Shoda Koho
Moonlit Sea with Clouds - Sepia version
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.875 x 7.125 inches.
Date: 1910-1938.
Koho seal at lower left.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro/Nishinomiya Yosaku
An early marginless edition as originally issued.
"Made in Japan" stamped on bottom left verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back has adhesive residue...

Kawase Hasui
The Great Buddha, Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu)
Date: 1930.
Pre-war edition.
Size: Oban. Margins trimmed. Approximately 14.375 x 9.5 inches.
Reference: Hotei #204a.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margins trimmed. Fading.

Sakiori obi (sash) for a casual kimono whose wefts are strips from old cotton textiles, and warps are indigo dye cotton yarn. Generally, in good condition except for a little dirt in one of the ends (6th image). 20th century W:15.5cm, L:2m54cm

Ito Yuhan
Kiyomizu Temple (Temple Corner)
Date: 1930s.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. Seal at the left margin. Back stamp: "All Rights Reserved. Y. Nishinomiya, Kami-Negishi, Tokyo."
Sealed "Yuhan" in Japanese within the image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Foxing spots and toning...

A very rare Mashiko platter by Living National Treasure Hamada Shoji decorated with a poem cradled in an offset ring forming the mika-tsuki or third day moon by poet Shimizu Hian. The poem reads: Akaki Mi no Omoto no Hotori Dainaru Maruki kono yo no ishi okitari, and is signed by the 76 year old man Hian meaning it was made either in 1958 or 59 (depending upon whether Hian was going by the Western or Japanese manner of counting age)...

3 robed figures appear decidedly relaxed on the edge of a rock-strewn river lost in dark mountains. Above a poem reads:
Furusato ha Arukiteyukeru Tokoro ni-te, Yama ari, Mizu ari, kataru yuujin ari (Walking through my home(town) I find mountains, water and friends for conversation).
Ink on paper bordered in patterned silk with bone rollers...

Vintage clear cloisonné lidded box, employing the plique-a-jour technique, lovely muted pastel colors with a “pierced” lid, most likely meant to be a potpourri to put scented herbs and flower petals in. This is a complicated and time consuming craft- please note that the bottom is cloisonné as well as having some curvature to the lid - it would have been much easier just to give it a copper bottom and making the lid flat...

A pair of boro tabi (socks) made of indigo dye cotton and thick cotton cloth for soles. It has fine sashiko for reinforcement on insteps. Metal claps are lost in one of the pair. The first half of the 20th century. W:10cm, L:21.5cm

Old mask with a thick shiny black soot patina, the originality of the sculpture is based on an arrangement of rectangular shapes which fit into each other. We note 3 horizontal carved lines and a Shivaite trident crossing the forehead to represent the tika, Old traces of vermilion pigment on the forehead and old traces of glue which retain some hairs around the mouth, the ears are small and in relief on each sides of the mask. Probably gtom West Nepal...

Sample book of "100 hundred ancient sarasa". made of 26 silk fragments with katazome (stencil-resist dye), from No. 101 to No.126. It is made by Shiundo in Seto in Aichi prefecture. In good condition. Early 20th century. W:22cm, H:17.5cm

Rain at Shinobazu Pond
Sealed "S". Artist unidentified.
Date: ca. 1940s.
Print size: 3.75 x 2.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. From a group included in an Unsodo client sample book.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along top edge only to original holiday card.
Condition: Tiny dot in sky.

A pair of boro tabi (socks) with sashiko, which is made of cotton and indigo dyed and has four metal straps. The lining is cotton flannel. The first half of the 20th century. W:9cm, L:21cm.

Korean 6 pieces Silver Enamel Tea Set Marked

The plate is 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) tall by 10.15 inches (25.8 cm) wide. The teapot is 7.6 inches (19.4 cm) tall by 6.6 inches (16.8 cm) wide. The saucer is 0.5 inch (1.2 cm) tall by 3.6 inches (9.2 cm) wide. The cup is 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) tall by 2.12 inches (5.4 cm) wide...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Temple in the Wood" depicting deer at a shrine deep in the woods around Nara by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) dated Showa 15 (1940). Posthumous memorial edition as marked in the upper left margin. The artist's black ink stamped signature and red seal is at the lower left. The print is block titled and signed in the lower margin. Illustrated in "The Complete Woodblock Prints of Yoshida Hiroshi," Abe Publications, color plate #237...

Bashofu kimono hand-woven of ito-basho, which is a family of banana tree, for both wefts and warps. The brown stripe yarn and warp kasuri yarn are dyed with Sharinbai, a family of the rose tree. The small weft kasri yarn is dyed with Ryukyu ai, vegetable indigo in Okinawa. Bashofu has been woven in many islands in Okinawa from old days, for everyday kimono or work wear. The first half of the 20th century. W:114cm, L:132cm

Attributed to Kawase Hasui (We're not certain)
Mt. Fuji From Hara (Hara no Fuji)
Date: 1930s.This edition early postwar.
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
A woodblock print tipped along its top edge to an original card.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Title: Kawaguchi
Date: 1950s ~ 1960s.
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Hasui seal lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to original blank card.
Condition: Excellent.

