Cranes soar before the red orb of the sun over festive young pines on these five ceramic bowls covered outside in red and black lacquer from the Nagoya studio of Toyoraku (also Horaku) dating from the mid to later 19th century, late Edo to Meiji eras...

A pair of small gold doors depicting Asian Civets (Jakoneko) in a flower strewn garden dating from the early to mid Edo period (17th to 18th century) reminiscent of the famous pair of screens heralding the same image by Kano Yukinobu (Utanosuke, active Muromachi period). The handmade bronze handles are in the shape of hollyhock leaves, intimating connection to the Tokugawa clan, head of the Shogunate...

Golden bamboo spreads its leaf laden branches about the rim of this aka-e Kinsai bowl by Kyoto potter Takahashi Seizan and decorated by the famous painter Hashimoto Kansetsu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 6-1/2 inches (17 cm) square and in excellent condition. This is from the personal collection of painter Konoshima Keika (1892-1974). We will be offering more from his household in the near future...

A fabulous large Mingei Tokkuri from the Satsuma region in the shape of an eggplant, glazed in black with crystalline blue about the neck over iron rich glazed clay. Likely from the Hirasa kilns, one of the great Satsuma production centers on the southern Island of Kyushu, 18th to early 19th century. It is 24 cm (10 inches) tall and in overall excellent condition, enclosed in a kiri-wood collectors’ box...

Scratches of ink form a precipitous landscape of jagged mountains on the paper surface of this scroll performed by Fujii Tatsukichi enclosed in a wooden box titled: Painted by the elder Tatsu, One Scroll, Mountain, Annotated by Eichi. It is framed in a silk border terminating in black lacquered rollers. It is 13-1/2 x 59 inches (34 x 149 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Kato Eichi (1899-1987) was a potter from Seto who trained under Tatsukichi...

Japanese Meiji to Taisho period vase in the form of a gourd tied in a bow at the mid-section with a braided and tassled rope. The signature appears to translate as Tsunemo. 7" high. Weighing 2 lbs. 8 1/2 ounces, the vase is very heavy for its size. Early 20th century. Very good overall condition with a nice patina. From an old Tucson, Arizona estate.

The great Tang Poet Du Fu (712-770) affectionately coddles a goose chick in his left hand, his bamboo staff low and seemingly forgotten as he ponders the beloved creature in his palm. Exquisitely rendered, it is roughly 16 inches (40 cm) tall and signed on back with an engraved signature...

A spectacular pair of vases by Ito Tozan I decorated with the imperial chrysanthemum in gold between soaring phoenix; symbols of the Japanese imperial family. Both come in the original (tired) silk pouch in a compartmentalized wooden box signed by the artist. Each is roughly 6 inches tall and in excellent condition, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century (later Meiji to Taisho period)...

The village headman aims his arrows at the moon to dispel the evil brought on by a solar eclipse, the village women in the background standing in prayer. This scene was painted by Higuchi Tomimaro for show at the Seikosha Exhibition held in Osaka in 1938. It is an excellent look into the world of the Ainu, a native culture to Northern Japan now lost to history...

Occupation era original Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Snow at Hinuma Swamp, Mito" ("Snow at Hi Marsh, Mito") by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) dated in the lower left margin Showa 22 (1947). The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the upper right side of the image. The 6mm circular seal of the publisher Watanabe (used 1946-1957) is at the lower right corner. Paper size: 10 3/8" x 15 3/4" (image size: 9 1/2" x 14 1/4")...

Large late Meiji to Taisho period Japanese Arita porcelain cylindrical form hibachi decorated in underglaze blue, white, and celadon with mirrors and auspicious symbols. Scattered bisque incised signature seals accent the decoration. 12 1/4" high x 17" diameter. Early 20th century. Very good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. From the collection of an elderly woman in Sun City West, Arizona.

WOODEN MOLD FOR BASEBALL CAP

Quite a rare vintage Japanese artisan's tool. Showa period, early 20th century. Simple and unique form with aesthetic texture. approx...

Very fine and rare Japanese Edo era Hasami Bako, or storage/traveling box, measuring roughly 12" wide (including brass hanging hooks on sides), 5 1/2" deep, and 6 1/8" high. It dates to the late Edo era, some time between 1780 and 1850. The top is slightly domed, as is visible in some photos, and all edges and corners are decorated with incised brass metal sections, and two U shaped handles are on both ends, and can stand upright, as would be the carrying position for a larger trunk. The box...

A rare bowl by Ninnami Dohachi from the Sangama kiln dating from the later Edo period wrapped in a silk pouch and enclosed in a fine custom made Kiri-wood collectors box. Deeply impressed into the base is the six sided Sangama kiln mark. It is 5-1/2 x 5 x 3 inches (13 x 12.5 x 9 cm) and is in excellent condition...

