Unusual colored Imari porcelain sake server with panels depicting a beauty and a courtier, flying cranes in background with scrolling vine and shippo design, gilt bronze rim at opening. Colors of medium blue, orange, red, brown and black. With fluted sides and 6 character mark on recessed bottom. Good condition.

Edo period, circa early 1800s

Size: 9.5"H x 6"D

Reliquary in the shape of a pagoda, used to house the Hokyoin Sutra. This type of reliquary originates from China and developed in Japan in the Kamakura era. The Hokyoin Darani sutra contains invocations that make it easier for the soul of the deceased to find its way out of Hell directly into Paradise. These pagodas are usually made of stone, so they can be buried with the deceased. The sutra is recited daily in esoteric Buddhist sects, and is venerated as a relic of the Buddha Shakyamuni...

Large shrine, zushi, made on special order for a temple. Inside, right in front of the back wall is a silk covered panel. Towards the bottom of the panel, on a gold background, are painted Fugen Bosatsu on his companion the elepahant, and Monju Bosatsu, sitting on the back of his companion the tiger. Above them, set in the center of a red painted circle is a circular crystal reliquary, sitting on a gilt bronze lotus dais, surrounded by gilt bronze flames, forming the wish granting jewel hojugata...

A striking Japanese black cloisonne box with a hinged lid. The lid features flowers and a tree at the water's edge. The bottom is decorated with scrolling wires against a black ground. The scrolling wire pattern continues on the sides and is accented with small white flowers. In excellent condition, it measures 3.5" by 4" by 1.5" high. Size would have worked for use as a cigarette box. Dates early 20th C.

Late 19th century wooden netsuke of a monkey wearing a short jacket and holding a peach as it protectively leans covering a woven basket containing more fruit. Wonderful quality carving with extraordinary face, limbs and hairwork, perfectly captured spirit of the scene. Eyes are double inlaid, beautiful differentiated staining and patina. Signed SOKO for Morita Soko on the bottom - for a lengthy discussion of this extraordinary artist from the So School see p...

Late 19th century netsuke of resting Hotei leaning on his bag of gifts and holding a fan in his hands. Hotei was a historical Chinese monk allegedly living in Wuyue kingdom in the 10th century and known for his jolly nature and love of children, he is considered to be an incarnation of Buddha Maitreya - the Buddha of the Future. Excellent strong carving, great face, beautiful depiction of the folds of his robe, wonderful wear and patina...

19th century black coral netsuke of an old pine log with inlaid bronze spider spinning its web on one end and a dragonfly caught in another web on the other side of the log. The material is polished branch of umimatsu - in Japanese it literally means SEA PINE, and describes species of black coral with dense texture, concentric growth rings, and amber colored inclusions in the black material...

Late Meiji - early Taisho (1910s-1920s) netsuke of Kanon - the Boddhisattva of Compassion - standing on a base, her hands in front of her in praying attitude. Well carved, nicely etched design of a flowering bush with a butterfly on the back of her robe. Signed GEKKOKU on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 400 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 2 3/8 inches.

Set of two bronze ewers for pouring sake at a banquet or wedding ceremony. One sake ewer with a long handle and two spouts (called naga-e choshi), used to serve sake to guest. At smaller gatherings, only one spout is used; when larger numbers of people need to be served, both spouts may be used...

War fan, gunbai uchiwa, made of bronze clad wood, in the shape of a butterfly. In low relief on front and back the text Hachiman Daibosatsu, surrounded by generic family crests in the shape of quinces. Hachiman is a war deity. These fans were traditionally handled by samurai commanders to direct his troops in battle. It is also a symbol of power. Japan, Meiji era, late 19th century.

H 21.5 x W 15.75 inches

Some corrosion, good condition

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the Warabite handles and finish. The front has a natural Kirinoki wood finish while the case was finished in a wiped Urushi lacquer technique. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide x 20" High x 13" Deep

Antique Japanese pair of screen paintings, one of early Summer (or Spring): rabbits, blossoming wisteria and peonies. And the other of Winter: birds including sparrows and kingfishers with snow-covered bamboo and red clusters of berries on a large nandia bush. Painted using mineral colors and gold leaf on paper. Signed Eigaku Kano (1790-1867).

Eigaku Kano was the ninth head of the "Kyo Kano", the Kyoto branch of the Kano School...

Japanese scroll painting by the Nanga School painter, Rai Sanyo. Calligraphy and a large ink painting of a gourd covered with individual signature seals on paper. Mounted with silk boarder and wooden rollers.

Rai Sanyo (1780-1832) was born to a samurai family of the Hiroshima Domain. He entered into a training school for government bureaucrats in Edo but decide to devote himself to writing instead...

The Ten Pleasures of Tea, ink on paper in a paper boarder with bamboo rollers befitting the rustic scene. Likely an image of the great poet and tea master, Bassho. Titled Charakujutoku (The Ten Pleasures of Tea). The image signed Kanzan, the calligraphy Kunsen.

Yamada Kanzan (Nagoya, 1856-1918) studied under Kosone Kendo and was a renowned literati and Seal Carver...

A pair of original Japanese full six panel byobu screens. Beautifully handpainted with sumi pigments on stunning silver leaf background. Depicting a naturalistic scene, including rolling hills, trees, and bay water expanse...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print triptych titled “Famous Places in Tokyo: Ueno Park” by Hiroshige III (1843-1894) dated 1876. This historically significant "enlightenment" print illustrates the influence of the west both on the architecture and on the western style attire of the visitors to the park. Cherry blossoms are in bloom and Mt. Fuji is in the background. Overall size: 13 3/4" x 28.” Very good overall condition and color. The print is not backed and the baren marks are cl...

A rare antique Japanese optometrist roll top tansu complete with lenses and glasses. Original navy corduroy covered pull-out shelf with two side by side storage drawers. The display case of lenses double as a removable tray for portable transport from room to room or place to place. Made of Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original bronze hardware and finish.

This would make a wonderful addition to anyone who collects optometry related items.

Age: ...

A low Japanese Negoro incense table with many layers of black, red, and translucent lacquer pigment. Naturally worn finish consistent with age an use. European style hand carved leg and foot. Original hardware of hand forged iron. Traditionally used as a low stand to raise up an incensor.

Edo Period 18th Century

13 1/2" long X 11" wide X 6 3/4" high