A Japanese pure silver vase depicting bamboo trunks with leaves, pine branches and plum tree in bloom with Japanese nightingale perched on a branch with open beak and posture in the act of singing.
Engraved signature on the side, and high title junjin mark under the base.
Meiji period late 19th century
Sizes: 24 x 13 x 13 cm.
Condition report: Very good condition
Uma-gake (horse cover) made of hand-spun cotton and has hand-drawn tsutsugaki design whose motifs are hyotan (gourd), tassel and kanji letters. Letters can be either the place or horse's name. This colorful one was used for a festival or a ceremony. It has red cotton lining. In excellent condition. 19th century. 31.5cm x 2m36cm
The last image is one hint how uma-gake was used from the woodblock print, ukiyo-e by Katsushika Hokusai (1760~1849).
Han-juban (short under kimono) made of hand-spun cotton and katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and shibori (tie-dye) pattern which are vegetable indigo dye. Shibori is made in Yokote in Akita prefecture. Late 19th to early 20th century. 56cm x 59cm
Daruma, the patriarch of Japanese Zen standing upright wrapped in long flowing monastic robes.
Tokyo School technique.
Meiji period 19th century
Sizes: 31 x 12 x 11 cm.
Condition report: Good condition – wooden opening under the base
A Japanese silvered bronze jewelry box with engraved chrysanthemums supported by two oni.
Meiji period late 19th century
Sizes: 7 x 13 x 6 cm.
Condition report: Good condition
An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and wiped Urushi lacquer finish. A top full width drawer with two sets of sliding doors. The upper set has a spacious area where the merchant stored his business books and records. The lower set has two small drawers behind the doors and another area for more storage...
Antique Japanese large wood carving of a fish jumping up a waterfall. Symbolizing strength, perseverance and aspiration, the large koi moves against the raging water which crashes below in a torrent of waves. Above the falls, a calm mist swirls. On either side of the water, tufts of grass grow out of the rocks. Carved of a single enormous piece of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) wood and with traces of blue and green pigment. Finely carved with extraordinary movement and depth...
Japanese Edo period woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting a full figure Heian beauty, Lady Shizuka-gozen, dressed in shirabyoshi (court dancer) costume appearing under a rolled screen, preparing to dance before Yoritomo. Published by Izumiya Ichibei circa 1840. Signed Kochoro Kuniyoshi ga. The publisher's seal is at the bottom of the image...
Height: 3.8 cm (1.7 in)
Length: 3.2 cm (1.3 in)
Depth: 2.5 cm (1 in)
Quality wooden netsuke of peasant sharpening his adz on a grindstone; finely carved throughout with a wonderful patina; signed Tomokazu
An antique Japanese small Choba Tansu chest made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original bronze hardware. Sliding doors where merchant stored business records and books 4 drawers below where valuables money and writing supplies were kept. Straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. Merchant store name written at the base that ha worn over time.
Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)
Dimensions: 22 3/4" Wide by 22 1/2" High by 12" Deep
An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (Merchant Chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the decorative front drawer corners. Double side by side drawers above with sliding doors and three drawers below made this a functional chest for a merchant to store his business books and records as well as store valuables...
A Japanese large wood and lacquer head of Fudō-Myō-ō.
Fudō Myō-ō is the central deity in all Myō-ō groupings, and in artwork is positioned in the center...
19th century lacquer ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in medium relief with various auspicious objects - a drum, a magic collar and a sword in fur scabbard. Material for the piece is created by layering differently colored lacquer, so the sides of incisions show those differently colored layers. Wonderful work, beautiful design, metal liner to the central hole. Height 3/4 inches.
19th century bronze ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in ball shape with relief decoration of several peony flowers. Wonderful work, traces of gilding, nice feel of age, pleasant patina. Height 9/16 inches.
Antique Japanese oribe ware chawan (tea cup). Buff color stoneware with reddish brown translucent glaze. Two areas of thick white crackle glaze with black brushwork motifs give this cup it's traditional oribe appearance. Satisfying weight and shape. Lovely drips and depth. With tomobako.
Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)
Dimensions: 3 1/4" high x 4 3/8" wide
An antique Japanese chest called Tohoku Kasane Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Good luck symbols on the handle backplates showing the Sho Chiku Bai motif (longevity, tenacity and beauty). Four large drawers for spacious kimono storage and a hinged door behind which are two small drawers where valuables were hidden away...
An antique Japanese display chest known as a Cha Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki. Used in Japan as an all purpose cabinet used to store tea serving accessories for guests as well as serving as a display chest where seasonal or special occasion accents can be shown for all to enjoy. Original bronze hardware. Two large sliding doors hide a large spacious storage area and 5 drawers are used for organizing and additional space. Beautiful curved top corners with dovetail joinery work...
Japanese Edo period woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) of a full figure samurai walking in an elegant kimono by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) published by Sanoya Kihei between 1844-1845. Signed Kochoro Kunisada at the lower right corner with the publisher's seal and Tanaka censor seal beside it. The assembled size is about 28 1/2” x 9 9/16" (top sheet: 14 1/8" x 9 1/2"; bottom sheet: x 14 9/16" x 9 9/16." Very good clean overall condition...