A fisherman's work wear hand-woven of hemp for the weft and cotton yarn for the warp. Stripes are vegetable indigo dye and also natural color cotton yarn. 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 not woven since then, so it is precious, especially in this excellent condition one...

Kawase Hasui
Chuzenji, Utagahama
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.55 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
6mm Watanabe publisher's seal indicating printing between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #264.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Original drying pinhole in margin. Pencil note at back bottom margin. A margin crease.

A bag made of hand-spun cotton with shibori (tie-dye) and katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern which is vegetable indigo dye. It has cotton lining with kasuri pattern which is also hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye and thinly padded with cotton. Generally in good condition except for a few stains. The first half of the 20th century. 30cm x 41cm

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Morning Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, 1936.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Doi watermark.
Carver: Ikeda. Printer: Onohiko. This seal combination indicates printing between 1948-1950.
Reference: Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-38.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A couple of very faint foxing spots in the sky.

Among the Naga, the libation is a religious ritual to offer a drink (milk, alcohol, ...) to a deity. The Naga tribes are located in East India, district of Aranuchal Praddesh, these areas have remained in a great isolation until at the end of the 20 th century These horns come from large wild bovids "Bos frontalis" locally called "gayal or even "mithan"...

Bamboo and rattan ikebana basket (hanakago), rectangular format stretched in its height and Chinese style. Thicker bamboo braids on the four sides. Includes a bamboo sheet vase intended to receive the floral arrangement.

Ikebana or Ka-do (the way of flowers) is a traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Contrary to Western floral art, ikebana does not aim at highlighting only the beauty of flowers and the harmony of colors...

Polychrome lacquered wood sculpture of a tanuki dressed as a pilgrim, carrying its baby on its back. Their eyes are in horn.

The tanuki is a kind of racoon dog which is part of the yôkai (spirits) of Japanese folklore. It is endowed with magical powers: it can metamorphose and take many different forms. This spirit is a symbol of luck and prosperity...

Kawase Hasui
Panoramic View of the Daisensui Pond (Kiyosumi Garden, Mitsubishi Fukagawa Detached Villa)
One of eight views commissioned by the Iwasaki family (owners of Mitsubishi).
Date: 1920.
Size: Horizontal nagaban 18.75 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Sealed Hasui and dated in the image...

Kawase Hasui
Guest House in the Pines on the Pond's Edge (Kiyosumi Garden, Mitsubishi Fukagawa Detached Villa)
One of eight views commissioned by the Iwasaki Family (owners of Mitsubishi).
Date: 1920.
Size: Horizontal nagaban 18.5 x 7.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed, sealed, and dated in the image.
Kiyozumien (Kiyosumi Garden) noted at bottom margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #50.
Condition: Top back co...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Shinagawa (Rainy Season at Ryoshimachi)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Round, black 6 mm seal at lower right, indicating a lifetime printing (1946-1957).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #218.
Condition: Original drying pinhole in left margin. Slight fading.
"Shinagawa was the 1st station on the Tokaido." - Hotei.

Ikebana basket (hanakago) in wickerwork of polished bamboo of elongated cylindrical shape, with a twisted handle in shape of a bamboo.

Ikebana or Ka-do (the way of flowers) is a traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike Western floral art, ikebana does not aim to emphasize only the beauty of the flowers and the harmony of colours...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Lake Sai Sunset (aka. Mt. Fuji at Sunset OR Mt. Fuji from Lake Sai)
Date: 1938.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten, also bears Doi watermark.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates an early postwar edition (1950-63).
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-DH-49.
Condition: Old tear repair at right margin and image edge. Paper is thinner in this area.

A fine Noh mask, with strong features, representing the character of Ayakashi, the malign aspect of a general killed in battle. Wood, with polychrome and gold painting, eyes made of brass. The mask is signed. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: The name "Ayakashi" also refers to an apparition with mysterious spiritual powers, or a vengeful sea-dwelling spirit...

Three pieces of wood plates with red and black urushi (lacquer). The bottom two are same ones but the top one is a bit different. Generally in good condition but have some minor flaws. Top: 10.3cm x 3cm, Bottom two: 10cm x 2.5cm

A vintage Japanese Sado Mizuya (kitchenette for tea ceremony) made of Hinoki (Cypress). Used for storing tea bowls, brush whisks, ladles, tea caddies and various tea ceremony accoutrements. Bottom left drawer is copper lined to hold water that is drained from the bamboo grill above that holds newly washed bowls. Various shelves and hanging posts used for organizing and storage...

