Japanese kabuki actor doll, dressed as a fearsome white lion with long, flowing mane, made with real hair. He wears silk garments of bright orange, white and grey, with his face done in traditional cat eye makeup of white, black, and red.

Size: 16.75" x 13.75" x 20.5" H

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...

This lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay and covered in a crackled feldspar glazing shows nice age and comes with what appears to be its original box.

Shino-ware dates to the Momoyama period when potters were attempting to recreate white porcelain-wares that were being imported from China at the time. Originally they were made in a single-chamber anagama style kilns set into the hillsides...

A finely enamelled Japanese export bowl decorated with Chrysanthemums and Peonies between a pair of Fan Shaped reserves of Kiku form. The petals alternating between a gilt leaf and tendril blue brocade and an unusual iron red shaded wash. The veins of the gilt leaves created by the use of a scraffito technique. The interior with a band of peony and prunus sprigs. The central well of the bowl decorated with an iron red and gilt kiku mon. A single ring to the interior of the foot-rim of the bowl...

The design of this mirror has not entirely escaped the conventions of earlier Kagami-e (Long handled Mirrors) of the late Muromachi –Momoyama era, which are essentially mirrors of conventional round form retaining a central boss to which a handle has been attached. In this example the Cranes are arranged directly opposite each other, their beaks meeting with that of the kame, to create a T form; a convention that appears in the late 16th century...

A small bronze, hakudo (white bronze), early handled mirror 17.2cm long. The mirror portion measuring 7.7cm in diameter. Typically for an early bronze mirror, it is basically a round handleless mirror, even down to a pierced boss for the attachment of a ribbon, with an attached handle...

A charming porcelain figurine of Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune. Fukurokuju is the god of wisdom and longevity, and is easily recognized by characteristics such as his dramatic, elongated forward, his root wood cane, and the scroll he holds. He wears a beautiful, flowing robe with flying cranes accented by gilt outlines. The cranes are an attribute to Fukurokuju as they, too, are a symbol of longevity.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 7" L x 6" W x 12" H

Antique Japanese fireman's coat, cotton indigo dyed with sashiko stitching and freehand paste resist decoration (tsutsugaki). Design of Immortal God Kinko Sennon riding a giant carp.

Size: 46" W x 40" H

Antique Japanese cotton woven futon cover, dyed with a paste resist technique called Tsutsugaki on an indigo ground with the mythical creature Baku, devourer of dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The Baku should not be summoned without caution, however, as ancient legends say that if he is not satisfied after consuming one's nightmares, he may instead devour their hopes and dreams.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 64.5" x 53"

Antique Japanese two section Kannon Biraki tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) wood, original red lacquer finish. The top section houses two large drawers behind a pair of double hinged doors. Decorations of iron hardware include a charming heart shaped lock within a single iron ring and strips of iron across the front of each door, with chrysanthemum shaped studs. The lower section also holds two drawers with iron locks, as well as a safe compartment in its bottom corner...

Antique Japanese temple carving, beautifully carved with remnants of red and black pigments. The imagery of a fu dog between large peonies represents protection (fu dog) over wealth and prosperity (peonies).

Edo period (1603-1868)

Size: 55.5" L x 5" D x 19.5" H

Antique Japanese Sakata region choba tansu (merchant's chest) made of Kiri (paulownia) hardwood, with original red lacquer finish. The top drawer and safe box door are covered in more elaborate iron hardware than the other drawers, with motifs of lingzhi mushrooms, bamboo stalks, and other floral elements. Two small drawers are hidden away inside the safe box. Three plain drawers are on the lefthand side, the middle drawer has a center divider inside...

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the lord of the tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chozaemon came with him and established Ohi-yaki ware in Kanazawa. Chozaemon had been the chief apprentice for the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware...

Pair of Antique Japanese ranma, or transom, carved with flying frames and clouds with black lacquer frames. Original patina and finish.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 73.5" L x 1.25" W x 16" H

Antique Japanese single section isho tansu (clothing chest), made with Kiri (paulownia) wood front and Sugi (cypress) sides. Copper hardware with lovely original patina on handles, and locks are complimentary to the original warm finish.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Size: 35.25" L x 15.5" W x 40.5" H

A stunning Japanese two-section choba tansu (merchant's chest), made from solid Keyaki (elm) wood, originating from the Mikuni region. The upper section holds a roomy, shelved interior with two bold Keyaki grain sliding door panels. The bottom section holds a long top drawer, with elongated lock plate typical to Mikuni tansu. Below are two small drawers with iron Warabite handles, with old labels in Japanese on the fronts, and a smaller set of sliding Keyaki panel doors...

This Hirado-yaki brush-rest—fashioned for the scholars desk of a bygone era—features meticulously sculpted plum blossoms set in a porcelain reproduction of a knotted plum branch. Hirado wares—alternately known as Mikawachi wares in some contexts—are known throughout Japan and also abroad for their high quality and fine craftsmanship and date back at least as far as the mid-18th century when they were produced exclusively for powerful lords and their families...

Antique Japanese two section kimono tansu made with all natural finish Kiri (paulownia) hardwood. Adorned by handles and middle round metal lock incised with floral motifs. The upper section houses six long, shallow drawers for folded clothing, while the lower section holds three large drawers.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Size: 42" L x 17.75" W x 67.5" H

Antique Japanese half section Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made of Hinoki (cedar) and Sugi (cypress) hardwoods in a dark lacquer finish. The tansu has two sliding front doors with horizontal slats and side bracing, with very roomy storage interior complete with middle shelf.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 47.5" L x 17" W x 32" H

Beautiful half cylinder shaped (hanzutsu) tea bowl from the early stage of the Edo Period (1603 - 1868) with a rounded brim, made of iron bearing, coarse, unrefined Narumi Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part.

The unglazed foot is relatively large...

This a beautiful and unique Japanese Satsuma bowl. Yabu pieces with unique birds like this one has are rare. The piece is very finely rendered with intense work. Condition is excellent. The bowl measures 5 inches across and is 3 inches tall. This wonderful bowl is from the same great collection the large Yabu museum/exhibition bowl came from. Contact for price and shipping.

This is one of the most significant Japanese satsuma pieces ever created...

Antique Japanese two section 6ft Mizuya (kitchen tansu) make with Hinoki (cedar) wood, with Keyaki (elm) burl panels. The top section has two sets of sliding doors, one with mesh, all with ornately carved panels across, the lower portion has eight small drawers with beautiful Keyaki burl. The bottom section houses a single shelf behind two large sliding door panels. Its sides are reinforced with horizontal braces. Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 71.5" L x 20" W x 67.5" H

A pair of Namasu or small serving bowls in revived Kakiemon style decorated with a depiction of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove in low moulded relief; here represented by just two of them. The Sages were synominous with a hedonistic lifestyle of drinking and poetry. The foliate rims of the dishes are painted with a fuchi beni, iron brown glaze. The central roundel in the well of each bowl is decorated with a Namban or Tojin style figure of a European with a two legged long tailed dog like cr...

This piece features a warm golden crackled glaze with several patches of lighter pigmentation and a number of gold and silver repairs. The inside of the bowl is especially inviting, showing a magnificent patina developed over many decades of use. The outside of the bowl displays Chrysanthemums (Kiku)—long considered an auspicious symbol of longevity and rejuvenation in Japan and used as a family crest for the royal family—and what appear to be Wild Ginger (Aoi hana)—symbolizing protection ...

The jet-black glaze of this cha-ire (tea caddy) nicely highlights the Chrysanthemum flowers (Kiku) adorning the upper surface—long considered auspicious symbols of longevity and rejuvenation in Japan. When first introduced to the island nation during the Nara period (710 – 793 AC), the Japanese Royal Family was fascinated with the Chrysanthemum. Over time, it became the Imperial Family Emblem and during certain eras was generally forbidden to be used by the general public.

In f...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a small bird, perching on the branch of a tall growth of flowers. Signed with red chop.

Size: 16" W 9 69" H (entire scroll) 10.25" W x 38" H (painting only)

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a horse, done in sumi ink, its legs kicked up into the air. Very disciplined calligraphy brush work is used, and may have been executed by a Zen Buddhist monk. This horse painting was possibly cut down from a larger screen and mounted as a scroll.

18th century Edo period (1603-1868)

Size: 17.5" W x 52" H (entire scroll) 14.25" W x 20.75" H

Antique Japanese small Kiri tansu from the Sakata region, with red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. Motifs of bamboo, pine, kiri leaves, and other floral imagery can be seen in the iron plates of each drawer. The bottom right corner houses an ornate lockbox with two small drawers inside. Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 33.25" L x 16" W x 21.5" H

This remarkable hira tea bowl displays a subtle grace and refined elegance grounded in classic form, masterfully applied glazing, and a delightful rustic feel bestowed by the hand of time. Though the glazing is described as shiro-yu, or white glazing, it appears more of a creamy shade of beige. The fine crackles of the glaze, the soft flowing edges, and the excellent patina combine to really make this Kiyomizu tea bowl shine.

The birth of Kiyomizu-yaki, with its over 400 years of hi...

Surely an extraordinary confluence of circumstances must have come into alignment in order to bring this remarkable composition into existence. Done in the Korai style—referring to the heavy influence from Korean forms and glazing—this exquisite Edo period Karatsu-ware tea bowl features a white stripe running horizontally along the outer surface of the bowl known as Hakeme. This type of white slip brushing serves as a high-contrast background for the iron spotting and pigmentation brought ou...

A large Japanese Imari dish of saucer form with slightly everted rim decorated in underglaze blue, iron red and gilding with a central motif of a vase on a verandah containing an arrangement of Peony and Chrysanthemum flowers. The cavetto of the dish decorated with an underglaze blue brocade ground inset with three lobed reserves containing Hydrangea, Ajisai, Chrysanthemums, Kiku, and Peonies, Botan. The reverse decorated with three Peony sprigs to the reverse. The dish dates to the period 1700-...

This is a very fine and rare Japanese cloisonne box. The piece could have been made by Kumeno because of the style and quality. This box has been masterfully repaired on the bottom underside to chips in the dark blue enamel. The repair look great with no silver wire work and none of the flowers affected. The box has also not been sprayed. It has gilded bronze rims and this has worn. The box measures 4 3/4 by 4 1/4 and is 2 1/4 inches tall.

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 15th/ 16th century and comes with what may be the original box and a quite old silk pouch. The light creamy crackled glaze is smooth in the hand and fine hairline fractures radiating along the walls of the bowl show remnants of gold repairs from previous centuries. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people) and are quite prized ...

A good Arita sometsuke style dish probably from one of the favoured inner set of kilns at Arita, the so-called Uchiyama kilns. The dish is decorated with a border of stylised waves, painted in reverse style, with a single branch of a Camelia Tree in the centre. The underside of the dish decorated with a pair of sketchily painted Gourd vines. For an identical dish see no 216 of the Shibata Collection Part II at page 87. There dated circa 1660-80. The dish measures approximately 18.1 cm in diam...

A Namasu or small serving bowl in revived Kakiemon style decorated with a depiction of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove in low moulded relief; here represented by just two of them. The Sages were synominous with a hedonistic lifestyle of drinking and poetry. The foliate rim of the dish with a fuchi beni, brown glaze. The central roundel in the well of the bowl decorated with a Namban or Tojin style figure of a European with a two legged long tailed dog like creature. This is the kind of n...