Late Meiji - early Taisho (1900-1920) wooden Japanese okimono of an actor wearing a voluminous robe and holding a scroll on one hand. Skillfully carved out of chosen matsu (Korean pine wood) in ittobori (one cut) style characteristic of Hida school of netsuke carvers with clever use of wood grain as element of design - in this case almost forming deliberate patterns on the robe. Wonderfully captured facial expression, very nice patina...

UNSKILLFUL AND INCOMPLETE LOVELY SECRET SCROLL

Practitioner’s secret manuscript scroll of the various hand-signs called 'Kuji-in' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuji-in) and ‘Tein’ (also ‘Inso’, ‘Ketsuin’) as the Mudra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudra) of ‘Mikkyo’ (Japanese Esoteric Buddhism), as the symbolic or ritual gesture or pose performed with the hands and fingers for marking each secret of various buddhas, bodhisattvas, deities, etc...

Inro of exceptional dimensions with 3 boxes in black lacquered wood, decorated with chrysanthemum flowers with 32 petals in powdered lacquer on a background of geometric zigzags, details in Nashiji and nuances in silver powder. The chrysanthemum with 32 petals (2 rows of 16) was the Imperial symbol. This geometric decoration of zigzags is typical of the beginning of the 17th century during the short period of Momoyama...

A pair of Japanese wooden red lacquered cabinet.

Age: Japan, 19th Century
Size: Height 55.5 C.M. / Width 40.5 C.M. / Depth 25.6 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.

This is tsutsugaki textile from the Edo period. A design of lions and peonies in the midst of silent falling snow. It's not flashy, but it looks like a fusuma painting from the Edo period. Both the indigo dye and the cotton are from the Edo period, and they have a very nice texture. There is one slight repair mark on the upper left corner. There are some light stains, but overall the item is in very good condition.Size:Length:170cm (66.9inch)inch / Width:150cm(59inch)

A rare Seto Chawan with wonderful glaze made by one of the best potters of the early 20th century - the 1st Shuntei Kato (1885 - 1961). This tea bowl was made over 100 years ago and it comes with the originally signed wooden box of the artist.

His real name is Kanae KATO. He was born 1885 as the third son of Shunsen KATO.

In 1907 he established a branch family, named himself Shuntei and became the first generation...

Antique Samurai drinking vessel with red lacquer and wooden stopper in excellent condition. The hand made cord tassels complete the set.

Dark old patina due to its age enhances its historical beauty. The sake gourd was a common attribute of the Samurai, it was traditionally attached to the waist by a cord.

In Japan, gourd or "hyotan" is a symbol of good luck or success.

Symbolic belief of gourd in Japan has existed for a long time...

Bronze okimono with excellent color and dark brown patina depicting a geisha signed Seiya sei. The scene depicts her walking on her geta dressed in an elegant kimono while she holds her fan aloft as a gesture of greeting. The kimono is embellished with a large obi that wraps around her pelvis and holds the pillow tightly behind her back...

The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: "As a pastime ― bringing clumsy, fragile things to sell ― at Uruma Market ― how lonely!"  A very significant poem as it conveys a bit of irony; for the Edo period nun who inscribed this poem would go on to create a legacy of art, beauty, and philosophy that endures even today...

Meiji (1868-1912) Japanese Satsuma Hexagon Vase with Dragon & Phoenix Marked

It is 10.7 inches (27.4 cm) tall by 8.26 inches (21 cm) wide. It is 7.9 Lb.

It has minor rubbing of gold, surface wears, and scratches (as seen in the photos).

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid...

18th to early 19th century Japanese sword fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) with inlaid and gilded relief design of three differently colored quails feeding on millet stalks. Very good quality crisp work, different patinas, some expected. Length 1.48 inches, width 0.93 inches, height 0.43 inches

Late 19th century to 1920s good size Japanese sterling silver and copper cigarette case with inlaid and carved landscape of snow covered Mount Fuji rising above clouds, and a wide bay with rocks, pines, huts and sailing boat boats, with design continuing on the back of the case. Inlays are cut all the way through, so the image on the inside of the case is the mirror image of the one on the outside. Excellent quality carving, wonderful inlays with differently colored patinas...

19th century wooden netsuke carved as seated Tanuki (badger) with its mouth wide open, beating with his paws on his extended belly as on a drum. In Japanese folklore tanuki is a notorious trickster: he drums with his paws on his large belly (tanuki no hara tsuzumi), imitating the sounding of gongs in temples and inns, and leading tired travelers astray in the darkness...

Unusual 1890s - 1910s (late Meiji - early Taisho) Japanese lacquered wood nyoi - a Buddhist scepter - made out of a natural root. Nyoi, or Ruyi scepter is a traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge. Lacquered in Negoro style with bright red body and black patch on the head. Striated wood surface texture is nicely felt under lacquer, wonderful patina, very pleasant to the touch...

Taisho period (1920s) lacquered wood kogo (box for incense during tea ceremony), its top decorated with two roundels, one containing bamboo and the other cherry flowers. Elegant object in Japanese taste, the body is made out of kiri (Paulownia tree) wood, perfect lacquer work, two parts fit perfectly, beautiful surfaces, in excellent condition. Diameter 1.82 inches.

Late 19th century Japanese Bizen stoneware okimono modeled as meditating Daruma - the founder of Zen Buddhism - enveloped in his monk’s robe with a hood, his hands folded on his chest. Excellent modeling with wonderful facial expression of severe concentration, fine detailing. Typical Bizen color to the surface, eyes are highlighted with white enamel, beautiful patina, in great condition. Marked with a potter’s stamp on the bottom, appears to read EISHO. Height 4 1/8 inches.

Japanese ivory netsuke depicting the Buddha's Hand or Fingered cedar among the leaves, a scented ornamental citrus fruit, a very important symbol in Buddhism, in the shape of a hand, originating from China and Japan where it is grown for religious purposes. The surface of the netsuke precisely reproduces the natural texture of the fruit, which is not smooth but characterized by roughness and pores. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 5.2×2.3×2.5 cm. Stat...

A sample book of wa-sarasa (Japanese sarasa) with 106 fragments on 43 sheets of paper board, mostly made in Meiji period (1869～1912) and some from early Taisho period (1910s). Originally it has 45 sheets, but 2 (3rd and 20th) are lost. The dye techniques are katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and print. The book is published by Kyoto Shoin in Showa 42 (1967). The 4th among limited 60 issues. 27cm x 35cm x 5cm.