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...

A massive tiger defensively nudges the female deity on this amazing 19th century silk Fukusa. Hand-painted and composed from patchwork patterns of lavish antique brocades and featuring glass eyes and metal teeth and claws sewn into the fabric of the creature. The piece is backed with red rinzu silk patterned with cranes and plum blossoms. It is 23-1/2 x 25-1/2 inches (59 x 64 cm) and is in fine condition. It comes wrapped around a pillow in a large kiri-wood box.

Japanese Edo period carved wood polychrome and gilt Buddhist figure in the form of Bishamonten, one of the Guardian Dieties of the Four Directions (representing North). A protector of the Buddhist faith, Bishamonten is clad in armor and holds a stupa believed to carry the ashes of the Buddha, and by extension, the teachings of the Buddha. He is depicted standing on a gilt base atop a lion-type creature to symbolize the subjugation of evil in the world...

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).

This little guy is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. A tiny mouse rests atop a bulging white radish, bristling blue leaves in full detail attached as if pulled fresh from the ground. Dating from the 19th century (later Edo to early Meiji period), it comes enclosed in an age darkened wooden box titled Daikon Nezumi Futamono (Radish/Mouse Lidded Receptacle). I confess in over 25 years dealing in Japanese art and antiques I have never seen one like it. It is in excellent condition...

A Tokkuri decorated with an Otsu-e image of a sword bearer and a poem by Otagaki Rengetsu enclosed in a wooden box annotated by the head of Jinkoin Temple and titled Rengetsu-ni saku, Otsu-e Tokkuri, The poem reads:
Furi tate shi As if raising and lowering
mameshi gokoro no his true heart like a standard
hitosuji ni in one line
koyuru ka imo ni will he pass through to meet his love
Osaka no seki...

Five Japanese Edo period woodblock prints depicting famous samurai from the series “Abridged Stories of our Country’s Swordsmanship” (Honcho kendo ryaku den) by Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Kazusa-ya Iwazo circa 1845-1846...

This antique ivory bookmark is shaped and colored on one side to appear as a woman wearing a kimono. There is a long cord with small pierced ivory ojimi and tassel attached...

A pair of superb Tokkuri by Raku Kichizaemon enclosed in the original signed wooden box, each stamped on the base, each unique with one in dark Raku glaze, the other swiped with ash leaving large areas of raw clay exposed. Each one is 16 cm (6 inches) tall and in fine condition. These are by the Kichizaemon X, according to the book Sado Bijutsu Teccho, it is the earliest of his four known stamps...

A pair of powerful Shishi guardian carvings dating from the later Edo period, 18th-19th century, in the Ah-Un expression (Exhaling and inhaling). Ah-Un has many allusions, it is the beginning and end of the alphabet, summarizing all in between, and is said to be inhaling good fortune, and exhaling bad. Glass eyes inset into very human faces. They are 10-1/2 inches (26.5 cm) tall, 9-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches (24 x 14 cm)...

A lovely hand formed bowl in the shape of an inverted mushroom with brush strokes (Kushi-me) defining the gills and the bulbous stipe laying like a handle to one side. A speckled yellow glaze (typical of Maiko) covers the sandy clay, with a drape of green and white seeping like milk from one side. It is roughly 21 cm (8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, stamped on the base Mahiko (In traditional writing the character for Hi is interchangeable with the character for I as is Fu and U)...

A fine Edo period portrait of a sinewy middle aged samurai proudly seated before a pair of swords, a table upon which rests an ink stone and book at his right elbow. Exquisite detail in the figures face and fine lines and shadows in the clothing are reminiscent of portraits by the great artist Watanabe Kazan. The portrait is signed Higashiyama Giryo and dated Tenpo 3 (1832) and the epitaph is signed Raijo. The portrait appears to be of a samurai named Kanda Hojo...

A lacquered and iron bound round lidded box called a kubi-oke made to carry the head of a man taken in battle or that of a man after committing ritual suicide for offering to the lord. It is 13 inches (33 cm) diameter, 11-1/2 inches (29 cm) tall with large handles from which it could be carried on a pole. There is mouse damage on one part of the bottom, but has not eaten through to the inside.

