A Japanese Mokugyo wooden temple bell, carved from kusunoki (camphor) wood in the form of a lifelike human skull. Used to accompany chants (sutras) in Taoist and Buddhist ceremonies. The base of the skull is signed "Bononshi", with matching tomobako.

Dimensions: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" x 4 1/2" H

Japanese Antique keyaki (em) wood isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area. Top portion of the chest has two small drawers (a rare configuration). There are 7 exterior drawers of various sizes and a safe box with a hinged door (with key) covering three small interior drawers. Hardware includes large lock plates with chrysanthemum mon and ornate pierced carved leaves.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35" high x 46 3/4" wide x 17" deep

Antique Japanese two section clothing tansu, constructed of Kiri (paulownia) wood with hand-forged iron hardware and plates. The upper unit holds two drawers with two iron pulls each. The lock plate of each drawer overlaid with brass turtle and kiri leaves. The lower unit holds two staggered larger drawers with small safe door.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37 1/4" x 16" x 39 3/4" H

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) with negoro lacquer finish (distressed red and black lacquer). Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. This chest has 10 drawers of various sizes and a compartment opened by sliding panels with one interior shelf. Extensive iron hardware includes round lock plates and warabite shaped drawer pulls. From the Matsumoto area of Japan.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 1/2" high x 31 1/2" wide x 14" deep

Japanese cloisonné bottle form lidded vase on a Satsuma earthenware substrate with "kidney bean" cloisons decorated on the body with three cartouches (a five-petal flower, a kidney bean, and a fan) all filled with leafy flowers and set against a blue ground. Alternating triangle forms, each holding a single flower, encircle the shoulder and mouth. The neck holds scattered flowers on a tan ground. The lid is decorated with a flowers. Meiji period (circa 1870s)...

A five prong vajra or dorje. Bronze, with fine reddish green patina. Japan, 18th century. Length: 13 cm. Very good condition.

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of machine woven cotton with hand-painting with motif of noble people. It has se-mamori (charm) with silk thread. The diagonal stitches to the left means it is boy's kimono ( to the right is girl's ). In old days, it is believed that evils come from back and a baby is vulnerable without seam in the back, so se-mamori is put. In good condition but a bit dusty from aging. Dry cleaning only. Late 19th to early 20th century. 62cm x 76cm

The old Edo to the Meiji hem pattern silk yuzen dye kimono: It is a pattern of scenery of sparrows in the snow during bamboo digging and bamboo. It has very slight stain , but it is hardly noticeable...

This iconic tea bowl was crafted by one of the great masters of Japanese pottery and given the poetic name "Dewdrop" by a famous tea master of the Omote-senke school of tea. The Chrysanthemum flowers (Kiku) depicted on the front of the bowl are 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 this enigmatic flower...

Antique Japanese lacquer stand with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay and painted details. The top depicts a dragon floating in swirling clouds. Each cloud is a fine dusting of different colors of shell inlay. The base is decorated with a tiger near a rocky waterfall. The stand has two arching legs which end in shoulders and apron with reserves depicting kirin, a phoenix and chimera...

A rare Japanese bronze mirror in Tang style dating to the late Heian period decorated with Karahana, Tang flowers, and a pair of Mandarin ducks, symbols of marital fidelity. A distinguishing feature of Japanese mirrors was that each individual design was carefully carved into the sand mould using a spatula and similar tools, so that no mirror was identical, rather than using a mould as did the Koreans and the Chinese...

This white porcelain statue depicts a small seated Bodhisattva deep in meditation. Bodhisattva, otherwise known as bosatsu in Japan, are enlightened beings who have postponed Buddha-hood in order to remain on earth and help others to break their cycles of karma. The base of this statue is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay from which it is crafted...

Japanese small bronze censer for a Buddhist shrine, made in a squat round form with inlaid gold metal shapes in a random pattern. Cast mark on the bottom. Nice patina.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 2" high x 2 7/8" wide diameter

This is a fine 12 inch Japanese Cloisonne vase done with the very popular draping wisteria pattern. The enamel and wire silver wire work in the wisteria decorations are of a high standard. From the scroll work it appears to be an early Ando, Ito or Kinuken piece. The form is unusual and the piece is better than the images show. Condition is excellent.

Late 19th century Japanese porcelain trumpet vase decorated on a rose or bright puce ground with a long-tailed bird perched amongst trees and flowers. The interior rim is decorated with small flower sprays and on the base is a painter's mark. In very good original condition, it measures 12.% inches high, 7.5" mouth diameter, 5.5 base diameter.

Japanese antique single section mizuya (kitchen tansu for storage). Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with original deep brown lacquer finish. The right hand side of the chest has a compartment covered by a pair of sliding panels with keyaki wood details, open work carving and wire for ventilation. The largest compartment is covered with sliding panels with keyaki details and vertical slats. The inside of each of these compartments has one shelf...

Japanese mingei water wheel of hinoki wood. Constructed with iron nails, joinery, complete with 17 spokes and paddles with kanji characters. The central hub has an iron piston protruding for rotational function. The wheel comes with a contemporary custom steel mount which allows it to spin smoothly and silently.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" wide diameter x 9 1/8" deep (paddle)

Slightly distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part around the foot ring.

In the style of Ao-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a green copper oxide glaze. Two windows on two sides were left unglazed...

Featuring rich earthy tones and intricate hand-drawn stencil designs of passion flowers resting on a string of vines, this bowl would be perfect for displaying an ikebana flower arrangement. A kintsugi (gold) repair attest to the age and care that went into maintaining this piece through generations. The label on the lid of the box reads “e-Seto Karatsumon O-wan” indicating a large Seto bowl with arabesque hand drawings (絵瀬戸 唐草文 大鉢)...

