Small bronze sculpture of a seated rhinoceros.

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Height : 4.3 in (11 cm) - Width : 2.7 in (7 cm)

Ivory netsuke representing a bag.

Netsuke constitute the major part of Japanese ivory of great quality. Since the Japanese costume (kimono) had no pockets, the objects were passed under the belt and the netsuke, held by a cord, was used to hold them.

At the end of the Edo period, Japan started to adopt western ideas. Japan entered a phase of commodification. The movement of people and goods was facilitated by improved land and sea transportation...

Banko polychrome enamelled terracotta teapot, representing on each side masks from the Japanese folklore. Handle in wickerwork.

On the spout, Hyottoko, a comical and childlike character. He is recognizable by the shape of his elongated mouth with two red dots (he blows fire with a bamboo pipe), his white scarf with blue dots around his face and his eyes of different sizes...

Born the second son of Ryônyû, the 10th Raku Kichizaemon Tannyû took over the family kiln in 1811 at the age of 16 and served until his retirement and subsequent handing on of the title of Kichizaemon to his son-in-law Keinyû some 34 years later. Retaining many of the unique stylistic innovations of his father including his clay trimming technique, Tannyû went on to establish several new family kilns and to produce wares for both 10th and 11th Tokugawa Lords...

A small porcelain teapot with molded chrysanthemum blossom decoration and arch-shaped handle. Thick greyish clay with craquelé. Condition: few tiny rim frits near the spout end, no repairs. Dimension: 12.4 cm high x 12.8 cm long.

KIHARA CHAWAN

Japanese semi-porcelain bowl with such calm iron-glazed picture as the transitional ware between Karatsu and Shoki-Imari ware, Kiwara kiln in Nagasaki area, Edo period (1603-1868), approx. D 12 x H 6.9cm (4.72 x 2.71in)...

Two erotic shunga drawings in black ink and mineral colors on thin paper.
On the right hand painting a double-sided dildo, to pleasure two women at the same time. The left half is made of tortoise shell (yellow with black patches), the right half is probably indicating buffalo horn.
The left-hand painting shows how to use the dildo properly.

Unsigned.

Japan, 19th century.

Each drawing 9.75 x 9.75 inches...

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...