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Comes with the original fitted tomobako signed and with inscription on the outside of the cover:
Nakagawa Joeki tsukuru and seal Joeki; Bronze handwarmer with [design of] gourds and vines …
H ca. 12 in. diameter ca. 8 ½ in.
Few scuffs consistent with usage, leather a bit dry and brittle.
Nakagawa Joeki X (1880-1940) was famous for excellent metal work in beautiful art deco style. He came from a family of armor makers, going back to the 16th century. His son, Joeki XI (b. 1920), is the current head of the Nakagawa family.
Although the handwarmer itself is not signed, the craftsmanship and the storage box identify the master
$1,700.00
Bronze with brown patina.
One goose signed Sou for Saegusa Soutaro
Japan, Showa era, ca. 1950s.
Geese (and full moon) are a symbol of the fall
H 12 ¾ and 6 ½ inches
Excellent condition
Saegusa Soutaro (1911-2006) was a well known artist. During his working career he specialized in oil painting and large scale public sculpture. It was after his retirement in 1986 that he started to focus on animal sculpture. For another piece by the same maker, see item no. 10994, a leopard.
$1,200.00
Signature in the bottom: Masahide.
Japan, first half of to mid-20th century.
H 3.25 x W 8.75 x D 2.1 in.
Short splinter on the base, otherwise very good condition
The monkeys are macaques, which are indigenous to Japan. The Three Wise Monkeys were probably introduced in Japan through Tendai-Buddhism, which came from China in the 8th century. They were popularized by the carving over a door of the Toshogu shrine in Nikko, constructed in the 17th century.
The name Masahide is connected to wood carving. Several carvers by that name have been identified. However, the signature cannot be assigned to anyone in particular.
$300.00
Soft molded earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold and silver.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 4 in.
Colors and metal pigments chipping, otherwise good condition. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
Rare subject matter
$300.00
Hand modeled, soft hollow earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 5 in.
Colors somewhat smudged and chafed; frittings at the bottom edge. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
$300.00
Soft hollow cast earthenware or plaster, painted in vibrant cold-applied colors and sprinkled gold flakes.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 5 in.
Colors somewhat smudged, especially the blue. Some black smudges in the white face, affecting her left eye. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
$245.00
The overall shape is an irregular cylinder which turns into a plum blossom when seen from the top, with three clusters of stamen. Ash glaze inside the lower part of the box.
Small, shallow impressed seal in the shape of ‘i-no-me’ (boar’s eye, more or less heart-shaped).
The foot has been shaped to show the shame boar’s eye as to mark the kiln
Most likely Shigaraki ware, possibly Iga ware.
Japan, Showa era, 1970s-80s
H 2.1 x W 2 in.
Excellent condition
$350.00
Although bottom and cover clearly match, they do not make an airtight close line, but leave a couple of gaps. Few very short firing cracks.
Shino ware, Japan. Showa era, mid-20th century.
H 1.25 in.; W 2.25 in.
One tiny chip on a rim, otherwise excellent condition
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Length ca. 13 ½ x D ca. 9 inches.
Mint condition
$250.00
Bizen ware. Impressed seal mark in bottom.
Japan, Showa era, ca. 1970s
H 8.1 in.; diam. 5.4 in.
Excellent 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.
$1,500.00
No potter’s mark, but the bowl has strong resemblances to works by Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966). The foot, the underglaze slip-trail decoration, the clay and the glazes are all pointing to the master. No storage box.
Japan, first half 20th century
H 3.6 x Diam. 4.25 in.
Mint condition
$600.00
Seal impressed in bottom/underside: Juzan. Refers to the Oribe potter Mizuno Juzan.
Mino ware, Oribe style, Japan. Showa era, 1950s
H 3 x W 4.25 in.
Perfect condition
There are at least two generations of Mizuno potters going by the name Juzan. The seal most likely belongs to the second generation Juzan, who lived lived 1908-1978.
$275.00
On the inside white silk or rayon lining in top half. The bottom half, the inside of the lower part of the lapels and along the inside edges of the sleeves, has been lined with reddish brown silk with a pattern of manji in jacquard weave, and sprinkled with small yellow dots.
Japan, Showa era, 1960s-1970s
H (shoulder seam to bottom) 63 x W (side seam to side seam) 23 in.
This kimono has been worn. It has been shortened about 2 inches at the level where it is covered by the obi; the collar can be shortened by use of snap fasteners. Generally in very good condition.
From the collection/ward robe of Reiko Sakagami, former mistress of the Man O' War horse farm in Lexington, KY.
This type of kimono would be worn at an informal occasion or outing.
$95.00
The back of the obi is plain cream-colored silk, as is about 1.5 meters on the front, which would be invisible when wrapped around the body. The last 16.5 inches of the obi seamlessly fit onto the rest of the design.
Japan, Showa era, ca. 1960s-1990s.
L 164 x W 12 in. (ca. 415.5 x 30.5 cm)
The obi has been worn and shows stains on the plain inside silk
From the collection/ward robe of Reiko Sakagami-Baum, former owner of the Man O' War horse farm in Lexington, KY.
Fukuro obi are made from one strip of decorated fabric, and are lined with a solid-colored strip. Si it is sewn in two parts. It is worn at formal occasions.
$120.00
Woven-in manufacture mark turned inside and obscured by the seam.
Japan, Showa era, ca. 1960s-1990s
L 169 x W 11.75 in. (ca. 429.5 x 29.5 cm)
The obi has been worn and shows wear on the gold thread background and broken gold and silk threads in the embroidery/brocade.
From the collection/ward robe of Reiko Sakagami-Baum, former owner of the Man O' War horse farm in Lexington, KY.
Fukuro obi are made from one strip of decorated fabric and are lined with a solid colored strip. It is sewn in two parts. It is worn at formal occasions.
$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).
$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.