A basket made of bamboo strips and mountain grapevine which is a machete case. It is brought with a mountain worker. In good condition but has a few breaks near bottom. The first half of the 20th century. H:26cm, W:12cm, 4cm

A basket made of akebi (Akebia quinata) vine which is from Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district. In excellent condition, no break. The first half of the 20th century. H:22cm, W:30cm, D:20cm

Japanese woven bamboo flower basket with original bamboo insert. Beautifully made with a variety of different sized bamboo strips and in excellent condition, it measures 13” high, 4.75 widest, 3.5 diameter. Dates pre-1990.

Rare hat made of rice straw and indigo dye cotton cloth which is hand-spun. It was worn by a hunter or a worker in the mountain. From Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku. Generally in good condition. The first half of the 20th century. L:52cm (indigo cloth 42cm ), W:32cm

Hiroshige Ando (Utagawa)
The Monkey Bridge in Kai Province (Kōyō Saruhashi no zu)
Date: ca. 1841–42 This edition early 20th century.
Size: Large vertical diptych at 29.0 x 9.625 inches.
Publisher: Bears Tsutaya Kichizo seal on front. This edition published by Adachi (seal on back).
Condition: Slight creasing at top corners. A couple of faint foxing spots near bottom.

Chinese polychrome figural roof tile mounted on a wooded display stand by artist K. Y. Lin. This clay roof tile depicts a warrior riding a bird, probably a flycatcher or phoenix. Measures about 14" high x 14" long x 4.75" deep.

Japanese Showa period apple form wireless cloisonne (musen-jippo) cabinet vase decorated with a snow-covered Mt. Fuji surrounded by clouds set against a pale blue-gray sky. Unidentified mark to base. Mid-20th century. 3 3/4” high. Very good overall condition. From a Prescott, Arizona collection.

Circa 1920-30, Chinese gem quality six color banded agate of a scholar with dragon. Colors are grey, black, white, carnelian, blue and rare yellow hair. Just a fabulous and superbly worked piece. Carving measures just under 2.5" high, on stand measures 3" high.

Kawase Hasui
Sacred Bridge, Nikko
Date: 1930s. This edition 1950s-60s.
Size: 6 x 4 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui seal lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to an original blank card.
Reference: Hotei Hp-40.
Condition: Excellent.

Chiura Obata
Rainbow Falls, Inyo National Forest
Series: World Landscape Series - America.
Date: 1930.
Size: 17.5 by 13 inches.
Publisher: Takamizawa Color-Print Studio, Tokyo.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: A conservator has reconstructed missing paper of the upper right corner margin. Other margin edge tears and losses repaired. Toned paper.

Hiroshi Yoshida
Plum Gateway
Date: 1935.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.875 x 10.75 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil.
Jizuri seal at left margin indicating a first edition self-printed by the artist.
Self-published by the artist.
H. Takemura & Co. label on back.
Reference: Abe catalog #205.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Light toning as seen in margin. Tear repair at upper left corner margin...

Biho Takahashi (Yoshikuni) (1873-)
Butterflies and Blooming Mustard
Date: 1900-1910.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Left and right edges bumped and slightly toned.

A 1920's Wakasa lacquer clam trinket box. Both sides match and the two pieces fit together perfectly. Dating from the 1920's, it measures 4.75" across, 2.25" high, 3.75" front to back. Wakasa craftsman developed the process of layering lacquer coats of different colors during the Edo period.

Antique / Vintage Chinese black silk piano shawl with embroidered red peonies - Large and heavy. Early 20th century. 63" x 63" silk ground, 19" fringe on 4 sides. Large and heavy ! Excellent condition.

Kobako in the form of a dark brown tree trunk in a cross section. The back of the lid is made of golden hiramaki-e lacquer on a black background, representing in a close-up a branch of a Japanese cherry tree with its three fruits, with light brown outlines revealing a ring of the tree. Inside the box and base in nashi-ji lacquer...

A spectacular pair of large jadeite paradise flycatchers measuring over 15 inches tall and on stand over 17" high. Carved from the same block of jadeite, they weigh over 30 lbs. The flycatchers are standing on rocks with intricately pierced and carved open peony, floral buds, flower branches, and butterflies. An apple green butterfly is perched on the male’s head. The jadeite is a pale lavender having lots of apple green striations with some small emerald and dark green markings. The poli...

