A pair of unorthodox Edo period guardian corbels in the shape of mythical lion-like creatures (Shishi) made to be notched into a corner under the eaves of Shinto and Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Ordinarily just the heads are carved, these are unusual in that their fore-paws have also been depicted, granting a greater sense of movement than most. Carved Hinoki (cypress), they are 30 x 18 x 20 cm (12 x 7 x 8 inches) each and in overall fine condition.

A shu-iro red lacquered sign in the shape of a tea jar dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. A long verse has been carved into the surface before lacquering. The back is bound with cloth and lacquered black. The sign is 16 x 20 inches (41 x 50 cm). There are minor chips typical of age, but is in overall very good condition...

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...

An incredible carved bamboo vase of warriors making their way through forested crags whipped by roiling mist cut from a single piece of bamboo and signed on the base Omikuni Sakata Shiori Yamaguchi Moritsugu Saku :Made by Yamaguchi Moritsugu of Shiori, Sakata, Omi Province (Modern day Maibara Shiga Prefecture on the North-Eastern shore of Lake Biwa). It is 35.5 cm (14 inches) tall and in overall excellent condition, enclosed in an old wooden box...

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.

An evocative image of a bear hunkered down and looking a bit befuddled, perhaps awaking from winter slumber, in un-glazed white porcelain from the Tatsuno kilns of Banko in Mie Prefecture. It is sealed on the base with two stamps, one reading Banko, the other Tatsuno. The image is 23 x 20 x 16.5 cm (9 x 8 x 6-1/2 inches) and in excellent condition, enclosed in a period collectors kiri-wood box. Imagery of animals such as this were very popular in the Taisho (1911-1925) to early Showa era...

A Tamasudare-ami Hanakago Basket by Yamamoto Chikuryusai I of round bamboo strands enclosed in the original signed wooden box lacquered in translucent red. The basket exudes a deep respect for the tradition, every knot perfect, the proportions exquisite. It is 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) diameter, 37 cm (14-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Yamamoto Chikuryusai I (1868-1945) was a bamboo artist of the early modern era in Osaka...

A very rare Japanese Ballot Box of hinoki wood bound in decorative iron dating from the later 19th to early 20th century. This year the ballot is on everyone’s mind, and this is an exceptional example of both traditional Japanese decoration and cabinetry. It has locks on both sides of the lid, which can be removed to reveal an inner lid with hinged iron cover over a slot for dropping in the ballots. This inner lid as well is locked...

A lovely genuine full sized Bunraku theater puppet of a mature female character dressed in a blue silk kimono with elagent head dress. The doll is fully mobile, controlled from within by switches on her neck and poles extending from her arms. The hands are flexible as seen in the photos. She stands almost 4 feet (117 cm) tall, and comes complete with a bamboo display stand as pictured. All is in excellent condition, with a few stray hairs in her coiffure...

A loosely brushed image of a Kingfisher perched on dilapidated lotus stalk decorates the crackled gohon pale glaze of this gourd shaped Mizusashi fresh water jar by Takahashi (Ninnami) Dohachi. It features a black lacquered wooden lid. There are cracks in teh lacquer of the looping handle. The signature is consistent with works by Ninnami Dohachi (Dohachi II) from the mid 19th century...

A fabulous bold design of crashing waves wraps about this balluster form by Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 26 cm (10 inches) diameter, 28 cm (11 inches) tall and in excellent condition. An unusual design and superb execution by this important artist. 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...

Edo era Japanese Satsuma/Stoneware plate with head of Samurai warrior holding staff, with elaborate enamel work throughout, a band of raised enamel designs at the edge. Measures 7 1/4" in diameter and 1 1/4" deep on short foot. His helmet is decorated in bands of tan ribbon like forms, all with scrolling gold designs...

Isezaki Mitsuru (1934-2011) Elegant Bizen Pottery Vase Isezaki Mitsuru was born in 1934 in the well-known family of Bizen potters. His younger brother Isezaki Jun (b.1936) is the Living National Treasure since 2004. Mr...

