Amazing boro cloth which is one side of body part of noragi (farm wear). The ground cloth as well as mending patches are hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. Sashiko thread is also indigo dyed cotton. Asa (hemp) thread is seen in the side seam and that means it is rather old. The second half of the 19th century. 32cm x 184cm

A pair of Namasu or small serving bowls in revived Kakiemon style decorated with a depiction of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove in low moulded relief; here represented by just two of them. The Sages were synominous with a hedonistic lifestyle of drinking and poetry. The foliate rims of the dishes are painted with a fuchi beni, iron brown glaze...

Very rare XII Eiraku Wazen (1823–1896) Kiseto Sake Cup (Sakazuki) with original box. The seal of the potter is stamped on the bottom.

XII Eiraku Wazen (1823–1896) belongs to one of the most influential pottery family in Kyoto in 19 century.
He became the head of the family in 1843 at the age of 20 with the name Wazen after retirement of his father Hozen...

This is a fine Bamboo Kiseruzutsu carved, in high relief, the image of Rakan holding an Alms Bowl.. It has a large opening for the insertion and holding of a smoking pipe. It is highly polished, with a mellow patina. It is signed, in seal form, Bunko on the bottom portion of the piece. The kiseruzutsu measures 8.0 inches (20 cm) long, and 0.82 inches (2.1cm) in diameter...

Weighty, yet smooth and even in the hand, this Kuro Oribe bowl is quite attractive and unique in its construction. The jet-black glaze nicely highlights the Chrysanthemum flowers (Kiku) on the front and back of the bowl which are auspicious symbols of longevity and rejuvenation in Japan. When first introduced to the island nation during the Nara period (710 – 793 AC), the Japanese Royal Family was fascinated with the Chrysanthemum...

An iron mokogata form iron tsuba with surface and patina indicating significant age. Some folds apparent in the iron, tekkotsu ("iron bones" describing irregularities in surface resulting from gradual wearing away of softer iron, leaving more refined, harder iron), rim slightly raised around the hammered plate. The raised decoration of the hare and vine in quintessentially Japanese taste - thick gold overlaid details. This would work nicely on a Yamashiro or other slender, old blade...

We continue our presentation of Ohi chawan (Ohi tea bowls) with yet another sublime vessel, a true eye-catcher made at the end of the Meiji Period around 1910. It's a unique Ohi Chawan which seems to be a kuro Raku bowl, but it isn't. With its sophisticated shape and its mesmerizing play of predator pattern inside its outstanding.

Ohi ware is indeed closely related to Raku; the first Ohi potter was the son of Raku III, Donyu, and apprenticed to the fourth Raku master, Ichinyu...

A stunning large Menuki in the form of a writhing dragon of gilt copper dating from the 19th century, It is 7.5 cm (3 inches) long and in perfect condition, retaining both the original studs on back unused. The Year of the Dragon is coming up!

A rare late Edo Period (19th cent) Shishi Lion Foo Dog Statue made of iron rich Bizen clay, wood fired in an Anagama kiln.

Shishi (or Jishi) is translated as "lion” but it can also refer to a deer or dog with magical properties and the power to repel evil spirits...

This is an Early 19th Century finely carved netsuke depicting a Seated Hotei, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, the God of Contentment and Happiness, with two standing karakos by his side, who are helping the Deity hold a Tama, or Sacred Jewel, which is an Emblem of The Everlasting. Great rounded functional form with a mellow patina. Nicely detailed. Himotoshi shows signs of use, and there is wear associated with use and handling...

A beautiful example of Shigaraki pottery—the result of techniques perfected over centuries by dedicated artisans residing in the provinces east of Kyoto. This piece achieves a kind of asymmetrical balance of both form and color, displaying classic Shigaraki markings of emerald green, red ochre, and pale ash.

The Shigaraki kilns in Shiga prefecture have been an active pottery centre since the Kamakura period (1185–1333) and continue to produce pottery up to the present day...

We like to present you a 150 year old tea bowl made of Shino ware. It was made around the late Edo/early Meiji period.

White pottery is coated with white and light grey glaze. Very tasteful. It comes with a Japanese wood box (kiribako).

As you can check on the pictures, it is in good antique condition with no chips, cracks or repairs.

