During the Meiji period there were only five potters ever to be awarded the prestigious designation of Imperial Court Artist: Ito Tozan, Seifu Yohei III, Miyagawa Kozan, Itaya Hazan, and the artist whose work is featured here, Suwa Sozan. Several years prior to receiving this designation, Sozan spent a period of time in Korea where he undertook the formidable task of excavating and restoring ancient Korean kilns in an attempt to replicate traditional techniques used in centuries past...

Ivory netsuke of a group of three compactly intertwined monkeys, the smallest holding a longevity peach against him. Their eyes are inlaid horn. Their coats are carefully incised and their fingers are finely sculpted. Natural himotoshi through one of the legs.
Signature on the right flank of the largest monkey, in an unidentified rectangular reserve.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Width: 0.8 in (2.5 cm) - Depth: 1.6 (4 cm) - Height: 1.6 in (4.5 cm)

A collaboration piece between the famed poet/ nun of the late Edo period Rengetsu and her younger protege Tessai, this scroll depicts a frightened cricket making his way to the top of a stalk of grass on a windy day. Set in the fall season, the viewer can imagine a message of frailty, loneliness, and possibly the feeling of trepidation that accompanies the turning of the seasons towards the colder months...

Revered Chinese scholar and tea master, Lù Yǔ is known as the “Sage of Tea” and is credited with advancing the practice of tea through the writing of his life’s work,The Classic of Tea. Here we see a masterful rendition of this historic figure done by one of the most iconic Kyoto painters—and founder of the Maruyama school—Maruyama Ōkyo...

This is a beautiful pair of mixed metal decorated bronze vases. They are highly detailed and stand just 5 inches. Both vases are signed Miyabe Atsuyoshi. One vase has a lightly bent rim otherwise the condition of the pair is excellent.

Raku-ware carries with it a very naturalistic aura; with its implements made of raw clay, its use of fire water and air to shape and harden these implements, and with its myriad processes that produce smooth glossy surfaces—like those often found in nature...

From a large collection of Edo period Nabeshima and Hirado-ware, this intricately crafted vase features two serpentine dragons intertwined across the face of the round porcelain vessel. In addition to the carved dragons, the body displays a painted third dragon, much fiercer than the two in relief...

Antique Japanese pair of rare black lacquer dowery tansu for clothing. These fine lacquer cabinets would have held folded clothing and been carried to a brides home containing her dowery of fine textiles. Hinged doors open to reveal 4 shelves inside. Hardware includes 5 hinges on each door, corner bracing, handles for carrying by hand and by pole, and large lock plates all of which are incised with scrolling floral details and made of bronze...

Japanese antique pair of zenko, good spirit kitsune (foxes) specifically associated with the goddess, Inari. These figures are carved of wood and painted with gofun, a white paste made from oyster shells. Details are painted using black and red pigments. Gold lacquered hoshi no tama, resembling flames and symbolizing magical jewels that hold part of the kitsune's power, are held by each fox on the tip of it's tail...

Antique Japanese tall stone sekitō (pagoda) with five tiers. Made of granite and carved in 9 stacking pieces. The central square section is carved with a seated Buddha on four sides. The top spire is carved with 9 tiers between lotus petals. The surface has a beautiful patina and is covered with areas lichen and moss.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 101 1/2" (8ft, 5in) high x 26" wide x 26" deep

19th Century Japanese Bronze Katsuma Dorje Vajra

It is 4.9 inches (12.5 cm) in length by 4.9 inches (12.5 cm) wide. It is 326 gram.

It has loss of patina, oxidation, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

The Katsuma is a cross made with three prongs on each arm, thus forming 12 prongs, which symbolize the 12 aspects of the laws of cause and effect. Its full name is Katsuma Kongo, or gilt-bronze katsuma...

An original 18th century Japanese Namban armor with momonari type kabuto. The wisteria meadate and other occurrences of variations of the Fuji mon belongs to the Fujiwara Clans. The meadate matches that of the family crest seen on the armor. The black lacquered dou is textured with crushed oyster shell in fine detail. The armor is presented with the original hitsu (armor box) with gold beautiful gold calligraphy on the sides...

A Chinese style celadon incense burner by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. Sozan spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Souther Song Dynasty as evidenced here with his powdery blue “kinuta” glaze. The bottom of the vessel is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay and the adjacent glazed foot bears his Imperial Court Artist seal...

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba (Merchant ) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Quarter Sawn Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and a beautiful age acquired patina. Unique and rare visual striations in the frame intentionally produced by the quarter sawn cut of the wood. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area with two side by side drawers below...

This is an extremely rare cloisonne masterpiece. It was created by one of the great Meiji artists, Ogasawara Shuzo. It is also a very large piece for cloisonne, at 14 3/4 inches wide and 7 tall. It probably weighs over 10 lbs. The entire dragon is raised relief. This is an eye catching piece that truly belongs in a Museum. Condition is excellent.

An antique Japanese bronze Kirin standing over a Peony blossom as it protects the prosperity it imbues. Originally a cherished fragment from a bronze vase, it was professionally museum mounted to showcase its beauty and elegance.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions with stand: 8" Wide by 6 3/4" High by 4 1/8" Deep

An incredible and massive Japanese Buddhist Temple Ranma (transom) carving of a crouching Shishi (Fu Dog) under an overhanging pine tree flanked on both sides by exaggerated Peonies. Beautifully hand carved with great detail...

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)