An antique Japanese Omise Tansu (merchant storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Consisting of 15 total drawers, it was used in a merchant store setting to organize and keep inventory available for sale. The upper counter was used for the display of wares and the wrapping of sold items. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 69 5/8" Wide by 26 3/4" High by 15 7/8" Deep

Japanese mingei hinoki water wheel. Complete 11 spokes with paddles used as a functional water wheel. Iron piston protrudes from the central hub for rotational function.

19th Century

Size: 47 1/2" x 6"

An unusual hira natsume decorated with motifs of a cicada, dragonfly, spider, snail, cricket, and frog. A few insects are closely associated with the various seasons. For example, the cicada and snail are summer insects, the dragonfly and cricket are autumn. In addition, the insects have allusions to zen and Japanese philosophies. Age: Taisho Period Size: diameter 3.25" height 2.25"

A symbol of health and prosperity, these ripe eggplants were painted by Hasegawa Gyokuhou (1822 - 1879), a disciple of one of Kyoto’s leading Shijo school artists, Matsumara Keibun (1779 - 1843). The attached stylized calligraphic poem, which speaks of accomplishment and being productive in one’s endeavors, was done by one of Japan’s most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century—Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)...

Antique Japanese single section tansu from the Sendai region made from kuri (chestnut) wood with a red lacquer finish. Its drawers are adorned with large iron lock plates with elaborate floral motifs. The mokko (melon) shaped handles are mounted on flower shaped plating. The lockbox conceals two drawers within, and comes included with a key...

This extraordinary vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form. Fashioned after cylindrical Song Dynasty pieces that are thought to have been introduced in the 9th century from Syria, the handles are of Chinese origin and represent the mythical "Chiwen" (Shichihoko in Japanese). This deity, typically depicted with the body of a carp, the head of a tiger, and the scales of a dragon, is believed to be a bringer of rain and a protector against fire...

Antique Japanese tall gyosho bako (merchant's box), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood, top door opens to 6 small interior drawers and bottom door opens to 4 small interior drawers, all drawers of different sizes, iron hardware with locks and unusual hooks, chrysanthemum shaped hardware in corners, rings on sides for tying ropes as this piece would have originally been made to be carried. Edo Period (late 18th/early 19th century). Size: 33 3/4" high x 11 3/4" wide x 22" deep.

In our opinion this is the best Iga Vase, we have ever seen. Massive and intentionally distorted Vase of wonderful native Iga clay. The vase is 3300 g heavy and has a height of 8,1'' and a width of 7,1'', which is very tall for an antique Iga vase.

The vase was made between 1800 - 1850 during the later Edo Period and is in good antique condition. No repairs. Only an untimportant chip on the bottom caused during the process of firing. The vase comes with an old wooden box...

A beautiful example of a Hakeme style bowl, this one quite rare as it was made around 200 years ago by the son of the founder of the Dohachi line of potters. Traditionally decorated using a brush made from rice straw, a white slip is applied to the darker clay body with a wide sweeping stroke to achieve the effect seen here...

Antique Japanese zenga calligraphy scroll with swirling wish-granting ball of flames, signed with artist's chop. Nicely colored mounting with porcelain scroll ends. Taisho period (1912-1925) Size: 77.5" L, 15.5" W (entire scroll) 46" L, 11.5" W (artwork only)

An antique Japanese bamboo Ikebana basket in a free-form nest-like shape created using multi-layered 3/4" wide strips interwoven with rope made of woven bamboo. The voluminous handle was created using interwoven bamboo rope in an abstract style. Patina is in a natural smoke and chestnut color. Flat foot with a three star patterned base. Unsigned. It comes with a cylindrical metal water and flower vessel.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22" High by 12" Diameter

Kobako in gold lacquer fundame in the shape of two joined shells, the interior and the bottom in nashi-ji lacquer. One of the two shells has a hiramaki-e decoration of gold lacquer and mura nashi-ji on a black background. It represents a landscape lit by the diffuse light of the moon, crossed by a river and animated by mountains and a valley dotted with trees and thatched cottages...

Japanese pair of bronze chicken and rooster, finely cast with detailed bodies. The male rooster is posed with head bent down to peck at the ground while the female hen is posed with head faced forward.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 4 1/2"

Antique Japanese Noh performance mask of Doji, a physically pretty and youthful boy to represent eternal youth. Wonderfully hand-carved and painted with wispy hair, red lips, and blackened teeth. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 8" H, 5.5" W

A diminutive carved wooden Shishi, used as architectural elements placed under the eaves of Shinto and Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Carved Hinoki wood with glass reverse-painted eyes. Mounted on custom steel metal display stand.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8.5" x 7.5" x 4.25". Mounted on a step metal base 5 x 7".

An antique Japanese single section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. 2 sliding doors designed with individually cut vertical slats (as opposed to a solid board carved to look like slats). Side horizontal ribs add visual strength and structural support to the chest...

Kuro-Raku Chawan by the 11th generation Keinyu Kichizaemon (1817-1902) enclosed in its originally signed and sealed wooden box.

This Raku chawan is particularly endowed with a structural power deriving from simple composition of features of a bowl - another reminiscence of the earlier generations of this unique family of artists.

Apart from being expertly formed and bestowed with symbolic imagery, this piece has the added distinction of being created by Raku XI Keinyu, the...

This Edo period scroll depicts Meota Iwa—a famous Japanese landmark in Mie. Symbolizing the union between two divine deities, Izanagi (said to be the larger rock, though there is no consensus on this point) and his wife Izanami, the two are joined by a shimenawa (heavy straw rope used in Japanese Shinto ceremonies). This straw rope is quite massive and must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony...