18th century netsuke of the magic horse appearing from a dried gourd. According to a Japanese legend the gourd belonged to Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) who could summon the magic horse out of it to be transported wherever he wanted. Elegantly carved piece with great face and mane. Beautiful wear and patina. Length 1 9/16 inches.

Early 19th century netsuke in manju shape carved with a map of Japanese islands, all prefectures’ names are engraved in minute calligraphy. Very nice work in the manner of Nanka, old age lines, beautiful patina, 2 parts fit nicely. Diameter 1 3/4 inches.

19c netsuke of 5 boys playing blind man’s buff with 4 of them hiding behind a floor screen, while the blindfolded one is searching on the other side. Rare subject, wonderful carving, nice faces, very good etching of a landscape and pine saplings on the screen, beautiful wear and patina. Length 1 9/16 inches.

19th century netsuke carved in a shape of a bamboo section. Very simple elegant design in Japanese taste with clean lines, himotoshi is formed by central peg that has a hole in its back part through which a cord goes. Beautifully carved natural features of the plant, excellent patina. Signed RYUSHO on the back - the artist is listed on p. 901 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 13/16 inches.

Early 19th century netsuke of Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck, also representing Maitreya - the Buddha of the future) holding a fan in his hand and standing on his large bag of gifts. Wonderful early carving, himotoshi arrangement typical for the period, beautiful patina turning deeper yellow on the back where netsuke was touching silk of kimono, old age lines. Height 1 1/4 inches.

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) from the Nihon Matsu region of Japan made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Lock plates have double pine tree design to symbolize longevity and good luck. 6 drawers of various sizes for organizing and storage. A pair of sliding doors behind which a split level shelf kept merchant records and books. Side handles to each side for carrying tansu from place to place...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant small chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. 8 drawers of varying sizes used to store merchant wares for sale. Unusual wooden lip surrounding the top where seller showcased each item for sale to the buyer. Custom made tansu specific to the seller needs...

An antique Japanese Honbako (book storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hardware with bronze locks added at a later date for security of drawers. 2 hinged doors open with the left door secured by a clasp style lock situated at the center of the shelf. Constructed using hardened wood nails and Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 26" Wide by 19 3/4" High by 12 3/4" Deep

Japanese bronze bull with signature by famous artist.

Age: Japan, Showa Period, Early 20th Century
Size: Height 11.2 C.M. / Width 7.5 C.M. / Length 18.3 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall. Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.

A set of 5 mid-size dishes in the shape of half opened folding fans. On the bottom of each a decoration of two wheels, floating in a river in iron brown underneath thick cream-colored opaque glaze, and the right-side corner covered in thick green glaze typical for Oribe. The inside structured through the impression of a muslin-like cloth.

The back is engraved to indicate the spokes of the fan...

19th century netsuke of baying spotted deer standing on a base carved with a seal on the bottom. Image of the characters on Enlargement 1 is flipped left to right, so it shows the way an imprint will look. Elegant carving with pure clean lines, wonderful depiction of volume of the deer body, beautiful depiction of its spotted coat, eyes inlaid with light horn, painted pupils. Cord openings are formed by natural openings between deer’s legs...

Early 19th century netsuke of Chinese official, poet and calligrapher Toba with a bundle of books on his back riding on a mule accompanied by an attendant. Toba was removed from his post and sent into exile as a result of intrigues against him. Wonderful unhappy face, nice flow to his clothes, beautiful wear and patina turning yellow on the back where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono, compressed dust in crevices...

19th century Asakusa school staghorn sashi type netsuke carved in a shape of a stem of Immortality Fungus with 3 heads. Elegant carving, beautiful rendition of fungus head textures, very pleasant staining typical for the Asakusa School pieces. Very clever design, himotoshi is formed by natural opening between stems, excellent wear and patina on the surface. Length 6 1/8 inches (155 mm).

Stunning C.1910 ceramic tsubo from the Aomri region in Northern Japan. Most likely used as a storage vessel. Rich, thick overglazes. Magnificent. 24cm tall by 20cm in diameter. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Tall, ovoid shaped vase with broad rounded shoulder and a very short neck, decorated with an abundance of frolicking karashishi (Chinese lions) between blue and pink peonies. Three large shishi in green, white and yellow command the overall space. The in-between space is filled with small shishi in different colors and peonies...

This is a Boro Thick Instep cover (akudokake)of indigo dye cotton Sashiko from the Meiji era. It is intended to protect and keep your feet warm during farm work on cold days. The change in color over time of indigo dyeing and sashiko stitching is beautiful. Size:Length:31 cm (12.2inch) / 　Width:８cm (3.14inch) Length:32cm (12.5inch) / 　Width:８cm (3.14inch)

1900's Japanese Sumida Gawa Pottery Vase By Inoue Ryosai with Monkey

It is 11.6 inches (29.5 cm) tall by 10 inches (25.4 cm) wide. It is 4.7 Lb.

It has chips at the monkey's hand and rocks, skip glazes, rubbing of paint, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

A similar vase can be seen in the book "Sumida According To Us" by Herbert Karp & Gardner Pond, page 187.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell...

A nahi-ji and maki-e decorated wood lacquered lidded sake pourer (Hisage). The interior is in red lacquer. It is equipped of a sheath for the spout. Tokugawa and Daigo mons (emblems) are represented on the lid, the extremity of the sheath, the handle and the two sides of the pourer.

Sakes pourers (Hisage) are traditional pitchers intended for sake (“rice beer”) service...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden"...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden.

