Fantastic Seto Chawan made by greatest Kitaoji Ronanjin 70-80 years ago.

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 period in the cultural center of Kyoto, he was adopted at age six by a woodblock carver...

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Egret on Snow-covered Willow Tree at Night
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.25 x 5.0 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Shoson seal lower right.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Reference: AS.10 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Paper at top back corner.

A beautiful Shino Chawan by one of the best Japanese artists of the 20th century, Yano Keisen, made 70 years ago. His ceramics were part of the wedding of the Japanese Emperor Akihito in 1959 and since then part of the imperial household.

It comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box without chips or cracks.

Yano Keisen was a Japanese Asian Modern & Contemporary artist...

Nishimura Hodo
Hirosaki Castle in the Spring
Date: 1933.
Size: Oban. 15.625 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Stamp in left margin and label on back.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Edition: First and only.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Upper portion toned where not covered by former matte.
Note: RARE - The only other example we could locate is in the Honolulu Museum.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Yotsuya Araki Yokocho
Date: 1937.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
Early postwar edition (1950-63).
Bears the Doi watermark.
Artist's signature and seal at lower left.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-DH-18.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Never displayed.

Important mask from Himachal Praddesh area , mainly used during the Phagli festival in mid Fébruary. Strong and hard wood, reddish dominant color. perfect condition, presented on an iron custom stand . H 33 cm

Kawase Hasui
Spring Snow, Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto
Date: 1932.
Size: Oban 15.0 x 10.5 inches.
Hasui signature and seal lower right.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
Edition: Early postwar (1950-63).
Reference: Hotei No. 276.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top margin partially trimmed. Toning at lower left corner. Slight margin creasing.

Kawase Hasui
Starlit night, Miyajima
Souvenirs of travel, third series.
Date: 1928.
Size: Approximately 15.0 x 10.125 inches.
Hasui signature and seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe "A" seal in right margin, indicating a first edition.
Reference: Hotei No. 140.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Paper toned at left and top margin edge. Top back margin has residue.

HAND TAMED JIZO

Lovely Japanese stone carving figurine of Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva) that is so handy in size, H 16 x 8 x 7cm (6.29 x 3.14 x 2.75in), early-mid 20th century, in generally weathered condition as is due to aging...

Statue of Kuan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, wearing a diadem, a necklace and formal robes, sitting cross-legged, holding a bowl on her lap with both hands. Votive box at the back, lid missing. Wood, with traces of polychromy. China, Qing dynasty, early 20th century. Height: 29.5 cm. Soe light abrasion, otherwise very good condition.

An open tsubo covered in highly unusual gloss glaze with a colorful floral spray by Kawai Kanjiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 24 cm (9-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kawai Kanjiro was a true artist by nature, and together with Hamada Shoji, set a pattern of study for modern potters...

Chinese porcelain dish of the eggshell type. Decoration of wise men, in a garden, accompanied by their disciples. Some characters contemplate a scroll of paint, others are seated in front of what seems to be antiques. Some carry symbolic attributes such as Lingzhi mushrooms or knowledge plaquets. The drawings are finely executed, the porcelain is fine without defects.It is a creation of the best quality for this period. Excellent condition which is rare for such fine porcelain...

Vintage 1930s-40s Chinese bamboo carved brush pot with good scenes. It is in wonderful antique condition with some age lines and one light split showing proper age with great patina and feel. Measures Height 7.25" x Diameter 5"

Toshi Yoshida
Heirinji Temple Bell
Date: 1951.
This edition later from original blocks.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Toshi Yoshida seal and block-signed signature.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin corners have paper residue.

Additional photos of this fabulous Accordion book of 12 paintings by Kimura Seiun enclosed in a wooden box titled Atami Dan Ko-gasatsu and dated early Spring of Showa 4 (1929). The introductory page is written by Zen priest Hashimoto Dokuzan of Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto. The paintings are each signed with various names used by Kimura, mostly Seiun or Ren. The introductory and concluding pages are both dated 1929. It is 28 x 14 cm (5-1/2 x 11 inches) and in overall outstanding condition...