Ohara Koson
Eagle watching small bird (Eagle with outspread wings)
This example has a Matsumoto Print Works tag on the back (#105). The ca. 1910 Matsumoto catalog lists the print as "Eagle on a Tree."
Size: Ko-tanzaku. Approximately 7.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-1923.
Koson seal at lower right.
References: Matsumoto #105. AK.11 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Compare with our large Ohara111 K13.2 publishe...

1st Nakamura Donen (1876-1937) High Quality Black Raku Chawan (Tea Bowl) for Tea Ceremony

He was a famous potter during Meiji-Taisho periods who studied with 4th Ninnami Dohachi and worked in different styles such as Raku and Mishima.
Nakamura Donen is the founder of lineage of Donen family potters.
He has a lot of Korean influence in his works as he studied the pottery in Korea.

Raku pottery is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremony since as early as the 16...

Hiroshi Yoshida
Bamboo Wood
Date: 1939.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.25 x 11 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image and lower margin.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating self-printing by the artist.
Published by the artist.
Reference: Abe #229.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin has light toning and creasing.
- Depicts a scene in Saitama Prefecture.

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Linnoji Garden
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 8.25 inches.
Date: 1941.
Later edition (ca. 1970s-1980s) with impressed pencil signature.
Artist's jikoku (self-carved) seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Very faint toning visible in margin.

Large natsume in black lacquer covered with gold powder (maki-e). Gold and silver snowflakes decoration in togidashi maki-e on nashi-ji background. The interior is made of dense nashi-ji lacquer.

The natsume is a tea box intended to contain matcha tea for the preparation of the tea ceremony. It is named for its resemblance to the natsume fruit, i.e. the jujube (also called the Chinese date). It is round, short and has a flat lid. It is often made of lacquer. The natsume is used for ...

A baby carrier belt made of indigo dye cotton for warp and washi (Japanese handmade paper) yarn for weft. It is made in Shonai region in Yamagata district in Tohoku. In good condition with beautiful tassels but the seam loose part in one selvedge (30cm). The first half of the 20th century. 13.5cm x 3m60cm

A vintage Japanese 2 section Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. 3 drawer top section and 2 drawer bottom section. Both sections can be separated for use and display in different rooms of a home. Side handles used to carry each section from place to place with the lower section handles serving a dual purpose of also securing the top section in place.

Age: Early Showa ...

A vintage Japanese 2 section Kamo Kimono Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia). All original hardware with maker's name engraved into the main lock plate. Upper section features two large hinged doors behind which are 8 kimono trays for storing textiles. The lower section has 3 drawers for additional spacious storage. Below the bottom drawer lies a false floor cover that hides a secret compartment where important papers and valuables were kept.

The Kamo Tansu originates fro...

Chogappo made of fragments of white choma (ramie) whose weft and warp are hand-plied. Natural color fragments are mixture of choma and silk. "Pojagi" is the general name for the wrapping cloth and "chogappo" is one kind of pojagi which is patchworked with asa (mainly choma, ramie) fragments.(reference source: "Korean Embroidery and Wrapping Cloths from the Choson Dynasty" published by Japan Art & Culture Association in 1995). The first half of the 20th century. In excellent condition. 67cm x 67c...

Kawase Hasui
Spring Moon at Ninomiya Beach
Date: 1932.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi. Also bears the Doi watermark.
This seal combination indicates an early postwar edition.
Reference: Hotei #273.
Condition: Toning in margin. Two back corners have tape residue.

Remarkable Aka Raku Chawan (tea bowl) by the 1st Choraku Ogawa (1874-1939.
The potter stamp can be seen near the foot and the second one is on the side covered with glaze.

Ogawa Choraku is one of the best known Raku potters of modern times and the founder of Choraku potter family.
He became the disciple of 11th Raku Kichizaemon (Keinyu) and 12th Raku Kichizaemon (Konyu) and started his own kiln in 1904.
He received the name Choraku in 1906 from Choyuken, the head of a U...

