Ohara Shoson (Koson) (1877~1945)
Rabbits under bush clover and full moon.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the Watanabe C (sausage) seal, which was in use between 1929-1942 and is consistent with a first/early edition.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15 x 10 inches.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: S41.7 in Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent.

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Cranes on Seashore
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1933.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe sausage seal (C seal) at right margin, indicating a first edition printed between 1929-1942.
Shoson signature and seal.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: S4.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent...

Jokata Kaiseki (1882-1966)
Snow-capped Mt. Fuji.
Series: Twenty-five Views of Mt. Fuji in the Four Seasons
Date: 1929-31.
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.5 x 11.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very good with slight toning and faint line above the mountain.
- Features embossed snow and reddish mist.

Ohara Koson
Wading Egret
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: Early 20th century.
Reference: K14.14 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Publisher: Daikokuya
Signed and sealed by the artist.
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Condition: Excellent.
Embossing on face, tail, and body.

Shoda Koho
Moonlit Sea
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 11 x 8 inches.
Artist's seal lower left.
Date: 1930s. Printed 1938-1960.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.

In Japan every season and every phase of the year is marked by the presence of a flower, the most noted of course being the cherry blossoms signifying the long-awaited arrival of spring. Lesser known to the outside world is the importance of the iris flower marking the end of spring and the beginning of the summer months. Growing along river banks and in other wetland, the iris is thought to have purifying properties to ward off evil and is also associated with the expression of heroic deeds...

Japanese Silver box from the Taisho period c1920. The decoration has a inscribed leaf design with a hardwood interior and bottom, good condition.

Provenance Zelig Collection

Dates Taisho c1920
H 2.75" x W 5.375" x D 4"

Dark glaze covers this beautifully crafted Koro from Kawai Kanjiro dating circa 1936 enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 11.5 x 9 x 8.5 cm (4-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches) excluding the lid and is in excellent condition. The lid is of exotic hardwood with an agate finial, and is a later addition (Kanjiro did not make lids for his koro). For similar examples see the Katsukawa collection published in the biblical tome by the Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art...

Kawase Hasui
Snow at Heian Shrine Kyoto
Date: 1948
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower right, indicating a first state produced between 1946-1957.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.5 inches.
Reference: Hotei #510.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top margin has two original drying pinholes.

Maiwai-gi which is a festive kimono of fishermem. It was given to fishermen from a master of fishermen or an owner of a fish boat on the occasion of large catch. It is mostly made of cotton with auspicious motifs with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and partly hand painting. The original location of the Maiwai-gi is Boso peninsula in Chiba prefecture since late Edo period and spread along the Pacific Coast. This one has thick cotton lining so that it is made into yogi (kimono shaped bedding)...

Japanese bamboo and wisteria branch gourd-shaped basket, beautifully woven, with open container for holding floral arrangement at largest node. wisteria branch base.

Circa 1930s
Size: Height 17" Width 13" Depth 8"

Art deco oribe ceramic vase by Shigetaka Kato b.1927-d.2013. Shigetaka was born the second son of Kato Tokuro in 1927. He graduated the Seto Industrial School of Ceramics and studied under his father. From 1959-1971 submitted annually to the Nitten where he received the Hokusho prize as well as the Modern Ceramics Prize among others. He also received the Japanese Ceramics Society award and governors prize at the Asahi Togeiten...

Kuniyoshi
Exiled Nichiren in Snow at Tsukahara, Sado Island
Size: Approximately 13.75 x 9.0 inches.
Date of first printing by Iseya Rihei: 1830-35.
Here is a rare limited edition (numbered 182) of this famous design...

These 6 teacups for sencha of Hagi ware were made by 11th Saka Koraizaemon (1912-1981) about 50 years ago. Each teacup has the stamp of the potter. Hagi ware pottery is one of the most well-known pottery types in Japan since early 17th century...

Kawase Hasui
Late Autumn Rain, Nanzen Temple, Kyoto
Date: 1951
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower right, indicating a first state produced between 1946-1957.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.25 inches.
Reference: Hotei #562.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Back margins have tape residue. Slight fading.

This Shino ware sake cup was made about 50 years ago in the well-known Suigetsu Gama kiln which was built by one of the greatest Japanese potters of all times, Toyozo Arakawa (1894-1985). He was designated as Living National Treasure by Japanese Government in 1955 and well-known for reviving Shino glazes of Momoyama and Early Edo periods. The signature of his kiln is stamped at the bottom of the cup. The original wooden box with the signature of his kiln name is also included. Size Dia...

