An Arita porcelain plate (#2) decorated with a leaping carp within a moulded border based upon Chinese Ming export porcelain, ‘Kraak’ style. The dishes have faux chattering in imitation of Wanli Kraak dishes.

Arita, 1750 - 1780.

Approximately 21.5cm diameter...

Fine early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look...

A fine quality early Eighteenth century export saucer dish decorated with a central kikkumon and sprays of Chrysanthemums and Prunus branches in a five colour palette sans aubergine enamel. The reverse decorated with three prunus sprays. The dish has elements of slightly raised moulded decoration in the form of three plum flowers and three chrysanthemum blooms...

An impressive and hard to come by pair of Japanese architectural lanterns that once flanked a Japanese Buddhist temple...

Ivory netsuke, belonging to the Osaka school, portraying a tiger lying on a section of bamboo, with its head turned backwards and its tail to the side. It has an excellent patina, subject and shine. Origin: Japan Period: Edo late 18th century Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 1.5 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Ivory okimono with blind travelers defending themselves from the aggression of four scoundrels who try to rob them of their bags and food. The scene involves nine characters, three of whom receive sticks, umbrellas and punches. One of the most curious moments is the character at the top, who loses a geta during the battle...

A Late 18th Century Japanese suit of armor. This suit is an example of blue laced HON KOZANE NIMAI-DO GUSOKU. Seated height of 79" to tip of feather, 18" wide at the chest an 13" deep. Comes with storage box which is also used as seat.

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hand made iron fittings with Warabite style drawer pulls. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Original use was for the family storage of ephemera, small valuables, letters, documents, etc...

A good 11" gourd shaped porcelain bottle by Hichozan Fukugawa. The enameled decoration is of butterflies fluttering through a garden of multicolored chrysanthemums blooming against a fence of bamboo.

Condition: No chips, hairlines or repairs.

Antique Japanese large painting of carp escaping a net, painted in mineral colors with raised gofun for net and gold details, painted on silk and framed without glass. Painter: Mr. Tensyo Matsunaga. Born in Gifu Prefecture 12th year of Meiji Period (1880). He mastered Maruyama School style of drawing such as flowers and birds under Mr. Gyokusho Kawabata. His carp drawings are excellent and highly prized...

One of a kind! Wonderful Shiro-Hira Raku Natsu (Summer) Chawan made and sealed by greatest Kichizaemon Konyu XII.

The wooden box has an attestation written by Sokuchusai, the 13th Omotesenke master. The chawan is named shira-kumo, white clouds.

No chips or cracks except natural inborn and intended kiln cracks for a great wabi-sabi aura.

Born 1857 as the eldest son of Keinyû, he succeeded as the 12th generation in 1871 at the age of 15...

Sought after high quality ivory netsuke depicting six ginkgo nuts with a beautiful ivory patina and luster. The six ginkgo nuts of this netsuke, famously strong and symbolic in Japanese culture, are strategically placed to form a natural hole in the center. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 2.5cm. State of conservation: Very good

Late Edo Period (1850 - 1868) Japanese signed Noh theater Mask of Okame, the Goddess of Mirth, a very popular image in Japanese culture. A beautiful example of the type of mask done by a master carver, using Cypress wood (Hinoki) and many layers of Gofun, crushed oyster shell lacquer. A very charming and well rendered image. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

A shop sign carved from a block of knotted wood in the shape of a tea leaf jar engraved on both sides with the character Cha (Tea) originally gilded which still reflects light from the correct angle. A large knot making up one shoulder has split apart in the center, while the outside edge remains intact. A perfect example of the Japanese aesthetic of wabisabi. It is 32 x 3 x 32.5 cm (roughly 13 x 1 x 13 inches)...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Upper section has 2 large drawers, a small drawer and a hinged door that hides 2 smaller drawers...

Suzaku Gate Moon - Hakuga Sammi (Suzakumon no tsuki - Hakuga Sammi). Printed: 1st day. 2nd month. 1886 Engraver: Yamamoto Signature: Yoshitoshi. Seal: Yoshitoshi no in. Publisher: Akiyama Buemon Condition: Very Good colors & impression, full margins, "karazuri" embossing on cartouche & Hakuga's hakama (pantaloons). H. 13 x W. 8.75". Minamoto no Hiromasa (918-980,) was also known as Hakuga Sammi. He was the grandson of Emperor Daigo, and a famous musician, equally proficient on ...

Asa (hemp) wrapping cloth with hand-drawn tsutsugaki noshi design. Noshi is an auspicious motif which used to be flattened abalone strips and was decorated on a gift. The wefts and warps are both hand-plied. It is colored with pigments. In good condition except for some wear and stains. 19th century. 84cm x 103.5cm

Antique Japanese single section tansu from the Sendai region made from kuri (chestnut) wood with a red lacquer finish. Its drawers are adorned with large iron lock plates with elaborate floral motifs. The mokko (melon) shaped handles are mounted on flower shaped plating. The lockbox conceals two drawers within, and comes included with a key. The backside of this tansu is inscribed with old kanji that appears to be denoting which area of the house it was meant to be placed in, and also states it ...

