Antique Japanese small ko tansu (personal chest) made of kiri (paulownia) wood with lovely grain. On the left, a compartment is opened by a pair of sliding doors. To the right are two small drawers one over the other. Below this are two full-width drawers. Elegant and understated bronze hardware.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 22" high x 23 1/2" wide x 13" deep

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (personal chest) made of kiri (paulownia) wood with unusual and beautiful persimmon wood edging on the front. Two medium drawers are placed side by side across the top. A compartment opened by two sliding panels is on the left with three small drawers in a vertical row on the right. The bottom drawer is full width...

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (personal chest) made of kiri (paulownia) wood with lovely straight grain. The upper portion has a compartment opened by a pair of sliding doors on the left. To the right of this are two small drawers. The lower portion of the chest has two medium sized drawers and one full-width drawer on the bottom. Nice bronze hardware including simple warabite shaped drawer pulls...

Round ivory kôgô box with shibayama technique, inlaid with gold and pewter or silver lacquer. Lake decoration in two cartouches on the side and the top of the kôgô, surrounded by rinceaux.

It could be the representation of views of Ômi, around Lake Biwa (present Shiga prefecture). The temple on the rocky mountain is probably the Ishiyama-dera, built around 762 A.D. in Ôtsu. It is part of the Kansai Kannon pilgrimage circuit...

A nice pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Cizhou black glaze lided jars with lugs. Overall Ht. 20.5cm. Condition: no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

This is a rare antique Mizusashi (water jar) of Japanese Ofukei ware covered with black lacquer lid decorated with wisteria entwined with pine trees which was made in 18-19 centuries during Edo period (1603-1868)...

A fine Chinese Song dynasty yinqing qingbai bowl. Dia. 17.5cm, Ht. 6.5cm. Condition: no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

A nice Chinese Jin to Yuan dynasty Cizhou white glaze dish. Dia. 12.5cm. Condition: tiny glaze deterioration to mouth rim, few crack lines to the glaze surface, spur marks, no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

Antique Japanese long table made out of a cashier's gate. Turned on it's side, this gate would have defined the area around the cashier's work space in a store. Now made into an attractive and useful piece of modern furniture. The slats of the gate can be seen on the sides as well as through the glass top which was added later. With six compartments for storage or display. Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood and with it's original patina...

Antique Japanese single section todana tansu made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. This todana is divided into two large upper and lower compartments, each with two sliding door panels. Each panel in reinforced with horizontal wooden slats. Natural wood finish.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 69" high x 63 1/2" wide x 20 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (clothing chest). Two stacking sections made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top section has two large full-width drawers. The bottom section has one long drawer over a deep drawer on the lower left and a safe box on the lower right. Hardware is made of iron and includes square lock plates, corner bracing and warabite shaped drawer pulls. The safe box door has iron cross-bracing and swings open on 5 hinges...

Unusual antique Tibetan gau ghao (gao). Used as a portable shrine that hangs around the neck, a gao is usually a box filled with prayers written on cloth around a central deity visible through a window. This gao is flat but it is similar to the traditional gao in that it has a central deity and a window cut out of leather...

Pure Kuro-Raku Chawan by the 11th generation Keinyu Kichizaemon (1817-1902) enclosed in its originally signed and sealed wooden box and made around the end of 19th century about 120-130 years ago.

This Raku chawan is particularly endowed with a structural power deriving from simple composition of features of a bowl - another reminiscence of the earlier generations of this unique family of artists.

Apart from being expertly formed, this piece has the added distinction of be...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the lock plates featuring the family crest of three open fans (Sanogi). Each section has two large drawers for spacious storage of Kimono or clothes. Two sets of side handles, one for long distance transit and the other for room placement. Interlocking sectional pins which is a rare feature for the Kasane Tansu...

Very red cast bronze censer,rich copper alloy. Partially gilded with mercury.The body is very thick,the object is heavy.The carving of the details is deep and it seems that the decor is entirely sculpted without prior molding which is quite unusual. Honestly I hesitate as to the construction technique.At first I thought it was a repoussé work but the metal is much too thick and the examination of the interior leads us to think that it was rather casted and ciseled...

This piece was made at the southern China in last Ming period, exported to Japan and transmitted from generation to generation there. The pattern with "Looking back rabbit" was very popular. Unfortunately, the wooden box was lost. Certification: written by Noriki Shimazu the famous researcher for Asian antiques in Japan.

Antique Chinese cloisonne vase. Globular form with long, straight neck. Decorated with designs of phoenix birds and flowers in yellow, green, blue, red and white enamel on a turquoise blue enamel ground. With a cloisonné four-character mark on the bottom.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 12 1/2" high x 8 1/4" wide

An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Four large drawers and two small drawers comprise this chest for versatile organizing and storage. Original patina and hand forged iron hardware with straight dovetail Japanese joinery with hardened wooden nail construction. This chest would function well as a daily clothes dresser, a linen storage chest or an accept piece that would fit any room decor.

Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimen...

Antique Chinese bitong (brush pot) made of boxwood (huangyang) burl. Beautifully gnarled surface. Foot and mouth made of carved ebonized rosewood.

Age: Republic Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 7 5/8" high x 6 1/2" wide

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu (clothing chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original metal hardware with mitered and straight dovetail Japanese joinery reinforced by hardened wooden nails. Upper section has two sliding doors behind which are two small drawers and a split level shelf. The center section has four large drawers and the bottom section has three large drawers. The base riser adds 3 inches of height to the overall chest.

Age: Taisho Period (1...

Magnificent Nezumi-Shino Chawan with a true wabi sabi aesthetic form and a thick feldsparic glaze on a classic background of Nezumi-Shino — an art form dating back to the Momoyama period of Japan that was revived in the mid-1900s by legendary potter Arakawa Toyozo and others.

The tea bowl was made of little reddish, coarse, unrefined Mino clay and the expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part.

With such glaze and form, this Chawan is one o...

An antique Japanese Yosegi Kobako (marquetry personal drawer box) from the Hakone region made of various natural colored woods with a Kusunoki (Camphor) wood structure and drawer backs. The expert craftsmanship is quite evident by how the front marquetry design flows seamlessly across all of the drawers, the sides, the top and the back of the piece. Having a Kaleidoscope of intricate designs, the variations in the patterns include circular medallions (actually an optical illusion of an eight si...

Tiles and fragments from the safavid period (17th c.). Cuerda seca technique. Variable dimensions. Even if damaged or used, each one still has a particular strength in design and colors.

Funeral mirror of circular shape decorated around its center with two chimeras facing each other. Bronze, with a nice slightly encrusted red and green patina on some areas. China, Jin Dynasty. Diameter: 8.5 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: this mirror is part of a small collection of funeral mirrors collected many years ago that we are starting to offer presently.

Heavily distorted shoe shaped (kutsu) Chawan from the early 17th century with a strongly flaring mouth made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potters knife in its lower part and covered with a very deep black iron oxide glaze inside and outside.

Two 'windows' on two sides have been left unglazed. One has a very rare decoration with hanging persimmons (hoshikaki) scratched into the engobe and the other has a often seen fence painted u...

Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th century Han Chinese woman's robe, and embroidered sleeve bands executed in seed stitch; 5 toggle-loop gilt buttons. The robe is in excellent condition, no fray or wear, shoulder lines have no wear or split, Except there is a very tiny hole in the front left. Measurements : Top collar to bottom hem 36", Sleeve to sleeve 65" when fully stretched, sleeve width 20", width between arm pits 25" narrowest, width of hem 36" widest.

We present a rare medium sized Tenmoku tea bowl with partrige feather mottles (Chinese: 'Zhegu Ban'), made during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) or earlier. Looking inside this Tenmoku chawan is like glazing deep into the cosmos. There one can understand the meaning of microcosm and ask whether one is looking inward or outward; probably both.

The deep rounded sides of this elegantly potted tenmoku chawan are rising from a short straight foot to a lipped rim, covered overall...

Kimono, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. "Suzu" means bamboo grass. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. It is made of thick cotton and dyed with sumi (ink). Kanji characters read "Hakkai-san" which is a group of cragged mountains and has been worshipped since ancient time, located ...

An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and wood patina. Used primarily for Kimono storage when first made, it later stored western clothes as it passed through the family generations. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Present day use would include functioning as a dresser drawer or a linen chest.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 37 3/4" Wide by ...

An antique Ryobiraki Choba Tansu (merchant chest with double doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Behind the doors are 7 drawers with 2 shelves for merchant books and records. The bottom shelf has a coin slot where coins were dropped into the drawer below. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

This chest would make a beautiful side table or accent piece in an...

An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made of 100% quartered sawn Keyaki (Zelkova) hardwood and Suginoki interior (Cryptomeria) woods. All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. 5 large drawers with a hinged security door that hides 2 small drawers where valuable were kept hidden. Lock plates feature the full moon design and it was constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Nanban means earthenware made in southern islands including Okinawa in Japan. Among them, vases like this piece has been liked to call "Oni-no-ude, Ogre's arm". Wild flowers would fit it very well. It's "Wabi Sabi" feeling. Size: 10.8cm(D) 28.0cm (H) Accessary: old wooden box

Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. This one is made of asa (hemp) and both warp and weft are hand-plied. Red stamps of holy places are much faded but the kanji character read "Omine-san" that is located in southern Nara prefecture and a par...

