Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.75". Yajiro-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Made by Niiyama Hisaki, born Feb. 7, 1942. This kokeshi probably dates the early 1980's.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.625". This is a Yajiro-kei (Yajiro-classification) kokeshi, generally crafted in the vicinity of Shiroishi City in southern Miyagi Prefecture. However, this particular craftsman, Sato Seikou (?), lives in the next prefecture of Fukushima, on the coast in Iwaki City. He was born on February 22, Showa 22 (1947). This kokeshi probably dates from ca. 1980.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 12". Tsuchiyu-kei of Tsuchiyu Onsen (Hot Spring) in Fukushima Prefecture. Made by Saito Hiromichi, born August 8, 1930. This kokeshi is probably from ca. 1980.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 12". Yamagata-kei classification of Yamagata Prefecture. Made by Kobayashi Koutaro of Yamagata City, born March 13, 1936. This kokeshi probably dates from the late 1970's. The very thin body of this kokeshi is an unusual and interesting characteristic.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 10". Zao-kei (Zao Onsen [hot spring]) in Yamagata Prefecture. Made by Saitou Takeo, born on Nov. 29, 1929. Probably made in the late 1970's.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 9.625". Zao-kei (Zao Onsen [hot spirng]), Yamagata Prefecture. Made by Oumiya Yasumitsu, who was born in Showa 11 (1936) and passed away on July 19, 1995. Probably made in the mid-late 1970's.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 9.5". This is an example of the unique Nambu-kei kokeshi from Iwate Prefecture. Of the Tohoku (NorthEast) Region where all "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi originate, Iwate may have the fewest number of craftsmen and localized traditions. Unique among these is the unpainted Nambu-kei kokeshi shown here...

This is a finely potted wufu good fortune and longevity bowl from the early Republic period (1912 -1949). It is painted in copper red with gold colour. It stands on a high foot rim and everted upwards to a gold gilded rim. On the inside of the bowl, on the inner rim, there is key fred design. On the base of the inside of the bowl, in the centre is the character “shou” – longevity...

This very well painted Chinese Famille Rose ceramic picture is 8 ¾ inches wide and 11 ¾ inches long (with frame is 14 ½ inches wide and 19 ½ inches long). It depicts two long-tailed birds standing on a higher branch looking at their offspring in their nest. This tile picture is a 1940’s product. It is in excellent condition.

This old cherry amber bead necklace is 29 inches long. The beads are 17 mm long and 12 mm wide. The large bead on the end is 23 mm long and 18 mm wide. The stupa shape bead is about 48 mm long and 18 mm wide. It is in great condition.

This very well carved 20th century Japanese netsuke is 1 ½ inches high, 1 ¼ inches wide and a little more than 1 ¼ inches thick. It depicts a mouse bending over, scratching his chin. It is signed “Shozan”. The carving and polishing are just great and it is in excellent condition.

This Japanese doll looks like a woman from Ukiyo-e (pictures of the "floating world") wood block prints. She is sensual and inviting; posing to fix her hair with a hair pin. To do so, she would need to tilt her head sideways and gently pull out the hair pin so she wll not make a mess of the hairdo. The process takes delicate movement of the fingers and is also a chance to show off the area behind her neck which is considered to be the most sensual place to show for a women wearing a kimono...

This is a very beautiful early "Ming Guo" or early Chinese Republic (1912-1950) fine famille rose Tianqiuping vase. The vase depicts spring season with many flowers blooming and four colorful butterflies scattered around and flying about the flowers. The flowers consist of peony, daisy and prunus with some bamboo and grasses in it. The prunus is shown growing out in all directions. There is also a short poetry about the flowers written on the vase...

Japanese Kimekomi hina ningyo (dolls), Dairi bina, emperor and empress doll. Kimekomi dolls were originally carved out of willow trees growing on the riverbank of the Kamo River in Kyoto. They were made using the leftover material from Kamo Shrine. Today, the dolls are made out of paulownia sawdust mixed with glue. This method was developed by Kanabayashi Mataro (1897-1984). Each section is divided by grooves and each block is covered with brocades...

This is an excellent example of an early 20th Century Japanese Hand Woven Bamboo Basket. Very Good Condition. Height: 15.5 inches (39.5cm), Circumference: 42.5 inches (108cm).

Enamel Snuff Bottle with Cherub & European Figurines, circa 1920's

It is 2.45 inches (6 cm) tall by 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) wide.

It is in good condition with no repairs, cracks, or chips.

Large format photos available upon request.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid...

Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) with Imperial Carts, flowers and gold color “maku” (outside cloth divider). The divider is used as a street on this gown leading the wagons to the large area at the bottom half. The background colors from the top are orange, light pink to dark gray at the bottom. The liner is red. The condition is excellent, like new.
53" W x 75 1/2" L (sleeve length 41")

Japanese Ambassador Ningyô. These were used as international gifts of cultural exchange. This doll has a poignant face with a compelling expression. She is a very young little girl wearing a rich dark blue kimono with pale flowers and a red obi. It is really just a wonderful doll that will surely enhance any serious doll collection. 29.25 inches, (74.5cm) tall. circa 1930's. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Southern Plains Beaded Hide Doll probably Comanche Kiowa, c. 1900. She has yellow ochre high-top moccasins, yarn hair, and an ink-drawn face. She is 12" tall.

Japanese armor Yoroi and Kabuto helmet in classic style, wearable, adult size from early to mid Showa period (1926~1989). The armor is lined with hemp in most area. Dimensions: 67" tall. Box: 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 24"H

Woodblock Print "Kin Kaku", Signed Hiroshi Yosida, circa 1933

The print is unmounted. It is 15.5 inches (39.5 cm) long by 10.6 inches (26.8 cm) wide.

It is in good condition with no stain, tears, foxing, or crease, except two pin size holes at the edge ( as seen in the photos).

Large format photos available upon request.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell...

Woodblock Print "Cheing Blossoms by the Gate", Pencil Signed Toshi Yoshida, circa 1950's

The print is unmounted. It is 15.9 inches (40.1 cm) by long 10.8 inches (27.3 cm) wide.

It is in good condition with no stain, tears, foxing, or crease, except two pin size holes at the edge ( as seen in the photos).

Large format photos available upon request.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell...

Turquoise Frog Fetish, excellent condition, c. 1940, 1 3/4" long, 1" high at highest point and hind quarters are 3/4" high.

This inlayed Chinese ebony brush holder is 7” high and 6 ½” in diameter. It depicts a Shou Lao (god of longevity) holding a cane; a young boy carrying a flower basket stands behind him. Another young boy wearing a red robe is leading a deer cart filled with flowers and plants and walks in front of Shou Lao and his companion. The inlayed materials are dyed coral, mother of pearl, lacquer and hard stone. It is a 1950’s product. Aside from small age cracks, it is in great condition.

An unusually large Tetsu-mon Vase by Ningen Kokuho Shimizu Uichi over 13 inches (33 cm) tall enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Dispersed over the pin-holed white glaze are diametrically opposed red and black iron dashes of color. A vase with huge presence. Shimizu Uichi (1926-2004) was born in Kyoto the son of a ceramic dealer. Discarding the family business he apprenticed in plastic arts under Ishiguro Munemaro...

A stunning silver glazed Tokkuri by artist Kozuru Gen (b. 1938) in the original signed kiri wood box. The vase is completely covered in silver or platinum glaze with sansai like yellow and green in spontaneous crystalline dabs set in extra drippings of thick silver about the circumference. Countering this strength of character is faded orange, adding a subtle suggestion inside the mouth of the bulbous Tokkuri form. The vase, which dates circa 1980, is 7 inches (18 cm) tall. Gen has operated ...

Japanese cloth taken from an old futon bed cover, decorated with an auspicious motif of pine, bamboo and plum blossoms. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; plum blossoms are the purity, subtle beauty and inner strength of women. Bamboos are often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo, it could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bamboo (take, CHIKU) and plum ...