The golden orb shines out like the light of Buddhism from between the dark clouds on this exquisite 19th century image by Wada Gozan, priest of Jinko-in Temple...

A superb example of the mastery of Bizen Saiku-mono sculptures by Nishimura Shunko dating to the pre-war era. The musculature and bone structure of the creature is clearly visible, and it wears a cloak of ash glaze like fur, the tail actually covered in dry “goma” textured ash, and the lower extremities showing a fine assortment of Hi-iro flame colors on the raw clay. Stylistically there appears to be some influence of the pottery technique of Okinawan Shisa (lions). This is very likely, ...

A fabulous large porcelain vase by Daimaru Hoppo (Hokuho) enclosed in the original signed and compartmentalized wooden box complete with a rosewood base. The vase is a perfect example of the Sinophile aesthetic that permeated Japanese art in the early 20th century. The simplified form rises from to frets decorated with stylized cicada under a belt of archaic figures and yotsu-domoe (yin-yang) symbols. It is 14 inches (35 cm) tall plus the base and is in excellent condition.
Hoppo (also...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Kansai District: Seta Bridge" by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) dated Showa 8 (1933). 1st edition impression with "jizure" (self-printed) seal in the upper left margin. The artist's black ink brush signature and red seal are at the lower right. The print is pencil-signed in the lower right margin. Illustrated in "The Complete Woodblock Prints of Yoshida Hiroshi," Abe Publications, color plate #182. Paper measures 10 3/4" x 15 3/4" (image size: 9 1/2" x 14...

A very unusual vase by Teishitsu Gigei-In (Imperial Art Academy Member) Ito Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box showing decidedly Art Nouveau styling. It is 20 x 8 x 32 cm (8 x 3 x 12-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Ito Tozan I (1846-1920) began as a painter in the Maruyama school studying under Koizumi Togaku. In 1862 he became a pupil of Kameya Kyokutei, as well as studying under Takahashi Dohachi III and Kanzan Denshichi (who made the dishes for the imperial t...

Occupation era original Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Moonlit Night at Miyajima" by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) dated in the lower left margin Showa 22 (1947). The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower right corner of the image. The 6mm circular seal of the publisher Watanabe (used 1946-1957) is at the lower left corner. Paper size: 15 1/4" x 10 1/2" (image size: 14 1/8" x 9 1/2"). Very good overall condition. There are tape stains to the back margins that show ...

Occupation era original Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Carp Flag at Toyohama, Kagawa Prefecture" by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) dated in the lower left margin Showa 23 (1948). The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower left corner of the image. The 6mm circular seal of the publisher Watanabe (used 1946-1957) is at the lower right corner. An additional Watanabe seal is on the back at the lower right corner. Paper size: 15 3/4" x 10 1/2" (image size: 14 3/8" x 9 1/2...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga woodblock print depicting three chickens titled “Jealousy” by Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997) dated 1952. Pencil-signed and numbered 91/300 in the bottom margin. Visible paper size: 14 3/4" x 10 1/4" (image: 13 3/4" x 9 1/4). Framed size: 24 7/8” x 19 3/4.” Visibly in very good overall condition and color. The print is currently framed but can be purchased and shipped either framed or unframed. A color illustration of this print can be found on page 1...

Rare pre-earthquake "chirimen-e" (creped) Japanese “mitsugiri-ban” format shin hanga woodblock print by Takahashi Shotei, also known as Hiroaki (1871 - 1945) titled “Starlight Night” published by Watanabe circa 1918. Red Shotei seal at the lower right. Paper size: 5 3/8" x 12." (margins included). This image is cataloged as #M-17 on the informative website www.shotei.com. For image comparison, their section on variant print designs illustrates both the pre-earthquake and post-earthquake...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) depicting the torture of a politically dissident woman titled “Muraoka, Head Lady-in-waiting of the Konoe Clan Bound with Rope” from the series “Personalities of Recent Times” published by Yamato Shimbunsha in 1887. Known image size: 12 15/16" x 8 13/16." Purchased at and framed by Robyn Buntin Gallery, Honolulu in a very high end frame. Visibly in very good overall condition with embossed highlights evident. Not...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print titled “Azuma Shrine and the Entwined Camphor” (#31) depicting boats passing through the Jukkengawa Canal with cherry blossoms lining the embankment from the series “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo” by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) published by Uoya Eikichi (Uoei) in 7/1856. Paper: nearly 14” x 9 3/8” (image: 13 3/8” x 8 5/8”). Very good color and overall condition. There are tape stains to the margin edges verso that show through ...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni I (1769-1825) depicting the kabuki actor Nakamura Utaemon III portraying a sake peddler encountering a dog from a set of eight prints published by Yamamoto Heikichi in 1815. Kiwame censor’s seal. Paper size: 14" x just under 10." Very good overall condition and color with some typical minor wear. There is wormage evident that is well disguised and stabilized by an album backing. The print is tipped at the top two corners to a backing sheet b...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print triptych titled “Pine,” Plum,” and “Bamboo” from the “Friendly Garden Series” commissioned by the Franklin Mint and published by the Yoshida Family Studio in 1980. Each of the three prints is pencil-signed in kanji at the lower right margin and black ink signed and titled at the lower left image. The artist’s red seal is below the black ink signature. The three prints have been reframed with archival materials and UV Plexiglas in the origina...

