Kogo (Incense Container) by Kawai Takeichi; Kyoto, 1972. Dark green glaze. 2.25"(5.75cm) square x 1.75"(4cm) high. This piece was acquired on a visit to the Kawai pottery on August 9, 1972 and has had one owner since then. Kawai Takeichi (1908-1989) is the nephew of legendary Mingei (Folk Craft) Movement potter Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966;) who along with Yanagi Soetsu, Hamada Shoji, Bernard Leach, and others were the first-generation leaders of this movement...

The creator of this lovely Hagi chawan, Hirose Tanga (b. 1939) is the master-potter of Tenpozan kiln in the city of Hagi. When I acquired this piece I thought it reminded me of bowls produced by Yoshida Shuen (apprenticed under NLT Miwa Kyusetsu). As it turns out, Yoshida worked alongside Hirose in establishing Tenpozan and in training young potters in the art of “oni” Hagi which utilizes a rough textured clay and a milky translucent glaze (like the bowl shown here)...

The image of the brush-drawn circle, known most commonly as the “enso” of Japanese Buddhism, has long been a symbol of strength, elegance, and the simultaneous being and nonbeing (mu) of the universe. A closed enso is associated with the idea of perfection while an open enso represents movement, fluidity, and attainment in the corporeal world...

This large aquatic-themed vase by Alfredo Barbini is superbly executed. The sculpted fish have animated expressions as they float through the freely drawn seaweed. This beauty illustrates Alfredo Barbini's mastery of the material. 12" tall, weighs 11 pounds and is in good condition with normal wear at the base.

A faceted bottle-form vase with ukibori designs by Kawai Takeichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 11 inches (27 cm)tall, 4 inches (10 cm) square and in excellent condition.
Kawai Takeichi (1908-1989) studied the art of pottery under his legendary uncle Kawai Kanjiro in Kyoto from the age of 19. He stayed with Kanjiro for many years, one of his most loyal supporters, and the two were very close...

Japanese bronze suiban, or a dish to be filled with viewing stones called suiseki, as well as small plant arrangements. The rim has flower petal incision motifs while the sides are decorated by medallions and a pair of handles shaped like elephant heads. Artist's signature on bottom.

Size: 17" L x 9" W x 4.5" H

A kaki (persimmon) is playfully rendered in orange and green on the wide white sides of this green bordered square bottle by Avant-garde Sodeisha Potter Kumakura Junkichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 15 x 6.5 x 12 cm (6 x 2-1/2 x 5 inches) and in excellent condition...

Original shin-hanga woodblock print titled "Sacred Grove" by artist Tōshi Yoshida (1911-1995). It is a nature scene showing a red temple with golden doors and roof, partially obscured by trees. The forest floor is mossy and only a small bit of the sky peeks through the treetops. The print is framed behind glass with a large wooden border. The photo shows reflection on the glass but the print is perfect. Size: (entire frame) 16" height, 12" width (print only) 9" height, 6.5" width

Namako glaze runs down, creating rivers flowing around the horns on the sides of this massive pot by Suzuki Kenji (1935-2010). Looking within one sees the volcanic explosions where the glaze pooled, bubbled and burst in the center. The vessel is 18 inches (45.5 cm) tall, roughly 13 inches (33 cm) square and weighs 20.5 kg (45 pounds). It is in fine condition. By size and structure it would be acceptable for display either inside or out...

An enchanting tea bowl with painted plum blossoms. The blossoms appears to be of the "un-ryu" species which translates as "flying dragon" in English. Grounded and weighty in construction, the innocent and playful drawings on the outer surface of this tea bowl make for a well-balanced composition.

In excellent condition, this piece measure 4.7 inches in diameter (12 cm) and stands 4 inches tall (10 cm). It features a signature in the clay of the pedestal (unknown potter)...

Japanese framed woodblock print by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991) of a bridge and a quiet lake in the evening. Lanterns illuminate cherry blossom trees among the darker color palette. Print is laid down and framed. Artist's chop and signature with title in right margin.

Size: (entire frame) 15.75" L x 21" H (print only) 10.75" L x 16" H

A dazzling Hagi-ware bowl with cherry petal and earthen tones made by one of Japan's great potters. The 14th potter of the Sakakura line of potters Sakakura Shinbei XIV (1917-1975) was designated an important human cultural treasure of Yamaguchi prefecture in 1972...

A Birks sterling silver 6-1/2" pair of grape shears in the box with a bag. They are in their original cloth bag and Birks box. This table accessory is stamped BIRKS STERLING CANADA and STAINLESS STEEL, and it is in excellent barely used condition with no dents, bends, corrosion, losses, damage or repairs; the box has a couple of areas where tape has been removed...

Porcelain statue of the Laughing Buddha/Budai, whose name means "cloth sack" and is depicted holding the cloth sack he is believed to have lived in. He wears pink and light yellow robes with flower patterns, has a lotus flower creeping down his left breast, is holding prayer beads, and has five happy children climbing on him. 20th century Size: 9" tall, 8" wide

A Beautiful Ode to Longevity by Watanabe Gashin, born 1944. Watanabe Gashin is a renowned calligrapher who has won many awards for his Japanese calligraphy. In this unique work, he spells out the joys of each decade, from the age of 60 to the age of 111. Frame: 36.5 x 18 inches, 93 x 46 cm; Calligraphy: 25 x 12 inches, 63.5 x 30.5 cm.

Located at the foot of an active volcano, the Ougaku kiln specializes in a type of pottery know as Sakurajima-yaki. The kiln is headed by Hashino Midori and run entirely by female potters who strive to infuse each piece they produce with the “energy” of the surrounding environment. Pieces such as the one featured here are made from volcanic ash and mineral-rich onsen spring water giving them a unique luster that is difficult to reproduce...

A nice sterling silver graduated jigger (1 1/2 and 2 ounces), the bottom formed from a 1972-D (Denver mint) Eisenhower silver dollar. The coin has nice detail. Hallmarked by Wallace.

• Origin: America, 1972
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 2” tall
• Weight: 40.5 grams

According to the potter who crafted this fine piece, “The clay from our area in the north is alive. We listen to it in order to divine the most suitable objects to create.” Here we see the clay wished to become a well-formed ceremonial tea bowl with an impressionistic rendition of a Japanese Iris. Simple, well formed, and with a soft rusticity; a cup of tea becomes a meditation on the charms of quiet country living.

Originally from Iwate (b...