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...

Green or Blue, which will win this contest? Two shishi lions vie for our attention on this absolutely fabulous pair of 19th century screens. The images are performed with pigment on applied silver, not an easy medium from the start. One creature pounces, mouth open, teeth barred while the other crouches, mouth shut, ready to leap...

A mellon shaped red-Raku Kogo incense case enclosed in the original signed wooden box by Raku Ryonyu (1756–1834), 9th generation head of the Raku family. It is roughly 2 inches (5 cm) tall and in excellent condition.

Japanese Meiji period teardrop form cabinet vase covered in a rich mottled blue glaze over a brown base. The vase bears the impressed mark of Okumura Shozan (1841-1905) on the glazed base. Shozan is perhaps best known for his remarkable copies of Ninsei and Kenzan works. 19th century. 4 1/8" high (5 1/8" on the stand). Stand included. Very good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. There is a tiny pin-head sized area at the foot where the glaze does not cover. This vase i...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) depicting Nikki Danjo Naonori changing into a rat from the series "One Hundred Ghost Stories of China and Japan" (Wakan hyaku monogatari ) published by Daikoku-ya Kinnosuke (Kinjiro) in 1865. Vertical oban size (14 1/4"V x 9 5/8"H). Very good overall condition and color with margins evident. The print was removed from an album and is lightly album backed and slightly trimmed. The image has a prominent horizontal centerfold as the al...

Japanese bronze mirror. 19th century. 9.9 x 0.7 cm. 236g.

A large pair of 19th c. (Edo p) votive Inari Fox images representing the god of fortune. They are 16.5 x 10 x 24 cm (6-1/2 x 4 x 9-1/2 inches). One holds the key to the treasure house in his mouth. One would have been standing over a Buddhist jewel, however that is now missing.
Inari Okami is the Japanese kami of foxes, of fertility, rice, tea and Sake, of agriculture and industry, of general prosperity and worldly success, and one of the principal kami of Shinto. In earlier Japan, Inar...

Wild chrysanthemum rise along a brief poem on the cream-colored sides of these Tokkuri by Seifu Yohei enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seizan Sakabin. They are 15 cm (just under six inches) tall and in excellent condition. There is a pre-firing imperfection in the rim of one of the Tokkuri.
Seifu Yohei I (1803-1861) founded the Seifu dynasty in Kyoto. He was born in powerful Kaga-kuni, modern day Kanazawa prefecture. After apprenticing with the second generation Dohac...

A troop of Shishi lion dogs sewn with couched gold thread. frolic among the blossoms and crashing falls embroidered on the re-purposed rich blue patterned Edo period silk of this altar cloth. The original form was likely an uchikake kimono, assembled as an altar drape as a tribute to the owner at a Buddhist Temple. Embroidered up high is the Mitsuba-aoi crest of the Tokugawa Shogun, indicating this was from an aristocratic family as the quality of the embroidery presmes. The dimensions are ro...

Japanese Meiji period Yokohama woodblock print depicting Okiyo, the daughter of a gardener in Mukojima, meeting with a foreigner who desired her to be his concubine. This print is illustration no. 661 from the newspaper series “Yubin Hochi Shimbun” (Postal News) by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) published by Kinshôdô (Kumagai) the 4th month of 1875. 14 1/2"V x 9 3/4"H. Excellent color and very good overall condition with margins evident. The print has been stored away from sunlight and...

Golden threads are woven into a home for the large three-dimensional spider crawling over the scrolling edge of this caramel-colored dish dating from the Meiji era. It comes enclosed in an age darkened wooden box titled Akahada Kashibachi (Akahada Sweets dish). It is roughly 16 x 18 cm (6 x 7 inches) and in excellent condition. The clay is consistent with the sandy texture of Akahada, however the color is quite unusual.
Akahada Pottery began in the Momoyama period (1573-1603). It is sa...