A fragment of washi with mending patches, whose ground paper as well as mending patches are kakishibu (persimmon tannin) dye for waterproof and sturdiness. It has several layers of old recycled washi. The original usage is not clear. Late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji). 40cm x 40cm

A fragment of washi with mending patches, groud paper as well as mending patches are kakishibu (persimmon tannin) dye for waterproof and sturdiness. It has several layers of used old washi. The original usage is not clear. Late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji). 40cm x 32cm

Circa 1920's hand carved Japanese ivory okimono of a long tailed rooster on a wood perch. Excellent antique condition.

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting of a lotus pond. Wide lotus leaves and pale pink flowers blossom on the surface of the water. A white heron comes in for a landing near a pair of Mandarin ducks. Painted in mineral pigments on silver leaf.

Age: Showa Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 38 1/2" high x 74 1/2" wide

Artist: Unidentified
Title: Miyajima
Print size: Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top margin edge slightly toned.

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Ito Yuhan (1882-1951) titled "Sailboats in the Sunset Glow" (aka Tsukuda Jima). This image is one of a limited number of woodblock prints by this artist that were published by Nishinomiya Yosaku in the 1930s. Signed in kanji at the lower right corner of the image. The publisher's seal is in the lower left margin in kanji and on the back in English. Paper: 15 5/8" x 10 5/8" (image: 14 5/8" x 9 5/8")...

Kawase Hasui
Evening at Miyajima
Date: 1950s-60s
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Hasui oval seal and title at lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Edge of top margin is browned.

Japanese chuban format shin hanga woodblock print by Takahashi Shotei, also known as Hiroaki (1871 - 1945) depicting two figures walking in the snow in the foreground, one holding a parasol walking toward a hut, the second crossing a bridge over a stream. A snow laden tree and torii gate are at the left. Titled "Snow at Ozawa; Torii Gate and a Cottage" the print was published by Watanabe prior to 1930. The title and artist's red Shotei seal are at the upper left...

This extraordinary vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form. Fashioned after cylindrical Song Dynasty pieces that are thought to have been introduced in the 9th century from Syria, the handles are of Chinese origin and represent the mythical "Fenghuang" (Hōu in Japanese). This deity, typically depicted with the body of a bird with characteristics of a dragon, is believed to have originated in the sun and is thought to symbolize virtue, wisdom, and grace...

A wonderful translucent blue celadon vase done in the classic style of Song Dynasty Chinese pottery. This piece was made by one of the few great female Japanese potters of the previous century, Suwa Sozan II, daughter of Meiji Imperial Court Artist Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pottery design and painting under Touda Tokuji in 1873...

Kawase Hasui
Pagoda in Rain (Inoruga no Ame)
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Reference: Hotei #Hp-62.
Woodblock print is tipped along its top edge to original cardstock.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Sacred Mount Fuji
Date: 1936.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.25 x 4.875 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
Reference: Hotei #Hb-s12
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top corners have tape remnants.

Shoda Koho
Shrine Gate at Miyajima
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series (No. 1251).
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.125 x 7.5 inches.
Date: 1910s - 1938.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Artist's seal at lower right.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro/Nishinomiya Yosaku.
Condition: Slight toning.

Sakiori obi (sash) for a casual kimono which is hand-woven of strips recycled from silk and cotton kimono for weft, and cotton yarn for warp. In excellent condition. 20th century. 18cm x 2m96cm

Kawase Hasui
Evening View of Snow-Covered Cottage
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Print size: 5.625 x 3.75 inches.
Reference: Hotei Hp-76.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top right margin slightly trimmed.

Hanten with sashiko (quilting) which is made in Shonai in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku District, which is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has 2 layers of cloth with sashiko. The collar cloth is also hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye cotton with stripes. In excellent condition. The first half of the 20th century. W:88cm, L:75cm

Kawase Hasui
Moon Over The Ara River, Akabane (Arakawa no Tsuki, Akabane)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1929.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Black 6 mm seal in lower left corner, making this a lifetime edition printed between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #159.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A beautifully sculpted image of a pheasant by Ogawa Yuhei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 37 cm long and in excellent condition...

Kawase Hasui
Terajima in the Snow
Date: 1930s.
Image size: 6 x 4.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Hotei Hp-69.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Hasui seal at lower left.
Woodblock print is attached along its top edge to original 1930s card.
Condition: Excellent.