Andrew Kay Womrath (1869-1939)
In collaboration with Yoshijiro Urushibara (1888-1953)
Venice at Night
Size: Chuban. Approximately 11.625 x 8 inches.
Edition: 3/50 OR 33/50. Numbered in pencil at lower left.
Date: ca 1920s.
Signed "A Kay Womrath" in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Foxing nearly entirely in margin...

Kawase Hasui
Rain in Maekawa, Soshu
Series: Selection of Views of the Tokaido
Date: 1932.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.125 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. This design often has in either lower corner a black 6mm Watanabe publisher's seal nearly invisibly on a black background, which would indicate a lifetime edition...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Moon at Magome
Date: 1930.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Printed during the artist's lifetime with Watanabe 6mm (used 1946-57) at lower right.
Reference: Hotei #165.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Nikko
Date: 1937
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten (seal lower left).
Koitsu seal and title at lower right.
Reference: Koitsu catalogue TK-DH-122.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Some fading. Paper residue at top back corners. Fox spot at top margin.
Note: We know this example to be early as it was acquired along with a heretofore unknown Koitsu design.

Exceptional signed Suzuki Kenji Kiyomizu pottery vase. He was born ca.1935. He studied under the famed master Kiyomizu Rokubei VI from 1959. He won many prizes including the prestigious Nitten Prize in in Showa 42. 23cm tall x 17cm wide x 12cm deep. Ask for shipping quote.

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Rain at Omiya
Date: 1930
Size: Oban. 16.75 x 12 inches.
Date: 1930. This edition later.
Publisher: Shobisha (Acquired original blocks from Kawaguchi and Sakai).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #215.
Condition: Crease at top center margin (photo). Light toning. Top back margin has tape. Framer's pencil note in back bottom margin.

An unusual woven basket of bamboo strips and roots in the shape of a cocoon or bird nest dating from the 20th century. It can be used flat on a table or even better suspended on the wall or pillar. It is 43 cm (17 inches) long and in excellent original condition.

The cormorant prepares to take flight, wings extended, captured in bronze in a moment of excitement, the shapr eyes focused ahead...

Beautifully Framed Zen Buddhist Painting of a Pair of Cranes Flying Past the Moon by the Famous Korean Jeju Island Monk, Ko Chang Nyul aka Jung Kwang Sunim aka the Mad Monk (1935-2002). The third photo here is from a prominent dealer's "sale" going on right now on Jung Kwang paintings, where you will see the prices are several times higher than mine. This other gallery has been in business for over forty years and has sold to many of the major museums. A google search of Jung Kwang Mad Monk will...

Kondō Yuzō is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelains), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted nearly seven decades. The pieces shown here then would be from an earlier period and are evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the ones he is most well-known for. The intricate brushwork on ea...

The painting is depicted of two beauties in between plum blossom trees and is dated 庚辰年夏 1940 summer (民國29年). Ye Darong, courtesy name as Xiangfu, son of Ye Manshu who was also a famous painter from Shanghai. Size: 20.5 (52cm) inches long.

Balinese antique pair of Dwarapala temple guardians. Carved of stone, these figures once guarded a temple entrance, a warning to humans and negative energies not to pass. Their ferocious appearance is a warning that only those with good intentions will be ushered through and guided to ascend a higher path.

Age: Mid-century

Dimensions: left: 23" high x 11" wide x 9" deep. right: 24" high x 11 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" deep.

Yuki-boshi (snow hat) or yuki-kabuto (snow helmet) made of palm tree fiber and vegetable indigo dye cotton inside. It has washi painted with Paulownia oil for waterproof, between outside and cotton indigo lining. It is from Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district. It is said it was worn by "matagi", a hunter. The second half of the 19th century. In good condition with belts inside are left, which is rather rare. 40cm x 57cm

Sakiori obi for an everyday kimono. It is handwoven of cotton and silk strips of old kimono and cotton yarn for warps. Some wefts are from kimono with kasuri. In excellent condition. 20th century. W:16.5cm, L:2m92cm

Tsuto made of rice straw which is used for containing ceramic plates. It has a small wooden tag "12 plates". In old age, there was no plastic cushioning material so that rice straw was used much for it and for other crafts. In good condition and very few scraps which is usual for old crafts made of rice straw. The first half of the 20th century. Diameter:24cm, H:26cm

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Street in Front of Restaurant
Date: 1920s-30s.
Size: Oban. 19.75 x 13 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar style and at times depict...

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Street After Rain (雨後の街)
Date: 1920s-30s.
Size: Oban. 19.75 x 13 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed as "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar style and at times ...

Ide Gakusui
Heron in Rain
Date: ca. 1950.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Artist's signature and seal lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Round, red 6mm seal lower left, which is consistent with a first edition (produced 1946-1957).
Embossing is featured on the snowy egret's body. Please see enlargement 2.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Adhered to board via contact sheet.

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
A balcony scene with falling cherry blossoms
Date: 1920s.
Size: Oban. 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Faint matte line.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed as "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar s...