Oversized limited edition Japanese sosaku hanga woodblock print by Jun'ichiro Sekino (1914-1988) depicting a solitary cat on a large tiled roof titled "Lovesick Cat." Pencil-signed and dated 1957 at the lower right margin with the artist's red seal above. Numbered 75/100 at the lower left side of the bottom margin. Paper: 20 1/4" x 12 3/4" (image: 17" x 9 7/8." Printed on fine paper. Very good overall condition with full margins. There are two faint small areas of tape stain on the top bac...

Iron laced with tinges of blue decorates the rim, flowing into the bowl of these five abalone shaped dishes from 19th century Takatori in central Kyushu enclosed in a beautiful age darkened kiri-wood box titled Awabi Mukozuke Go Kyaku Takatori Yaki (Five Abalone Shaped Dishes from Takatori). Each is roughly 9.5 x 12.5 cm (4 x 5 inches) and each bears the “Taka” stamp beneath. No post-firing damage. One has a pre-firing chip in the rim, another a firing flaw visible in the bottom, it does...

A collection of six unique antique sake cups from various regions in Japan, each enclosed in an old wooden box.
1. A rice bale shaped Kosobe yaki bowl in thin bluish-white glaze stamped on the base, probably second or third generation (see below).
2. A Soma Yaki small bowl of pinched form with speckled green glaze from Fukushima. Soma Yaki has a four-hundred-year history.
3. A very rare Etchu Kosugi Yaki wangata cup in smooth blue green glaze with a hint of yellow at the ri...

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...

Gilded bronze Buddha with great age wear and patina. H. 32 cm. Condition: on the right corner there is a loop where a small bronze disciple was placed. The loop on the left side is missing; this must have happened a long time ago as the remains are hardly visible. There is an old collection label on the back.

Nagakura Kenichi's artwork is imbued with a primal energy and balance executed with a keen understanding of composition. Each piece combines classic Japanese bamboo basketry techniques with a contemporary artist's sensibility. He steps outside traditional limitations of form, function and material, challenging our concept of customary bamboo. The transition from container to sculpture is further explored in this piece, with expressive curves and a lack of any definable shape. This earth encrus...

Two Edo period finely executed Japanese lacquered wood dishes, each decorated with a gold "mon" (family crest), pawlonia, and scrolling foliage set against a brown/black ground. The wood grain is clearly visible. 19th century. Each measures just under 8" diameter. Very good overall condition with only minor flaws. There is a small lacquer drip or imperfection on the back of one. Included with purchase is the original certificate of authenticity dated May 5, 1967 and provided by Z. Izuoka, ...

Rare oversized Japanese woodblock print ascribed to Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) titled “Mirror of the Physiology of Eating and Drinking” (Inshoku Yojo Kagami), also known as “Rules of Dietary Life,” and believed to date circa 1850. The print depicts a man seated cross-legged drinking a cup of sake with a bowl of fish in front of him. The cross-sectioned torso shows the functions of the internal organs and illustrates the Sino-Japanese concept of digestion. Inscriptions describe the f...

The mastery of expression accomplished by Suwa Sozan I is evident in this pair of porcelain children enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gosai Doshi Okimono (Five Colored Figure of Children). This piece is published in the definitive book “Suwa Sozan Sakuhin Shu” (1971). In the book the photo title is more specific “Gosai Mimiakatori Karako Okimono” (Five Color Figure of Chinese Children Cleaning Ears) and the work is dated to 1913. The fellow doing the cleaning is absor...

A white pidgeon perches on a discarded or fallen roof tile decorated with calligraphy by Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 9 inches (23 cm) tall and in excellent condition. I believe this is likely by the second generation.
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. While a government employee, he represented Japan at Arts Expos...