Ito Takashi
Mt. Fuji from Yamanaka
Date: 1952.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's signature at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Ohno Bakufu
Flying Fish (Tobiuo)
Series: Familiar Fishes of Japan (Dai Nihon gyorui gashu)
Size: Oban. Approximately 16 x 11.25 inches.
Date: 1938.
Edition: No. 260 (noted on back in pencil).
Publisher: Kyoto Hanga-in. Publisher's seals on back in English and Japanese.
Artist's signature and seal upper right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print employing mica and gofun highlights.
Condition: Light toning to former matte edge. Verso toned...

Kawase Hasui
Kenchoji Temple in the Rain
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1930s-50s.
Condition: Excellent. Tipped at top to original cardstock.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Kenchoji is a Zen temple in Kamamura.

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Lakeside Shower, Matsue
Date: 1932
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Round, black 6mm seal in lower right corner, indicating a lifetime printing (1946-1957).
Reference: Hotei #269.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil notation on back.

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Group of Egrets
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1927. This edition 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm in lower right corner of image.
Shoson signature and seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: S14.5 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Features gauffrage embossing on the birds' bodies...

Lilian May Miller (1895-1943)
Hong Kong Junk.
Date: 1928. Marked first edition in pencil.
Signed, dated, and monogrammed within the image.
Stamped "Lilian Miller Oriental Woodcuts" in margin.
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.25 x 10.25 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back margin has marks from former matte.

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Crows in Moonlight
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1927. 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: S5.3 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. A couple of very faint spots in white sky at lower right.

Sakiori sodenashi (vest) hand-woven of strips for wefts which are recycled from old indigo dye cotton cloth and warps are asa (hemp) threads. It has some mending patches and wear. The first half of the 20th century. 35cm x 63cm

Ohara Koson
Dancing Fox
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.75 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Daikokuya
Date: ca. 1910-1923.
Koson signature and seal.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: K41.15a in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
The fox wears a lotus leaf on his head. This more rare variant features grasses in the background.

Japanese limited edition woodblock print by French artist Paul Jacoulet (1902-1960) titled "The Squatting Man. Chinese" (L'Homme accroupi...

Kawase Hasui
Tanigumi Temple, Mino
Date: 1947.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
A first edition bearing the 6mm seal in the lower right corner.
Reference: Hotei #498. "The Tanigumi temple was first built in 798 and belongs to the Tendai sect of Buddhism. Mino province corresponds to part of present-day Gifu prefecture."
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent color. Light crease at top center. Ori...

Kawase Hasui
Dusk at Tagonoura Beach
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.75 inches.
Date: 1940. This is a lifetime edition produced between 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Black 6 mm publisher's seal at lower left corner.
Hasui signature and seal.
Reference: Hotei #233.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Two original drying pinholes in margin.

Kawase Hasui
West Gate, Suwon (Suigen), Korea.
Korean Views Supplement Series.
Date: 1940.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Watanabe 6mm seal in the lower right corner, indicating printing between 1946-1957.
Reference: Hotei #444.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Some of the margins have a tone line.

Two pieces of yogi (bedding) which are hand-sewn by a girl student at the sewing school which were established around 1880. It is called "hinagata" and generally one third of measurement of a real one. The left one is sodenashi yogi (sleeveless top cover) and the right one is yogi (top cover with sleeves). The purpose of making sewing samples is efficiency for time and material. It has been made till 1940s in the sewing school of which students are mostly girls. Each hinagata has a student's nam...

Kawase Hasui
Nakhwa Puyo (Fuyo Rakkagan). From the series Eight Views of Korea (Chosen Hakkei).
Date: 1939.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.5 x 11.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe H seal at right margin used 1942-1945. Printer Ono Gintaro seal at lower right margin. This edition was printed 1943-45.
Reference: Hotei #433.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tiny indentation at lower border line. "Nakhwa (Rock of the falling flowers) is s...

Amazing Hagi pottery sake cup made by Living National Treasure 10th Miwa Kyusetsu (1895-1981). 10th Miwa Kyusetsu is one of the most significant potter of Hagi ware of all times. Sake cups made by Kyusetsu Miwa are very rare to find, almost all are in private collections in Japan. Sake cup with similar cracks is in collection of Yale University Art Gallery: https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/177211 Hagi Yaki pottery became popular throughout Japan for tea ceremony during Edo p...

Paul Jacoulet (1896-1960)
Nuit de Neige, Coree (Snowy Night, Korea)
Date: 1940s~1950s.
Size: 6.0 x 4.25 inches.
Publisher: Self-published, from a series of surimono.
Seal: Boat
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to original blank card.
Condition: Excellent. Card is slightly creased.
Reference: Miles catalogue #57.
Jacoulet uses "gofun for snow, and an unusually subtle gauffrage to indicate light from the lantern." - Richard Mil...