This print depicts Gyôja Bushô of Seika-ken, kill...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the full moon lock plates and the Kakute style handles. The backplates of the handles feature the auspicious Sho Chiku Bai (Pine, Bamboo, Plum Blossom) motif. Side carrying handles to each section with rare connecting pins to secure both sections together. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Age: M...

Late 18th to early 19th century netsuke of a recumbent cow with a boy climbing on top of it while holding a rat by its tail. The netsuke is a reference to a Zodiac pairing of animals with an unusual addition of a human. Finely carved, its hooves bent beneath its body, wearing a halter with a length of rope lying across its back, eyes of the cow inlaid with black horn, rat’s eyes are brown horn. Beautiful wear consistent with age, yellowing on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of k...

19th century netsuke of a reclining deer with its head turned back, hooves bent beneath its body. Elegant carving with pure clean lines, excellent hairwork, wonderful depiction of volume of the deer body, excellent head with finely carved antlers, eyes are inlaid with dark horn, beautiful patina. Old replacement to its right ear. Signed RANICHI in oval reserve on the bottom - this excellent carver is discussed in detail on p. 860 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by Geo...

18th century netsuke of a sennin Chochu enveloped in his robe and holding his most important attribute - a hossu (fly whisk) - across his shoulders. Very rare subject, wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful flowing lines of the robe, superb sense of volume. Old age lines, beautiful wear to the surface from more than 200 years of handling, superb patina turning honey color on the back from wear against the silk of kimono, of characteristic 18th century triangular section, deep himotosh...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Locking bar secures 3 drawers behind it and the center design is the family crest of the family who commissioned this chest to be made. One large full width drawer, a small drawer and a hinged door that secures three drawers behind it complete this beautiful tansu.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensi...

A fine deep grey Saji river stone in the form of a miniature mountain landscape with high peaks and deep ravins; looking from the front and back sides there is a long passage in between the peaks, completely natural! The stone has a perfectly fitted rosewood base, daiza. Suiseki are highly appreciated for their aesthetic or decorative value in Japan but also by collectors in the western world. It comes with an old collector storage box with a Japanese label: Old stone; three Famous Sto...

Very unusual 19th century multi-metal netsuke in a form of a locking box opening to reveal a portable sundial in one half and a compass in the other, both working. The compass has 12 sections around it, each section is inscribed with a name of a different zodiac animal. The body is bronze, the outside it is delicately chased with scrolling foliage on the front, with constellation points and stars and a swinging loop on the back for hanging. Inserts on the inside are made out of pewter, and needl...

Late 18th to early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a turtle hiding in its carapace. Excellent detailing - see the incised patterns of the carapace, its legs with scaly pattern leathery skin and horn inlaid eyes. Large deep differently sized himotoshi typical for the period, wonderful warm patina, very pleasant to the touch. Signed SHOYU on the left side of his lower back - this rare early carver is listed on p. 982 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. L...

Unusual 19th century netsuke of a floor screen with pierced decoration of a dragon in flight among clouds over cresting waves. Appears to be a reference to the Chinese legend of a artist painting a dragon so realistically, that it came alive and flew to heaven. Carved on both sides, the scaled body of the dragon showing through breaks in the clouds, beautiful light staining, pleasant wear and patina. Himotoshi goes through the back down to the bottom of the screen. Open center of one of the flo...

19th century Japanese netsuke of Chokwaro sennin reading an open scroll as he rides his magic horse coming out of the double gourd. According to a Japanese legend Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted.. Beautiful carving, great faces, nicely rendered mane of the animal. Expert light staining, wonderful warm patina, very pleasant finish to the surface. Signed NAOMITSU on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 822 of NETS...

KURAWANKA SAKE FLASK

Japanese Hasami ware kurawanka*-type white porcelain tokkuri (sake flask), mid-late Edo period, mid 18th – early 19th century, approx. H 19.7 x D 10.5cm (7.75 x 4.13in). Characteristically calm and refined white texture with such pale blue-gray reflection. (Those photos are shoot in natural daylight.) Aged crack/chip at neck as is, but in practically and aesthetically usable condition.

*Reference: https://hotoke-antiques.com/kurawan...

18th century netsuke of a lying dog with the front part of its body resting on a squished cloth ball. Superb early piece, powerful carving, wonderful face with large horn inlaid eyes, great depiction of its bone and muscle structure, excellent hairwork. Beautiful warm patina turning yellow, old age lines, no breaks, losses or repairs. Excellent sculpture. Length 1 3/4 inches.

Somewhat unusual late 19th century Japanese katsubera (shoehorn) with the handle section carved as 3 wise monkeys in their habitual "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” attitude: Mizaru covering his eyes, Kikazaru covering his ears, and Iwazaru covering his mouth. Wonderful work (see the rendition of their fur), clever functional design, beautiful patina, in great condition. Signed GYOKUSHO on the front - the artist appears to be the netsuke carver listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 462...

19th century Japanese bronze netsuke representing a Noh theater mask of Buaku used for demonic roles such as Kaminari, Emma-O or any nameless demon or scary devil. Very nice casting, wonderful patina, overall in excellent condition. Signed SEKIZAN (alternative reading is Ishiyama) in oval reserve on the back. Height 1 9/16 inches.

Unusually large 19th century netsuke of a Nio lying on a straw sandal. Nio - one of the Buddhist Guardian Kings - is holding a vajra in his right hand, and a scarf is laid out around him. Strong bold carving, pleasantly heavy - might have been meant for a sumo wrestler to wear. Beautiful staining and patina. Signed GOTO SEIMIN TO (carved by Goto Seimin) on an oval reserve on the bottom. Formerly in du Pont collection - see Christie’s sale, New York, 1 November 1996, lot 23. Unusual object, goo...