A Rare Chinese ‘SHEN DE TANG BO GU ZHI’ Bowl, 16th ~ 17th Century

A fine and large porcelain bowl with a brown glaze draining from the mouth and leaving the rim with an attractive white line showing off the foliate edge. Within the foot-rim can be found the six-character mark shen de tang bo gu zhi, which may be translated, 'Antique made for the Hall for the Cultivation of Virtue'. The clear glaze has a distinct pale blue-green tinge. Noted is that the interior of the bowl exhibits a s...

An unusual Arita wall-vase, kakehana, circa 1750. The seed-shaped hollow body is moulded with trailing vines supporting a dragonfly. The painter has used two different greens, aubergine, yellow and black. The unglazed back is pierced for suspension. It is probable that this kakehana was made for the home market.

In 52 years of business I have found only two of these unusual vases, this one I kept for my collection.

Approximately 16.7cm long. Perfect condition with only a little w...

An eye-catching combination of red lacquer and gold repairs on a classic Karatsu tea bowl dating from Edo. Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century Korean potters heavily influenced the development of this form—helping to endow it with the earthy, simple, and natural qualities it is so appreciated for. Signed with an endorsement from the 14th Head Tea Master of Urasenke (the largest school of tea in Japan); Ta...

From our collection of Japanese Chawan with Christian Cross design: highly distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part around the foot ring.

In the style of Seto kuro bowls this Chawan was covered with a brown glaze. On one side the sign of a Christian (Maltese) cross was left unglazed and was covered with a transparent ash glaze. On the other...

An antique Japanese hibachi (brazier) cast in bronze and hand crafted with a dragon and thunder bolts flying amidst the stormy clouds on one side and a crouching tiger with its playful partner hanging from a bamboo limb in a forest of bamboo on the opposing side. The handles feature converging phoenix birds with their tails as the apex.

Originally used as a hand warmer in a country inn (Ryokan) in Japan, in present day it can be used as a planter or decorative centerpiece of a room.

An antique Japanese Sakata Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulowani) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Main lock plates feature stylized Chrysanthemums and their leaves. Five drawers for spacious storage and a hinged security door that hides two small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

26 3/4" Wide by 24 3/4...

A Kutani “Yoshidaya Revival” dish, early 19th century.

The Yoshidaya kiln was a short-lived venture, situated in Yamashiro, intended to revive earlier Kutani-style wares. The founding investor was Toyota Denuemon IV (aka Sekio, lived 1751-1827), a businessman who used the professional name Yoshidaya. He chose not to situate his kiln in Kutani because of the site's remote location, but his wares emulate the earlier Kutani wares in a variety of ways.

Approximately 15...

Splendid Kuro Raku Chawan by one of the most important potters of all time, the 3rd Raku Donyu also known as Nonko. It was made around 1650 and was named 'chidori' which means 'a thousand birds' or 'plover'.

It is in great antique condition and has one of the best and finest Kintsugi gold repair landscapes I have ever seen. You can still find the tong mark on the bowl - please look at picture number 9 and 4.

Born the eldest son of Jôkei. He is also known as Nonkô, later...

Antique Japanese large bronze sculpture of a hawk perched on a gnarled pine branch with wings extended. Beautiful and dramatic with lovely attention to detail. In two sections.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 25 1/2" high x 22" wide x 12" deep.

This Edo period scroll depicts Meota Iwa—a famous Japanese landmark in Mie. Symbolizing the union between two divine deities, Izanagi (said to be the larger rock, though there is no consensus on this point) and his wife Izanami, the two are joined by a shimenawa (heavy straw rope used in Japanese Shinto ceremonies). This straw rope is quite massive and must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony. One could think of this in terms of the care and maintenance required to keep a ma...

A funny Chinese Han dynasty pottery covered box with a ring handle and painted 4 hearts to the lid. Dia. 18cm. Condition: crack lines to the body, please refer to the last enlargement, no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

A nice Chinese Liao to Jin Dynasty green glaze buddha. Ht. 20cm. Condition: minor glaze deterioration, no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

A wonderful Chinese Five dynasties white glaze foliated dish, Xuanzhou ware, Anhui province. Dia 16cm. Condition: no chip, no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

A fine Chinese Tang dynasty red clay camel. Ht. 31cm. Lt. 24cm. Condition: no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

Antique Indian miniature painting of Adharanishvara, the combination of the God Shiva and his consort Parvati in one body. The half male, half female represents the union of opposites, the universal principles: masculine, Purusha and feminine, Prakriti. In this painting, Parvati is easily identified by her beauty and crown. Shiva is identified by the snake the encircle both their neck, his tiger cloth, and his long hair which is secured on top of his head. As traditional, the couple...

