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All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Paintings : Pre 1800 item #1488421 (stock #11093)
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A long horizontal handscroll with ten individual hand-painted shunga scenes, of couples in the act of lovemaking. The focus is on the couples and their actions; there is no background. One couple uses a dildo. For as far as anyone wears a garment, those are decorated in fine details.

Signature at the end of the scroll, on the far-left side: Yamato-e Miyagawa Choshun zu. Gourd-shaped red seal: Choshun.

Very fine and detailed paintings in black ink, mineral colors and gofun (pulverized calcified shells) on paper. The hair and some of the garments are painted in black lacquer which has a sheen to it. The photos show the hair as gray, which is a light reflection. In reality, the hair is jet black.

The scroll consists of four pieces, joined together and laid down on thin Japanese backing paper for stability. Wooden scroll knobs. Comes with a futomaki, protective roll.

Japan, Edo period, 18th century

Height 10.75 inches, length ca. 130 inches.

More photos available upon request

Condition:
Missing areas along the lower edge, mostly in the first quarter of the scroll, few small missing spots and areas throughout the scroll, and restored tears. All of this stabilized by the background paper.

Provenance: Private collection Portland, OR, purchased from Brodney Gallery in Boston, MA

Miyagawa Choshun (ca 1683-1752) was a painter in the ukiyo-e style, founder of the Miyagawa school of painting. He lived and worked most of his life in Edo. Early on, he was influenced stylisticly by Hishikawa Moronobu, borrowing groups of figures from Moronobu’s paintings. He painted in hanging scroll format and created hand scrolls. He did not design woodblock prints.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Lacquer : Pre 1920 item #1487407 (stock #11100)
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$325.00
Small box and cover made of very thinly cut keyaki (Zelkova) wood, in oblong shape with rounded corners. The domed cover is decorated in black polished lacquer, black ishime lacquer, gold lacquer inlaid with small pieces of mother-of-pearl. An open folding fan wraps around the surface of the cover, continuing onto the sides, decorated with parting clouds, showing silhouettes of birds flying over waves.

Inside, the surface is covered in thin brown lacquer, allowing the wood grain to show. The cover is signed on the inside in makie gold lacquer: Tairei.

Japan, Showa era, 1950s

1.25 x 4.3 x 2.7 in.

Minimal traces of usage on the inside of the box, overall in excellent condition

From the collection of Ed and Julie Lewis, Chicago

Takai Tairei (1880-1971) was trained in the workshop of the Imperial Artist Ikeda Taishin. He lived in the Aoyama ward of Tokyo. In his young years he made inro and pipe cases in the Zeshin/Taishin style. Later on, he produced boxes and trays with lacquer decorations directly applied on the wooden objects (kiji makie), such as the one presented here. After World War II, Tairei made his living by manufacturing lacquered jewelry: obi pins, brooches and rings, while continuing making kiji makie objects. His brother-in-law was the famous lacquer artist Akatsuka Jitoku, who was married with his elder sister Takai Kei (1877-1946).

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Tea Articles : Pre 1900 item #1487168 (stock #23-06)
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$300.00
A flat and circular kogo – incense box – made out of skillfully turned pine wood, stained or thinly lacquered dark brown. On the inside of the cover are two red lacquer kao (seals) by a tea master for whom the piece was made.

Unsigned, Japan, early to mid-19th century

H 0.75 x diam 2.55 in.

Excellent condition

Comes with an inscribed wooden storage box: Cha, marugata, kogo (tea, circular shape, incense box).

Although neither the kogo, nor the storage box is signed, the work is reminiscent of works by the Komazawa Risai family of joiners who were so skillful that they were allowed to create utensils for the prestigious tea schools, such as Omotesenke. A very similar box signed Komazawa Risai 8th was recently (2023) sold in Kyoto, Japan.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Stoneware : Pre 1930 item #1485479 (stock #11096)
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Tall and slender vase of heishi-shape made of fine, light brown stoneware, covered in a multi color purple flambé glaze. Over this in mostly white enamel a scene is painted of a large, partially deconstructed/built up skeleton, tied to sticks, and a host of small skeletons dancing and running around it between small clouds of gold dots.

The shoulder of the vase decorated in blue, white and greenish enamels and gold with leaf-like shapes, meandering lines and dots.

