Offered here an ink landscape on paper by the eccentric and highly sought Japanese artist Fukuda Kodojin (1865-1944) dated 1919. Birds fly over the stubble of harvested rice fields, while odd thatch-roofed huts sprouting from wind beat grass focus our attention on the dark forested left of the scene. The vigorous brushwork and complexity of the scene belie the typical scenes of cold winter death, and seems to intimate a hidden energy busy at the task of Preparing for spring...

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...

An unusually large vase by Seifu Yohei III with carved cloud designs covered in mottled red flambe glaze. The box is titled Dawn-cloud-glazed Vase, Made by the former Seizan (alternate name used by Seifu III) dated Late in the Year of the Earth-Horse in the Taisho era (1918), attested to by the 4th generation Seifu. He has employed the Teishitsu Gigei-in seal of the third generation on the lid...

white lines defining this tea bowl defy the superlative rendition of a bird snapping up an insect from a hibiscus by Ogata Gekko within. The bowl is 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) diameter, 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall and in fine condition. It comes wrapped in a silk bag and enclosed in a superb kiri-wood box.
Ogata Gekko (1859-1920) of Edo (now Tokyo) was born the son of merchant Nakagami Seijiro and was heir to a small fortune...

SOLD. Butterfly Collectors! Both early 20th buttons White Porcelain Satsuma lotus shape self unglazed shanks. A)Multi color red yellow blue green purple lotus shape floral 1 3/8" across and
B)Butterfly 1". Both are multi color hand painted with lots of gold. SOLD, no price, no info.

This is the pinnacle of production for imperial artist Seifu Yohei III, a large Taihakuji porcelain vase with carved designs enclosed in the original signed wood box. Museum quality would be an understatement. Seifu III was known to have made few large works, so this is a very important piece, and Taihakuji was his most appreciated style. Here we see two pheasants in a blossoming tree overlooking a large crag, with clouds brimming about the rim, all in carved relief...

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...

OLD ZORI SANDALS WOVEN WITH OLD WASHI PAPER

Made with the paper strings with recycled old paper from used account book or so, 19th - early 20th century, Japan. Stacked state: 25 x 10 x T 9 cm (9.84 x 3.93 x 3.54in). In unused deadstock condition (since must be thrown away as long as once used then inevitably broken as always)...

A quintessential Taisho style painting of a boy in a mystical forest of flowers, pigment on silk by Hoson Reisui (b. 1897). The ethereal image seems not so much to be drawn on the silk, but to eminate from it. The boy too seems as if a sprite living in some fantastical reality. There is a minor water streak opposing on the bottom outside of both panels (near the signature) and some loss to the white gofun petals. Each panel is 34 x 59 inches (86.5 x 149.5 cm) and is in overall fine condition...

 

Pierce-work combined with over and under glaze decoration create the perfect picture of spring on this bowl by Takahashi Dohachi enclosed in the original wooden box signed Kachutei Dohachi and titled Kenzan Yo Tsubaki Bori Hachi (Kenzan style Camelia patterned Carved Bowl). It is 20 cm (8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

An elegant rendition of the famous Rimpa Crane standing alongside a swirling river of silver created by Shoun for the Shobido Art Studio enclosed in the original wooden box. Extremely well crafted, the creature stands 11 inches (25 cm) tall and is signed Shoun Saku. The black lacquered table is 18 x 13 inches (45 x 33 cm) and is in fine condition.
Shobido has been commissioning works with first rate artists and craftsmen for its own facilities and top Department stores since 1900...

A Japanese blue and white koro with all over cartographic decoration of the Japanese Islands, with provinces labeled, and other bodies including seas and land masses with countries labled. The name used for Korea uses the name Joseon which dynasty (established in 1392) ended by varying accounts between 1897 and 1910. The censer could be later still. The cover with Shishi lion pierced finial over the compressed spherical tripod censer with stylized handles. Four character mark centered within rec...

Flowers of the four seasons blossom in a cacophony of color over the entirety of this Kutani vase signed from the pre-eminent Kaburaki (Kaburagi) studio dating from the opening of the 20th century. The imagery is exquisitely performed with over-glaze enamels on a sheer white ground. The vase is large at 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall and is in excellent condition, with some wear to the gold rim. It comes enclosed in an old custom made kiri-wood box.
Kaburaki, along with Yoshidaya, were the pree...

A museum quality koro covered in soft pink glaze decorated with chickens in raised relief surmounted with a woven silver lid by Kiyomizu Rokubei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 4-1/2 inches (11 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. For a piece decorated in the same style see the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.
Kiyomizu Rokubei V (1875-1959) began by studying painting from the age of 12 under the 19th century master Kono Bairei. Upon graduation from th...

Enameled brilliant red kimono with lotus flowers in yellow and white, the shaped leaves in tones of turquoise and green. Obi is larkspur blue, black, turquoise and pink; folded fan has green flowers and gold clouds. Inner kimono collar is also gold.

The lady is 10 1/2" high, probably dates from the Taisho period (1912-1926)

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...

The 14 petal Imperial Chrysanthemum forms a triad emblazoned in gold on the lid of this exquisite mizusashi fresh water jar by Imperial Court Artist Ito Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated as having been received in June 1911. The box is tied with a green silk chord. The piece is 6-1/2 inches (16.5 cm diameter, roughly 7 inches (18 cm) tall and is in perfect condition. The 16 petal seal with 16 petals between is used only by the emperor. Other branches of the imperial fam...