuke in 1860 and the last existing kiln closed in 1895...

Japanese seto ware ceramic chawan (tea cup). Made of dark brown stoneware with round body and small round foot. Appealing greenish glaze with drips. Artist's mark on the bottom. With tomobako.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 2 7/8" high x 5 1/4" wide

A set of 5 mid-size dishes in the shape of half opened folding fans. On the bottom of each a decoration of two wheels, floating in a river in iron brown underneath thick cream-colored opaque glaze, and the right-side corner covered in thick green glaze typical for Oribe. The inside structured through the impression of a muslin-like cloth.

The back is engraved to indicate the spokes of the fan...

Tiny repairs of gold glint along the rim of this misshapen wan-gata bowl from the Utsutsukawa tradition of Nagasaki. The bowl comes with a silk pouch enclosed in an old wooden box. There is a kutsuki on one side, where it adhered to something else in the kiln. The bowl is 12 x 10.5 x 6.5 cm (4-3/4 x 4-1/8 x 2-1/2 inches) and is in overall fine condition, dating from the 19th century.
Utsutsukawa-yaki originated in Nagasaki in the late 17th century...

Antique Japanese Katakuchi of Old Karatsu Ware near the end of 19th century (about 120-130 years ago). Karatsu ware is one of most desired pottery type in Japan based in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture since 15th century. It is made from high in iron clay often decorated with an iron-based underglaze, giving an earthy and natural feeling to the fired items. Dia. 4.3"(11.0cm) x Height 3.2"(8.2cm) Condition Good. No chips, No cracks. Supplied with the box

Antique Japanese ceramic Oribe-ware fan-shaped dish. Glazed with a crackle white slip, deep olive-green and brown glaze and decorated with a pair of birds. Slab construction with fabric texture. Cut outs to suggest the ribs of the fan. Stands on three small loop feet. Signed and with tomobako.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 9" long x 11 1/4" wide x 2" high

A beautifully sculpted incense burner in the shape of a nesting crane dating from the 19th to opening of the 20th century, Late Edo to Meiji period). It comes enclosed in an age darkened kiri-wood collectors box. It is 12.5 x 24 x 16 cm (5 x 9-1/2 x 6 inches). Although not altogether clear there appears to be a possible old repair to the back of the head.

In our opinion this is the best Iga Vase, we have ever seen. Massive and intentionally distorted Vase of wonderful native Iga clay. The vase is 3300 g heavy and has a height of 8,1'' and a width of 7,1'', which is very tall for an antique Iga vase.

The vase was made between 1800 - 1850 during the later Edo Period and is in good antique condition. No repairs. Only an untimportant chip on the bottom caused during the process of firing. The vase comes with an old wooden box...

Ca. early 1800s

In the Karatsu style, but probably Kyoto ware. The buff-colored stoneware body is decorated with a stylized plum tree design in underglaze iron oxide with white slip clay for the blossoms. It is covered overall in a clear glaze that thickens a bit along one side of the inner wall, making a curtain effect. Opposite sides of the dish have been knife-cut for aesthetic appeal. The underside is clear glazed over hastily painted designs in iron oxide and white slip...

This water jar, "mizugame," stands 60cm (23.5") high with a mouth diameter of 55cm (21.5".) The rich brown glaze is decorated front and back with freely poured ladle splashes of black slip. A band of 5 incised lines runs about 7cm below the rim of the jar. The decoration is similar to Tamba wares at first glance, but a look at the unglazed bottom reveals not the red clay of Tamba, but a yellowish-light brown clay from Seto or elsewhere...

Storage jar with tapering body, broad shoulder and slightly everted lip. Used for storing tea leaves.
Stoneware with some inclusions, pitted surface and natural ash glaze patches.

Iga ware, Mie Prefecture, Japan, Edo period, 17th or possibly a little later (early 18th century).

Comes with wooden storage box of a later date.

H 10-1/2 inches

Excellent condition

From the Collection of Osborne and Victor Hauge and their wives

Lavender and aquamarine coat the surface of this vase from the Kairakuen Kilns of the Ki branch of the Tokugawa family dating from the 19th century. The circular window between floral scrolls is made in the shape of the archaic character Kotobuki. The vase is 18 cm (7 inches) tall and in excellent condition, and bears the Kairakuen seal impressed into the base...

A quintessential Iga vase dating from the Edo period, the rough clay covered in thick ash glaze. It is viciously charred, testament to the tempest in the kiln, with molten ash flowing freely over the surface. This is a perfect complement to a Japanese chashitsu tea room or traditional flower display. It is 24.5 cm (9-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition. In a Japanese tea ceremony room, historically vases were made to match the ambiance of the humble setting...