Extra Large Japanese limited edition densely pigmented and textured abstract sosaku hanga woodblock print by Hiroyuki Tajima (1911-1984), aka Kiyoshi Nagai, titled "Half Ruined Wall." Pencil-signed, titled in English and kanji, dated '69, and numbered 32/50 in the bottom margin. Paper: 24 7/8" x nearly 19 1/2" (image: 21 3/8" x 16"). Very good overall condition. There is some wrinkling, soiling, and wear to the large margins of the thick paper. Two thin strips of white linen tape are attach...

A rare find, this ceramic figure of a nagual is by the well known ceramic artist Candelario Medrano (1918-1986) from the village of Las Huertas in the state of Jalisco in Mexico. The figure is 8" high, 8 1/2" wide and 3 3/4" deep. The base is roughly 4 3/4" x3 3/4", and is slightly tapered. It is painted in various shades of orange, red, pink, with details on the body in black and white, the base of yellow and green. The face is pink, in human form. The nagual depicts an array of kitchen ...

From Kashmir, this copper kashkul, or beggar's bowl, is enameled with two shades of blue and white, is incised along the edges with scrolling designs and the entire copper areas are gilded. The body of the bowl has heavy repousse designs, with enamel in the recessed areas. The two ends of the bowl are decorated with the heads of serpents, their bodies partially wrapped around the bowl. The two heads and rings are brass, with blue enamel decoration. The body rests upon a curved pedestal base...

Antique Raku Ware Tea Bowl Chawan with Red Glaze used for Japanese Tea Ceremony Meiji period (1868-1912) Raku pottery is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremony since as early as the 16th century. Size Diameter 11cm Height 7cm Total Weight 240g Condition Overall good, no cracks. Minor chip can be seen on the fourth photo near the edge.

A truly magnificent vase of pastel blue floral designs on yellow-green body by Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 8 inches (20 cm) tall and in excellent condition. It retains the original wooden base. I believe this is by the second generation.
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. While a government employee, he represented...

A fabulous Koro covered in damascened gold by Ibuse Keisuke enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nunome Zogan Jungin Koro (Damascene Pure Silver Incense Burner). It is 11 cm (4-1/2 inches) tall, 9.5 cm (3-3/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Ibuse Keisuke was born in Tokyo in 1930, and began his studies of metal arts in 1950 under Unno Takeo. By the late fifties he was exhibiting with the Kofukai (where he would later be awarded) as well as the Nitten National A...

Original antique carved sandstone seated Buddha circa 1500-1700, carved in meditation with crossed legs and arms in the "Bhumisparsa Mudra", set in an arched recess, with two monkey bodhisattvas at his side. Presented displayed on modern wood stand. Dimensions 16.5" W x 22.75" H x 5.25" D - measurements including stand.

Japanese limited-edition copperplate etching and aquatint by Tanaka Ryohei (1933-2019) titled “The Great Ginkgo Tree." Pencil-signed, dated ’04, and numbered 18/100 in the lower margin. Paper size: 19 1/2” x 13” (image: 15 1/2” x 9 1/4”). Never framed. Excellent original condition.

Pair Chinese boxwood carved scroll weights in rare wood bundle motif, 9.5"Lx2.3"x1.8", 9.4"Lx2.1"x1.8"

Igbo Maiden mask ‘Agbogho Mmwo’. H. 42 cm. Old repair to the headdress. Provenance: Private collection Berlin, Koller Auktion 2011 , Private collection Zürich.

Leaping green fish soar up the sides over tempestuous crackled celadon waves crashing over the matte blue of this exquisite Mizusashi fresh water container by Sawada Sozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It comes with a pottery lid as well as a black lacquered lid (Kaebuta). It is 18 cm (7 inches) tall, 13 cm (5 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Sawada Sozan (1881-1963) was born in Kyoto and graduated the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. He attended the Arts Department...

An early pair of Sioux native American buffalo hide Men's moccasins adorned with panels of red, yellow, green, black and white glass beads arranged in a geometric zig-zag design. Size: 11.5 in. length. Circa 1870.

A carved and polychrome painted Pacific Northwest Coast native American mask, signed by the carver, L. White. Dated 1983. Size: 6.5 on. x 6.5 in.