A fox and cubs under the crescent moon and falling leaves by Hotta Shuso (b. 1894) in a style representative of the Taisho era. Light color on silk in a pale green silk border with bone rollers. The scroll is 21-1/2 x 86 inches (55 x 219 cm) and in fine condition but for a faint discoloration in border top and bottom.
Hotta Shuso (1894-1954) was born in Nagano prefecture and studied under Ikegami Shuho, settling in Tokyo...

Steam coils about the petit young woman at the public bath, a fine Taisho era painting signed Ikuho. The color blends into the silk, leaving a soft edge enhancing the sense she is being viewed through the steam and heat of the bath. Pigment on silk, mounted later in green patterned cloth extended with grey and featuring wooden rollers. As pictures of nudes were forbidden, Ikuho is likely a pen-name, possibly taken from Ikuho Street in Northern Kyoto city where the artist may have resided...

A superb bronze vase with silver plate design enclosed in the original wooden box and stamped on the base by the artsit. The vessel is 11-1/2 inches (30 cm) tall and in excellent condition

Heavy pigment on thickly veined gold creates a powerful collection of scenes from the Taiheiki, the 11th century story of the fall of the courtiers and usurpation of power by two military families, the Taira and the Genji. The screen dates to the 18th century, or middle Edo period. Many old repairs attest to age. We have had it completely remounted, with no painting restoration performed. On the left the famous scene of shooting a fan from horseback from the battle of Yajima...

A set of five Meiji period dishes hand painted by Suzuki Hyakunen in commemoration of the Gosho-Nai Dai-Hakurankai (Exposition in the Imperial Palace, Kyoto) stamped on the underside with the event name and each individually signed by the artist. The literati scenes include a scholar contemplating a waterfall, Mountain retreat lost in rugged hills, sails on the lake, traveler in the hills and horses on the lakeshore under weeping willows...

Oversized Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) of a tengu mask titled “Mayoke Tengu” (also known as "Tengu-shaped Amulet") by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). The print is pencil-signed “Yoshitoshi Mori,” dated ’87, and numbered 10/50. The artist’s red seal is above the signature. The known paper size is about 17”V x 27 1/4”H. The framed size is 19"V x 28 1/2"H...

A haunting vessel by Miyagawa Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Haku Korai Bin, Yukan Tsuki (White Korean form with free handles). This piece is the epitome of the elegance which came from Japanese working with traditional forms. Devoid of decoration, the shape stands alone among works by this famous artist. It is 10-1/2 inches (27 cm) tall and is in perfect condition. I will enclose a rosewood stand for display purposes with this vase...

Japanese plique-a-jour cloisonne enamel vase densely decorated with a bouquet of flowers set against a celadon green background. Chrome rims. Dates from the Occupation period (1945-1960). Measures about 3 3/4"H x 3" diameter. Very good overall condition. There is a faint interior stress crack at the shoulder that cannot be felt (see enlargements 6 and 7). The neck is very slightly tilted.

A 17th – 18th century Neko-tora Tiger by Nagasaki school artist Watanabe Shuseki performed with ink and color on paper in yellow bronze silk border with bone rollers. The parchment is aged and gray, giving the sense of a wall painting in some ancient tomb. The scroll is 14 x 63 inches (36.5 x 160 cm). There is some damage to the lower extremities of the paper, and minor cupping. Watanabe Shuseki (1639-1707) lived in Nagasaki and was a proponent of that school trained under Itsunen...

Item description:. The lead warrior charges headstrong into the frothing waves, a band of mounted warriors following across the six panels of this mid Edo period gilded screen. Cherry blossoms, symbol of impermanence and the life of the warrior, and pines, symbol of strength and long life, create teh back drop, with clouds of gold applied smoothly and over a pebble textured surface defining the characters. A well painted rendition of this famous scene from the epic Taiheiki ...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) of a samurai titled “Tobacco Pipe” (Kiseru) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). The warrior grasps his sword with one hand and holds his smoking pipe with the other. The print is pencil-signed “Y...

Japanese woodblock print triptych of swimming turtles and fish with actor mons and human faces by Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) dated 5th month of Meiji 19 (1886). The convention of disguising portraits of actors arose in the Edo period when bust portraits of actors were banned, through the Tempo Reforms of 1841-1843, for being conspicuous and a detriment to public morality. Each panel measures about 14"V x 9 1/8"H. The print is in good overall condition with fading evident. The panels are sep...

