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...

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Two women walking on a spring night
Date: 1920s-1930s.
Size: Oban. 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo (label on back).
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...

Coxcomb decorates the deeply carved surface of this box covered in green and red lacquer outside, gilded with gold inside in the Kamakura-bori carving tradition. It is 22 x 25 x 5 cm and comes enclosed in a period wooden box. Kamakura-bori is a type of lacquer ware made in the area around the ancient capital city of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture. The tradition is based on carved lacquer wares imported from China during the Kamakura era...

This beautiful chawan (tea bowl) is a Raku ware made by famous Kyuraku Kimura. It was made about 40-50 years ago. The seal of Raku is stamped on the bottom.

It comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box and an appraisal of the Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto. This temple is very famous for its knowledge about chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony). Tea ceremony items with a signature and an appraisal of the Daitoku-ji Temple have a high evaluation for collectors...

Circa 1950s-60s, double fruit rock crystal snuff bottle with superb clarity and craftsmanship having apple green jadeite stems for stoppers. Presented on a nice hardwood stand. In perfect condition, just the bottle measures 3" long x 1.75" high x 1.25 wide".

Very fine Hupa or Yurok basketry cap, in rows and bands of varied colors, tightly woven, in very good condition, early 20th century. Measures 7 3/4" x 7", the opening is roughly 6 7/8" 5 5/8". Note that the cap is slightly oblong, and the measurements are how it sits, could measure otherwise if opening stretched a bit. The basket has 11 rows of design, aside from the center area, and is comprised of colors of beige, tan, and dark brown...

Kawase Hasui
Great Buddha, Kamakura (Hase Daibutsu)
Date: 1930s.
Size: 5.875 x 3.75 inches.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
Reference: Hotei Hp-53
Condition: Back of print has paper residue at top.

55" tall by 30" in diameter. Dated Showa 25 ( 1950) . From Muneatsuji Temple in Gifu Prefecture. This Temple is connected to the Rinzai temple of Myoshinji in Kyoto. (Full translation of what is written on the bell is available). Made by Fujiwara Sadaatsu. Inscription says it was made for world peace.

A set of six anonymous colored lacquer trays decorated with rock garden imagery in lead, mother of pearl and raised lacquer techniques. Each tray is roughly 48 x 27.5 cm (19 x 11 inches) and all are entirely unique, with different colors and designs and in overall excellent condition. Each comes wrapped in a faded blue cloth pouch.

A classic mid 20th century Dry-lacquer vase by Kawai Masazo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Rankaku (crushed egg shell) on cream colored lacquer alternating with highly polished black. This work truly encapsulates the freedom for form which artists were seeking in the post war period. It is 45 cm long and in excellent condition. Kawai Masazo was born in Osaka in 1928, graduating the Osaka Municipal School of Art and Design...

Saiho-hinagata (or hinagata), the sewing sample which is a miniature sample to learn sewing. It was invented by an educator for saving time and textile using a special measuring rod. It was practiced in a girl's school from Meiji 7, 1874). Reduced scales were one-third in the beginning and one-quarter, one-half, one-fifth etc. The sewing technique was exactly same as the real size in details. Saiho-hinagata was designated as a significant tangible folk cultural asset...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Twilight at Hira
Date: 1936.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Edition. First. Watanabe D seal at right margin (used 1931-41).
Artist's signature and seal at lower right.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-DH-18.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: TK-WN-7 in Koitsu catalog.
Condition: Print is fully adhered to slightly larger board. Two marks above boat. Slight soling in sky...

Iwai-Bandori which is a backpack pad for carrying household items on wedding, made in Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku. It is made of cotton rags. In good condition. The first half of the 20th century. L:110cm, W:28cm

An elegant celadon receptacle with custom made black lacquered lid by important female potter Suwa Sozan II titled Seiji Mizusashi and enclosed in a wooden box annotated by the third generation head of the family...

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
The Friendly Garden Triptych - Pine, Bamboo, and Plum
Date: ca. 1980.
Size: Each panel measures 21.25 x 11.75 inches.
Publisher: The Yoshida Family Studio. Issued by the Franklin Mint.
Signed and sealed by the artist in the image.
Signed in pencil in Japanese in the margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margins have original tape residue. Slight toning.

An exquisite image of an emaciated man, the prominent bones about the eyes softly glowing pale white over the hollow cheeks. The mask is of the Yase-otoko type, and is signed on the back by the maker Iwasaki Hisahito in a carved seal above the eye. Superb craftsmanship!
Iwasaki Hisahito is a well known Mask carver currently 78 years old and still going. He was born in Oita prefecture, but moved to Nagoya then Yokohama at a youthful age. All processes are done by hand, from carving the w...

Kawase Hasui
Fisherman at Sunset
Date: 1930s. This edition 1950s-60s.
Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's oval seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to original card.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Man Fishing on a Moonlit Night
Date: 1930s.
Size: Approximately 6 x 4.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-38.
Condition: Margin corner at upper left repaired by conservator.