Paul Jacoulet
Le Nid, Coree (The Nest, Korea)
Date: 1941.
Print size: Approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches.
Publisher: Self-published, from a series of surimono.
Reference: No. 80, The Prints of Paul Jacoulet (Miles).
Print is tipped along its top edge to original blank card.
Jacoulet liberally employed mica in creating the silver background of this charming subject.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Card is slightly creased.

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) titled "Heirinji Temple Bell" dated in the left margin 1951. The print is pencil-signed in the lower right margin with the artist's red seal above. Early edition likely dating from the 1950s/60s. Paper size: 15 5/8" x 10 5/8" (image: 14 1/2" x 9 1/2"). Very good overall condition. There are some tiny printing smudges in the lower left margin. The back margin edges are slightly tacky in a few small spots from the removal of ta...

A pair of cotton tabi with sashiko and a pair of kokake. Tabi is made of hand-spun white cotton and has nice sashiko for strength. Soles are machine-woven. Kokake is also made of hand-spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo and has fine sashiko for also strength. Kokake has no soles and it is worn over zori (Japanese sandals) for warmth and waterproof in winter. Both are in excellent condition. The first half of the 20th century. Tabi L22.5cm, W10cm, H13cm Kokake L26cm, H14cm

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Moon from a Harbor (Minato no tsuki)
Date: pre-1916.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15 x 6.75 inches.
Shotei double red square seal and title at upper left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-110 in Shotei catalog.
Note: Blocks destroyed in 1923 earthquake.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The faint mark at the far right corresponds to a mark on the back of the print.

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991) titled "Misty Evening at Shinobazu Pond" dated in the left margin "4th month of Showa 7" (1932). First edition impression bearing the C-seal ("sausage seal") of the publisher Watanabe in the lower right margin. This seal was used between 1929-1942. The artist's red signature seal is located at the lower left corner of the image. Paper size: 15 1/4" x 10 1/4" (image: 14 1/8" x 9 1/4"). Very good overall condition with full margi...

Chidori plovers soar between warm green clouds draped over the rim of this Oribe style bowl by Kitaoji Rosanjin enclosed in a double wood box (Nijubako) annotated by Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo. On the bottom of the bowl is the star mark of Rosanjin, which he used to mark pieces made for his restaurant. The bowl is 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition. The box is titled Oribe-fu Chawan, Rosanjin-saku (Oribe style bowl made by Rosanjin).
Kitaoji Rosanji...

A fabulous Bizen Tane-Tsubo Seed Jar in the Momoyama style by Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo enclosed in a wooden box annotated by Kaneshige Kosuke. Beautiful Hi-iro flame coloring brightens the sides and a smattering of yellow flying ash clings to the shoulder about a line of waves. The tsubo is marked on the base with the fundo weight mark of Toyo. It is 23.5 cm (9 inches) tall, 20.5 cm (8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
It comes with a photograph of the artistâ€...

A bunch of grapes in slight color under shadowy cool leaves decorate the milky white and sand toned surface of this very unusual plate by Kitaoji Rosanjin enclosed in a wooden box annotated by Living National Treasure Arakawa Toyozo dated 1968. It is 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) They say adversity is the mother of invention, and Rosanjin can be said to epitomize that expression. Born during the tumultuous first half of the Meiji p...

Kawase Hasui
Hwasa Gate, Suwon (Mizuhra Kakomon). From the series Eight Views of Korea (Chosen Hakkei).
Date: August 1939.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.5 x 11.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe C seal (sausage seal 1929-42). with crossed out seal of Kansai Bijutsusha, from which Watanabe acquired the publishing rights.
Reference: Hotei #431.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight margin creasing.
"The walled fortress was constru...

Nishimura Hodo
Bridge in Rain at Night
Date: 1930s.
Size: Mitsugiriban. Approximately 15.5 x 7.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Shokai (stamp in left margin). Takemura Hideo label on back.
Signed by the artist. Takemura seal below signature.
Edition: First and only.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Light, horizontal crease in sky. Toning in margin

A vintage Japanese Ranma (transom) made of Kusunoki (Camphor) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Hand carved in deep relief depicting an auspicious Plum Blossom Tree with Bamboo and Irises. Celebrating the change of seasons from winter to spring, it shows many flower buds ready to bloom with a few blooming in all its beauty.

Age: Late Taisho through Early Showa Era (1926-1950).

Dimensions: 67 1/4" Wide x 16" High by 2 3/4" Deep

Pulguk Temple, Kyongju
Series: Eight Views of Korea
Date: 1939.
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 16.75 x 11.75 inches.
Hasui signature and seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. E-seal at right margin - used 1932-42.
Reference: Hotei No. 432.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight creasing at top margin and top right. One foxing spot on back in sky.

