Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 9.875". Tougatta-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Although of the Tougatta classification, the maker, Umiya Yoshiemon (Umitani Kichiemon?) lived in Sendai City. He was born in the 38th year of the Meiji Era (1905) and passed away on April 20th, 1985 at the age of 79. This particular kokeshi probably dates from the 1970's or earlier. The "bun" haristyle is an interesting feature of this kokeshi, which also appears on some other Tougatta style dolls.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.75". Kijiyama-kei, Akita Prefecture. Made by Abe Youko; born April 3, 1932. This kokeshi probably dates from the 1970's. Women kokeshi makers, such as Ms. Abe, are in the minority in Japan in this craft that is usually handed down from father to son. Also, unique & interesting about Kijiyama style kokeshi is the depiction of the apron ("maekake" or "maedare") on the body.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 9.75". Kijiyama-kei of Akita Prefecture. Made by Satou Shuuichi, born Aug. 7, 1927. This kokeshi probably daes fromt he 1970's-1980's. One of the unique & interesting characteristics of Kijiyama style kokeshi is the depiction of the apron ("maekake" or "maedare") on the body of the doll.

Naruko-kei Kokeshi by Tsugawara Wahei, born Sept. 13, 1945. Wood, Height 7". Although this is a typical Naruko stle kokeshi, the words "Kaizen Damashii" (Group Spirit) have been written over the normal decorative patterns. Also written is "Mogami Denki Kabushiki Kaisha" (Mogami Electric Company, Inc.) This was probably commissioned and given out to company employees at a corporate solidarity event or campaign. Probably dates from the 1980's.

Wonderful Japanese tea bowl RAKU ware. This bowl was made between 1900 and 1940. Excellent condition. It has an exquisite contrast of colours, great form and glazing The potter's mark is in the bottom. RAKU is a light weight ceramic ware with a long history in Japan and particularly prized in the tea ceremony. RAKU means happiness, pleasure, enjoyment, satisfaction. Size: 4.5" X 3.3". Weight: 330gr.

This is a beautiful dark blue Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) made in Nishijin, Kyoto. The label states the name of Nishijin and the use of pure gold. The gown is woven with fans and Gosho (palace) flower carts which is one of the favorite motifs used for Japanese wedding gowns. They are remainders of the Heian period (794-1192) which was the last graceful era of the aristocrats. The gown is meticulously hand sewn to perfection as most Japanese kimonos are...

Japanese 20th century wooden carving OKIMONO of USOBUKI in a seated position and telling a lie. The OKIMONO measures 8" tall, 7 3/8" wide and 6" deep.

Elegant Japanese kimono wedding gown (Uchikake) designed by Hanae Mori. The gown displays the designer’s logo without a signature; her butterflies and initials are woven all over the red liner. Hanae Mori is truly the first and most famous international Japanese designer of the 20th century. She not only contributed to the Japanese clothing industry but to many other areas since the rebuilding time of Japan after WWII...

This 20th century export Japanese ivory okimono is 7 ¾ inches high, 2 ½ inches wide and 1 ¼ inches deep. It depicts a well dressed young geisha wearing formal straw hat and carrying an instrument ready to perform. There is a red artist signature on the side. It is in excellent condition.

This old cobalt blue Peking glass necklace is 52” long. The even glass beads are 12 mm. It has been restrung and it is in great condition.

Mashiko Yaki Oozara (Large Plates), Dia. 12.25" (31.5cm); Vintage production, purchased in 1965. These plates feature patterns from the four seasons: Ume (Plum) for Spring, Shobu (Iris) for Summer, Nekoyanagi (Pussywillow) for Autumn, and Kiku (Chrysanthemum) for Winter. These types of plates were made using molds and then hand-painted as stock items sold in Mashiko in the 1960's & '70s...

Mashiko ware Vase by local potter Outsuka Sadao. Impressed Inlay Patterning. H. 12.75" x Body Dia. 6.5". Stamped at foot "Sada". Purchased in 1965. Good condition, holds water - tested. Condition notes: you can see in enlargement #2 that the vase has a lean/list to one side. Also, there is a "kamakizu" (kiln scar) of a small rock burst on the body...

Mashiko ware lidded jar by local potter Oushima Shou. H. 14.5" x Body Dia. 10.5". Purchased in 1965. Mottled light green Irabo-type glaze with some color changes on body. There are some chip repairs on the inside of the lid done in lacquer and synthetic gold (see detail photo.) The post-war years in Mashiko saw a growth in decorative pottery such as this...

Mashiko ware black glaze pitcher. H. 10" x Body Dia. 6". Small chip on rim repaired in lacquer & synthetic gold. Purchased in 1965. Mashiko wares from Tochigi Prefecture have gained a worldwide reputation since potter Shoji Hamada settled there in 1923. It's been said that such handles as the one seen on this piece, and not typically Japanese, were introduced by Hamada and by Bernard Leach into Mashiko and other pottery Japanese pottery towns...

This well carved 1970’s jade (jadeite) pendant is half of an inch thick and 2 inches in diameter. It depicts two Qi Lin (or Qi Ren) facing each other on the top, and two stylized characters of “Shou” (Longevity) are carved on the bottom. It is in great condition.

This 1970’s carved jade statue is 4 1/8 inches high, 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick. It depicts two dragons playing with a fire globe and surrounded by clouds. It is in good condition.

