This poem, inscribed with Rengetsu’s unmistakeable flowing calligraphic script, is set on a backdrop of colored washi paper decorated with gold flecks and intricate renderings of magical forest spirits. The spirits are drawn using “gofun”—a calcium carbonate powder obtained by heating and grinding oyster shells collected around the Inland Sea coast...

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl, with cobalt blue design of waves and an array of scholar objects in mint green, lilac, yellow, and red glaze. Edges are decorated with "comb" design along foot. Underside has interesting signature mark of a budding flower. 19th century. Size: 6" diameter, 1.5" height

Charming Antique Japanese box with large lid, lacquered red and black with mother of pearl inlay. Black lacquer mon of pine tree and writing in black, heavy iron hardware. Has original holes for tying top to bottom for travel. The inscription on both sides state the name of the confectioner. Trans: Confectioners Matsuzaka Asano Rokkado. Late Edo Period- Meiji Period (19th century). Size: 17" high x 16" wide x 13 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese merchant's chest (choba tansu), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with dark red lacquer finish, 4 exterior drawers and safe box with 2 small interior drawers. Beautiful heavy iron hardware including elaborate bracing on front frame, wooden bracing on sides and back. From the Mikuni area in Japan. Edo Period (late 18th Century. Stunning original Condition. Size: 32 1/2" high x 38" wide x 18" deep.

The Hiramaki-e technique, which dates from the latter part of the Heian Period (794-1185), was preceded by Togidashi maki-e, a technique in which not only the design, but the whole surface is covered with clear lacquer after the sprinkling of metal powder. The lacquer is then polished down to reveal the design.

The Japanese letter box is decorated in low relief of mountainous terrain and a stylized linear mist or cloud line...

A moulded hexagonal bowl, hakkaku hachi, decorated to the exterior with an iron red ground inset with alternating reserves containing ribbon bound scrolls, makimono, and artemisin leaves, mogusa-ha, two of the Eight Chinese precious objects, Babao, hachitakara, and a band of stylised eight petal flowers, presumably Tessen the clematis flower, with leaves and pine branches...

In China, the first mention of the Japanese Archepelago was in the historic text Book of Later Han, written in the year 57 AD. From that time forward, a great flow of Chinese cultural objects and ideas made their way to Japan—greatly influencing future developments there...

In China, the first mention of the Japanese Archepelago was in the historic text Book of Later Han, written in the year 57 AD. From that time forward, a great flow of Chinese cultural objects and ideas made their way to Japan—greatly influencing future developments there...

This finely crafted tripod incense burner is one of several often-employed motifs used by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I. With a design borrowed from ancient Chinese porcelain production, this piece displays horizontal bands on a field of luminous light-blue—contrasting nicely with the lid which is a dark varnished wood.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture...

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl, with blue gourds hanging from a vine and two red flower buds with gilt pigment accents on the stem and around the bowl's rim. Blue butterflies decorate the outer edge and "comb" design along foot. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 6" diameter, 1.5" height

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl with scalloped rim to resemble a lotus, with blue cobalt florals designs along the outside and "comb" style design along the foot. The interior of the bowl has a black squirrel hunting for grapes. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 5.5" diameter, 2.25" height

A variant of Hopi Mona Kachina River or Thunder Kachina -Green case mask, triangular mouth, a band across the forehead. Fur ruff. Kilt, sash, woman's belt, red moccasins. Bluish body paint. Appears singly in Mixed Kachina Dances. Third Mesa. -Height: 9 inches -Width: 2.5 inches -c.1930-1940

-Reddish brown sack mask to which are fastened three gourds, one on top and one over each ear, and painted reddish brown. Rag ruff. Kilt made from a woman’s old dress. Body painted with red-brown clay. He carries a feather and a rattle. Koyemsi is the most common Hopi clown. He appears in Mixed Kachina Dances and sometimes a group of Koyemsi appear in a dance of their own. At First Mesa they are said to sing Zuni songs...

-She wears a white sack mask with red spots painted on her cheeks, fox skin ruff, woman’s dress, and maiden’s shawl. She may be barefooted or wear white boots. She usually carries a gourd filled with water. She is said to be the mother of all the kachinas, and is a principal actor in the Water Serpent Ceremony. She may appear at other ceremonies such as the Niman Kachina Dance. --Provenance: Dorothy Louise Luhrs PHD...

- Green case mask with black crow wings on the side. Fox skin ruff. She wears a woman's dress and ceremonial robe with green moccasins. At Oraibi she carries a yucca whip, at Second Mesa a tray of corn. The Crow Mother is mother of the Hu Kachinas and appears in the Bean Dance. By some Hopis she is considered to be the mother of all the kachinas...

Chinese song dynasty white or qingbai glaze flower shape small dish. Decorated with molded flower motive. 12 cm diameter. dish has some hairlines at the center (please see on the pictures).

Antique Chinese hardwood desk, made from attractive jumu wood. Three drawers with ring pulls and carved outlines run along the front with a carved panel of dragons and flowers below. 18th/19th Century Size: 33.75" height, 40" length, 23.25" depth

Antique Chinese ceramic vase with a greenish brown glaze. The body is ribbed and globular with a tapered neck. The handles resemble two small critters. Dates from the Han Dynasty ( 206 BC - 220 AD ) Size: 11 1/2" High X 9" Wide