19th century lacquer netsuke of a female butterfly dancer with a fan in her hand, and wearing wings behind her back. Unusual subject, beautiful face, excellent flow of her flying sleeves, extraordinary lacquer work depicting various textile patterns, in perfect condition. Height 1.53 inches.

Japanese Seto Earthenware Tea Chaire, Tea Caddy with original Ivory Cap and Gold Foil inside, Ca. Edo Period, 1603-1868, 2 1/4" high include Ivory Cap 7/8" diameter-top rim, 1 1/4" Diameter-bottom rim, this beautiful old dark Brown glazed Tea Chaire or Tea Caddy kept original Ivory Cap, which is stained with dark brown tea between porous grains, some rough spot inside the top rim.

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 hanging silk scroll from the 19th century, Meiji 1868-1912. There is a beautiful scene of a courtesan and pair of Kamuro order, attendants, walking under a blossoming cherry blossom tree. The screen is signed by Koryusai with seal. It measures 18.25" wide by 24.5" long.

This large and expressive sculpture is made, as expected, from joined segments, each separately carved. This technique is a diagnostic "telltale" which helps to date the piece. The figure sits in a devotional posture, leaning slightly forward with hands joined in a gesture of worship. Extensive remains of gesso and pigment. The piece measures 14-1/2" in height and is free of re-carving or repair. Kindly examine the photographs, as they are part of the description. The piece has a wonderful, expr...

Circular hand shrine, or zushi, in two halves. Inside, one half shows the bodhisattva Kokuzo carved in relief with a sword in the right (to cut through ignorance) and a wish-granting jewel in his left hand. He sits on a lotus base, placed on a rock. Details of the carving and the background painted in gold, black, red and malachite green. The other half shows a lotus pond, a rock and a cloudy sky painted in delicate lines of gold and silver, heightened with black. The outside of the zushi is le...

Antique Japanese small silver box with a 14-petal Chrysanthemum in the center of its lid, a special mon indicative of the Imperial household. The underside of the box is marked with a 5 character Japanese inscription. Meiji period (1868 - 1912)

Size: 2.5" L x 1.75" W x .75" H

Arita fine porcelain tea bowl, decorated with dragons and stylized flowers, painted in underglaze cobalt blue. Japanese work from the early 18th century, perhaps a little earlier. Good enamel quality, pretty deep blue, excellent firing. Well drawn. This type of bowl is rare. Below are 6 Chinese characters that we have not translated.The top edge is coated with brown iron oxide pigment. Good condition. Height: 95mm. We have a second.

This is a 19th century excellently hand-carved netsuke depicting a Kyogen and Noh Mask Group of Nine. Among the ancient Japanese Theater represented on this mask are: Hannya, Buaku, Okame, Okina, Otafuku, Oji, Osofuki, Noborihige, and Tenjin. Signed Koichi in an oval rectangular reserve, right next to the himotoshi. It measures 1.65 inches (4.2cm) in diameter, and 1.08 inches (2.8cm) thick. It is in excellent preserved condition.

Boro noragi (work wear) made of many cotton fragments, which are hand spun and vegetable indigo dye. It is from Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district and called Shonai-sashiko. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:89cm, L:81cm

Antique cotton woven futon cover, dyed indigo and then dyed again with a paste resist technique with the image of the ho-oh or fenghuang, a mythological bird in Asian culture, about to touch down upon a kiri wood branch with budding flowers, representing Japan. Minor damage due to age. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: (with board) 84" height, 72" length, (futon only) 67.5" height, 50" length

Late 19th Century Japanese signed Noh theater Mask of Okame, the Goddess of Mirth, a very popular image in Japanese culture. A beautiful example of this type of mask done by a master carver, using Cypress wood (Hinoki) and many layers of Gofun, crushed oyster shell lacquer. A very charming and well rendered image. 8.25 inches (21cm) high x 5.25 inches (13.5) wide.

Japanese antique choba tansu (merchant's chest) with kannon-biraki cabinet doors (opening outward on hinges). The doors open to reveal one interior shelf. These door panels as well as the safe box door are both removable. (The hinge pins are built into the door side of the lock and slot into the hinges on the tansu frame.) There are 6 drawers of various sizes. The safe box on the lower right hand side has two additional small interior drawers. The tansu is made all of kiri (paulownia) woo...

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (merchant's ship safe), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, heavy iron hardware including raised Chrysanthemum buds in corners and on hinges, large iron Chrysanthemum locks, sliding panel opens to 2 interior drawers, hinged door opens to 3 interior drawers, comes with 2 keys.