A small Shigaraki pottery urn of very rough clay dating from the 16th century covered in thin natural ash glaze...

A pair of Satsuma vases decorated with two scenes one is a scene of a group of samurai strolling around the streets of Edo and another view is a group of court nobles walking in a garden like setting. The scenes are surrounded by geometric patterns and a dragon set in a medallion form. The bottom of one vase contains the character for the number 3. Age: Taisho Period. Size: Length 3.75" Width 3.75" Height 9.5" (both vases)

A striking Peacock feather colored flambe glazed vase by Leading Kyoto Potter Uno Ninmatsu enclosed in a signed wooden box dated the 10th month of Showa 5 (October 1930). It is 28 cm tall and in excellent condition.
Uno Ninmatsu (1864-1937) was born in Kyoto son of potter Wada Sohei and studied under his father as well as from a young age Seifu Yohei II then future Imperial Art Academy artist Seifu Yohei III until setting up his own studio at the age of 21. Outgoing by comparison to the ...

An exceptional web of gold interspersed with nishiki-cloth patterned designs on gold lacquer fuses this once broken 16th-17th century Koro with ami-me net patterned solid silver lid. This was likely originally made as a tea cup, considering that the entire interior is glazed. Broken and reassembled using the Kintsugi gold technique and placing unusual patterns on the missing portions, this is an exceptional work of art. The silver lid was likely made when it was repaired and repurposed as an ...

A diminutive image of Hotei (Putai) the lucky god of fortune from the Edo period kilns of the Matsudaira clan of Matsue in their distinct golden color. It is 4.5 x 3.3 x 4 cm tall and is in excellent condition. Fushina-yaki was the Goyogama clan kiln of the Matsudaira of Matsue Han in modern day Izumo, established around 1764. It fell strongly under the aesthetic taste of Matsudaira Harusato (1751-1818) Daimyo of the province and one of the most influential Tea Masters of the later Edo peri...

A spectacular collapsed pottery jar from the Karatsu tradition with a purpose-warped wooden lid covered in powdered silver enclosed in a top quality ancient red-lacquered kiri-wood box lined with wave-patterned colored-paper. The ancient box has silver lacquer writing on the top reading Kodai Karatsu Tsubo, Kamakura Ki, Mizusashi (Ancient Karatsu Tsubo, Kamakura Period, Mizusashi). The pot is 17 cm (7 inches) diameter, 15 cm (6 inches) tall and in overall excellent condition.

Stoneware chawan with beige cracked glaze. The decoration represents bamboo and plum blossoms. Attributed to Aoki Mokubei (1767-1833). Width: 12 cm Height: 7.5 cm. Period: 19th century.

First we hear the clang of the hammer striking the bell, then the steadily approaching clop of his wooden shoes before the horrifying creature dressed in the robes of an itinerant priest appears; a ledger in one hand noting our sins. This is a very rare ceramic figurine by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nenbutsu Oni and bearing the seal of the imperial Art Academy. It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition. He would have originally held a hammer, ...

Seto ware kneading bowl, or "konebachi" used in most Japanese households of the period. Characteristic warm yellow seto glaze with seiji (green) ladle drips to add accent to the rim. Height 15cm x Dia. 26.5cm. Minor glaze cracking inside the bowl.

Very rare XII Eiraku Wazen (1823–1896) Kiseto Sake Cup (Sakazuki) with original box. The seal of the potter is stamped on the bottom.

XII Eiraku Wazen (1823–1896) belongs to one of the most influential pottery family in Kyoto in 19 century.
He became the head of the family in 1843 at the age of 20 with the name Wazen after retirement of his father Hozen.
His works are held in Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Size
Diameter 10.1cm
Height 3....

Sometime around the year 1600 the first Takatori kiln was constructed at the foot of Mt Takatori in Fukuoka. This tradition was based on styles created by Korean potters brought to the shores of Japan during its colonial expansionism of the late 16th century. A favorite of the Kuroda lords of the time, its production and use was closely guarded until later in the 19th century when the domain system was abolished, freeing it up to be more widely used. Though Takatori-ware has been admired by many...

Unusual Pottery sweets dish in soft green glaze by the 11th generation head of the Raku Family Keinyu, enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Chagata Kobachi. Covered in crackled pale green glaze, it is 11.5 cm diameter, 8 cm tall and in excellent condition.
The 11th generation head of the Raku family, Keinyu, was born a second son of Ogawa Naohachi, a sake brewer from Tanba, the present Kameoka city in Kyoto, he was adopted in the Raku family as Tannyû's son-in-law, assuming...