Kamakurabori, the lacquerware of Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture, is appreciated all over Japan. This set of pre-war "chataku" tea cup coasters is a fine example of this craft. They measure 15cm(6") in diameter, with a height of 2.5cm(1"). Plenty of references are available on this craft that has its origins in producing lacquered wood carving for the numerous Buddhist temples of Kamakura during the 11th & 12th centuries.

Kokeshi, wooden folk doll of NE Japan. H. 6.25". This is an example of Zao-kei (Zao Onsen [Hot Spring]) of Yamagata Prefecture. The artisan is Kobayashi Chuujiro, who made this piece in his 60's, ca. 1990. For more information on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please visit our weblog, which is accessible via our Trocadero homepage.

This very well made mid 20th century Chinese Canton enamel plate is 7” in diameter and three quarters of an inch high. It depicts two yellow phoenixes over a blue background. There is a red stylized character “Shou” (longevity) on the bottom. It is in great condition.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Heights: 1.1875", 1.75", 2.375". This are examples of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. These miniature kokeshi are generally referred to as "issun kokeshi" (one 'soon' [inch] kokeshi). For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.25". This is an example of "Kijiyama-kei" tradition of Akita Prefecture. The artisan was Abe Heishirou. It is not dated, but was most likely made in the 1960's to 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our website, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 7". This is an example of "Goroujou" tradition of Iwate Prefecture. It is also a rare example of extant pre-WWII kokeshi. It was made at Yumoto Onsen by the artisan, Fujiwara Masagoro, who was born in Meiji 16 (1883!) and passed away at the age of 64 on June 12th, 1947 (Showa 22.) For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero website.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.5". This is an example of the "Yamagata-kei" tradition of Yamagata Prefecture. This kokeshi was made in the town of Toune by the artisan Yamaguchi Shuuichi, who was born on June 21, 1924 (Taisho 13.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's or early 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 3.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. This particular shape was called an "ezuko" (basket child) in the local Miyagi vernacular. The artisan was Sakurai Shouji, who was born on January 1st, 1927 (Showa 2.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1960's or 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, plase see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. It was made by the artisan, Oonuma Hideo, who was born on February 17, 1930 (Showa 5.) It is dated September 15th, Showa 50 (1975,) but it is not clear if this was a production date signed by the maker, or a purchase date signed by the collector...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 7.5". This is an example of kokeshi made in Fukushima Prefecture, other than its better known cousin of the "Tsuchiyu" tradition. This was made in 1968 at Takayu Onsen (Takayu Hot Spring) by the artisan, Shinogi Toshio, when he was 37 years old. Shinogi-san was born on September 3rd, Showa 6 (1931). For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.5". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan, Akiyama Tadaichi, was born in Meiji 34 (1901) and passed away on May 19th, 1984 (Showa 59.) For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

This mid 20th century Japanese cloisonné vase is 7 ¼” high and 3” on the widest part. It depicts a finch resting on a branch of a peony tree. It is in excellent condition.

Mashiko ware platter (oozara) with nami-jiro (regular white) glaze and kaki (persimmon-colored glaze) ladle splashes. H.5.5cm(2.25") x Dia.38cm(15"). ca. 1970. Mashiko wares gained worldwide popularity through the connection with National Living Treasure potter Shoji Hamada, who settled in this town of pottery and agriculture in the 1920's. Prior to Hamada's arrival, standard kitchen wares such as grinding bowls, water jars, teapots, and the like, were the standard products of Mashiko. Contempo...

This is a Hard to Find CHINESE COVERED JAR after Chien Lung manufacture made ca. 1950

Large Pigeon Blood Ginbari Cloisonne Silver Vase with Dragon Marked "Silver Japan"

The vase is 12.2 inches (31.1 cm) tall, 8.2 inches (21 cm) wide. It weighs 5.2 lb.

It is in good condition with no repairs or chips, except a hairline crack at the base and minor surface scratches (as seen in the photos).

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return...

This miniature Japanese Satsuma vase is around 50 years old. It is 2 ½” high and 1 ½” at its widest part. It depicts a lake scene. Maple trees, iris and peonies are in front of the lake. A three story pagoda is back behind the lake. There is a painted Satsuma logo on the bottom. Aside from a small chip on the rim, it is in great condition.

This 1920~1930 carved glass snuff bottle is 3” high, 2 1/8” wide and 1 1/8” thick. Stylized lion heads have been carved on either side of the ovoid bottle. The green hard stone cap and spoon are new replacements. Aside from some surface wearing and one tiny chip on its rim, it is in great condition.

This pair of 20th century Chinese carved ivory statues are about 12 ¼” high, 3” wide and 2 ¾” thick. They depict a standing sage and lady. The sage’s left hand carries a stick, a double gourd wine container is tied on the stick. His right hand holds a goose in front of his chest. The lady’s right hand carries a branch of lotus blossom; her left hand holds a lotus shape pouch with a tassel. The marks on the bottom (Da Ming and Kang Xi) are honorable marks. They are in excellent...

This 1980 Japanese carved wood and walrus fisherman is 5 ¾” high, 2” wide and 2 ¼” thick. It depicts a smiling fisherman; one handing is holding a fish, another hand is holding a net. He carries a basket full of fish on his back. The fisherman’s body was carved from walrus; his robe and pants were carved from hard wood. The carver’s signature was placed on a piece of a red rectangular carnelian inlayed into the round wood base. The workmanship is superb and it is in excellent co...

Old (1930s) Chinese Export Famille Rose Brush Holder with Figures

The brush holder is 4.5 inches tall by 3.5 inches in diameter.

It is in good condition with no repairs, chips, nor cracks, except minor lose paint and fading gold.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid. All you need t...