An antique Shigaraki jar created and fired in this famous kiln region of Japan that was heavily potted. The skin shows the characteristic pock marks and imbedded fieldspar with a natural ash glaze. Originally used for tea storage, it has become a fine example of Japanese Wabisabi or understated elegance as well as an epitome of Mingei folk art.

Age: Edo Era (1750-1800)

Dimensions: 15 3/4" High by 13 1/4" Diameter

Netsuke in fine-grained wood representing a toad. The sculpture is powerful, the animal is very well represented, the movements of the body and the volumes are perfect. The eyes are encrusted with a very beautiful blond horn striped with brown for the most beautiful effect. Signature of the artist below. I haven't researched the name, but I can do it on request. Edo period. Himotoshi 2 holes. Good condition, excellent patina. No restaure. Usual wear for a century-old wood. Length about 6cm.

A wonderful Japanese silk wall hanging embroidered with a river landscape showing an arched bridge leading to a temple. Bordered by a beautiful silvery brocade with alternating phoenix and dragon roundels, backed with a green-yellow fabric. Condition: fine, clean and fresh colors, only the corners with pin holes and minor wear. Dimension: c. 146 cm x 98.5 cm

Rare boxwood netsuke depicting two turtles. This netsuke beautifully captures the moment when the baby climbs onto the mother's shell, conveying a feeling of security and family bond. Signed Shunsui 春水 in an oval reserve under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 2 x 3.5 x 3cm. State of conservation: Very good

Lacquered wood sake cup. Hira and Taka Maki-é gold powder decoration on a Kinji (gold powder) background depicting a procession. It seems that they are children in a cart.The roofing continues on the red lacquered back.Period 19th Edo or Meiji. Signature. Good condition except for a tiny chip on the edge visible on an enlarged photo. No restoration or repainting. D: 125mm H: 28mm

Japanese antique wood block print of the sumo wrestler, Tsuneyama Gorojin wearing keshō-mawashi (ceremonial apron-style belt). Gorojin was in the Makuuchi league since 1843. Name used from 1842-1856. He retired in 1859. Print by Kuniyoshi Utagawa and dated 1852 (year of the Rat) or 1853 (year of the Ox). Framed print.

Age: Edo Period

Dimensions: 20" high x 15" wide (framed). Image: 14 1/4" high x 9 3/8" wide

Beautiful small wooden jizai, or pothook. This type is called Daikoku, after the shape of Daikoku’s hat. These hangers were suspended with a rope from a heavy beam, over the sunken hearth. From the hanger an adjustable hook was hung that held the kettle. Good piece of mingei.
Zelkova wood with rests of smut, especially in the grooves.
Japan, 19th century.
H 9.5; w 9.25; 2.75 inches.
Slight traces of usage, very good condition.

Chinese bronze tea kettle, Its body decorated with raised dragons within beautifully shaped borders. Its spout has the form of a dragon's head with a ball in its mouth, with a nice green patina formed around the opening. Its handle has the form of a dragon's body, its tail and neck curled inwards, and the lid has a cute dragon with spindly legs within a triquetra shape, decorated with raised designs. Marked on the bottom of the kettle...

A Japanese soft and valuable boxwood netsuke depicting a young naked woman kneeling with towel and bucket in the onsen bath 温泉, the Japanese “thermal baths”. Finely sculpted with an excellent patina and soft touch. Himotoshi (holes that allow thread to pass through) large and small on the back. The Japanese consider “communion in nakedness” important as it is capable of breaking down barriers and introducing new people in the relaxed and familiar atmosphere of the onsen. ...

Six matching antique Imari plates with the classic black ship design showing Dutch ships and sailors. The plates measure about 1 1/4" high x 9 3/4" in diameter, and date to the end of the Meiji period. They are all in excellent condition with no damage or repairs. One dish has a small kiln flaw on it's foot rim. A complete range of Imari colors has been used in the elaborate design work. On the underside each dish is marked in gold with the character for longevity...

The ultimate in tranquility, a sage aloft his peak gazing out at the fresh green landscape, one can hear the rush of the falls in the distance, and occasional birdsong on the spring breeze. The painting is by Shirakura Niho and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kankyo Chosen (Leisure Life at the Quiet Spring). Ink & Pigment on Silk, it is 54.5 x 134.5 cm (21-1/2 x 53 inches) and is in excellent condition...

