This large lacquered wooden shop sign (“kanban” or “kamban”) advertises a brand of Japanese sake and dates to ca. 1930. The large heavy trade sign was carved on a single wood plank and decorated with black and gold lacquer, which creates a dramatic contrast...

This lovely Japanese iro Nabeshima porcelain cup and saucer set is hand painted in vivid colorful enamels on a pure white ground, with the mark of Imaizumi Imaemon painted in underglaze blue on the foot of each piece. We believe this set to be from the studio of either Imaemon XII (1897-1975) or early Imaemon XIII (1926-2001), which would date it to mid-20th century. Both the cup and saucer are decorated with mandarin oranges and leaves (“tachibana”)...

These two wonderfully-modeled white porcelain rabbit okimono are each signed with an inscribed signature which appears to read “Kenzan.” Ca.1950. Possibly Arita or Kutani porcelain, they are covered with a fine clear milky-white glaze and have bright black eyes. The bases are unglazed, and there is a firing hole on each of them. One rabbit is sitting on his haunches with two front paws on the ground, the right paw slightly raised. His ears are pointed straight up...

This simply enchanting little Japanese doll in kimekomi style stands on a black lacquer base alongside his black and white puppy. Early Showa period, 1930-1940. The child is holding a black and gold lacquer fan and a strung paper kite. He is dressed in a blue silk kimono which has been dyed and painted to scale. Face and hands are covered with gofun (crushed oyster shell), and the hair is finished in black lacquer...

This charming early 20th century “gosho ningyo” kneels on chubby knees, his clay body finished in white gofun (crushed oyster shell). He is scantily clad in a bib or stomach cloth ("haragake") which has been hand painted over the gofun surface. A braided orange cord encircles the back. His facial features are well modeled and delicately hand painted, and thick black hair falls over the doll’s shoulders...

This elegant Japanese porcelain dish in scalloped octagonal form is hand painted in vibrant overglaze polychrome enamels and comes with its original signed wooden storage box (“tomobako”). There is a two character underglaze blue signature on the base. We believe it dates to the early to mid-20th century, but we have not been able to identify the artist...

Lovely mid-20th century Japanese woodblock print by Nisaruro Ito (1910-1988) entitled “Iris,” sealed with the artist’s seal and published by Uchida Bijutsu Shoshi of Kyoto. Nisaburo Ito was one of the well known Kyoto area Shin Hanga artists who was interested in promoting the art of the woodblock print. He is best known for his beautiful flower prints and landscapes which recalled the beauty of an earlier age before modernization...

This lovely Japanese comb (“kushi”) and ornamental hair bar (“kogai”) set is crafted from an early form of flexible celluloid which closely resembles tortoise shell. Ca.1930. The top and sides of the comb and the ends of the two-pronged kogai are decorated with relief flowers. The material looks like the same molded celluloid from which the elaborate bridal hair ornament sets were made. In fact, this comb resembles those seen in some bridal sets and could possibly be part of such a set...

These three decorative wireless Japanese cloisonné “meimeizara” (plates for the tea ceremony) are decorated with pine, bamboo and plum blossoms (“shochikubai”) in soft translucent enamels on a shimmering foil ground. They date to the mid-20th century and come with their original velvet-lined presentation box. There is a paper label of the Ando Company on the reverse side which is finished in shiny black enamel...

This wonderful Japanese iro Nabeshima porcelain dish in octagonal form is hand painted in brilliant enamels on a pure white ground, and the mark of Imaizumi Imaemon is painted in underglaze blue within the foot ring. We believe this dish to be by either Imaemon XII (1897-1975) or early Imaemon XIII (1926-2001), which would date it to the mid-20th century. The front is decorated with large vibrant red and pale yellow hibiscus blossoms and unopened red buds in overglaze enamels...

Considered to be one of the most beautiful coins in the world, the Japanese oban was a large oblong striated and stamped gold piece, which often appeared painted with Japanese characters. This is a gilded gilded brass replica of the rare oval gold Tensho Naga (“long”) Oban. There are overall striations and stamped circular emblems of paulownia on both sides, and the front is painted with large black calligraphic characters. It likely dates to the mid-20th century.

The Tensho Oban was fi...

This lovely Japanese split bamboo ikebana basket or “hanakago” was crafted in round form and dates to the early Showa period. Strips of different widths and different shades of brown bamboo are inserted diagonally into the body structure to produce a powerful appeal. The handle is made from twisted bamboo cordage entwined around two strips of bamboo. Since the sixteenth century, woven baskets for flowers have been favorites for use in the tea ceremony. Designed to contain fresh-cut flowers, ...