Superb yet bold, elegant in its expression, the compassion and care can be seen in this white robe Kwan Yin or Kannon by an artist named Shunpo. It could be assumed that this artist was living during the time when Japanese art was transitioning from its "traditional" structure to a more modern form with Western preferences possibly influenced from the world expositions and fairs that were being held in Western Europe and France...

A set of a bowl, tray, and chopsticks all done in Japanese lacquer and makie. The makie or gold painted designs contain motifs of willows and sparrows. The motif in general evoke the feel of late spring.

Age: Meiji Period...

Satsuma ware contains a 300 year history which originates its roots in Korea. A potter by the name of Chin Jukan settled in Satsuma during the end of the 17th century and received patronage by the Shimazu family who were the rulers of the region of Satsuma. The simple motifs done on a white earthenware base became popular during the Edo Period.

It was during the Meiji Period when Satsuma Ware production and popularity exploded...

A large size tsutsu chawan or a tea bowl specifically used during the winter season...

In Japanese the term used for glass was giyama or giaman. The term is thought to originate from either the Dutch or English (many terms were incorporated from Spanish, Portugese, Dutch, and English during the 18th and 19th centuries).

Cut glass technology first appeared in Satsuma in Kyushu during the late Edo Period around the 1840-1850 period...

Fluted sterling silver bowl. Japanese silver crafts have known internationally for the quality and purity of silver used in its pieces. The bowl can be used in the way of tea as a container for sweets or to be used in the home for a special occasion.

Piece contains a mark reading jungin, the notation used to denote Japanese sterling silver which is close to 96-98 percent purity.

Age: Late Showa Period (1960-1970)

Size:Diameter 7.25"...

This scroll records the visit of the Zen master Arai to the island of Hawaii in the 1930s. Arai, a monk with some distinction, visits Nuuanu Pali, a battlefield. The scroll reads:

All the eight islands of Hawaii thinking like sages, everyone is past and rested is the debate on ethnicity, people were all originally from the surrounding ocean and from the womb.

The exterior of the box is inscribed with the title of the piece, Zen Master Arai's visit to Hawaii...

A stylish and well crafted gourd flower container with black lacquer coated with the interior of the container. The vase comes with a tomobako with the inscription by the artist.

Age: Meiji Period...

Kutani ware, a popular type of ware produced in the Kanazawa region. The beautiful and colorful designs have defined the designs and art of the region for most of the Edo Period and onwards.

The pair of tokkuri or sake decanters were made by the noted artist Suda Seika who is thought to have strongly inspired Kitaoji Rosanjin to create his own line of pottery.

The Pair of tokkuri is emulating an old tokkuri design from the Edo Period...

A Meiji period wood carving of bodhidharma inscribed with the phrase, nana korobi ya oki or "To fall down seven times and to get up eight". No matter what the situation is one always has the power to recover.

Age: 19th-20th century...

The term bajouhai has associations with the samurai culture. Uesugi Kenshin, war lord who ruled most of the region known as Echizen was known to use a bajouhai, not for tea, but for sake...

This scroll records the visit of the Zen master Arai to the island of Hawaii in the 1930s. Arai, a monk with some distinction, visits Nuuanu Pali, a battlefield. The scroll reads:

Japanese: Dangai zeppeki atsumete kaku nari. Manmoku kaze to hikari ni kezurare gyokusei kosenjo eikou musai. Hanbun no yama ha kumo ame ni owarete, ato no hanbun wa hare.

English: Gatherting thoughts to portray the high cliffs, the eyes are full of the landscape carved by wind and light...

Copper water pot used during a tea gathering to fill the mizusashi or other utensils used with water. The container contains a whirlpool like motif which originates from the Mediterranean and travelled on the silk road influencing Chinese and Japanese designs.

Diameter: 7.29" Height: 9.25"...

Nine various monkeys are playfully trying to dangle from each other while a few have lost grasp and appear to fall to the ground.

Paintings of stylized monkeys were first introduced to Japan in the 15th century from works produced in China during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. A surviving work by Muqi (in the Daitokuji collection) is one notable example. By the late Muromachi Period, Sesson was one artist who was known to paint monkeys gathered as a group. Sesson and Muqi's styles were emulated...

Superb in detail, refined and classic. The horse carved on this wooden seal appears as if the horse would walk off from the tall base. The sides are carved with Chinese text, describing about the world and the playful expressions with the character, horse. The bottom is engraved with a short text.

20th century.

Height 5.5" width and length 2.3" ...