NOTE: Due to our holiday we can only send parcels again after our return on August 7th.

Distorted half cylinder shaped kutsugata tea bowl of light, unrefined Mino clay.

The expertly thrown body, heavily trimmed with a potters knife (hera) is covered with the typical, glossy black iron oxid glaze inside and outside. Obviously due to a lack of manganese here it is more a dark brown, which is rare to find on Oribe chawans...

18th century netsuke of a recumbent cow and a calf who licks the face of its mother. Strong early carving excellently captured mood of the scene, superbly carved to the last detail, their hooves bent beneath their bodies, the cow wearing a halter with a length of rope lying across her back, eyes are inlaid with dark horn. Beautiful wear consistent with age, yellowing on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono and picked up oil from the body of the owner...

Very rare. Simple wooden zushi with a figure of Fudo Myoo sitting on a high rock before a flaming halo. In his right hand he holds a sword, in his left a rope.
On lower levels of the rock formation sits Seitaka doji, holding his scarf in his left hand and a (now missing) club in his right, and stands Kongara doji, holding a lotus flower in his hands.

Light brown CLAY, hand modeled (not molded!), fired at low temperature, painted dark brown...

19th century wooden netsuke of a Buddhist monk arm wrestling with an oni on a huge lotus leaf. Wonderful subject, excellent carving with superb faces and great detailing of their limbs and fingers. Himotoshi is formed by the lotus stem on the bottom, beautiful patina. Signed RAKUSHI on the bottom - judging by the subject and the first character of the signature, the artist belonged to the Rakumin School and was obviously a master carver. Length 1 1/2 inches.

A wonderful patina lacquered Japanese black power container. Consisting of lacquered washi paper wooven tightly onto a natural gourd. The woven basketry work is detailed with the original attached stopper and copper lined interior neck.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 7.5" L x 3.5" W

These very well painted “egg shell” quality Kutani dishes are 19th century products. They are 8 ¼” in diameter. They have ribbed rims decorated with orange, gold, pink and brown patterns and drawings. Both dishes depict geishas and their servants enjoying themselves on an outing under cherry trees. There are six orange red hand painted marks “Kaga Kuni, Oda Sei” on the backs...

Early Meiji Period c.1890 red negoro lacquered Shishi mythical lion head used in the festival dances. In pristine condition with horse hair and gold gilt eyes. Fabulous mingei folk art piece. H:18" x W:14". sk for shipping quote.

Late Meiji (1890s to 1910s) netsuke of a standing fat baby boy wearing just a bib and holding a thick rope that serves as a collar for a puppy standing next to him. Excellent carving, great chubby face, superb depiction of his fat body and fingers. Nice flow to the rope with its twisted texture, expert use of black, orange and golden ink, beautiful wear and patina. Signed HOZAN on the bottom - the artist is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 470, number 741). Height 1 13/16 inches.

Antique Japanese porcelain kogo (incense box). Round in form and flat on top. Glazed with a lovely crackled white ground and two blue butterflies, one on the lid and one on the side where the two pieces join. Signed "Taisuiken" on the inside of the lid. With original tomobako.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 3/8" wide x 1 1/2" high

Very rare bronze murashido vase with an elephant in gorgeous 3D relief. Beautifully executed. 10" tall and 3 1/2 " in diameter. Very good condition. Taisho Period C.1920. Ask for shipping quote.

An E-karatsu Yobitsugi bowl made of various shards attached with wide bands of gold to a discarded base: the pieces dating from the Momoyama to early Edo periods. It is 22 x 20 x 6 cm 8-1/2 x 8 x 2-1/4 inches) and comes enclosed in a modern kiri-wood collectors box titled E-Karatsu Hachi.
This method of using pieces from multiple works with lacquer repair is called Yobitsugi...

Antique Japanese pair of iron abumi, or horse stirrups, with inlaid designs of leaves and scrolling vines. Beautiful natural patina, inlaid with silver, shakudo and other precious metals. Edo age 19th century. Size: 12" L x 5" W x 10" H

Late 19th century netsuke of standing Okame wearing a long robe with a belt tied around her waist, one hand raised, the other holding a folded fan. Wonderful chubby face with with a wide smile, excellent depiction of various textile patterns on her robe. Superb quality multicolored staining, beautiful warm patina. Signed YAMAJI in oval reserve on the bottom - the artist is listed NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 1215...