Antique Indian miniature painting of Radha and Krishna in the garden. Best known for their love to each other, the God Krishna and his true love, the Goddess Radha are two of the most adored deities in Hinduism. While strolling the hills, Krishna often played his flute for the grazing cows. A young and beautiful gopi (caretaker of cows) heard his flute and the two fell in love. In this painting we see the young couple flanked on either side by two attendant girls. In the background is the...

Polychrome celadon ceramic four-lobed tray with two fish yôkai dressed in yukata, a light kimono worn in summer. The yôkai are supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. Most of the ceramic is glazed, except for the brown skin of yôkai which has a matte finish.
Unidentified mark.

Japan - Taishô era (1912-1926)
Height: 1.2 in. (3.4 cm) - diameter: 6.3 in. (16.3 cm)

Long suzuribako (calligraphy box) with nashiji lacquer background, plum tree decoration in a lake landscape in takamaki-e, kôrin maki-e and kirigane. The plum tree (ume), which blooms at the beginning of the year, announces spring. Its flower is a symbol of protection against demons. On the inner lid, decoration with seven flying birds near a coast with clouds. Pewter inlay on the nodes of the trees in the style of Ogata Kôrin.

The kôrin maki-e is a technique developed by Ogata K...

Ivory netsuke of a human skull.

Japon – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height 1.2 in (3 cm) – length 1.4 in (3.5 cm) – width 1 in (2.5 cm)

Horn netsuke of an reclining ox.

In Japan, the ox (ushi) is the second sign of the zodiac. It is considered usefulness and willingness. Reclining, it is the emblem of Sugawara Michizane (845-903), a great scholar, minister of emperor Daigo (897-930) and statesman of the Heian period. Under the pressure of the Fujiwara family, he was driven into exile to the island of Kyûshû and he rode away upon a bull. Unfairly punished, his memory is rehabilitated after his death. He was deifie...

Okimono sculpture in bronze of a crow perched on a tree stump in varnished wood. Its eyes are in shakudo.
In Japan, the crow (karasu) is a symbol of gratitude and family love. It is also considered as the divine messenger of good omen. The Kojiki (713) relates that the crow Yatagarasu guided the mythical founder of Japan, Emperor Jinmu (660-585 BC), on a military campaign to Yamato.

Signed under the crow within an oval cartouche 義光, Yoshimitsu.

Japan - Mei...

Polychrome Sumida-gawa ceramic bowl made from sandstone, also called Sumida-yaki. Some parts are glazed. Original decoration of an old man trying to climb the bowl.

Mark of Ishiguro Koko (石黒香香): 香二, Koko. The 二 marks the repetition of a character in traditional Chinese. His name can also be written 香々 or 香二). His real name was Ishiga Gôzô (石田郷三). He is a potter of the early Meiji era. He is a part of the first generation with Inoue Ryosai of the Sumi...

Interesting larger stone head carved in Vulcanic stone on the Iberian peninsular, Iberian-Roman or Celt-Iberian manifacture, around 3rd. cent. BC-1st. cent. AD.

From a collection of an artist and once bought at a London dealer for ca. $8000. The head depicts a bearded older man, perhaps a leader or even a god. Typical celt-Iberian features, but also inspired by grecco-roman art.

Size: c. 17 cm. tall and 12 cm. deep.

Condition: Choice for type, due to the medium...

Antique Chinese pair of porcelain bowls, glazed white and with detailed overpainting in orange and gold of dragons and flaming pearl. Each bowl has two five-clawed dragons on either side of the pearl. Eyes are green and black and every scale is finely outlined in gold. Daoguang (1821-1850) mark on the bottom.

Age: Qing Dynasty (19th century)

Dimensions: 4" high x 6 1/2" wide each (5 1/2" high on stand)

Antique Japanese ikebana basket for flower arranging. Round body with wide split bamboo and twisted rope bamboo foot and neck. The dramatic, arching handle is made of gnarled wisteria branches. Beautiful deep reddish finish and dark patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 17 3/8" high x 11 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" wide.

A large Japanese Ko-Tamba (Tanba) Vase/Tsubo decorated with a splashed and dripped deep-green glaze pooling towards the foot on a dark-brownish body.

It was made in the Momoyama Period 16th century or earlier. This impressive vase is a wonderful example of a so called Shiji-ko vase, which means 'vase with four ears'.

Great antique condition.

Tanbayaki has been produced in the village of Tachikui, Hyogo pref. for over 800 years. Although counted as one of the an...

Two pieces of urumi-zome cloth which are made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Urumi-zome is katazome (stencil-resist-dye) imitating shibori-zome (tie-dye) and it requires more process than common katazome to make blurring like shibori. Both have rips but other part of the cloth is not weak. The right one has a patch in the back. The second half of the 19th century. Right one:75cm x 126cm, Left one:65cm x 126cm