Clearly this a very early ghurra showing greatly achieved carving art combined with thick crusted patina and significant signs of wear. The sculpture motifs represent on both side of the ghurra a scene of churning, supported by an interlacing which could represent snakes which it is however difficult to formally identify as the deposit is important and hides the details. The front and back sides of the ghurra are symmetrical H 31 cm, , width 9.5 cm , Thickness 3 cm

An exquisite vase covered in rivulets of blue, yellow and green on a slightly flattened bottle form by Kiyomizu Rokubei VI enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The turned form has been slightly flattened creating four rounded sides, the resulting shape reminiscent of traditional Edo period green-glass bottles. Wide bands of blue mark th corners, with a narrow streak like a waterfall cascading between the ocher and jade on the sides. The vase is 30 cm (12 inches) tall, 16 cm (6 inches) ...

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Egrets
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1926. This edition 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm in lower left corner of image.
Shoson signature and seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: S14.4 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Features embossing on the birds' bodies.
Condition: Back of print has toning. Two original drying pinhole...

Kohiki glaze tea bowl made by Living National Treasure Arakawa Toyozo (1894-1985) The mark of the potter is painted on base.
It can been seen exactly where he held the bowl while applying the white slip.

In perfect condition with two boxes (inner signed inner box and outer black lacquer box).

Size
Height 9cm
Width 15cm

Arakawa Toyozo (1894-1985) was a highly esteemed Japanese potter who made significant contributions to the revival and preservati...

Boro hanten noragi made of cotton with stripes and plain which are vegetable indigo dye. It has two layers of cloth and sashiko all over. The shape of sleeves is "makisode. The frist half images are inside out. The first half of the 20th century. 128cm x 87cm

Kawase Hasui
Hiraizumi Konjikido (Hall of the Golden Hue)
Date: 1930s. This edition 1950s-60s.
Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Titled at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Print is attached along its top edge to original blank card.
Condition: Excellent. Note: This design is similar to Hasui's Hp-47 in the catalog. We attribute this unsealed print to Hasui because we've previously sold a sealed example that ...

Kawase Hasui
Nissaka
Date: 1930s. This edition 1950s-60s.
Approximately 5.75 x 3.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui oval seal at upper left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Print is attached along its top edge to original blank card.
Condition: Excellent. A rarely seen design.

Early 20th century hand carved kava bowl, Tonga or Fiji, with four tapered round legs, and a stylized head on one side with holes for attaching a cord for hanging, very deep and satiny patina, chisel marks over much of the surface, hard wood with nice figural elements. Within the culture it is referred to as a tanoa. Measures 14 3/4" across and is 5 3/4" high. Note that the bowl is our of round, the smaller dimension across is 14 3/8" and the legs in back are slightly higher, so the front hei...

Rare large bronze temple dragon spout. Kurama Temple in Northern Kyoto has a very similar one at the entrance to the temple with water running from the dragon's mouth into a large granite water basin where people can purify mouth and hands before entering the temple. Ca. 1950. 30" wide; 3ft tall and 18" deep. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote from CA warehouse.

1950s-60s Smokey Rock Crystal of a Shi Shi dog with its tail fanned out upright which is also the stopper. Measures: Length 2-1/2" x W 1-1/2" x H 2"

Japanese sosaku hanga woodblock print depicting an alert dog lying in rest set against a lacquered patterned background titled "Dachshund (A)" by Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997). Signed in white ink and with the artist's red seal at the lower right. Circa 1950s. Unlimited edition. Paper size: 11 1/2" x 17 1/4” (image size: 10 3/16" x 15 1/8”). Very good overall condition. There are three small areas of tape residue on the back upper edge at the center and corners.

Important and rare mask carved in wood fungus, of the tinder fungus type (fomes fomentarius), of rounded triangular form, with perforated oval eyes, incised mouth and nose in relief, probably added. Length: 30 cm. Height: 18.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: the tinder fungus is a parasite which grows particularly on the birch tree. This tree is highly venerated by numerous cultures with a shamanic tradition, because it is supposed to harbor deities...

silk meisen lined kimono with dots which are double kasuri, both warp and weft are katazome dyed(stencil-resist-dye). In excellent condition except for a spot in the front panel, but it is folded inside and unseen when it is worn. Mid 20th century. 122cm x 151cm

One of a kind art deco Ca. 1935 wood stand for incense burner or object. Thick wood and old Negoro lacquer indicates even an older time period. Condition good with some age wear. see pictures. 12" high by 12" wide with a depth of 7". Very rare. Ask for shipping quote.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Maiko Sea Shore
Date: 1936.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 7.75 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten.
Printer: Yokoi. Carver: Harada. This combination of seals indicates an early postwar edition.
Reference: TK-DH-23 in Koitsu catalogue.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back has one tape remnant at top right and a small foxing spot. Slight fading.

Beautifully engraved Japanese silver (.950 standard) cigarette case, early to mid 20th century, maker unknown, stamped with sterling and .950 standard, originally for cigarettes, now useful as card case. Measures 4 5/8" wide, 3 3/8" deep including latch and 3/8" high. Very fine quality silver, not unlike the wonderful master metal workers of the Meiji era, with lush designs of bamboo plants on a background of woven design. Fine etched band around the bamboo design on both front and back, jus...

Copper frog pitcher by Los Castillo, ca 1965, silver plate over copper on spout and interior, and on section of arched handle where frog is seated, signed on bottom, green stone frog seated on lip of spout, with 5 frogs inlaid with stone mosaic on the body of the pitcher. An iconic design by Los Castillo, the arched handle with frog is wonderful form. Measures 7" wide including handle and spout, 10" high, and is roughly 6" in diameter. Copper has a deep rich tone, handle is slightly lighter ...