The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: In the future — happiness — and long life — two sprouting leaves —to grow a thousand years. Indeed a positive message, perhaps to accompany a warm cup of sake on a quiet winters evening.

Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) was born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen she was a lady in waiting at Kameoka castle where she was trained in the arts ...

Late Meiji - early Taisho (1910s-1920s) Japanese Kutani ceramic lozenge shaped dish for holding sweets during tea ceremony. Central area is painted with a butterfly on flight over chrysanthemums growing over rocks by a bamboo fence. Nicely potted stoneware body with rounded corners. Wonderful free painting in typical Ko-Kutani (ancient Kutani) style and color palette of blue, green, aubergine, black, tomato red and gold enamels. Signed in red enamel on the bottom KAGA KUTANI, Kaga being a city l...

A large figure of the Daruma in celadon glaze by Teishitsu Gigei-in Suwa Sozan I set on to a rosewood stand and enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The beautifully carved face and feet are in raw, burnt clay, the rest is entirely robed in pale green. It is 18.5 x 16.5 x 36cm (7-1/4 x 6-1/2 x 14 inches) plus the stand and is in excellent condition, signed inside with his koban shaped oval seal.
Suwa Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, wh...

Slightly tapered vase with horizontal ribs made of white stoneware, covered in a mottled glaze with cream and brown tones. On the front in white enamel and gold a winding, three-clawed dragon has been hand-painted. The back of the vase is flattened and there is a square opening towards the top of the vase, that allows an J-shaped hook to grab into it and hang it against the wall.

Traditional vase for ikebana, flower arrangement.

In the bottom there is a potter’s seal in the shape ...

One of the most unusual pieces I have ever seen from this innovative artist, an octopus shaped Koro by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box bearing the Teishitsu Gigei-in seal of the Imperial Art Academy. The bulbous top of the head is removable along a line as if the creature were wearing a hachimaki head band, revealing the incense chamber within. It is 26.5 cm (10-1/2 inches) tall, 19.5 cm (roughly 8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Sozan I (1852-1922) ...

This is a charming stoneware Japanese bowl censor from 1750. It fits perfectly into the hand carved wooden stand which was probably made for the incense burner around 1900. There are no makers marks on either the bowl on the stand for identification. Covered with a thick matte gray white glaze with iron flecks and decorated solely with 3 button tabs below the rim, the censor is a wonderful early example of Japanese mingei stoneware ceramics.

Plums blossom red on the dark surface of this traditionally shaped Mizusashi bearing the rare Ubagamochi Stamp impressed into the clay of the base. It is 18 cm diameter, 15 cm tall, and comes in an old custom made collectors kiri-wood box labeled Ubagamochi Mimitsuki Mizusashi. It retains the original ceramic lid, as well as two lacquered lids, one a tsukuibuta lid in austere black, the other redish brown outside, gold within, featuring a raised image of a dragon flying through billowing cloud...

Rare Kenjo Karatsu Chawan decorated with inlaid cranes and clouds design made in the mid Edo period (1603-1868).

Kenjo Karatsu refers to the Karatsu ware that was officially presented to the Tokugawa Shogun family by the lord of Karatsu Castle in Hizen.

The mouth is wide and gently narrows from the edge to the bottom. The body is covered with a glossy white glaze, and the base is unglazed. The stoneware body is decorated with the design of fluttering clouds and flying cran...

Very nice example of Meiji Period (1868-1912) Nezumi Shino Ware Chawan for Tea Ceremony. Shino pottery is produced in today's Gifu prefecture since 16th century and it is distinguished by thick white glazes, red marks and the surface of small holes. Size Diameter 12cm Height 7cm Weight 375g Condition Overall good. No chips, no cracks.

Japanese Brown large heavy weight Earthenware Hibachi with bumpy irregular hand constructed and molded body and iridescent thick drip glaze, Ca. Meiji, 1800-1920, 12 1/2" high, 13" wide for rounded soft square top rim, 15" wide in the middle widest part, 12 1/2" diameter for unglazed bottom, multi color brown thick drip glaze on brown body, the bottom is not glazed. Hand shaped and molded top rim is rounded square and fold over overlapped, and wide round body in the middle, narrowing down to s...

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...

Height: 38.4 cm (15.4 in)
Width: 18.5 cm (7.3 in)

Japanese large Satsuma square section vase; shows heavily-gilt polychrome Geisha and children surrounding the piece with details of the clothing picked out in colourful moriage diaper work; a flock of cranes are on the wing under the rim; signed to the base; good condition

A set of 8 small dishes dating from the later 19th century known as Mame-zara (bean plates) covered in cream colored crackled glaze decorated in the traditional Mugiwarade pattern of alternating stripes of russet red, pale blue and orange emanating like rays from the center. Each plate is roughly 8.5 diameter and all are in excellent condition, enclosed in a modern, black-lacquered wooden box.
This traditional pattern is called ``Mugiwarade'' because its vertical stripes resemble ears o...