Attributed to Eijiro Kobayashi
High Bridge at Night (Inspired by James Whistler's "Nocturne")
Date: This edition 1938-60.
Size: Approximately 10 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Marginless as originally issued.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. A few small surface scuffs.
After "Nocturne in Blue and Gold; Old Battersea Bridge" by James Whistler

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
The Moon on Musashi Plain
No. 91 from the series "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon"
Date: Published April 1892.
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.375 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Seals in margin.
Carver: Yamamoto.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Left margin partially trimmed. Backed with paper. Fading.
- "The Musashi Plain west of Edo, now Kanto Plain on which To...

Vintage Japanese Showa period ink and color on paper scrolled painting of trees by Uda Tekison (1896-1980). The black ink signature and red artist’s “Tazen” seal are at the lower right. Included is a signed tomobako wood presentation box. Mid-20th century. Painting: 16 1/2” x 20 3/8” (scroll: 55 1/2” x 26 1/4"). Very good overall condition. From a Tucson, Arizona estate.

Meisen kimono with kasuri red and black rectangular pattern. It has red red silk lining, so probably made in 1930s. In excellent condition. 124cm x 154cm

A vintage Japanese Okidoko (Tokonoma alcove chest) made of a dense grain Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Originally it was used to showcase Ikebana flower arrangements, special porcelain vases, Japanese sculptures, or seasonal displays. The cabinet hidden by the sliding doors was used to store tea ceremony paraphernalia such as scrolls, tea bowls and Ikebana vessels.

It will work in a contemporary setting to elevate and display any myriad of items.

Age: Mid Century 1950's

Dim...

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Sacred Grove (Kami no Mori)
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.5 x 7.75 inches.
Date: 1941.
Artist's jikoku (self-carved) seal upper left margin.
Later edition (ca. 1970s-1980s) with impressed pencil signature.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Excellent.

Takahashi Shotei
Fuji from a restng-booth
Date: pre-1936.
Size: Approximately 7.75 x 5.25 inches.
Shotei seal at right.
Reference: S-6 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very faint diagonal crease in sky. Pencil note on back.

Kawase Hasui
Moonlit Night at Miyajima (Miyajima no Tsukiyo)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed lower right.
Date: 1947.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Red, round 6 mm publisher's seal at lower left, indicating a first edition (first state).
Reference: Hotei #497.
Condition: Print is fully adhered to backing board.

Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. It is made of hemp and weft of is hand-plied but warp is machine-spun. The kanji characters read Koya-san that was founded by the priest Kobo Daishi, also known Kukai about 1200 years ago and located in W...

Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Riverside at Furukawa
Series: Famous Views of the Eastern Capital
Date: Pre-1923.
Size: 10 x 5 inches.
Shotei seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: S-81 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Two small pieces of tape at back margin. Left margin has spot.
- The blocks for this rare print were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

Takahashi Shotei
Drawing up seawater under moonlight.
The figures are engaged in saltmaking, likely at Suma Beach
Date: pre-1936.
Size: Approximately 7.5 x 5.25 inches.
Shotei's Rakutei seal at left.
Reference: S-50 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil notes on back.

Takahashi Shotei
Moon Under a Bridge at Hakozaki
Size: Approximately 7.5 x 5.25 inches.
Shotei's Rakutei seal at left.
Date: pre-1936.
Reference: S-49 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Wear on bridge wall. Back has a a few foxing spots and pencil note.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Ushigome Kagurazaka.
Date: 1939.
Size: Oban. 17 x 11.375 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Doi watermarked paper.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi. This seal combination indicates an early post-war edition.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-DH-056.
Condition: Top back corners have tape residue. Faint toning apparent in margin to former matte edge.

Kawase Hasui
Snow at Kashi (Kashi no Yuki)
Date: 1930s-50s.
Size: Approximately 6 x 4 inches.
Hasui seal lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Hotei Hp-32.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along its top edge to a blank original card.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Torii at Miyajima in Snow (Ryobu-torii of Itsukushima Shrine in Inland Sea)
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.5 x 5.125 inches.
Date: 1936. From "Shinto and its Architecture."
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui seal lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei Hb-s9
Condition: Foxing in sky at right. Pencil note on back.

Kawase Hasui
Lake Shoji
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.875 x 5.25 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei Hp-14.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil note on back.

Kawase Hasui
Arakawa
Date: 1930s-50s. This edition ca. 1957.
Publisher: Likely Doi Eiichi. Publisher's seal lower left.
Artist's seal lower right.
Condition: Excellent.
A rarely seen design.

Kawase Hasui
Springtime Forest
Date: 1930s.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.875 x 5.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Hotei Hp-18.
Condition: Excellent.