$400.00
Light colored stoneware with pastel colored sgrafitto clay inly. Excellent craftsmanship. Kyoto ware.
Signed on the bottom Gyozan
Japan, late Meiji/Taisho era, 1910s-1920s
H ca 9.25 inches
The Gyozan studio and kiln were in Kyoto. The studio produced traditional Kyoto Satsuma ware for the export market. It also engaged in making bold, colorful designs that resemble works by Kenzan studios and others. This vase clearly shows the heavy influence of art deco, which was very much the taste in Japan during the greater Taisho era (1910s-1930s).
$450.00
Black ink and some gray on paper. Mounted in brocade and framed in wooden Asian frame. Originally this was a hanging scroll but the mounting was cut and used as a decorative border inside the frame.
Korea, first half 20th century.
Frame: H 24.75 x W 18 in.
Painting: H 17 x W 12.75 in.
Paper yellowed and thin on the lines of the paper grid
$900.00
Japan, Taisho era, 1910s-1920s.
H ca. 18 inches.
One repaired crack from the bottom going up into his left shoulder, some scuffs and chips at edges, several tension cracks. All in all very good and stable condition.
The dance Sambaso originated in noh (kyogen) theater, as a prayer for prosperity (abundant rice harvest) at the beginning of the program. The dance was adapted for kabuki and bunraku, as well. It was performed at the opening of the new kabuki season, which coincides with the beginning of the new year, or at the opening of a new theater.
$400.00
A sparrow is sitting on a bamboo stalk.
Red patinated copper liner.
Japan, Taisho era, 1920s
H 11.75 x W ca. 5 x D ca. 5 in.
On the bottom of the kiri wood and on the bottom of the copper liner is written in felt pen: M.E. Boone 821-0930.
Condition: Dent, scratches, scuffs in the wood, consistent with light usage. Liner bent and dented, green insultation? stuff along the bottom seam on the inside.
$250.00
Bizen ware. Impressed seal mark in bottom.
Japan, Showa era, ca. 1970s
H 8.1 in.; diam. 5.4 in.
Excellent condition
$600.00
Signed: Shoto …utsutsu. Seal: Moroku sensei.
Black ink and mineral color on paper.
Japan, Taisho era, 1910s, perhaps 1920s.
Painted area: ca. 52 x 13.5 in. (132 x 34.5 cm).
Total length ca. 77 inches (195 cm).
Few light stains and tiny spots, some foxing in mounting, otherwise very good condition.
Kurata Shoto (1865-1928) was a painter from Akita. He worked in the nanga style. His paintings were often Buddhist in subject matter, but he also painted historical and mythological figures. His sense of humor is often visible in his work.
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Black ink, gold and bright color on silk.
Unsigned. After a four-page book illustration by Keisai Eisen (see photo 6, which is NOT offered for sale here).
Japan, Meiji period.
Height: 12 ¾”; width: 18 ¼”; total height mounting: 47 ¾” (32.4 x 46.3; 121.3 cm).
Typical mounting from the Meiji period, probably original to the painting.
Some foxing, otherwise very good condition.
$1,400.00
Cast bronze with dark brown patina. Good details.
H 3 x D 2.25 in.
Few casting flaws, otherwise excellent condition
This type of erotic statues are regarded as funny rather than erotic. In Japan they are called waraimono, ‘something (or someone) that makes you laugh’.
$1,200.00
Ink and mineral colors on silk, in a gold brocade mounting with bone scroll ends.
Signed in lower right: Shogai. Two red seals: Tani-shi Hidemasa; Shogai no in.
Silk: H 49 x W 16.5 in.
Mounting: H 77 x W 21.5 in.
W at the bottom with scroll ends: 23.6 in.
Comes in the original wooden storage box. Inscribed on the outside: Keiba no zu (image of horse racing). On the inside of the cover: Taisho juichinen chushun (spring of Taisho 11=1922), Shogai shiki and two seals: Tani Hidemasa and Shogai.
Although the artist cannot be further identified at this point, the painting is of high quality, in a style that is reminiscent of Katsushika Hokusai.
Two tiny tears on the edges, stabilized by the mounting, several very light stains. All in all in very good condition. Mounting in very good condition.
$230.00
Potter’s mark on the bottom (looks like a smiley face), which is the signature mark of Kato Sakusuke IV.
Seto, Japan, 1970s or a little later
H 6.5 x diam 4.5 in.
Mint condition
Comes with the original wooden storage box, inscribed Ko Seto gama (seal in upper right); Kiseto, kabin (flower vase in yellow Seto; and signed Sakusuke saku and with the artist’s seal
Kato Sakusuke IV (1909-1996) was the 25th in line from Kato Kagemasa, the founder of Seto ware.
