Tamba-yaki, with its origins reaching back as far as the end of the Heian Era or early Kamakura Period (1180-1230), is one of the six ancient pottery centers of Japan along with Seto, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Bizen, and Echizen. The pottery of Tamba is said to have an elegant simplicity and an understated beauty that stems from its calm simple lines...

Five unique plates by Tomimoto Kenkichi, from various eras depicting bucolic scenery each uniquely signed on the back. Kenkichi changed his signature regularly, which makes it very easy to date his works. These date from the 1950s. Each is between 18.5 and 19.5 cm diameter (roughly 7-1/2 inches). One has a slight firing flaw near at the rim, otherwise they are all in excellent condition. A smaller 6th plate will be included, bonus...

Kawase Hasui
Chuzenji Lake, Nikko
Date: 1930s. This edition early postwar.
Size: Approximately 5.625 x 3.625 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Not sealed by artist. Sealed examples exist.
Print is tipped along its top edge to an original card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Bamboo flower basket with a water container (otoshi) which is also made of bamboo. Otoshi has no water leaking and has nice color. The basket is in excellent condition except for a minor break near bottom and body (5mm north). The first half of the 20th century. H:41cm, W:24cm, Otoshi H:20cm, Diameter:13cm

Torii Kotondo
Combing Hair (Kamisuki). From the Twelve Aspects of Women Series.
Dated: 1929 (numbered first edition)
Edition: 119 of 300 (Numbered by hand on verso as part of embossed stamp.
Paper size: 18.25 x 11.75 inches.
Publisher: Kawaguchi (sealed at right margin).
Carver: Ito. Printer: Komatsu...

Bashofu kimono made of several different pieces of bashofu with stripes. It is roughly sewn together, so it might be worn for a work wear. Both weft and warp are hand-plied. In good condition except for some stains. The first half of the 20th century. 124cm x 126cm

Pilgrim's cotton hanten (hakue) with many stamps of sacred places in Shodo-shima in Kagawa prefecture. They are called "Shodo-shima Hachiju-hachi Kasho", 88 Sacred Places in Shodo Island. It is said Kobo-Taishi (Kukai) had ascetic practice and prayer at those places, who founded Shingon Mikkyo in late 8th century. In good condition except for light stain in the upper back sleeve. The first half of the 20th century. 128cm x 93cm

Shoda Koho
Black Cat at Night
Date: 1930s.
Size: Tanzaku 13.25 x 3.125 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku (stamp on verso)
Artist's seal at lower right.
Reference: No. 1602
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A pair of goldfish lantern made of washi (handmade paper) and bamboo strips which is the origin of Nepta (or Nebuta) used at Nepta festival in Hirosaki city in Aomori prefecture. The goldfish lantern made of paper and bamboo strips were used till around 1980s, but now it is replaced to one made of vinyl and wire. In good condition except for some brownish spots in the white parts. Large one: H:35cm W:34cm, Small one: H24cm W20cm

Kawase Hasui
Onshi Park, Shiba
Date: 1937.
First edition with Watanabe E seal (used 1932-1942).
In this edition, the rain is overprinted with silver mica.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Reference: Hotei #422.
Medum: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Hasui's biographer "Narazaki writes: 'An ancient pine tree at the side of a pond; it conveys the brooding mood of a bleak nocturnal downpour...

Takahashi Shotei
Red temple in rain; priest over the steps
Date: ca. 1920s-30s.
Size: Approximately 6 x 4 inches.
Woodblock print is attached along its top edge to 7.75 x 5.25 inch original card.
Shotei artist's seal at lower left.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso of print.
Reference: S-7 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Evening Glow at Sakawa Bridge - Chirimen (creped version)
Date: Pre-1936.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 11.5 x 5.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-9 in Shotei catalog.
Condition: Small spot above mountain. Pinhole at lower right corner...

Sakiori sodenashi (vest) whose weft is cotton strips recycled from old indigo dye kimono. warp is asa (hemp) yarn. It has beautiful mixed vegetable indigo color. In good condition but has some wear. The first half of the 20th century. 43cm x 75cm

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Meguro Fudo Temple, 1931
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Black, round Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower left, indicating a lifetime edition made between 1946 and 1957.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #263.
Condition: Two original drying pinholes at left margin. Top margin has a few faint, diagonal marks.

Kawase Hasui
Moon Over Kiyosumi Garden
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1938.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm round seal lower right corner, indicating a lifetime edition printed between 1946-1957.
Reference: Hotei #424.
Condition: Excellent.

Ohara Koson
Crow eating a persimmon while sitting on a branch
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. pre-1910.
Publisher: Kokkeido.
Artist's signature and seal and publisher's seal at lower left.
Reference: K5.13 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A Keyaki (Zelkova) root burl bonsai stand with twisty gnarly roots supporting a flat surface. Beautiful original patina.

Age: Mid Century (1950-1960's)

Dimensions: 14 1/2" Wide by 13" High by 12 3/4" Deep

Charles W. Bartlett
Pearl of the Orient (Taj Mahal, Agra), 2nd Proof
Date: 1923-25
Size: Large version. 15.125 x 11.125 inches; 38.4 x 28.1 cm.
Sealed CWB by Bartlett. Signed and titled in pencil.
Medium: Etching, engraving, drypoint printed in blue ink hand-colored with watercolor.
Toning in margins. Slight foxing on the front...