A beautiful Edo Period Scroll attributed to Kano Insenin Naganobu (1775-1828), depicting "WHITE KANA", 18th Century, Japan. Seal and Characters on bottom right. Provenance: From an old Berlin, Germany, collection belonging to a Lecturer. Good condition. Size: H. 180 cm. x W. 50 cm.

Antique Japanese large framed watercolor painting by A. Yoshida. A scene featuring a calm river cut between mountains. A lone figure carrying a large basket on their back approaches a group of huts on one side of a wooden bridge. On the mountain sides, colorful foliage adorns the trees possibly alluding to a late summer or early fall season. In a carved wood frame. Signed by the artist: A. Yoshida. Painted in watercolors on paper. He/she was an accomplished artist active during the pre-wa...

Very rare Taisho Period, C.1910 bronze carp garden water spout. The detail on the bronze fish scales and the waves about the tail are exceptional. We have seen many a fake of late and this is the real deal. There is a tiny pipe from the bottom that opens through the mouth to allow a water flow. Ask for shipping quote. Condition excellent. H: about 24cm x W: about 14cm

Rare bronze Japanese vase with cranes in exceptional relief flying amongst buddhist clouds. Signed on bottom with stamp. Late Meiji Period C.1910. Gold yellow color achieved by smoking with rice straw repeatedly. 11" high by 6" diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Boxwood netsuke depicting a woodcutter resting on a hollow and veined trunk with his ax resting at the end and the tobacco holder next to his hand. Excellent color and signature patina engraved on a rectangular piece. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.5 x 2 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Antique Japanese woodblock print, framed oban diptych entitled "The Story of the Strong Woman Takashima Oiko of Omi Provence" from the series "A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures" by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). In the scene, the strong-woman, Takashima Oiko leads Saeki Urinaga, the sumo wrestler home in order to strengthen him for an up coming match. Printer: Tsunajima Kamekichi.

Age: 1889

Dimensions: diptych print: 14" high x 19" wide. Framed: 21" high x 2...

Glass ball on a wooden stand of finely carved and undercut work. The base has been carved in the shape of high foaming waves in which fishes are swimming, and that carry the jewel of the tides. The waves inlaid with little pieces of mother-of-pearl and gold lacquer. Ryujin, the Dragon King, held this jewel to rule the tides. Overall height 7 ¼ inches. Japan, Meiji period. Ball in near-perfect condition (one tiny, shallow scratch), the stand with some repairs and some missing tips on the waves....

This early 19th century painted pressed horn netsuke is 2” high, 1 1/5” wide and ¾” thick. It depicts a big headed smiling man. He is wearing a kimono and sandals and is carrying a mask of Otafuku on his back. It is in excellent condition.

A Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a blind man holding his giant scrotum. Homin signature engraved on seal. Meiji period 19th century Sizes: 3,6 x 3,5 x 3 cm. Condition report: Good condition

An antique Japanese bronze water pot or ewer decorated and shaped in the style emulating Chinese Shang dynasty bronzes. The tripod leg often is referring to the ding where it was thought that these vessels were used to serve wine. Has a Kanji charactor on base that can be translated to men "to offer". Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter 11.5" Height 13.5"

This is a highly unique and rare antique Japanese dirk that dates back to the late Edo Period. It features an old Koto samurai tanto dagger blade with a signature inscribed on the tang. The signature is attributed to the swordsmith "Kaneyoshi" from Mino Province. The blade is from the early Muromachi period (Ouei era), which was approximately 600 years ago.

This dirk never has a crossguard and washers (seppa), and the mekugi-ana perfectly matches the mekugi. There is no gap between habak...

A classic vessel reflecting the grace of Song-Yuan period aesthetics by master of the genre Suwa Sozan II (Torako) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 13 cm (5 inches) diameter, 25 cm (10 inches) tall and in excellent condition. A prime example of this early female Japanese potters work.
Suwa Sozan (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initially studied before moving to Tokyo in 1875. Over the next 25 years he would gravitate betwe...