Lilian May Miller (1895-1943)
The Three-Foot Bamboo Pipe
Date: 1927.
Size: Approximately 5.625 x 3.75 inches.
From the book, Grass Blades from a Cinnamon Garden.
Monogrammed within the image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning.

Lilian May Miller (1895-1943)
The Little Shrines on Quiet Hills
Date: 1927.
Size: Approximately 5.625 x 3.75 inches.
From the book, Grass Blades from a Cinnamon Garden.
Monogrammed within the image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning.

This pair of vases was recovered from an estate in the Castroville/Watsonville area of California, over 20 years ago. This area is known as the Artichoke Capital of the world. When I recovered these vases they had been lamps and have since had the bottom drills hole restored. These vases are old but probably not Meiji era. They do have silver rims with scalloped wire trim at the edges of the enamel. The colors and shading are wonderful. These are the only examples of cloisonne enamel with bloom...

Hiroshige Ando
Seven Song-birds (aka. Gourds and Japanese White-eye)
Size: Approximately 7.5 x 5.25 inches. 19.4 x 13.2 cm.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 26).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Small spot where back Matsumoto label is attached.
The Matsumoto catalog notes, "Seven mejiro (known as Japanese silver-eye) perching on a melon-vine."

Hiroshige Ando
Fisher and Fire
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Date: 1930s.
Size: 6 x 4.125 inches.
Signature and seal at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Vermillion-lacquered Temple Gate in Snow
Date: 1930s.
Size: Approximately 6.125 x 4.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Hasui seal at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei Hp-48.
Condition: Excellent.

Vintage Japanese wood carving of the face of Bodhidarma with his fly whisk. Also known as Daruma, the legendary intensity of the monk is expressed in his downturned mouth and heavy eye brows over wide eyes. A popular sign of good fortune for any business. Lacquered details in red, white and black.

Age: Showa period (early-mid 20th century)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" high x 19 1/2" wide x 2 3/4" deep

Chinese Blanc de Chine Quan Yin seated on a resting elephant. Quan Yin, goddess of great compassion, is holding 2 lotus flowers, one of which is broken symbolizing a broken spirit. She is holding both pieces of the stem in her hand. The lotus symbolizes purity, spiritual enlightenment, and in this case, new beginnings or rebirth. Excellent detailing and in excellent condition, it dates end of 2nd quarter 20th century. Measures 7.5ʺ wide × 4.5ʺ deep × 12ʺ high.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Lake Kawaguchi at the Foot of Mt. Fuji
Date: 1938.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Tokyo Hanga-In (owned by Baba Nobuhiko pre-WWII.) Seal left margin.
A rare pre-war edition.
Artist's signature and seal at lower right.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-BN-5.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning to image where not previously covered by matte of original folder.
Note: This beautiful Fuji v...

Oribe Raku Kashiki Dessert Bowl made by the greatest I Choraku Ogawa (1874-1939), the disciple of Raku Kichizaemon Keinyu and Konyu.
The potter's mark is stamped near the foot ring.

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 h...

Print by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995). "White Plum in Farmyard". Good condition. Framed under glass. Dimensions of the print 26x36.5cm, of the frame: 46x56cm.

A dynamic early porcelain work in vivid color by Kiyomizu Rokubei VI enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Futatsuki Kajutu Mon Kashiki (Sweets dish decorated with fruit) bearing his real name, indicating it predates his taking the name Rokubei in 1945. The box bears the seal of the Hattori Tokeiten, purveyors of fine art in Pre-war Japan. The porcelain is 19.7 cm (8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, signed on the bottom.
The Kiyomizu family potters managed one ...

An important antique Royal Egyptian solid silver ewer of His Majesty King Fuad I of Egypt. It is engraved in the center with the Royal Crown of Egypt within a circular cartouche.

Many personal luxury items that belonged to the kings of Egypt, including King Fuad I and King Fuad II, were marked with the Royal Crown of Egypt. This symbol was exclusively reserved for the king's possessions and forbidden to use by anyone other than the king.

Several personal items that bear the crown of Eg...

