Vintage unusually small wooden Japanese okimono of a crouching alert toad. Excellent clever carving capturing the essence of the creature. The material is Yakusugi wood - that of Japanese cedar (sugi, Cryptomeria tree) growing on the island of Yakushima and belonging to the trees aged 1000 years or older. Beautiful layered texture, wonderful depiction of its bumpy skin. Eyes are 2-colored glass, the piece is in excellent condition. Length 1 5/8 inches.

Vintage Japanese okimono of a sitting dog carved in ittobori (one cut) style typical for the Hida school. Very clever rendition of the animal, much more creative and challenging as a number of intersecting planes versus natural familiar rounded lines. Very clever use of ichii (yew wood), its texture nicely imitating fur of the animal. Wonderful face, in excellent condition, pyrographic (burned) stamp of the maker on the bottom. Height 2 3/4 inches.

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead with milky white core and a band of multicolored flowers with fine tiny silver foil inclusions. Tombodama can be translated as “dragonfly ball” and the name is thought to come about because when the molten glass is applied to the core bead it resembles a dragonfly’s eye. Superbly made piece - see the individual stamens and finely textured petals, in perfect condition. Height 0.74 inches.

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead with rich multicolored ribbon core and four pink petaled flowers with yellow stamens. Tombodama can be translated as “dragonfly ball” and the name is thought to come about because when the molten glass is applied to the core bead it resembles a dragonfly’s eye. Superbly made piece - see the individual stamens and finely textured petals, in perfect condition. Height 0.8 inches.

TRAY OF RYOKAN

Large wooden tray actually used at old 'ryokan' (Japanese‐style hotel), Showa period, early-mid 20th century, D 35.6-34.8cm (14.01-13.70in), H 5.8cm (2.28in). Aesthetic grain expression and calm comfort for use. Expected some fine scratches due to aging with use. *Only a tray is available to purchase, as the other stuff (cups) of usage example are not attached...

THE STORY OF SHIBA ONKO

Lovely old Japanese clay okimono as the iconography with boys and a large jar, depicting *the famous story of Shiba Onko, so-called 'kamewari' (jar crushing). Meiji-Taisho period, early 20th century, Tohoku region. H 14.8 x 15.2 x 7.2cm (5.82 x 5.98 x 2.83in)...

White and blue porcelain incense burner. The boat is led by a young boy. The decoration of birds, flowers and waves is painted in cobalt blue hight-fired under glassure. No mark, Japanese Kyushu kilns work probably from Mikawachi (Hirado kilns, late 19th century.Meiji. Length.375mm. Good condition, some slight fired defects. An identical model but without the boatman (missing or broken?) is housed at the Los Angeles Museum (L.A.C.M.A).

A tiny handbag handmade of bamboo strips. It is all handmade of bamboo, such as body, handles and clasp. Generally in good condition but has two tiny holes in the corners in the bottom. The first half of the 20th century. W:17cm, H:13cm, D:9cm

9 METER-LONG GHOST SHUNGA SCROLL

Rare find of very long shunga (pornographic painting) scroll without any texts on paper, approx. 29 x 900cm (11.41 x 354.33in), early 20th century, Japan...

DOREI

Japanese 'dorei' (ceramic bell) of abstract figure straddling cow-like tiger-like creature that is handy in size, like a lovely but sacred portable amulet. Engravement at the back. Showa period, mid 20th century...

Unusual early Showa period (1930s) ceramic sake cup made in nerikomi (agateware) technique, its body with vertical grooves all around the perimeter. Nerikomi (translated as “mix and pull up”) is achieved by laminating different colored clays together and throwing them on a wheel to develop a swirling and spiraling effect. Beautifully made, wonderful patterns, glazed on the inside for safe drinking, inscribed by the potter the bottom, very pleasant to hold...

A fisherman's work wear hand-woven of hemp for both wefts and warps. Both natural color and indigo stripes are hemp yarn, which are hand plied. It is from Tsushima in Nagasaki prefecture, an island located between Korean Peninsula and north Kyushu, and the textile is called Tsushima-asa. It had been woven till 1930s, but haven't been woven since then, so it is precious, especially in this excellent condition one. The first half of the 20th century, 110cm x 116cm

Stunning, bold art deco Shigaraki wood-fired ceramic plate. Full of feldspar or long life stones unique to Shigaraki clays. Some kiln scars made during firing but the glaze has oozed out of the crack in the back indicating a natural firing scar. Diameter: 20". Great condition. Ca. 1970

Cotton kimono called "yukata" with bold polka dot pattern. The dye technique is called "chusen" which is one kind of stenciled paste-resist-dye. Several 10s of layers of cotton fabric can be dyed by pouring the dye liquid. All hand-sewn and in good condition except for a very faint stain in the white cloth inside the back. 20th century. 126cm x 150cm

Large blue and white Arita (Imari) porcelain fluted dish. Decorated with a flowered basket having a bird and pomegranates, it dates early 20th C Japan, Taisho. Measures 15.75ʺ diameter × 2.75ʺ high.

With pottery shards from excavated kilns dating back to the 5th Century, Mino-ware is one of the oldest and most revered pottery traditions in all of Japan. Though the piece featured here does not fit neatly into any of the typical categories of Mino pottery such as Kiseto, Setoguro, Oribe, or Shino; the shape and overall feel of this piece unmistakably places it within this pottery tradition...

Kawase Hasui
Uji Bridge (aka Bridge on a Starry Night)
Note: But are the stars fireflies? The Uji Bridge and River are known for fireflies.
Date: 1930s.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.75 x 5.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui's oval seal at lower left.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-24.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Water Hyacinth (Mizuaoi)
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 16.0 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher's "Gei" watermark at lower left. Carver and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.