Mid Edo Period

Dimensions: 19" high x 21 1/4" wide x 17" deep.

Excellent quality dark patina bronze okimono depicting the study of a powerful panther. The posture is engaging with the hind legs bent, tail curled upwards and the body in an oblique position. The jaws are wide open and show the animal's teeth, while the whiskers are in relief. The streaks of the fur are depicted in a masterly way and highlighted in a different patina even to the touch. The eyes are in gilded bronze which give the animal greater truthfulness and strength. This okimono ...

Japanese bronze mirror. Edo period. 10.8 cm diam. 1.6 cm hig. Good deep casting. 384 g unpacked

19th century/Meiji period Japanese small Satsuma ceramic teapot with cover. The body is painted with 2 scenes of a bamboo grove and various flowers and morning mist painted with gold enamel, with design continuing on the cover. No chips, cracks or repairs. Excellent quality decoration in Japanese taste, typical Satsuma earthenware body, beautiful finely crackled glaze. Signed on the bottom KIYOMIZU TOMONICHI (alternative reading of the last 2 characters is Chojitsu). Some wear to golden enamel s...

Japanese Meiji Period pair of bronze chickens. Unsigned. The cock is laying down and grooming its feathers while the standing hen look on. The hen measures 4" tall, 6" long and 2 1/4" wide. The cock is 2 3/8" tall, 5" long and 2 1/2" wide.

Kushibako (comb box) in black lacquer with gold lacquer decoration of arrows and my in the shape of three assembled commas " mitsudomoe " (Okabe; Itakura; Kuki; Hijikata; Arima families)

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Height : 4,5 in – 11,5 cm Length : 6,3 in – 16 cm Width : 5,1 in - 13 cm

Japanese two section futon tansu made with solid Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood. The top section holds a large open compartment behind two sliding Keyaki burl front panels with openwork carvings. Below are three drawers with mokko shaped iron pulls. The bottom section has another pair of sliding panels with horizontal slats. Behind the left panel are two large drawers and behind the right panel are two drawers and a small safe door with ornate iron plates, holding a third drawer inside. Beautiful or...

Exceptional quality Japanese Lacquer Cha Dansu from the Meiji period (c1900), exquisite gold on black lacquer with mountains scenes of cranes, rivers, bamboo and country house, hardware of acorns and cranes. A plus quality. Size h 23" x w 23.75" x 11.25" d

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking 2 section chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and beautiful lock plates with the owner's family crest incised in the design. Each section has two sets of side handles, one for long distance moving and a hand pair for room placement. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: ...

New Arrival

Antique 18th century Japanese charming small scroll painting of a beautiful maiden riding a kirin (in Chinese, qilin). The mythical creature is part lion with the body of a dragon and the hooves of a deer. It represents good fortune, protection, prosperity, longevity and fertility. Beautifully painted in sumi ink and light colors on paper. Mounted on paper. Signed by the artist. (pvt. Collection) purchased in early 1980's.
18th century
Size of scroll: ...

An exquisite lacquered box covered in gold powder prominently bearing the imperial crest given as a gift to Baron Nakamura Satoru in Meiji 44 (1911). According to the inside of the lid this box was created for the Meiji emperor and given in gratitude to the Baron for his support in creating the Keanfu memorial for fallen soldiers of the Russo-Japanese war. The box is an exquisite example of Imperial splendor featuring leaves tinged with kiri-gane gold inlay over powdered gold on a surface dust...

A yamatoe painting depicted an aristocratic man is about to go out for a night out on horseback. It is attributed to Hoyama Yuinen(Hananosha)(1823-1894).

Hoyama Yuinen(Hananosha)(1823-1894) was a painter monk at the end of the Edo period and Meiji period. He was a chief priest of Shinshu Rinshuji Temple. The first name was Hanado and later Hananosha. He studied painting with Watanabe Kiyoshi and Ukita Ikkei.

Some light marks and insigificant light crease are present on the painti...

Antique Japanese unusual kiri wood (paulownia) tansu with original honey finish, two front doors with decorative iron hardware incised with heart designs. The interior houses ten drawers of varying size opened by hirute style handles complimenting the gorgeous natural woodgrain. Custom iron stand included. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Original finish and condition. Very useful storage. Size: 22.5" H (29" H on stand) 26.5" L x 16.75" D

Ivory netsuke depicting a monk intent on decisively cutting an Oni horn using a large knife. The act itself suggests a struggle between good and evil. Shōkusai signature with engraving under the base. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.9 x 1.9 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Up for sale is our oldest Japanese Tokkuri (Sake bottle). It dates from the Momoyama Period with an age of 400 years and has a very tasteful glaze with vivid colours. Close to the bottom there is a kiln mark (refer to picture no. 6)

The Tokkuri can be used with a little flower as a wabi arrangement. It is in good condition with a crack on the top of the tokkuri, which enforces the wabi look.