Unsigned. Japan, Meiji era or later? The vase itself may be earlier than the enamel decoration

H 15 in. (38 cm)

Excellent condition

Previously in the “Memento mori” collection of Richard Harris, Chicago. The collection was on display at several locations, under the title “The Death, A Self-portrait” (2012/13 London) and “Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection” (2012 Chicago)

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Sculpture : Pre 1700 item #1485174 (stock #10462)
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Wooden figure of a lion, companion to Fugen bosatsu. On his back he carries a lotus base, on which Fugen used to sit (figure missing). The lion stands on high and slightly stiff legs, each foot positioned on a small lotus base.
The figure has been carved out of several blocks of wood that were subsequently assembled into the final figure. This technique is called yosegi saiku and was widely used for complex sculptures like these. The tail is stuck into the back, remaining loose. The lotus base on the back is made is in two segments, loosely inserted into the back with a wooden peg.
The rather folky character of it makes it an extremely charming piece.

Japan, Muromachi period, 15/16th century.

Height 17 ½ in., length 21 in., depth 6 ½ in. (44.5 x 53 x 17 cm).

Some edges of the different blocks chipped, chip to lotus base, chips to the tips of mane on head and to hair tufts at legs, all commensurate with age. All in all in very good and stable condition.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Sculpture : Pre 1930 item #1483013 (stock #11090)
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$250.00
Black patinated, cast bronze sculpture of a monkey, seated with his arms around his knee.
Unsigned. Stamped in the flat bottom: Yamanaka & Co. Inc., and Made in Japan.

Japan, early Showa era, 1920s-1930s.

H 1.75 x D 1.6 in.

Two small casting flaws that were repaired at the time of production.

The stamp ‘Made in Japan’ was required for objects exported to the US and other western countries in the 1920s and 1930s. The stamp of Yamanaka & Co. indicates that the piece was made for Yamanaka & Co., to be sold in one of their stores outside of Japan.
Yamanaka & Co. was founded in the 1910s by Yamanaka Sadajiro, who had come to New York in 1894 and set up a small antique store in Chelsea. In 1917 the Fifth Avenue gallery was opened, followed by branch offices in Boston, Chicago, London, Paris, Shanghai and Beijing.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Devotional Objects : Pre 1900 item #1482784 (stock #10554)
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$800.00
The metal head of the rattle – called shakujo – with some simply engraved decoration on the central shaft indicating lotus petals. The central ring has the shape of an inverted heart, from which six rings loop, three on each side.
The six rings symbolize the Six Realms of Existence where Jizō is active and the Six Perfections that lead to nirvana: generosity, morality, patience, vigor, concentration, and wisdom.
Mounted on a short wooden pole, covered with red lacquer.

Cast sentoku. Japan, 19th century.
H including pole ca. 10" (25.2 cm);
H metal head only ca. 4.75" (12.3 cm).

Minimal corrosion on head, otherwise very good condition. Comes with a custom-made metal base.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Folk Art : Pre 1837 VR item #1482781 (stock #11077)
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P.O.R.
A large mask in the form of the face of an oni (demon) that typically would hang in the kitchen or in a temple, to ward off evil spirits. A slit in the back is for hanging the mask from the wall.

Wood with remnants of polychrome pigments red, white and grayish black.

Japan, late Edo period (18th/19th century).

H mask 13 in.; H with stand 18.5 x W 9.75 in.

Mounted on a stand, sitting on a pole that has been inserted through the chin of the mask. Also metal wire across the back for hanging (attached with two small nails behind the ears).

Color pigments strongly rubbed, various scrapes and chafes, material cracks and some old damage

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Sculpture : Pre 1910 item #1482513 (stock #11088)
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$600.00
A “wood-grain carving” figure of a minogame, a turtle with a long tail of algae growing from its carapace. Carved out of Jindai-sugi (Japanese cedar wood) in such a way that the wood grain accentuates the skin on the legs and head, the protrusions of the carapace and the algae.

Unsigned. Meiji era, early 20th century, Japan

L 18 x W 8.25 x H 3.75 in.

Few scuffs and dents that do not disturb the beauty of the piece.

