Catalog (266)

Almost Art Deco in appearance created by natural wood-fired glaze markings. Signed on the bottom. Ca. 1980. 9" tall x 4 1/2" diameter. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Wonderful wood-fired Shigaraki ceramic vase. Natural markings and glazes have created a masterpiece. Stamp on bottom but we couldn't read. Ca.1960. 8" tall x 6" diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Elegant modernism art deco ceramic vase with signed box by one of the Japanese masters, Norio Azuma. Created at the turn of the century, ca. 2000. 13" tall x 10" in diameter. ask for shipping quote.

A museum piece. Dated Manji 2 (ca. 1659) April Auspicious Day. Large, heavy bronze shrine lantern with hoju embossed under the top petals. Beautiful diaper patterns on the panels. Originally used as an oil lamp. Very good condition. 15" wide x 22" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Wonderful playful expression on this Bizen ceramic Shishi. Showa Period Ca. 1930. Excellent condition. 9" long x 7" tall x 5" deep. Ask for shipping quote.

Free-flowing 'wagumi' style Ikebana bamboo flower basket Ca. 1935. Wide swaths of bamboo inserts gently intertwined with delicate weaves. Bold. Beautiful coloration. Great condition. 12" tall x 7" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

A Shachihoko is a sea monster in Japanese folklore with the head of a dragon and the body of a carp. According to the tale, Shachihoko lives in the cold northern ocean. Its broad fin and tails always point up toward heaven, and its dorsal fins have numerous sharp spikes. It can swallow a massive amount of water and hold it in its belly, as well as summon clouds and control the rain. Shachihoko are often constructed in a male and female pair at each end of the roof ridge as protector spirits of the castles against fire and disaster. 31" long x 18" tall. Meiji Period Ca. 1890. Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece Edo Period Ca. 1880-1900 tea leaf storage jar 'tsubo' from Shigaraki, the famed pottery center outside of Kyoto. Natural wood fired glazes and straw cap. Excellent condition. Quite large. 25" tall and 13" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Rare and unusual flat undulating bamboo flower basket for Ikebana and the Tea Ceremony. Copper inset. 12" long by 8" wide and 5" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Signed wood Noh mask, 'Beshimi'used for Noh plays featuring mythical demons that defy Buddhist Law. Ca. 1920. 22cm tall x 17cm wide. Some peeling but no cracks or chips. Ask for shipping quote.

Stunning Ca. 1935 garden or indoor iron lantern in the shape of a humble tea ceremony hut. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Beautiful Early Showa 'asa' hemp noren curtain with auspicious congratulatory crane and turtle for happiness and longevity. 5'ft by 3ft. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Rare Ca. 1950 pair of Japanese bronze goldfish each with water spouts. Excellent condition. Lovely blue green patina from years of being outside in a garden. Larger goldfish: 30cm long x 17cm tall x 14cm wide; smaller goldfish: 26cm long x 14cm tall x 12cm tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Gorgeous Taisho period Ca. 1920 gold lacquered dragon carving from a buddhist shrine. Carved intricately out of cypress and set in maroon frame. Great condition. 34" long x 10" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Brilliant Taisho Period ca. 1920 natural dye cotton futon cover for wedding celebration. Featuring Japan's 3 famous auspicious symbols for happines and longevity; cranes, trutle and pine. 4ft x 3 1/2ft. great condition with a little shredding on one edge. Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece. Inscripted on the bell are two dates: Kiei 4 (ca. 1851) and Meiji 28 (Ca. 1895) along with donor names. We are not sure why there are two dates. Also written,it is from Gyoshin-ji Temple in Omi no Kuni which is the Edo Period Ca. (1614-1868) name for present day Shiga Prefecture next to Kyoto. Also written is "prayers for peace donor group founded by Kuzan Gyoin, a monk. Excellent condition and sound. 21" tall x 12" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Unusually large ca.1935 iron tea pot made for the hearth 'irori' in old japanese minka farmhouses. Stamped with the famed Nambu Iron Foundry in Tohoku Northern Japan, the inscription reads, 'Tetsubin Nambu Seido' iron teapot made at the Nambu Foundry. What makes this tea pot special besides the size is the 'arare' (hail) pattern of raised protrusions. Very art deco. 47cm tall x 43cm wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Rare bronze mythical turtle koro or incense burner from the early Meiji Period Ca. 1880. In the form of one of Japan's most famous legends is this mythological giant turtle known as the 'Minogame' or straw raincoat turtle due to the tail resembling a farmers straw coat. The Minogame is regarded as a very auspicious creature in Japan representing long life and good fortune. Sitting on its back is a nest of bronze waves holding a Hoju sacred gem koro or incense burner. 43cm long x 25cm wide x 25cm tall. Ask for shipping quote.