A Tokkuri with this age is absolutely rare.

Size: 18 cm

Shipping...

A nagazara of conventional rectangular form decorated somenishikide style, a combination of underglaze blue, sometsuke, and, nishikide, enamelled decoration. Nishiki literally means brocade. In this case a dense diaper pattern made up of repeating and contrasting cells of Karahana against an iron red ground and five petal flowers, presumably, ume hana, Plum flowers against a striated green ground, usually used to suggest pine needles. Inset within the brocade ground niche shaped reserves with st...

Exceedingly rare late Meiji Period C.1900 gold and black lacquered wood buddha stand with lotus leaves and buddhist clouds in carved relief. Negoro lacquer rim in back half with some wear, but otherwise in perfect nick. 20" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting with a tranquil scene of birds near a stream. A pair of mallard ducks swim under a tree branch where black birds and finches rest and frolic. Painted in ink and light colors on paper.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 51 3/4" high x 70 1/2" wide

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated in gold lacquer on a roiro ground with Ni-o, also known as Kongo Rikishi with delicate scrolling background, the interior in red lacquer. Edo period (probably 17th century). 11 1/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12" long.

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Todana made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles with an Urushi lacquer finish. Two sliding doors open to a storage area with a removable shelf where books were stored. Five drawers below provide additional storage and function.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 26 1/4" Wide by 22" High by 11" Deep

Thick, coarse asa (hemp) kimono in beautiful condition: The collar is made out of an old cotton Kasuri, all hand done. Rare find from the Meiji period (1868-1912).

38 inches (sleeve to sleeve) x 36 inches (shoulder to bottom hem)

Beautiful Japanese Satsuma lidded jar featuring four different scenes with immortals. One scene includes a boy and another an animal. In excellent antique condition with wear to gold gilding, it measures 11.5 inches high x 8" widest point. Dates Meiji Period, circa 1880.

A Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting Shojo crouched in a typical posture, with his hand resting on his knee, while sleeping from the effects of too much sake, the kimono is finely carved with geometric motifs as well as the long hair on the back. Similar examples of the Nagoya carvers are illustrated in Meinertzhagen, MCI, p.844, Davey, MTH, p.189, no.570 and Lazarnick, NIA, p. .1063. Edo period 19th century Sizes: 3,3 x 2,7 x 2,6 cm. Condition report: Good condition

17th century Karatsu ware Tea Bowl (Chawan) made in Kihara kiln in Kyushu region

Kihara kiln of Kyushu region was operating during the transition times between the decline of Karatsu tea ceremonial ware and the raise of Shoki-Imari ware (approx. 1624-1671).
While most of the Kihara Karatsu tea bowls are excavated pieces, and it is rare to find a bowl in such good condition.

Size
Height 7.2cm
Width 12cm
Weight 289g

Condition
Very good c...

This is a Japanese antique indigo dye cotton Excellent Boro noragi of patched and sashiko stitch Meiji (1868-1912). It was repaired many times, and the boro rag that were used became wonderful folk art by themselves. The patchwork & sashiko stitch of the indigo dye cotton for the repaired is very beautiful. This noragi can enjoy both sides. size: Length:85cm (33.4inch) sleeve to sleeve :87cm (34.2inch)

Ivory netsuke representing a teacher sitting beside his disciple, the latter holding a book with his right hand and a "shishi lion" mask with his left hand. The netsuke is signed, also bears a small red mark, beneath. Japan, 19th century. Length: 40 mm. Height: 24 mm. Very good condition.

Large Japanese antique sumie dragon flying in clouds scroll. Exuberantly painted on silk with lovely splashes of ink. Brown brocade mounting. Good condition. Signed and sealed signed Hōgen Nyosen, one of the names used by Kanō Chikanobu (1660-1728), a leading Kano-school painter of the eighteenth century Edo. (Hōgen means "dharma eye" and Nyosen means "river-like"). Translation reads that he painted it at the age of 67. The characters are: 法眼如川行年六十七歳筆 Hōgen Nyosen ...

Late 19th to early 20th century Japanese tea ceremony short hibashi (metal chopsticks for handling charcoal in hibachi brazier) with ribbed handle parts and flower finials. These hibashi are for use in the summer time (winter ones have handle parts covered in wood). Finely made, wonderful quality bronze with high copper contents. Beautiful wear and patina attesting to their age, pleasant to hold. Length 7 inches.

Antique Japanese small gyosho bako (merchant safe box) made of Kiri (paulownia) wood in original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame. Old working key included to unlock the front door to reach two drawers within. The top has raised edges with iron braced holes to securely carry the box.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 10” W x 13” D x 13.25” H