Japanese Taisho to early Showa period Satsuma earthenware charger finely decorated in polychrome enamel and gilt with a single large foliate form cartouche set against a black background that extends to cover the back walls. The cartouche features a landscape scene with temples set among high mountain peaks. A bridge over water holds a single figure. The decoration is set against a cream colored finely crackled glaze background. Koshida workshop mark to the base...

A fabulous baluster form vase by the first generation Kato Keizan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gaoji Ryumimi Chokoku Kabin(Ivory Porcelain Dragon Ear Carved Vase). Low on the flaring neck two dragons form handles, and the body of the vessel as carved with archaic symbols reflecting continental taste popular from the Meiji through Taisho to early Showa period. It is 33 cm (13 inches) tall 19.5 cm (7-3/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

A very unusual set of three scrolls depicting the women of Shimabara looking down with trepidation at a Fumi-e (a Christian symbol) before lotus enclosed in a wooden box titled Shizan Shimabara-me Sanpuku Tsui (Shizan, Women of Shimabara Three Scroll Set). The Fumi-e was a bronze or wood placard embellished with a Christian symbol upon which people were forced to step to prove that they were not Christians during the ban on Christianity throughout most of the Edo period...

Two austere Bodhisattva play music and spread lotus petals before the benign countenance of Kannon while a fierce green God (god of thunder or wind) recoils, flame spouting from his mouth. This is a very unusual triptych enclosed in the original age darkened compartmentalized kiri wood box signed Urata Tenka titled Daiji Kannon no Zu (Image of the most merciful Kannon), Takahashi Koko Sho (Painted by Takahashi Koko)...

The benign figure of Monju Bosatsu bearing the sword of knowledge and a sutra astride a fierce Shishi lion exquisitely painted by Takagi Shunrin in 1920. The compassionate being appears in royal regalia and white robes seated on a lotus shaped saddle upon the fierce creatures back. Pigment on silk in the original silk mounting with large ivory rollers enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated Spring of Taisho 9 (1920). The Rollers will be changed if exporting...

A large and rare mid Edo period Tamba Funa-dokkuri Ship Bottle made with flaring mouth and wide flat bottom for use on Ships. Down the side is inscribed the date Kyoho Gannen (First year of Kyoho, 1716). The Akadobe clay is covered in rich green glaze cascading in rivulets all about, with a few scattered windows of raw clay exposed. The base is slightly concave, impressed with a fern leaf...

A serving tray made of Kozai (Jap. old material) from Todaiji Temple in Nara branded with the marks of the 7 great temples of Nara and enclosed in the original wooden storage box dated 1925. It is turned from keyaki, a hardwood in the elm family famed for durability and beautiful wood grain. On the bottom of the tray is a seal which reads Daibutsuden Kozai (Old Material from the great Hall). The tray is 33 cm (13 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

A very rare colored figurine of a egret standing, foot raised, by Miyanaga Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Known best for his celadon and sometsuke porcelains and tea ware, this figurine is a scarce example of his talent with figuration. Beautifully rendered in life-like detail, it is 21 cm (8 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics...

An incredibly large vase showing a blend of art-nouveau and traditional design motifs by Miyanaga Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 46 cm (18-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. This is perhaps one of the great examples of this artists work, blending elements of traditional Chinese, Japanese and European concepts into one breathtaking work...

A breathtaking Koro in the shape of a roaring lion by Miyanaga Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box. This is one of the best pieces I have ever seen by this important artist. It is 25 cm (10 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture, and graduated from the (now) Tokyo University of Art...

Rarely encountered Japanese pencil-signed limited edition sosaku hanga woodblock print by Tokuriki Tomikichiro (1902-2000) titled “Loquat Tree” dating circa 1950. The white title is set against the cobalt blue background at the upper right. The print is pencil signed "T. Tokuriki" and numbered 11/200 at the bottom. Narrow format print measuring 16” x 7” (paper); image: 15” x 4 7/8.” Very good color and overall condition with large margins. Two tiny paper hinges are at the top ba...

A vermilion Negoro lacquered tray with fluted corners on an elongated stem with heavy round foot in black lacquer dating from the Muromachi period with the temple name Zentoku-in written in red on the base. It is 27 x 27.5 x 25 cm tall (10-1/2 x 10-3/4 x 10 inches). Originally undoubtedly square, the discrepancy in width is due to shrinkage against the grain over the centuries. It comes in a late custom made wooden storage box. There are chips along the edges and a repair visible on the unde...

A boxed set of fifteen unique bowls with lids for clear soup made for the Lord of the Yanagisawa family enclosed in a wooden box dated the 7th month of 1730. What makes this set quite unique is that each bowl is singular, a different design, color, shape or technique. But throughout is the one continuous symbol, the four petaled crest of the Yanagisawa clan.　The box is titled Yakatasama, Go Suimono wan, Yangisawa Shimono and on the side Jugonin-mae. Yakatasama, means a nobleman's house suc...

Five matching boxes covered in black lacquer decorated with togidashi feathers in silver and gold enclosed in the original wooden box signed Shunji (active Meiji-Taisho period) and titled Hane-no-zu Maki-tabaco Shoshi (Feather decorated tabaco chest). Each faceted wood box has been covered in polished ink-black ro-iro lacquer, the diaphanous feathers then created on the surface with powdered gold and silver; then all is covered again in lacquer and polished through to reveal the design. An ard...

A sheer cascade of silver mist drops into the darkness beyond a golden outcrop harboring an ancient pine laden with blossoming wisteria vines. Togidashi, taka-maki-e and kirigane, this is a breathtaking box dating from the 19th to opening of the 20th century. Inside is elegantly decorated with drifting clouds of golden mist. Overall in excellent condition, enclosed in a period wooden box. It is 23 x 21.5 x 4.3 cm (9 x 8-1/2 x 1-3/4 inches).

An Ancient wooden casket for Buddhist ritual implements lacquered black and decorated with lotus flowers in silver and gold on scrolling vines with an inscription beneath stating it was donated in the New Year of Kenmu 2 (1334). The lacquer, originally black, has oxidized to a mellow chocolate color. It is 33.5 x 18.5 x 13 cm (13 x 7-1/2 x 5 inches). As one may imagine there is a great deal of wrinkling of the lacquer from shrinkage, some losses and much wear to the edges. Nevertheless, the b...

Gold willows drape over the highly unusual silver-tinged blue lacquer surface of this water container by Tonami Sosai II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Uwajima Nuri Seigin Yanagi Te-oke Mizusashi (Silver Blue Uwajima Lacquer, Willow, Bucket Shaped Mizusashi). The outside is a shimmering blue tinged with silver, while inside is black covered in powdered silver flake. A striking combination. The willow is delicately depicted in tendrils of gold about the circumference, on the...

Mother of pearl flowers rise among the large leaves of a paulownia tree on this small lacquer box and tray dating from the early 20th century enclosed in the original signed wooden box by Yoshida Rissai. The workmanship is flawless, with a fine sense of depth brought on by the mother of pearl lined with gold powder and set against a ground of golden mist on black. Inside is a rich, red tinged nashiji ground. The box is 14 x 11 x 5.5 cm (5-1/2 x 4-1/4 x 2-1/4 inches) and both box and tray are ...