A massive evocative painting exhibited at the first Bunten National Exhibition in 1908 by Ito Koun enclosed in a large period wooden box and pblished in the Nitten-shi series volume I. It is performed with pigment on silk, and shows that soft, almost mystical touch typical of late Meiji Rekishi-ga historical imagery. The samurai crouches at the gate, letting fly arrows at his overwhelming opponents. Metal tipped shafts pierce the thick wood of the gate before him and broken arrows lay scatter...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print depicting William Howard Taft viewing a sumo match during his 1905 diplomatic mission to Japan. With Taft weighing in at over 300 lbs., this print is likely offering a subtle comparison between Taft and the wrestler. This print is unsigned and undated. 14 3/4"V x 10 3/8"H. Very good color and impression quality. Good overall condition with pigment transference at the upper left corner, some minor soiling, and a few small holes and thinned areas. The pr...

Rare Edo period Japanese namazu-e (earthquake fish picture) woodblock print featuring a giant human-like catfish receiving punishment after being found guilty by a judge for causing the Ansei earthquake of 1855. A group of human-like catfish watch as the punishment is being meted out. In Japanese mythology, it was believed that giant catfish living underground caused earthquakes with their thrashing movements. A series of namazu-e were published anonymously in Japan shortly after the Ansei ea...

Golden mist shrouds the aged pines draped with wisteria growing about the crashing falls on this anonymous early Edo period gold screen. A rare scene to find, rigid lines and the lavish use of gold are typical of the first half of the Edo era. The screen features a colorful brocade border with vermilion lacquer frame and has been fully remounted without re-painting. It measures 68-1/2 x 63-1/2 inches (174 x 162 cm) and is in fine condition, showing some old repairs.

Oversized, humorous Japanese limited edition woodblock print by Clifton Karhu (1927-2007) depicting the smiling, cross-eyed artist standing under a torn umbrella in the rain holding a broken shoe. This print illustrates the Zen saying “Hibi kore kojitsu” (Every day is a good day). The print is pencil-signed, titled “Every Day,” dated ’88, and numbered 57/100 in the lower margin. Paper size: 25 1/8”V x 9 1/8”H (image about 23 1/2” x 7 7/8”). Excellent color and very good ov...

A fine ivory colored celadon by the first generation Kato Keizan enclosed in the original signed wooden box and containing the original exhibition pamphlet in which the vase is featured from the 1956 Takashimaya Department Store Exhibition marking his 50th year of working with clay. This vase was chosen by the artist for his exhibition pamphlet, making it, at least in the eyes of the artist, one of the more important pieces he had made at that time. The large vase is 12 inches (31 cm) tall, 7 ...

A stunning box covered entirely in mother of pearl upon which is the crescent moon in lead under maki-e gold florals. Inside Rimpa style dear rest in lead and gold maki-e on a ground of red-tinted Nashiji. The box is in excellent condition, likely dating from the mid 19th century. It measures 22 x 24.5 x 5 cm (8-1/2 x 9-1/2 x 2 inches).

Rare Edo period Japanese namazu-e (earthquake fish picture) woodblock print featuring a giant human-like catfish playing a samisen beside an oni (demon) who is seated casually reading a book. In Japanese mythology, it was believed that giant catfish living underground caused earthquakes with their thrashing movements. A series of namazu-e were published anonymously in Japan shortly after the Ansei earthquake hit Edo (now Tokyo) in 1855. The prints were believed to offer protection against fut...

Rare Japanese woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) depicting Onoe Kikugoro V as Nikki Danjo, the archvillain of kabuki roles, transforming himself magically into a rat. The kabuki play “Meibuku Sendai Hagi” (“The Disputed Succession”), deals with an assassination attempt on Tsuruchiyo, a child who had inherited the position as head of a Semdai clan. A stolen scroll containing a list of assassination conspirators is in Nikki Danjo’s mouth. Pub...

A pair of Japanese polychrome Imari porcelain bowls with subtly shaped rims. Alternating dragon and floral reserves on a patterned red ground centering three friends of Winter (pine, bamboo, prunus) medallion. The verso with karakusa around a raised foot ring surrounding a broad, unglazed band around a small, glazed center. Good condition. Each about 5 3/4 inches diameter (14.6cm) and about 2 inches high (5.1cm). A little more hoist than might be expected - together with the foot these chirashi ...

Another pair of Japanese polychrome Imari porcelain bowls with subtly shaped rims. Alternating dragon and floral reserves on a patterned red ground centering three friends of Winter (pine, bamboo, prunus) medallion. The verso with karakusa around a raised foot ring surrounding a broad, unglazed band around a small, glazed center. Good condition. Each about 5 3/4 inches diameter (14.6cm) and about 2 inches high (5.1cm). A little more hoist than might be expected - together with the foot these chi...

A set of five Japanese polychrome Imari porcelain bowls with subtly shaped rims. Alternating dragon and floral reserves on a patterned red ground centering 'three friends of Winter' (pine, bamboo, prunus) medallion. The verso with karakusa around a raised foot ring surrounding a broad, unglazed band around a small, glazed center. Porcelain service sets traditionally came in five (four being bad luck and larger sets of odd numbers sometimes encountered.) Good condition. Each about 5 3/4 inches di...