Japanese Meiji period Genroku porcelain hibachi of cylindrical form finely decorated around the circumference in underglaze blue plovers flying over crashing foaming waves set against a white ground. The base holds the mark of “Tominaga Genroku sei” together with the Genroku Studio mark. Tominaga Genroku (1859-1920) opened the Genroku kiln in Saga Prefecture in 1888 with a goal of producing fine quality porcelain. Following his death, the kiln survived under his sons until at least 1934. ...

Japanese bronze mirror. 19th century. 9.2 x 0.3 cm. 88cm.

Unlike in the west, the rat has long been a symbol of fortune in Asia (it is after all one of the animals of the Zodiac). Here we see an interesting play on the animal. He stands on his back legs pulling a sack of treasure and magic mallet, perhaps having relieved these two articles from Hotei and Daikoku, two gods of fortune always pictured with them. Great detail and very clever, the piece is 6 inches (15 cm) long, 4-1/2 inches 811.5 cm) tall and in fine condition, likely dating from the fi...

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...

A rare yari-no-saya of course bristles blossoming tuft-like from a 7 inch black lacquered wooden sheath bound with strips of bamboo resting on a four legged hardwood stand. The Edo period piece is in excellent condition, with only minor damage to the wooden ring about the bottom of the tuft. It is made to take a spear head over 8 inches long.

An Original Albumen Photograph of Yokohama by Felice Beato 1865 Edo Period 11 1/2 x 8 3/8 ins. (29.3 x 21.4 cms) This albumen photograph by the great photographer Felice Beato is catalogued in the Collection of Nagasaki University Library "Japanese Old Photographs of the Bakumatsu/Meiji Period" #777 with the following caption;  Taken by Beato. "Dear Mrs. Kiyota's house near Yokohama on the Kanazawa Road, August 21, 1865 ". A house that looks like a farmhouse, built slightly above the road surr...

An awesome mid 19th century scroll depicting 2 highly detailed dragons battling in the clouds. The scene, signed Koun Teruhiro, is depicted in watercolor on 21 sheets of paper joined to form the canvas. Beside the signature is the words Hobun Utsushi, which means written in the style of Hobun. The huge scroll, measuring 45 by 90 inches (114 X 229 cm), has been fully restored and remounted in a border of green silk decorated with large flower mon (medallions) and ending in heavy, solid ivory r...

As the enlightened man is a product of this world so too the Lotus grows in the mire, a symbol of the attainable state of Nirvana. Here is a breathtaking hand-made bronze Koro in the shape of a blossoming lotus in deep red patination dating from the late Edo to Meiji period (mid to late 19th century). Consisting of 30 individual pieces, each petal is uniquely incised with veins by the hammer and chisel of some long lost craftsman. The base is a large leaf turned upside down, rising on a round...

MASK

Aged wood carving mask with such mysterious fascination that would be actually once used for Kyogen play or some kind of folk theatrical performances, Edo period, Japan, 14.8 x 10.3 x 3.5 cm (5.82 x 4.05 x 1.37in).


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Japanese bronze mirror. 19th century. 7.1 x 0.4 cm. 58g.

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print triptych by Kunisada (also known as Toyokuni III) illustrating a scene from the 1951 kabuki production "Genji Moyo Furisode Hinagata" (Dress Patterns in Genji Style). The scene is set in a meadow and features in the left panel the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of the handsome protagonist Lord Ashikaga Jiro (Mitsuuji) engaged in a sword fight. In the center panel is Bando Shuka I in the role of Fuji no kata (the concubine of Mitsuuji's father, Yoshim...

A rare pair Japanese plates showing a dragon among textile-weave patterns worked in dull colored enamels, the brass or copper rims and wires showing partially remnants of gilding. The reverse decorated with further floral motifs, the base with green contre-émail. The enamel showing concavities and pits. Condition: fine, only wear to gilding. Dimension: diameter: 24.9 cm, 4.2 cm high, weight: 1400 g.

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.
Ninnami Dohachi II and his son (the future Dohachi III) were invited by the local lord Matsudaira to produce pottery at the Sangama kiln in Sanuki Kuni on the island of Shikoku...

