Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged...

Meiji (1868-1912) Japanese Mixed Metal Vase with Relef Birds & Flowers

It is 14.75 inches (37.5 cm) tall by 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) wide. It is 14 Lb.

It has small dents at the lip and foot, loose ears, rubbing of gold, tarnished metals, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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An antique Japanese temple fragment of the head of Amida Buddha in Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Hand carved in fine detail with a beautiful patina acquired over years of devotion and display.

Age: Edo Period (early 17th C)

Dimensions with stand: 11 5/8" High by 4" Wide by 3 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu made of Momiji (Maple) and Katsura woods. 4 sliding doors along the top hid a storage area where tea service acessories were kept. 2 sliding etched glass doors covered a display area where Japanese seasonal and holiday objects were showcased while the etching hid a small drawer and a storage space that the previous owner wanted to have left hidden. 2 more sliding doors, a hinged door and 2 side by side drawers round out this tansu...

This is the clothes which a fire fighter of Edo period wore inside of Sashiko Hanten. This is the very rare item which the person of waterfall ascetic practices was drawn on to a back in Tsutsugaki. This picture does one of the famous programs of Kabuki in a motif. The cotton is spun by hand. And it is slightly thick. This has several places of fading and tears. This has small damage on a collar and a shoulder. However, I do not feel the state. Size 67cm x 90cm (26.3 "x 35.4")

1900-1920s (late Meiji - early Taisho) Japanese pottery Kyoto ware chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) in double gourd shape with enamel decoration of brocade pattern with leaves, branches and flowers. Beautiful finely crackled glaze, wonderful slightly crooked upper part of the gourd giving the piece extra character. The foot shows stoneware body with concentric lines. Old turned lid lined with gold foil paper on the inside...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Kakute handles. Two pairs of sliding doors were used to store merchant records and books. 6 drawers were used for keeping business accessories and valuables. Main drawer lock plate features an incised Turnip with leaves. Constructed using dovetail joinery and side support slats...

An antique Japanese Tansu called Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Unique double upper drawer merchant chest style in a smaller footprint. A combination of 6 drawers of varying sizes and a pair of sliding doors that hide a convenient storage area. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

Japanese Meiji to Taisho period ogi folding fan decorated with a single bird in flight over treetops. Signed at the right and with artist's seal. Late 19th to early 20th century. Measures about 8 3/4" vertical x 18 7/8" across from tip to tip. Very good, clean overall condition with some minor crinkling of the paper at the corners. The paper at the right edge is slightly distressed. From an old New Orleans collection.

19th century shakudo Japanese sword tsuba with inlaid decoration of autumn grasses on both sides, all on finely textured ground. Shakudo (an alloy typically consisting of 96% copper and 4% gold) body, superb design perfectly capturing the mood of autumnal melancholy. Crisp work, black shakudo stems and gold seedheads, in excellent condition. Height 2 3/4 inches.

Antique Japanese keyaki (elm) wood temple carving of a fu-dog. Beautifully carved with mane of swirling curls and mouth full of sharp teeth, this fierce guardian would have once graced the eves of a buddhist temple roof. Edo Period. With contemporary black metal stand. Size: 15 1/2" high total (10 1/2" high not including stand) x 15" wide x 7 1/2" wide.

Massive Japanese Taisho period bronze jardinière cast with four lobes in high relief with chidori (Japanese sparrows) perched on or flying among flowering cherry branches. A lappet band extends around the circumference where the top of the incurving shoulder meets the short, straight neck with everted rim. The ovoid form body rests on a splayed base. Measures about 16” high by 20” diameter and weighs 26 lbs. Early 20th century. Very good overall condition with good patina...

Antique Japanese woven bamboo basket for ikebana, or flower arrangements. The body has a gourd form, inside it holds a large bamboo vase lined in metal. Size: 16.5" height, 9" width

Antique Japanese yari saya, carved wooden cover for a yari spear. Favored by many samurai and ashigaru (foot soldiers) for the reached allowed by the long pole arm, the yari was a popular weapon for greater military use. At times of peace during the Edo Period, the yari also acted as a ceremonial weapon. The job of the yari saya was to protect the blade when not in use. Often the yari saya was decorated, in this case with inlaid shell...

Japanese carved bone three(3) monkey design Fan Holder, Meiji period, 1 1/8" high, 2 1/4" wide, 1/2" deep, with opening on the bottom and wider opening on the top, carved serious money faces with black enameled wide eyes. There are some stains and wears on the surface.

Antique Japanese iron tetsubin (cast iron pot for heating water for tea), decorated with wonderful raised scene of houses over water and pine trees; on the other side, a sage sits under a rocky out cropping and reads by the light of the moon, in the distance are more houses nestled in the mountains, Signed on the bronze lid, Meiji Period. Size: 10 1/2" high (including handle) x 7" wide (including spout).

Lovely hand painted Japanese Kutani tea caddy with inner lid. The jar features birds in flight, a slight crackle finish, gold accents, and is in excellent condition. There are no chips, no cracks, no hairlines, no repairs. It is signed on the bottom. The tea caddy measures about 5.75 Inches (14.6 cm)tall. Circa 1900.

Antique Japanese hirado porcelain brush washer in the form of a fu dog, laying on his backside and sporting a large, whimsical smile. The brush washer sits on three short legs. The form and detail in this little guy are wonderful. Size: 2.5" length, 2.25" height