Hanakago (Ikebana flower basket). Irregular plaiting technique using bamboo and rattan. The artist's signature carved into the bottom appears to be in sousho (grass writing) for Ishikawa Shoun (among the greatest modern Japanese basket makers.) Object 2006.3.48 in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (the Lloyd Cotsen collection bequest - which we last had the pleasure of viewing in 2008) bears the very same signature in gyousho (traveling) form on a basket using the same plaiting technique wit...

Sino-Japanese War triptych of a naval battle scene at Wei-hai-wei featuring an embattled Chinese ship at the center surrounded by the Japanese fleet. Several final blasts sink the ship and send the Chinese soldiers into the ocean. The black ink signature of the artist is barely visible at the lower right and is possibly Kobayashi Ikuhide (active 1885-1898). The specific date is not filled in on the cartouche, but is 1894-1895. The assembled size is about 27 7/8"H x 14 1/4"V. Each panel meas...

In good keeping with the Koransha tradition, this vase demonstrates the imagination and creativity of the Fukagawa ceramists and is reminiscent of their design books. First thinking it might be a gourd form, it becomes apparent it must be a melon form - more consistent with the suggestion of Spring with the blue and white prunus and cracked ice background to the polychrome mountainous landscape with black pine and secluded retreats in green, yellow, aubergine, orange and gold enamel. The neck su...

A finely brushed image of a pheasant in the blossoming boughs of a cherry tree bearing a circular Rimpa School seal in the lower right. Pigment on paper with bokashi daubing of water on the tree trunk. Shadows dragged through the back appear to intimate bamboo. It is bordered in beige silk with a black lacquered wooden frame. The screen measures 71.5 x 68.5 inches (181 x 174 cm) and is in fine condition, dating from the early 20th century.

Russo-Japanese War triptych illustrating the surprise attack on Russia’s Far Eastern Fleet at Port Arthur that initiated the war. A large torpedo-boat is at the center. Two Russian ships at the upper left have been hit and are sinking. Three Japanese battleships are at the upper right. The title cartouche at the upper right describes the scene in both Japanese and English as “On the night of the 8th of February 1904, our brave fleet of torpedo-boats fired at the Russian squadron at Port ...

Japanese Yokohama woodblock print triptych illustrating the interior of an American steamship by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870) published by Maruya Jinpachi in 1861. In this design, the artist utilizes the traditional Japanese convention of “roofless architecture” which allows the contents of the ship to be visible. Inside, westerners are seated at a long table having a dinner party. The assembled size is 14 5/8"V x 29 1/4"H (each panel is about 14 5/8"V x 10"H). Good overall c...

A saintly recluse dozes restfully, his pole dipping to the waves below the rocky outcrop upon which he sits; a fine bronze figure dating to the Meiji period and signed on the reverse. The figure with the rock is 32 x 22 x 30.5 cm (11 x 9 x 12 inches) and is in fine condition.

A beautiful Meiji period basin of light weight metal gilded with genuine gold leaf with each individual petal rising to form the fluted rim. Much worn from handling, the bowl measures 25 cm (10 inches) diameter and is 12 cm (5 inches) tall.

Japanese Limited edition etching with aquatint of a traditional Japanese farmhouse covered in snow titled “Tamba” by Brian Williams (b. 1950). The print is pencil-signed, titled, numbered 170/180, and dated ‘93 along the bottom margin. Paper size: 10 1/4"V x 14"H (image about 5”V x 8 ¼”H). Excellent condition. There are two pieces of archival tape at the top edge verso. Born in Peru, Brian Williams has been living and working in Japan since 1972. A Japanese frame with archival mat ...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga woodblock print by Tadashi Nakayama (b. 1927) titled “Rainbow Butterflies” featuring Nakayama’s daughter’s face in profile with butterflies in flight around her. This image is pencil-signed “T. Nakayama,” numbered 34/95, and dated 1983 in the bottom margin. The bottom margin edge also contains the. The red Nakayama seal is verso. A color illustration of this image can be found on plate 205 of “T. Nakayama” published in 1989. According to this...

Historically important Japanese woodblock print triptych depicting the landing of foreigners of the “Five Treaty Nations” in Yokohama by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870). The print features soldiers and civilians from America, England, France, Russia, and The Netherlands grouped together with their respective flag and label. Two Chinese compradores, who facilitated trade, are in the foreground and western ships line the harbor in the background. The print is signed “Issen Yoshik...

Heavy pigment forms a spectral scene of a dark stone lantern viewed through the spring laden branches of maples, a dove taking flight in the fore. Anyone who has visited Japan will know the haunting sense these monoliths produce. The painting is performed in thick pigment on applied silver-leaf, signed Taisho (Okada Taisho, b. 1888). The screen is signed in the lower right corner, and measures150 x 151 cm (59 inches by 5 feet). It is in fine condition, with only minor abrasions from handling...