An Edo period Kogo incense case of pale earth tones decorated with geometric shapes and green copper glaze in the oribe style with a scrawling streak of kintsugi gold extending down two sides. Kintsugi is the art of repairing using lacquer and powdered gold. Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery or ceramics using lacquer and powdered precious metals. Instead of hiding the cracks and flaws, kintsugi embraces them and turns them into a beautiful and unique feature...

An attractive globular Satsuma vase by Hosai, late 19th century. The vase is decorated with three family crests, including the Paulownia of the Toyotomi clan, the Hollyhock leaves of the Tokugawa shoguns and the cross of the Shimazu clan who ruled over Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga.

Within the foot-rim can be found the gold mark ‘Satsuma Hosai’ and a Shimazu mon in white enamel. Hosai worked towards the end of the 19th century and his work is represented in the NSW Museum in Australi...

Antique Japanese small Satsuma ware tea pot. Decorated with detailed scenes in color and gold. On one side are seven arhats and on the other side are ladies. Minute detailed pattern and flowers. The tea pot is complete with small, square lid. With Satsuma mark on the bottom.

Age: Meiji Period (c.1880)

Dimensions: 3 3/4" high x 4 3/8" long x 2" wide

Antique Japanese Ishidoro - stone temple garden lantern hand carved out of granite in 6 sections. The lotus base is carved so that it is still connected to the hexagonal stone. The lantern section is similar in style to a hanging lantern with its curling warabite corner roof and pointed finial over a hollow hexagonal light box. This style of Ishidoro originates from the Kasuga Shinto shrine which give it the nickname Kasuga-doro. Age: Edo/Meiji period

Dimensions: 60 1/2" High by 20" Di...

A large, and heavy, Stick Stand, ( for holding walking sticks and umbrellas), profusely decorated, in Satsuma style, with a panapoly of historical scenes enclosed within elaborately enamelled textile (?) patterns and surmounted by a large coiled dragon amongst stylized clouds. This item was made in Japan for export to Europe or America during the late 19th or early 20th Century. Condition: there are chips to the rim, some cracks around the base and losses to the head and claws of the dragon...

A large Japanese tokurri, emulating Korean Buncheon ware, with inlaid slip decoration; Edo period. The decoration is divided into multiple bands of repeating designs, which have been incised into the clay body. A white slip was applied, and the body wiped clean; leaving the slip infilling the incisions. The vase was coated in a celadon glaze; the body burnt red where the glaze was not present. Condition is good, with some light wear, and firing imperfections. Height 43 cm. To keep ou...

11th generation Raku Kichizaemon Keinyu (1817-1902) White Raku Sake Bottle Tokkuri.

The mark of the potter is stamped at the bottom. Keinyu used this mark after his retirement.
The red clay was used which was glazed and fired. It is a rare work that depicts the standing cranes of parents and child. He often used crane decoration in his later years such as Fukurokuju tea bowl exhibited in Kyoto in autumn 2020. (Autumn Special Exhibition. Teabowls by Successive Generations of the ...

Tall slender vase, slightly narrowed in the waist, with a square shoulder and short wide neck and mouth.
The finely ribbed body of middle brown coarse clay is covered with two elongated patches of thin, translucent reddish-brown glaze. The lip with splashes of greenish glaze, on the inside gray glaze.

Karatsu ware. Japan, late Edo period, mid-19th century

Height: 12.25 inches (30.5 cm).

Firing crack in bottom, NOT through and through (does not leak), otherwise mint condi...

Japanese antique Mishima ware hagi tea bowl with pink and gray glaze and wave pattern. The Chawan has an evaluation from TZ Shiota (#7) done in the 1930's when the family inherited the collection from their great grandfather.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/8" high x 5 3/4" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vickery, Atkins & Torrey, interior design firm and art gallery founded in San Francisco in 18...

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this “shimokabura” or radish-bulb-shaped sake flask (tokkuri). Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this tokkuri embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze and distinctive markings achieved through specialized firing techniques. The t...

A beautiful example of an antique Shigaraki Tsubo (storage jar) Vase displaying classic Shigaraki markings of emerald green, red ochre, pale and natural ash glaze.

The eye-catching natural green glaze flows from the mouth over the massive body of this jar from the mid Edo Period (1603-1868)

Standing in front of the large tsubo with its aesthetic form, jewel-like natural glazes, and sparkling tsuchi-aji (clay flavor), one cannot help but feel in awe of their makers, and...