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Titled in Japanese: Flower(s) of Vienna, the great Leo Sirota ウィーンノハナ　レオシロタ大人
Dated: April 11, 1965.
Leo Sirota (1885-1965) was one of the world's most famous pianists. Munakata was his friend and produced this print shortly after Sirota's death.
Edition: Not known. A color version of this design exists.
Signed: "Shiko" in Japanese; "Munakata" in English.
Sheet size: 16 x 10.75 inches. Image size: 11.5 x 6.5...

Kawase Hasui
Title: Zojoji Temple
Date: 1950s-60s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Print size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to an original blank card.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Not sealed by the artist. We've encountered a sealed late twentieth century example. Please see our last photo. This Zojoji design is very similar to a well-known 1930s Hasui print.

Toast the new years with this solid silver sake set made for celebrations. 3 solid silver cups, as well as a beautifully shaped silver sake kettle with lid, each piece bearing the jun-gin (Pure or 100 percent silver) mark. They come enclosed in a wooden box titled Jungin-sei Shuki (Solid Silver Sake Set). The kettle is 13 cm diameter, 18 cm wide at the spout. The largest cup is 12 cm (4-3/4 inches) diameter. In total the set weighs 757 grams, or 1.65 pounds of pure silver!

A solitary thatched hermitage rises on the top of this stony crag set onto a beautifully carved and signed rosewood stand. Together they are 7.5 x 11.5 x 13 cm (3 x 4-1/2 x 5 inches) and in excellent condition. The box is titled Yasegawa-ishi, inside signed Seicho and dated a fortunate day in the second month of 1936.

The size of Snuff Bottle: 2 3/4" H x1 3/4" W x 7/8" D. This is finely carved Chinese Snuff Bottle is made of Malachite stone. It has fine carving of Fish with Lotus flower bud and leaves. The subject is Carp climbing up the water fall which has proverb from Chinese that when Carp finished climbing th e water fall, carp will became Dragon. The symbol of success. Open works were intricately carved, especially lotus leaved are thinly carved. The lid/stopper is made from same malachite form contin...

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
Bamboo in Early Summer (Shoka no Take)
Date: 1954. First edition.
Publisher: Unsodo.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed in Japanese in the image at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Removed from its original folder.

A waka poem in underglaze blue brushed by female artist/poet Tomioka Haruko decorates this porcelain Mizusashi by female potter Suwa Sozan II enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The porcelain container is 17.5 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall, 11.5 cm (4-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition. On the base it bears the circular mark of Suwa Sozan II and on the side the verse is singed Haruko 80. From this we can surmise it dates from 1926 when Haruko was 80 by Japanese count.
Su...

A pair of vintage Chinese hand carved display or plant stands with marble inserts. Measures 9.25" high x 7" diameter. Marble insert measures 6" diameter. Well constructed and solid.

An exquisite set of small petaled-plates, each wafer thin, with a floral spray of yagiku (wild chrysanthemum) in a blue dial in the center by Suwa Sozan II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kiku-gata Kozara, Jukyaku (10 Chrysanthemum Shaped Small Dishes) dating from the 1920s. The design is Japanese, the decoration is strongly influenced by Korean wares. Each is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter and all are in excellent condition.
Suwa Sozan (1852-1922) was born in Kutani cou...

Kawase Hasui
Snow at Koshigaya
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.375 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1935. First edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's "E seal" (used 1932-42) in right margin.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #353
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Bump at tip of lower left margin corner.

Old helmet mask, of typical form, with three faces surmounted by an elaborate coiffe. Wood, with fine age patina. Africa, Sierra Leone, Mende ethnic group. Height: 16 cm. Diameter: 17 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Obvious signs of use and age, otherwise very good condition.

Kawase Hasui
Mt. Fuji Seen From Oshino (Oshino no Fuji)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.625 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1942. First edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Publisher's "G seal" in right margin (used 1942-45).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #465.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A finely carved male ibeji, with typical coiffe, scarifications on the abdomen and the back, arms alongside the torso, standing on a rounded base. Wood, with nice dark brown semi glossy patina. Africa, Nigeria/Benin, Yoruba ethnic group. Height: 30 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: Old French provincial collection.