Ohara Hoson (Koson)
Flowering Lotus
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.25 x 9.5 inches.
Date: 1920s. First edition.
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai. Publisher's seal in right margin. Carver (Maeda) and printer (Komatsu) seals in left margin.
Koson's "Hoson" signature and seal at lower right.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Reference: H43.4 and cat. 179 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock pr...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) titled "White Plum in the Farmyard" dated in the left margin 1951. The artists's red seal is at the lower left and the print is pencil-signed in the lower right margin. Early edition likely dating from the 1950s/60s. Paper size: 15 1/2" x 10 7/8" (image: 14 3/8" x 9 5/8"). Very good overall condition. The back margin edge is very lightly distressed. The original 14,000 yen price is in pencil on the back lower right edge.

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Cockatoo and Pomegranate
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1927. This edition 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower left.
Shoson signature and seal lower right. Pencil signature in lower margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Features lovely embossed feathers.
Reference: S36.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excelle...

Kawase Hasui
Kyonghwe Pavilion, Kyongsong
Series: Eight Views of Korea
Date: 1939. This edition 1943-45.
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 16.75 x 11.75 inches.
Hasui signature and seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. G seal at right margin. Used 1942-45.
Printer: Ono Gintaro. Seal in right margin. Used 1943-1947. Reference: Hotei No. 436.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very good to excellent. A faint foxing spot on the snowy r...

Ohara Koson
Wading Egret With Reeds
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 11.25 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Koson signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Daikokuya (Matsuki Heikichi). This edition published by Kawaguchi.
Reference: AK14.15 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
"Made in Japan" and "No. 25" stamped on verso.
Condition: Excellent with faint dot of foxing on bird's back. Pencil notes at back margi...

I have seen a lot of work over the last quarter century by Kawai Kanjiro, and among it all, this is an absolute stunner. 'Museum quality' as a quote gets thrown around a lot, but I do not use it lightly. The form, the clarity of the white, the crispness of the lines of color and his obvious deft touch. It ranks among the top ten percent I have seen by this important artist without a doubt. The vessel is 19 x 12.5 x 16.5 cm (7-1/2 x 5 x 6-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition, enclosed in...

Ohara Koson
Nuthatcher Atop Persimmon
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.25 inches.
Date: ca. 1910s-1920s.
Koson seal lower right.
Publisher: Daikokuya (89)
Reference: K18.1 and in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil notation on back.

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Singers of Popular Songs
Date: pre-1936.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.5 x 5.0 inches.
Shotei seal at right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: S-10 in Shotei catalog. Watanabe catalog No. 179
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shoda Koho
Futamigaura - Wedded Rocks
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 11.5 x 8.5 inches.
Date: 1910s-20s. This edition 1938-60s.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku. Seal at left margin.
Sealed by artist at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Bag handmade of bamboo strips with nice color. Handles are also made of thin bamboo sticks. In excellent condition, no break or loose part. The second half of the 20th century. W:39cm, H:23cm, 6cm

Made by Living National Treasure, Fujiwara Yu (1932-2001), this Bizen Hidasuki sake bottle was made about 50 years ago. Yu Fujiwara, one of the most well-known Bizen potters of his time, has become the fourth Bizen Living National Treasure in 1996. There are only five people having such title for Bizen pottery and his father, Kei Fujiwara, became the second Bizen Living National Treasure in 1970. Prior to that, Fujiwara Yu was designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of his native Okayam...

As best I can tell, this is the rare first edition of this print, dating to 1934. Present are both the Watanabe "sausage" seal as well as the red 6mm seal, visible in the lower left corner of the print. The subject is commonly listed as "Snow at Ukimido Temple," and is both rare and highly sought after. The print measures 10-1/4" X 15-1/4", a size commonly described as "oban." As you can see from the photographs, there are some relatively minor condition issues: small pieces of paper tape remain...

Bashofu kimono hand-woven of banana fiber for both wefts and warps. The yarn is rather thicker and tougher comparing with very fine yarn for thinner and higher quality bashofu, so that it is for a everyday kimono or work wear. Brown stripes are also banana fibers. Late 19th to early 20th century. In good condition except for a mending near the lower side in the back and wear near neck. 104cm x 115cm

Boro furoshiki with many mending patches with various cloth and interesting mending stitches. The ground cloth is thin cotton cloth in gray. The first half of the 20th century. 126cm x 126cm

A Japanese ranma (transom) with a Hinoki (Cypress) frame and an Akita Sugi (Akita Cryptomeria) wood hand carved bamboo and plum blossom theme in a highly detailed three dimensional relief. Most likely mounted in a wealthy Japanese home or a fancy Ryokan (country inn). Its main theme is a majestic Plum Blossom tree (known as Bai) accented with Bamboo (Chiku). The ranma was often mounted above the Fusuma sliding doors between rooms to allow the air to circulate freely. This allowed each room...