A good pair of ruby red/"pigeon blood" baisse-taille enamel vases hammered and carved in low relief depicting sparrows and styalized bamboo. These items are unsigned and were made in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1911). Condition - very good. No damages. 4.8 inches (12cm) High.

日本明治 一对红色浅浮雕珐琅瓶
一对“鸽血红”浅浮雕珐...

Japanese bronze mirror. 19th century. 6.4 x 0.3 cm. 48g.

A breathtaking cup made from an egg cut and lacquered inside, then gilded with genuine gold, enclosed in the original signed age darkened kiri-wood box. It is 2-1/4 inches (5.5 cm) diameter and in perfect condition, dating from the Meiji period.

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...

JIZO EMA

Votive Japanese folk art piece of worshipper’s wooden tablet offered for the shrine, so-called ‘Ema’ (lit. ‘Horse picture’) of Jizo Bosatsu drawn by skillful painter, Edo period, 13.5 x 27.5 x 1.3 cm (5.31 x 10.82 x 0.51in)


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A framed calligraphy fan painting by important Edo period poet Kawano Tetsuto (1825-1867), published in the book Shijin Kano Tetsuto (1932). The ancient paper fan is mounted in a field of gold flake bordered with black lacquered wood, the frame measuring 11-1/2 by 23-1/2 inches (29 x 59.5 cm). There is one spot of damage to the flecked gold mounting in the lower right (see photos). Tetsuto was an influential poet and scholar of the late Edo period, trained in the arts under Yoshida Kakusen an...

A fine wakizashi in saya of crushed aogai shell in lacquer with engraved silver fittings adorned with a family crest wrapped with matching Kozuka. Kyoto license number 59007 Heisei 9.
blade length: 38.9 cm
sori:0.7 cm
motohaba:2.4 cm
motokasane: 0.6 cm It is in excellent condition.

Sizable Japanese Edo period Buddhist traveling shrine (zushi) with black lacquered wood case and copper metalwork. Two hinged doors open to reveal a central standing carved wood Kannon figure on a pedestal base set against a gilt ground. A round metal halo is behind his head and he wears a metal crown and neck ornament. The interior doors are painted in polychrome with Bodhisattva figures. The case measures 12” high. 19th century. The zushi is remarkably intact and stable for its age. T...

A Japanese Satsuma Dragon Tea set (Shimazo Crest; Shuzan mark, from the Mejii period 1868-1912). The Pot is, 8" high, the Creamer is 5.5", and the Sugar is 7"; all with Lids. Hand painted in colors and gilt with Rakan (Buddhist disciples) and dragons. Pieces signed with mark on the bottom. The Shimazo Crest is also on the Side of the Teapot. There is a chip on the inside lid of the teapot that is not noticeable from the outside, otherwise it is in excellent condition. It likely dates from a...

Wisteria vines in gold and silver Maki-e lacquer decorate the natural body of this beautiful sake flask cut from a section of vine, hollowed and capped with natural wood and black lacquer, a pouring spout of brass bunged with bamboo. It is 9 inches (22 cm) tall and in fine condition, dating from the 19th century.

Pure elegance and simplicity of form by Komazawa Risai enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Mage-Kensui (Round Spent Water Container). It is lacquered outside is tame-nuri opaque wine-red, inside is polished ro-iro black decorated with gold reeds overlapping from all directions. It is 16 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter, 7 cm (2-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. It is made by Komazawa Risai; head of one of the ten crafts families of the three Senke tea schools adhering to th...

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.

Spiraling lines and wispy trees rise up to the heavens in this convoluted landscape by Fujimoto Tesseki dated 1855. If one looks carefully, it is fun to see the artists playful choices of colors, not apparent at first, like the blue trunk on the central tree at the base of the painting. Dramatic and colorful landscape Ink and light color on silk, the scene is enveloped in a patterned white satin border with white piping in the Mincho style popular in the 19th century, and features absolutely m...

