Japanese sosaku hanga woodblock print titled in pencil at the lower margin "Haniwa (7)" by Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997). Signed in white ink and with the artist's red seal at the lower right corner on the back. Circa 1950s. Paper size: 14 3/4" x 9 3/8” (image size: 11 1/8" x 5 7/8”). Very good overall condition. There are some horizontal soft creases in the paper, primarily within the margins, that are visible in the main image...

Vintage Japanese okimono of one of the 3 wise monkeys in their habitual "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” attitude - in this case Mizaru covering his eyes. 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, in excellent condition...

GIMMICK HAND REELING MACHINE

Bell rings when reeling up 100 times. Wood. Showa period, early-mid 20th century, Japan. approx. H 46 x 42 x 25cm (18.11 x 16.53 x 9.84in). In working condition, but needs a little knack for ringing, like rotating the gear at the same time when reeling up with the handle. *Stand is not attached...

Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956)
Noh Actor Shigeyama in Green Costume
Date: 1935-36.
Size: Approximately 19.5 x 13.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed "Elizabeth Keith" in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Notch in lower margin. Tape residue at left, bottom left, and top back margins.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Spring Evening
Date: Pre-1936.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 14.75 x 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Shotei seal at right.
Reference: Shotei #M-12. Watanabe #212.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has paper residue.

TRAY WITH GROOVE

Low-rimmed wooden tray designed well-balanced circular groove in practical and withered condition. Showa period, mid 20th century, Japan. D 34.4-33.5cm (13.54-13.18in), H 2.4cm (0.94in). Very slight uneven bottom as no fatal...

Wonderful pair of horse prints by Japanese artist Urushibara Mokuchu 1888-1953). These Zen style horses are beautifully designed and printed with calligraphic line work similar to traditional sumi ink paintings. A classic Japanese subject rendered in bold black, crisp white, and soft tones of grey. Pencil signatures at lower right, red seal on both. Undated, estimated to be circa 1940's. Both under glass in period frames

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...