Jindai sugi wood is old wood from the Japanese cedar that is said to be a thousand to several thousand years old, found buried in lake beds or marshes. The iron content of the wood gives it a deep grey-brown sometimes black, rich color. Most of the carvings made of jindai sugi are toads. Any other animal imaged in this wood is relatively rare.

A minogame is a turtle with long strands of algae growing from its shell. The way the algae flow down from the shell, they resemble a farmer’s raincoat made of straw, called a mino. Hence the name minogame. In order to grow such algae, the turtle is considered to be extremely old. It is considered a symbol of longevity.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Devotional Objects : Pre 1800 item #1482222 (stock #10611)
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$1,500.00
A small Pure Land Buddhist shrine -zushi- containing a figure of the 11-headed Kannon on a lotus, holding a flask in his left hand, standing before a full-size mandorla.
Painted in mineral colors and gold onto the gilded doors are Jizo bosatsu to his right and Kokuzo bosatsu to his left.

Carved wood (probably boxwood), decorated with gold. Jewelry gilded metal (now black).
Red lacquered shrine with fine gilded hardware. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.
Case: ca. 5.1 x 2.3 x 1.75 in. (13 x 6 x 4.5 cm).
Case with minimal wear consistent with careful handling despite age and use. Kannon covered in soot and gilding professionally repainted over the soot, probably in the late 19th century. Some metal jewelry missing. Excellent condition, very well cared for.

Kokuzo embodies wisdom and mercy. He is often paired to Jizo, whereby Jizo is responsible for Hell and Kokuzo for Paradise. The 11-headed Kannon expresses the eleven kinds of worldly power, or is honored as the bodhisattva that saves man from the eleven worldly desires.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Folk Art : Pre 1910 item #1479436 (stock #11086)
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$1,500.00
Rustic round platter, called ishizara in Japanese, used in kitchens and commoners’ households. Pale yellow glaze that typically leaves the foot free. The plate is slightly warped, as is common with ishizara. Seto ware, Edo period.

In the Meiji era this plate was additionally decorated in moriage technique with overglaze enamels that required lower kiln temperatures. Images is a warrior hare, dressed in more or less Chinese warrior dress, a spear and war-fan in his hands, a halo with three sacred jewels behind his head. He is in the company of a horned goblin with a war-club, together sitting on the back of a winged dragon-fish (Shachihoko).
Rim decorated with karakusa.

Mingei (folk art). Older ceramics, redecorated with appealing motifs were subsequently offered for sale to tourists who started traveling Japan in the Meiji era.

Japan, Edo period, 1800-1850 with Meiji era overglaze decoration.

H 2-2.25 x diam. 13.75 in.

Few underglaze chips in the rim of the platter, overpainted by the karakusa motif. The brown enamel on the dragon fish is irregular, but not flaking or chipping. All in all very good condition.

More photos available upon request

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Sculpture : Pre 1920 item #1473481 (stock #11080)
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$1,600.00
Sculpture of a long-nosed tanuki, walking with a hat on its back and a flask in its left paw. The piece is built around a large piece of root wood that comprises the torso, legs, the enlarged scrotum and tail. The head is a separate piece of root wood, the ears inserted. The sake flask is a small piece of root wood, and the hat is carved from a slab of a different wood species.

Hat and sake bottle are attached to the tanuki with braided silk cords.

Mingei.

Root wood with black staining.

Japan, Meiji-Taisho era early 20th century

H 15.5 in.

Thin cracks around the neck, where the head is attached to the body. Black stain is flaking. Other small chips and thin cracks commensurate with age and materials used. All in all, still in very good condition.

More images available upon request

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Wood : Pre 1900 item #1473410 (stock #11081)
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$1,200.00
Mask made of kiri (Paulownia) wood, showing the wide-laughing and dimpled face of god of good fortune (shichifukujin), Daikoku. The base of his hat just sitting on the top of his head.

The broad grain of the wood was used to accentuate the round cheeks, nose and nostrils. The wood was formerly stained with a reddish-brown color, now almost completely worn off. Around the eyes there are remnants of a light-colored pigment.

There are two small holes in the top of the ears in which the attachment cords would have been fastened.

The mask was made perhaps for Kyogen, the comic interludes of a noh performance. Since it has folky characteristics, it may have been used in rural theaters, on village stages or by itinerant street performers.

