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...

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...

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...

A 16th to 17th century (Momoyama to early Edo period) candle-stick of vine or root set onto a hollow carved base and covered in black and red lacquer with a metal stud and drip pan. It is 11 inches (28 cm) tall and in overall fine condition, with wear typical of centuries of use.

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) titled "Raicho" (Thunderbird) depicting a rock ptarmigan (a type of grouse) and chicks dated in the left margin Showa 5 (1930). The artists's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower right corner. The print is pencil-signed in the lower right margin. The date and kanji title are in the left margin with the English title below in the lower left margin. Paper size: 10 3/4" x 16" (image: 9 5/8" x 14 3/4"...

Japanese Meiji period cylindrical pawlonia (kiri) wood domaru (tree-trunk) hibachi with a relief design of flowering grasses in gold maki-e lacquer and shell inlay. A gold lacquered bird flies on the back. Original copper liner. Late 19th to early 20th century. 8” high x 11 1/2" wide. Very good overall condition with only minor losses to the shell inlay.

The gist of the script is Taoist, something to the effect of: This is my life, I am neither overtly talented nor gifted with genius, like a sail boat alone tossed among the waves I drink freely of sake untouched (unfettered) by others seen only from a distance. Ink on paper in a the rough silk border preferred by Literati artists with exquisite turned ivory rollers enclosed in a period wooden box (the rollers will be changed for something suitable if exporting)...

Japanese limited edition woodblock print by French artist Paul Jacoulet (1902-1960) titled "Birds of Paradise. Menado, Celebes" (Les Paradisiers Menado, Celebes) published December 25, 1937. This image is illustrated on page 53 (plate 46) of “The Prints of Paul Jacoulet” by Richard Miles, 1982. It is described on pages 98-99. The print is pencil-signed and bears the red tea jar seal at the lower right edge of the image...

The largest vase I have ever seen for sale by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seika Sansui taki-ho-ga Kabin (Blue and White Vase decorated with waterfall Mountain Scene). It is 54 cm (21 inches) tall 36 cm (14 inches9 diameter and in excellent condition, signed on the base...

The richest blue bamboo rises majestically against the bright yellow ground of this exceptional vessel by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kiyu Seika Takenozu Kabin (Vase with Blue Bamboo Design on Yellow Ground). It is 33 cm tall (12-1/2 inches) tall, 23 cm (9 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, signed on the base...

Verdant foliage of the Imperial Paulownia (Kiri) tree in crisp cobalt rises majestically on this tall vase by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seika Kiri no Zu Kabin (Blue and White Vase with Paulownia Design). It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition, signed on the base...

A large basin in striking cobalt designs by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in an unsigned wooden box. The central figure is a soaring phoenix spiral n elaborate plumage surrounded by clam shaped scallops in which leaping carp vie for the prize. About the rim 3 dragons battle for the flaming pearl. Outside serpentine vines intertwine about voluptuous flowers over phoenix. All together a sumptuous and royal aura. It is roughly 32 cm (12-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

A raw-clay-bodied globular vase decorated with comic deer in overglaze enamels by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Akebononoiro-do Shika no zu Kabin (Vase of Sunrise-colored Clay decorated with Deer). The farcical creatures are punctuated by the fellow caught in the act of chewing his hoof (or was he having a scratch?) He looks back at the viewer with wide eyed and sheepish...

The Shishimai dance tradition is common throughout east Asia. A single, or sometimes a pair of dancers, don the costume and parade through the street biting people, especially children, on the head. This is believed to ward off misfortune and evil spirits, and make a child overcome fear. An incense burner by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan in the shape of a shrouded Lion Dancer in vibrant colors enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ninsei-I Shishimai Gata Koro. The koro is 14 cm (rough...

This Toba-e E-maki appears to be a 19th century Gi-ga follower of the later 18th to early 19th century Osaka "Manga-ka" Nichosai (Matsudaira Heisaburo). His humorous images of Hell were quite popular, known as Kakuyu painting.　Overall the genre has many names, Gi-ga being all encompassing, Toba-e being descriptive of this particular style, and Kakuyu-fu being the style of Nichosai. It ends with a simple stamp which reads Fish (Gyo/Sakana). It is 11 by 174 inches (28 x 442 cm). Very interes...

A comic scene in ink on paper of boys herding oxen by Nagasawa Rosetsu spreads across these two low screens. The central characters, one in the lead the second astride one of the behemoths crossing a bridge is distracted by a butterfly floating by above while the beast in front steps on its own rope, pulling his head back to the viewer with a quizzical expression. Other oxen and boys populate the background. All is performed in very soft gray tones with abbreviated detail as if viewed through...

A small round heavily lacquered box made to contain incense carved with Peonies by Imperial Artist Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Layer upon layer of lacquer has been applied over time, each subsequent layer allowing for drying, then the entire is carved through with the floral motif. This would likely have been years in the making. This kogo is 3 inches (7.5 cm) diameter and in perfect condition signed underneath Sozan. Sozan was known best for his impeccable celad...