He graduated from the Kyoto Vocational School for Industrial Crafts in 1932, and trained in Kyoto for three more years. After returning to Seto and began making pottery under the guidance of his father. He inherited the title of Sakusuke IV in 1944.
He studied the traditional techniques of Oribe, Kuro-Oribe, Ki-Seto, and Ofuke, creating masterful and traditional ceramic/ceremonial works. In 1984 he was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of the Prefecture of Aichi.
$150.00
The back of the fukusa is a solid bright orange-red.
Tassels in 3 of the 4 corners of red and cream-colored silk and gold thread.
Japan, mid 20th century
H 15.75 x W 14.5 in.
One tassel missing, storage folds, otherwise excellent condition
The red color is hard to reflect in a photo. It is slightly more orange in reality.
$325.00
The figure was molded in a cast in two halves (front and back) and joined before firing. A hole in the back functions as a vent and prevents the statue from exploding while fired in the kiln.
Stoneware with some gomma. Details are beautifully worked.
Small seal impressed in the back: Bizen … [illegible].
H 10.25 inches
Japan, Bizen/Inbe, mid 20th century
Crack along the vertical joint in the right side, from which three very thin horizontal cracks spring (two towards the front, one towards the back). Despite that, stable and sturdy condition. Molding flaw in the ear that is not considered a damage.
Please ask for pictures for a detailed report on the damages
Gomma (sesame seed) is created by the ash of the pinewood with which the kiln is fired. It lands on the object and melts due to the high temperature. Gomma cannot be steered, it occurs spontaneously. It occurs more profusely near where the fire is. The ashes blow into the kiln flowing on the flames. The further away from the fire, the less ash remains floating through the air.
$200.00
On the back in light gray velvet against purple is a round family crest.
Green and brown braided tassels in the corners.
Japan, first half 20th century
H 22 x W 19.25 in.
Some of the velvet slightly worn, minimal traces of usage, folds from storage, all in all excellent condition. One tassel missing.
The turtle stands for longevity, bamboo for longevity and resilience. Auspicious image, excellent for gift giving. The fukusa would be put over a box or a tray holding a gift. The fukusa was just as important as the gift itself.
$450.00
On the outside in a white rectangular reserve with black outlines the signature Kenzan. Japan, 1950s.
In the style of Ogata Kenzan or Ogata Kenzan studio.
H 4; w 12 inches.
Tiny chip on inner rim, otherwise excellent condition.
$3,500.00
Brown patinated bronze with roughened surface.
Each fox signed on the bottom ‘Kozan’ in archaic script.
Japan, mid 20th century.
Height 10 and 10.1 inches (25.2 and 25.8 cm).
Comes with the original tomobako storage box; the cover inscribed on the outside ‘tsuki miru kitsune’ (foxes looking at the moon) and stamped ‘seido sei’ (made of bronze); the cover signed on the inside ‘Kozan saku’, and sealed ‘Kozan’.
A few tiny dents at the bottom edge of one of the foxes, otherwise excellent condition.
The signature Kozan belongs to the artist Sakai Kozan, who was active in Takaoka during the Showa period, from the mid to late 20th century. The Sakai bronze manufacture is still active today.
$600.00
H ca 7 in., W at foot 4 ¼ in.
Mint condition. The piece does not come with a box.
Nakazato Muan (1895-1985) inherited the artist name Taroemon XII, in 1927, following his father who was Taroemon XI. In 1928 he reconstructed the Ochawan kiln that had been used since feudal times. He studied old Karatsu ware, which had died a long time ago, in an attempt to revive it.
1955: Acknowledges as an Intangible Cultural Asset for Karatsu ware
1967: Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon
1969: Received the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure
1970: Received the Western Japan Culture Award
1976: Acknowledged as an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for Karatsu ware
In 1959 Taroemon XII retired and entered priesthood in Daitokuji in Kyoto, carrying the name Muan henceforth. His son took over the business under the name Taroemon XIII. Muan dedicated himself from there on to creating his original pottery.
$1,200.00
Cast and patinated bronze.
Japan, Meiji/Taisho era, early 20th century
H 7.25 x W 14 x D 7.5 in.
Small casting flaw in cover, repaired (strictly speaking a casting flaw is not a damage), two larger casting flaws in bottom (not restored), a few scuffs, all in all very good condition.
$1,000.00
Cryptomeria (sugi) wood, red and white cotton, paper
Japan, 20th century
H 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)
Excellent condition