A large Japanese Ko-Tamba (Tanba) Vase/Tsubo decorated with a splashed and dripped deep-green glaze pooling towards the foot on a dark-brownish body.

It was made in the Momoyama Period 16th century or earlier. This impressive vase is a wonderful example of a so called Shiji-ko vase, which means 'vase with four ears'.

Great antique condition.

Tanbayaki has been produced in the village of Tachikui, Hyogo pref. for over 800 years. Although counted as one of the an...

Late 19th to early 20th century Japanese Bizen Tokkuri (sake bottle). Pinched form with impressed Daikoku (one of the Seven Gods). Perhaps intentionally thrown with an imperfection. It is in good condition. H: 7 ½ inches, W: 3 ½ inches

Edo Period (19c) Karatsu Guinomi (sake cup) from old Kansai pottery collection.

Karatsu pottery is one of most desired pottery type in Japan based in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture since 15th century.
It is made from high in iron clay often decorated with an iron-based underglaze, giving an earthy and natural feeling to the fired items.

Width 5.7cm
Height 6.7cm
Weight 89g

In excellent antique condition. No cracks. No chips. Supplied with two wooden boxe...

Kyoto ceramic statuette of Guanyin. The clay is not earthenware, but rather stoneware fired at low temperature. An enamel decoration, applied to a cracked glaze, covers the entire statuette. The rock-base is enamelled in green and blue, stained with gold. The dress of the deity is enamelled with stylized flowers and scrolls in blue, green and red, but the whole is dominated by gold. This statuette is of excellent quality, elegant and rare. A large firing defect split the underside of the base in...

Edo Period (1603-1868) Japanese Antique Kuro Raku Tachi-Zuru Tsutsu Chawan for Tea Ceremony Wabi Sabi Raku pottery is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremony since as early as the 16th century. Size Height 10.3cm Width 10.2cm Weight 325g Condition Overall good considering the age, no cracks, no chips. The seal of the potter is stamped at the bottom.

A 13th.century ko seto Kamakura vase in elegantly-shaped meiping form, with a gradual outward curve on the shoulder, with short-knopped neck, incised beneath the greenish-yellow / olive glaze.

The box was added by our gallery 20 years ago. It was made by a tomobako artist, and there is written 'ko seto kamakura vase' if my memory does not fool me. The vase is decorated with kanji letters.

Marked on the bottom ( maybe a kiln mark ).

It is in good condition. Onl...

Antique Japanese Seto ware chawan (tea bowl) with horses. A raised horse gallops on the outside of the cup near a fence. On the inside bottom of the cup is another running horse. Both have a celadon crackle glaze. The cup shape has an undulating surface and is glazed a rich, mottled brown with yellow flecks.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/8" high x 3 1/4" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vicker...

Antique Japanese Raku ware chawan (tea bowl) with green crackle glaze. Kyoto. Incised ridges so the bowl molds to your hand. Magnificent.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 3 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vickery, Atkins & Torrey, interior design firm and art gallery founded in San Francisco in 1888.
The gallery, most famous for its role in helping to introduce California to Impressioni...

No two faces are the same on this incredible Toyoraku ceramic stacking box covered in gold and silver Maki-e lacquer dating from the 19th century. Inside is typical Oribe style green over crackled cream colored glaze with floral designs in iron. Outside lightning strikes in silver separate the multitude of intense lattice designs in fine gold lines on black lacquer. Stacked they are 15 x 13 x 17 cm, each vessel 15 x 13 x 4.5cm tall, and in excellent condition.
The Toyoraku tradition be...

A hawk rests on an elaborate perch, the feathers fluffed up, each uniquely carved on this rare okimono from the Mushiake kilns of Okayama prefecture. It comes in an ancient kiri-wood box. The notation on the side of the box states it was received in late Meiji 27 (1894) from the former Head of the Okayama fief Ikeda Mochimasa. The name of the recipient has been redacted, as is often the case when things change hands in Japan. It is 24 x 7.4 x 29 cm (9 x 3 x 11-1/2 inches). A ringlet on one side...

Bats, symbol of good fortune, flit over the sunset surface of this Ki-seto vase by Kato Sakusuke enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kiseto Kabin. An inscription inside begins Fukuju ? Zu (Lucky ? Image) and appears to be dated 1919 in the 60 year cyclical Zodiac calendar (possibly 1859). This is followed by the signature of a painter who also signed and dated the vase, indicating Sakusuke made the vase, while another artist provided the decoration. It is 31 cm (12 inches) tall a...