No two faces are the same on this incredible Toyoraku ceramic stacking box covered in gold and silver Maki-e lacquer dating from the 19th century. Inside is typical Oribe style green over crackled cream colored glaze with floral designs in iron. Outside lightning strikes in silver separate the multitude of intense lattice designs in fine gold lines on black lacquer. Stacked they are 15 x 13 x 17 cm, each vessel 15 x 13 x 4.5cm tall, and in excellent condition...

First we hear the clang of the hammer striking the bell, then the steadily approaching clop of his wooden shoes before the horrifying creature dressed in the robes of an itinerant priest appears; a ledger in one hand noting our sins. This is a very rare ceramic figurine by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nenbutsu Oni and bearing the seal of the imperial Art Academy. It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

A jewel-like miniature ‘Imperial’ Satsuma vase, of baluster form with elephant head handles. One side is decorated with flowering lotus, the other with a gourd vine. The base has the signature Hogetsu beneath a blue Shimizu mon.

Approximately 9.7cm high. Perfect condition...

Antique Chinese monochrome porcelain vase with fluted rim, beautiful mottled lavender glaze that resembles an iris, crackle grey glaze on the foot. No damage, Wonderful condition. 19th century Size: 6.5" height, 3.75" width

A large figure of the Daruma in celadon glaze by Teishitsu Gigei-in Suwa Sozan I set on to a rosewood stand and enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The beautifully carved face and feet are in raw, burnt clay, the rest is entirely robed in pale green. It is 18.5 x 16.5 x 36cm (7-1/4 x 6-1/2 x 14 inches) plus the stand and is in excellent condition, signed inside with his koban shaped oval seal...

Sake Flask, "tokkuri," Meiji Era (1868-1912) from Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture. H.10", Body Dia.6". This early Mashiko ware shows the "tobi kanna" technique of chatter marking around the body. In Meiji-era Mashiko, this patterned flask was called a "matsu-kawa-tokkuri" (pine-skin-tokkuri.) A rich, dark brown glaze decorates the neck. Similar wares were also produced around the same time in Fukushima Prefecture...

A striking baluster from vase decorated with sinister crows hunched in the silhouette of a leafless winter tree signed on the base Satsuma Kinunzan and dated on side the fifth month of 1911. This fits in perfect with our Kwaidan theme this month, the brooding figures austere against the bleak winter sky, something ominous, a lingering threat...

A well carved yellow ground jar, with cover, depicting two confronting dragons amongst clouds and flames above breaking waves. The base carries the seal mark - Wang Bing Rong - and was probably made, circa 1910-1920, during the early Republic period. Condition - excellent - no damages and no restoration...

Antique Japanese biwa, a plucked string lute instrument. Made of hardwood with kiri (paulownia) wood front, inlaid with bone and bamboo details. The four strings (missing) are struck with a wooden plectrum. This instrument is often used in narrative story telling. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, the goddess of music, eloquence, poetry and education.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" long x 12" wide

A Japanese iron garden lantern often referred to as a toro. Often these lanterns are placed within a garden setting to guide guests towards a tea house or an entrance to a building. The iron lantern contains a short inscription with the date when the piece was made (first year of Taisho, 1912) and that the lantern was made by Yojiro. Age: Taisho Period Size: Height 19" Diameter: 18.5"

Rare Antique Japanese Kashiki Bowl for used ceremony of Meiji Period made by Rokubei Kiyomizu IV (1848-1920). The seal of the potter is stamped on the bottom. Rokubei Kiyomizu IV belongs to one of the most influential Kiyomizu family of potters. He was born in 1848 as the eldest son of Rokubei Kiyomizu III. He got his family title and the name Rokubei IV in 1883 when he joined the Toyukai artists’ association. He co-established the Kyoto Ceramic Research Institute in 1895...

Japanese seto ware ceramic chawan (tea cup). Made of dark brown stoneware with round body and small round foot. Appealing greenish glaze with drips. Artist's mark on the bottom. With tomobako.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 2 7/8" high x 5 1/4" wide

A set of three Chin puppies by Miyagwa (Makuzu) Kozan II published in the book Miyagawa Kozan and the World of Makuzu Ware (Yokohama Museum of Art, 2001) page 144, figure 174. They are roughly 5 x 10 cm (2 x 4 inches) and in excellent condition. They come enclosed in the original signed wooden box...

Large Japanese antique oshi-e ningyo(doll), Kabuki samurai "aragoto" actor on stage: Matsumoto Oshi-e bina (hina ningyo in Oshi-e style) was originally made by the Samurai family who served in the Matsumoto Castle to supplement their income sometime in the mid Edo period (1603-1868). They became quite quite popular in the 1800s, 400 million dollars sale (in current currency) was recorded in 1888...

This early 20th century Chinese celadon water bowl is 1 ½ inches high and 4 ½ inches in diameter. Aside from a dark spot on the foot rim due to firing, it is in excellent condition.

A crow at rest upon a rock raises its head in a gruff cry by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Karasu Okimono. It is pierced in the back, allowing it to be an oki-koro incense burner. It is 34 cm (13-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition. A nearly identical piece was published in the 1923 book Sozan Toko, attributed to his late period...

An exceptional Oki-goro Incense Burner in the shape of a dark glazed Catfish by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Namazu Koro dated the 6th month of Taisho 10 (1921). This would have been placed over a dish in which a burning incense cone would have been placed. It is 48 cm (18-1/2 inches) long, 23 cm (9 inches) tall and appears in excellent condition. A blacklight reveals a color repair at the base of the tail and at the position where the dorsal fin rises from th...

Bats, symbol of good fortune, flit over the sunset surface of this Ki-seto vase by Kato Sakusuke enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kiseto Kabin. An inscription inside begins Fukuju ? Zu (Lucky ? Image) and appears to be dated 1919 in the 60 year cyclical Zodiac calendar (possibly 1859). This is followed by the signature of a painter who also signed and dated the vase, indicating Sakusuke made the vase, while another artist provided the decoration. It is 31 cm (12 inches) tall a...