Japan, 19th century

H 8.25 x W 7.5 in.

The mask comes with a black lacquered metal stand. H with stand 13 in.

Chips in the pigments on the front, unimportant chips in the wood on the edges on the back. All in all very good condition.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Tea Articles : Pre 1900 item #1473393 (stock #22-69)
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$350.00
Round chawan, bowl used in the tea ceremony, with straight sides and a foot with three incisions. The very fine clay has an incised décor of standing and flying cranes and three minogame, covered in a celadon green, translucent glaze with fine crackle.

Impressed seal next to foot: Akahadayama.

Akahada ware, Japan, prob. Meiji era, 1870s

H 2.8 x Diam. 4.25 in.

Two chips on the lip that were restored with silver over red lacquer which is now worn (one partially underglaze), one very small underglaze chip, several short vertical glaze cracks along the lip commensurate with age and usage.

The three incisions in the foot are typical for Akahadayama ware.

More images available upon request

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Tea Articles : Pre 1900 item #1473392 (stock #22-70)
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$400.00
Chawan, or tea bowl, for use in the the tea ceremony. Fine gray stoneware turned out rather thin of almost round shape, with a ‘soul’ in the bottom, standing on a bamboo shaped foot, a swirl inside the foot. Opaque yellow glaze with fine crackle covers the ceramic. Over the yellow a white slip hakeme brush stroke on the outside and on the inside.

Seto region, Japan, 19th century

H 3 x W 5.25 x D 5 in.

Two unprofessionally, but lovingly repaired chips at the lip. One on the inside, one on the outside. One ‘almost’-chip on the lip with frittings. Small glaze losses on the inside and outside and more so in the hakeme. Nevertheless good piece in stable condition.

More photos available upon request

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Tea Articles : Pre 1700 item #1471034 (stock #11072)
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$1,500.00
Chawan, tea bowl to be used in the tea ceremony, of distorted oval shape (kutsu or clog, or shoe-shape). Thick cream-colored stoneware that turned red during firing in the unglazed area, covered with a translucent greenish ash glaze that collected in the bottom and around the rim and is very thin around the sides. The sides are ‘rough’, giving a look into the clay.

Japan, Seto region, very early Edo period.

H 3 x W 5.5 in.

Excellent condition

Comes with a red silk pouch and a fitted storage box of wood, not inscribed.

Excellent size for smaller hands.

More images upon request

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Wood : Pre 1910 item #1469863 (stock #10757)
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$950.00
Highly unusual sculpture of two natural ruyi mushrooms ‘growing’ from a piece of wood. At the foot of the mushrooms sits a small frog.
Natural piece of (drift) wood, natural mushrooms, frog of stained stag horn.
The mushrooms mounted with wire and resin.

Japan, Meiji era. Unsigned.

Ca. H 7 x W 14 x D 6 inches.

The smaller mushroom was broken off and re-attached unprofessionally.

All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Folk Art : Pre 1910 item #1468505 (stock #11070)
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$340.00
Clay doll figurine of a standing Shiba puppy dog, dressed up with a multi-layered collar with bells.

Very soft clay modeled in a mold and fired at low heat. Painted with gofun (ground eggshell producing the white color), natural/mineral pigments and gold, applied after the figure has cooled. The soles of the paws are left uncolored (light brown)

Japan, Meiji era, about 1900.

H 7.4 x L 7 x W 3.25 in.

The black and white of the dog’s fur is soiled, rubbed, and somewhat crumbling and fragile, showing partially the underlying brown clay, some touch-ups in the black areas; all in all, in good, stable condition

Clay dolls – kawara ningyo - have been produced in large quantities all over Japan at least since the early Edo period. They were made as toys and souvenirs for travelers. Clay was hand-modeled or put in molds to make different shapes, which were fired at a low heat. Subsequently, each figurine was painted with bright (mineral/natural) colors. It is a craft, mingei or folk art, with regional differences in colors and subject matter. In Koga, Nagasaki, the subject was mostly figures related to the foreigner traders that were living in the Nagasaki area, such as Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch, but also monkeys and other animals.
In the early days, a large variety of models were made. Although the dolls are still made today, the number of different models has been reduced.