Antique Japanese 2 section isho tansu (clothing chest) constructed of Kiri (paulownia) and Sugi (cedar) wood. With hand-forged iron lock plates, hardware, and handles. The upper section of the piece holds two open compartments side by side, and five shallow drawers of various size. One side of the chest has a lift-away door and the other with pair of sliding door panels framed with shou sugi ban panels...

Japanese Buddhist scroll depicting the Legendary Sixteen Arhats. The Arhats are described as sage beings who have attained enlightenment, yet have not become a full Buddha...

Japanese small amber carving of a frog resting on a leaf. The golden yellow amber has natural inclusions.

Dimensions: 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" x 1" H

A cultural treasure - our oldest and most important mizusashi: wonderful Chosen Karatsu Tataki Mizusashi from the Momoyama Period (1573 - 1603). It was perfectly thrown first into a cylinder shape and then squeezed and paddled into a distorted pear. Iron oxide glaze has been poured inside and out.

On the rim a blueish rice straw ash glaze has been applied in the typical Chosen Karatsu fashion. The mizusashi is supplied with a tailor made lacquer lid of a somewhat later date. The lid...

What a great Chawan! Cylinder shaped (hanzutsu) tea bowl thrown on a kick wheel. The little iron oxide bearing clay has been fully (except the footring and its surrounding) covered with a wood ash glaze which reacted with the iron oxide in the clay.

The thick and glossy glaze (guinomi-de) has a fine beautiful crazing. Before the glazing a flower and patterns have been incised, which where highlited by wonderful and vivid tanpan marks ( copper green marks ).

Ki-Seto is said...

The shape of the this tea bowl is known as “tsutsu” in Japanese and is regarded as being especially attractive. Tsutsu bowls are used mainly in the depths of winter to keep in the heat and prevent the tea from cooling too quickly. Though most tsutsu bowls are defined by their smooth, curved edges and contoured clay bodies, this piece is distinct in having more defined edges and straight sides. Tea disciples of all stripes appreciate this type of bowl for its elegant lines and functional prop...

Cotton Kurume kasuri futonji with bold kasuri with asagi (light blue). Kurume in Fukuoka Pref. in Kyushu has been one of the main product places of indigo dyed cotton kasuri since late Edo period (early 19th century). It is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. Late 19th to early 20th century. In excellent condition. 134cm x 150cm

Japanese half section Mizuya or kitchen buffet tansu. Constructed of Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood. The piece opens by two large front sliding panels to the large interior with 2 recessed shelves. The sides of the chest have horizontal bracing slats for reinforcement.

Dimensions: 69 1/4" L x 19 1/2" D x 32 1/4" H

In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has almost a mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominence, both being endorsed by the major tea schools of Kyoto and both being favored by the Imperial household. The first in the line was an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (Yahē) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of the Tam...

This is a wonderfully preserved Japanese Edo Period (Late 18th / Early 19th centuries) Tosa School Monogatari-e (painted subjects depicting scenes from the life at the Imperial Court in Kyoto) Six-panel. Gold-leaf Folding Silk Screen Painting. It shows twelve scenes from chapters of the novel 'The Tale of Genji', set in two sections per screen. It measures 110 inches wide and 48 inches tall. The inside panels are 18 inches and the two outer panels are 19 inches wide. Based on the age of the ...

Japanese large half section Mizuya, or kitchen buffet tansu, constructed of Hinoki wood frame and Sugi wood panels. The large pair of sliding doors open to the spacious interior with two removable shelves straight across. The sides of the chest have horizontal bracing slats for reinforcement.

Dimensions: 69 1/4" x 19 1/2" x 35 1/2" H

A tradition dating from the mid-16th century, Raku teabowls are made by hand, without the use of a potter's wheel; giving them a distinctly human feel. In the process of shaping the bowls, potters handle the tea bowls in much the same manner that users will hold them as they drink from them. In this way, we can imagine a connection is formed between the creator of the tea bowl and the participants in the tea ceremony. For this and other reasons stemming from historical circumstances, Raku bowls ...

A fine Japanese hirado porcelain okimono of a recumbent horse. The horse has a whimsical expression. Its eyes are left unglazed with blackened pupils, its unglazed teeth exposed in a wide grin, the corners of the mouth and nostrils pierced through. Touches of cobalt blue underglaze accent the hooves and snout of the horse. The base is impressed with maker's cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/2" L x 4" W x 6" H

Japanese pair of finely cast bronze Nio Buddhist temple guardians. Dressed in traditional robes with auspicious motifs. Each figure stands on a four legged base with cartouche impression underneath.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 8" H

Japanese two section clothing tansu, constructed with natural finish Kiri (paulownia) wood. Original condition. The four drawers with classic design of round iron hand-forged locks and pair of warabite drawer pulls, iron corner hardware and side handles.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36 3/4" L x 16 1/2" D x 40 1/2" H

Japanese isho tansu, or clothing chest of drawers, constructed with Persimmon wood front drawers and a Sugi (cedar) frame and interior. The tansu holds four long drawers with metal pulls and round keyholes with floral plating. The sides of the piece are built with handles to carry and transport the tansu. Original condition with kanji inscription on backside of chest.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Japanese isho tansu, or clothing chest of drawers, constructed with Persimmon wood front drawers and a Sugi (cedar) frame and interior. The tansu holds four long drawers with metal pulls and round keyholes with floral plating. The sides of the piece are built with handles to carry and transport the tansu. Original condition with kanji inscription on backside of chest.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 33 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 34" H