Enigmatic script in Doro-e raised design decorates the sides of this simple white glazed chawan by 20th centiury Master Kawai Kanjiro enclosed in a wooden box endorsed by his wife Tsune. Brief tinges of subdued red appear through he cloudy white glaze. It is 5 inches (12.5 cm) diameter, 4 inches ((10 cm) tall and in perfect condition. Kanjiro was a true artist by nature, and together with Hamada Shoji, set a pattern of study for modern potters. After graduating the Tokyo School of Industrial ...

Latticed windows of gold shine softly through the translucent blue glaze of this shapely vase by Kutani Master Matsumoto Saichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vase is 11 inches (28 cm) tall, and in excellent condition, dating circa 1985, a time of upheaval in the artist life where he established a wood fired climbing kiln in his new home village of Yoshinodani. Saichi comes from a distinguished line of potters, his Father being Sahei and grandfather Sataro. Both were prominen...

A sizable rectangular platter covered in pale mottled earth-toned glaze by Shigeya Iwabuchi (1925-1993) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A simple slab of clay, 1 inch (2.2 cm) thick, curled up in the corners. The simplicity is refreshing, the disparate surface natural and cool to the eye. It measures 16 by 11-1/2 inches (40 x 30 cm) and is in perfect condition. Shigeya was born in 1925 in Kyoto. He graduated the Kyoto Ceramics division of the Kyoto Industrial Research School, and ...

A red earthen cylinder inlayed about the rim with dragonflies by JCS award winner Imai Masayuki enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The dragonflies (also called Katsumushi, or insect of victory) are inlayed into the red clay with white and buff clay, covered with resist, and a thin iron slip applied over the remainder of the vase. The slip color is so closely matched to the underlying brick-red clay one cannot see the difference. The vase is 9 inches (23 cm) tall, 4 inches (10 cm) dia...

A large color splashed charger by one of Kyotos more original artists Tsuboi Asuka enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vessel has a narrow foot with steadily rising sides creating a light airy feel; sheet white clay covered in green glass interspersed with runs of opaque shadow. Perfect for a service of summer fruits, or as a shallow basin for an arrangement of summer flowers. It is just less than 16 inches (40 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. Asuka, originally of Osaka, ...

An unusual bit of Seto ware by important artist Kato Sho enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Enigmatic windows in the smooth black coating reveal icy-pale glaze and one streak of raw sandy earth baked red. The bowl is quite large, and very pleasing to hold, slightly tapered so as to concentrate the aroma rising from the freshly whipped tea. The piece is signed alongside the kodai Sho-saku. It is 4 inches (10 cm) tall, roughly 5 inches (13 cm) diameter and in perfect condition, dating...

A heavily potted Ash-glaze vase by Seto potter Kato Shinya enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The geometric patterns collide and dance off each other, gray on white, a piece well representing the artistic endeavors of the era in which it was created. The vase is quite large, 13 inches tall, 8-1/4 inches diameter and in excellent condition. Shinya was born into the family of Seto potter Kato Sakusuke in 1940, and graduated the Tokyo University of Art sculpture division in 1964, follow...

A tall stem-footed Hagi flower vessel enclosed in the original wooden box by Yamato Yasuo. It was created in that postwar age when once again expression was finding a voice in Japan, and the early avant-garde potters such as Yamato Yasuo and Kumakura Junkichi were reaching beyond tradition as a means of verbalizing their interpretation of Japan in a new age. Here enigmatic shapes rise from the slightly striated Hagi clay, the entire covered in pale blue tinged glaze with outlines of iron and s...

Gorgeous blue clouded mottle lies over oribes vibrant green crackled glaze on this thick slab of clay by world famous artist Kato Shuntei (b. 1927-1995) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The upturned edges create a border where none exists allowing the dish to blend with other table elements and yet setting it apart as an individual work (asif the size alone were not enough!). The piece is literally supported on beaded drips of glassy green glaze. Roughly 14 by 15 inches (35 x 37 cm...