A spectacular Ikebana basket, dating to late Meiji or Taisho era, in beautiful condition. It measures 11 3/4" high (one side is slightly lower, 11 1/2") and is 15" wide. It retains the original metal liner. Woven of varying size strips of bamboo, the design is complex, demonstrating the fine skill of the basket maker. No breaks or losses, just minor wear from usage. There is a bit of dust in the woven areas, which we have not attempted to remove or clean. One of the finest examples of Ik...

Occupation era original Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Spring Evening at the Kintai Bridge" by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) dated in the lower left margin Showa 22 (1947). The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower left corner of the image. The 6mm circular seal of the publisher Watanabe (used 1946-1957) is at the lower right corner. Paper size: 15 5/8" x 10 3/8" (image size: slightly over 14 1/4" x 9 1/2"). Very good overall condition. Possibly lightly faded. The...

Large Japanese Imari porcelain charger decorated in a free-form pattern of underglaze blue geometric, floral, and phoenix bird patterns with overglaze polychrome and gilt highlights. Two white floral areas in the center are raised in slight "moriage" relief, giving the charger a rich texture. The underglaze blue decoration on the back surrounds a six-character apocryphal Chinese Ming dynasty Chenghua reign mark. Japanese porcelains of the Meiji Period were frequently marked with spurious Chin...

A Mingei style sculpture of a sake-sprite (Shojo) making off with a barrel of rice wine on his shoulder dating from the 19th century. This architectural work was likely originally part of a gate, and would have been a welcome sign to thirsty fellows after a day of work. Carved from a single piece of hard Keyaki wood, It is in excellent condition. 28 x 12 x 5 inches (71 x 13 x 13 cm). Keyaki as a wood is known for its hardness, beautiful grain and pest resistance.

A perfect example of the Early Edo Tea aesthetic in this Chatsubo dating from the first half of the Edo period, a splash of black over rust with a white glazed waste from the Seto region around modern day Nagoya. It comes with an ancient wooden bung and wrapping cloth. The pot is roughly 27 cm (11 inches) tall and in overall excellent condition, with typical wear around the foot. No cracks or repairs. Called Koshijiro (White wasted) this style became popular in the end of the 16th century, an...

Hints of the finest powdered gold gleam on the edges of this ghostly white tea bowl dating from the early Edo period. Iron-like freckles pepper the surface which is subtly clouded with soft color. The base is almost entirely covered in glaze, the glimpses of earth worn dark with age and use. It comes wrapped in a silk bag with an age darkened kiri wood box titled Hagi Chawan and named within Kan-no-yuki annotated by Yabunouchi Chikusojochi (1864-1942) 11th head of the Yabunouchi school of tea...

A set of figurines depicting a courtly Chinese couple by Miyanaga Tozan enlclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Choan no Haru from the Tang period tales. Each is expertly molded and painstakingly decorated in a Kyo-satsuma style signed in gold on the base of each. They stand roughly 13 inches (33 cm) tall each and are in excellent condition. The title calls to mind any number of ancient Chinese poems. The same title was also given to an important book by Ishida Kannosuke published...

A young girl reaches up to steady herself on a branch laden with plum buds, not yet ready to open, as she presses down on the ice with her bright red shoes. This is an absolutely darling image by Chishima Kayo, which came to us as a silk makuri (never having been mounted) painting, which our restorer placed in this natural field allowing the painting to show itself.
Chishima Kayo (b. 1890) was a female artist of the Meiji to early Showa periods. She was born in Saitama and studied init...

A rare set of five tiny Gosu cups for drinking Gyokuro steaped tea from the Shidehara kiln of Sanda in Hyogo prefecture dating from mid to later 19th century (Late Edo to Meiji). Fish circle the cups as they swim among water plants. Each cup is 2 inches (5 cm) diameter and in great condition.
Shidehara was a kiln established in the Sanda district of Hyogo prefecture in the mid 18th century. They created works based on continental styles of Gosu, Sometsuke, aka-e and later celadon. It ...