Ivy in colored maki-e lacquer drapes over the ro-iro polished black of this museum quality Tankei oil lantern dating from the 19th century complete with oil container, with both ceramic and lacquered-brass oil dishes; enclosed in the original wooden storage box. It is 22 x 18 x 54 cm (8-1/2 x 7 x 21 inches) and is in overall fine condition, with minor wear typical of age and use.
Historically slow burning rapeseed or fish oil would have been used, the long wicks burning on the dish drape...

A dark forest rises in a field of white, as if still covered in frost or snow, over which is draped a poem brushed in the exquisite script of the poet-nun Otagaki Rengetsu, Itsu to naki, Tokiwa no sato ha, Hototogisu shinobu hatsune ni, Uzuki wo ya shiru?
With the first cry of the Cuckoo, in this village of Tokiwa
Will the people realize, Spring has arrived?
To the extreme left, the cuckoo flies off the page. Ink on paper in forest green silk extended in a beige with black ...

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 good Japanese lacquer tray. Egg shell ground with gold Taka-Makie decoration of quails among flowering foliage - two of the leaves with Makie on Roiro. A dark brown to black rounded edge with wood grain texturing and gold lacquered rim. The verso black with eight character gold lacquer signature lower-left: Nihon Shizuoka Kaiya (or Umino) Sei Zo. Fair condition - the Makie on egg shell in very good condition, the edge with stress cracks in the upper two corners from movement of the underlying ...

An Edo period suit of raw iron with all matching parts, featuring 16 plate helmet with two lame shikoro and large fukigaeshi. The mask is fantastic, a real stunner with dramatic features and a large mustache. It has five plate sode and a go-mai-do cuirass of five iron plates, with kusazuri of leather scales. The sangu are all matching, very nice on dark silk tightly woven iron scales, with a crest in brass on the back of the hands. The original Maedate is in the form of a box and would likel...

A pair of gold screens with bold shishi on genuine gold leaf. It is signed Miyauchi Gohogan Shinsai Fujiwara Morimichi sei and stamped Hogan Morimitsu no In. Each panel is 37-1/4 x 68-1/2 inches (94.5 x 174 cm). The screens have been restored, with some old repairs visible. These appear to be remounted from what is likely a different composition, possibly a set of fusuma doors. This is possibly from the Kano Tanshin of the later Edo, who used the name Morimichi, although there are a numbe...

Japanese Meiji period painting on silk finely rendered with three birds perched on a tree branch set against a rising full moon. Signed “Gokyo” (artist unidentified) with a red seal below. Appears to date from the 19th century to circa 1900. Measures 47”V x 19 3/4”H. Very good overall condition with minor discoloration from foxing and a faintly visible horizontal soil line at the mid-section. The painting is executed on fine silk gauze. It has been recently professionally scroll mou...

An incredibly detailed mid to late 19th century Izushi-yaki Hakuji (white porcelain) image of a samurai and his lover enjoying a moment together; the robes, accessories and musculature being extremely well shaped. The pair are made of solid white clay, sculpted in the style and with the attention to detail typical of Hirado ware however the glaze is more textured than work expected of that region, indicative of Izushi. There are several chips: the mans left foot, tobacco pouch and right finger...

A skeleton sits in meditation, dried autumn grasses rustling in the wind the only sound on this unusual Edo period scroll. Above is an epitaph reading: Impermanence takes life like wind strips the petals from a flower, Neither Gods nor Saints can evade, Evil within mars the spirit, Lofty stature or humble servitude, All fall prey, Yet all can be forgiven. To the right of the seated figure is a tablet covered in Sanskrit characters. The age darkened paper is bordered in sumptuous copper brocad...

Fifteen-piece Japanese Satsuma earthenware tea set consisting of lidded teapot, lidded sugar vessel, lidded creamer, six cups and six saucers. The set is densely decorated with the Kannon, Rakan (Buddhist disciples), and dragon pattern in raised moriage enamels and gilt. “Great Japan Satsuma” mark to base. Meiji period (circa 1900). Teapot: 6 1/4" high x 7 1/4" wide (handle to spout); sugar vessel: 5 1/4" high; creamer: 4 3/4" high; saucer: 5 1/2" diameter; cup: 1 7/8" high x 3 3/4" diam...