Size: 7,7cm height x 11,4cm in diameter.

Shipping included

Stunning Japanese golden Tenmoku Chawan of Kyo Yaki. The brown pottery is covered with a gorgeous gold glaze and shows a wonderful crazing. It dates back to the later Meiji Period (1868-1912) and is in greatest antique condition with no chips or cracks.

Kyo-yaki is a type of Japanese pottery. It is a generic name given to pottery made in Kyoto, such as Awataguchi-yaki (Awataguchi pottery) and Omuro-yaki (Omuro pottery)...

We like to present you today an early Edo Period Karatsu Yaki Guinomi (Sake cup) with aesthetic silver repair (kintsugi) made around 1700.

The Guinomi has a hira-gata shape, refering to the Kamakura Period. Fantastic item!

It comes with a tailor made wood box.

Size: 3,8 cm height x 6,1 cm width.

Meiji Era (around 1910) Samurai Tea Bowl with fantastic painting, marked on the bottom 'Heian'.

White porcelain from Kyo ware is coated with vivid silver glaze and a handpainting of ocean, clouds and a kabuto (a Japanese amor samurai helmet).

Kabuto is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors, and in later periods, they became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan...

A Japanese carved and lacquered wood figure of a Buddhist Guardian. (Originally part of a small scale group comprised of at least a central figure and pair of acolytes.) Up to 12 such guardian figures are possible in a temple grouping. Condition is good and presentable with one small loss of wood to one sleeve and some minor lacquer losses. Missing are a nimbus and possibly an ornament atop the helmet. Height: 9 3/8 inch (23.8cm) including a 3/16 (1.9cm) inch high base to which it is affixed.

We like to offer you this hand shaped Tanba Chawan with natural glaze cracks. It was made during Meiji Period and is 120 years old.

As shown in the pictures, it's in good condition for its age. The foot of the bottom has a small chip (Please refer to the last picture to check it), but it does not diminish its beauty.

Tanba Ware originated approximately 800 years ago and has played an essential role in people's daily lives, as well as becoming sought after as artwork in r...

Small cloisonné enamel vase, dragon and phoenix decor. Silver wires. Golden border. Japan Meiji period. H; 105mm. Good condition, slightly worn gilding. Artist's signature incised below.

A diminutive image of the three monkeys made to support the Kettle lid in the Japanese Tea Ceremony dating from the later 19th to early 20th centuries by Nagaoka Kuumi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A warning to all, the little creatures hear nothing, see nothing and speak nothing. What passes in the tea room stays in the tea room. The figure is 4.5 cm (roughly 2 inches) diameter the same height and in excellent condition. Impressed into the base is the artists seal.
Nagaoka ...

Excellent example of Nakano ware Blue and White Mukozuke bowl made in the early 18th century

Diameter 15.2cm
Height 8cm
Weight 335g

There are old repairs with staples.

Nakano ware kiln was opened in 1598 in Yamanaka-cho, Hirado city. In the early days, Nakano kiln made Kobiki tea bowls similar to the ones of Joseon Dynasty, but in the 18th century it began to produce ceramics similar to Imari Sometsuke. Nakano-yaki is characterized as half-pottery half-...

Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. This one is made of asa (hemp) and both warp and weft are hand-plied. Red stamps of holy places are much faded but the kanji character read "Omine-san" that is located in southern Nara prefecture and a par...

A beautifully crafted Shino ware chawan with fantastic crackled glaze by Kato Gorohachi (?-1900) The potter signature is carved on the bottom.

Probably inspired by early Korean Ido shape examples, the bowl perfectly lies in hands giving strong Wabi feel.

There is not much information available about this Meiji potter even in Japan and his birth year is unknown.
He worked in the Hinno kiln of Aichi Prefecture in late 19 century.

Shino ware pottery is produce...

Furoshiki with tsutsugaki auspicious motif, sho-chiku-bai which are pine, bamboo and plum blossoms. It is made of hand-spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo and colored with pigments. In good condition but has a hole (2cm x 5mm) which is mended and pigment in plum blossoms is faded. Late 19th to early 20th century. 130cm x 142cm

Japanese iron tea kettle/brazier in a gourd shape. The bottom brazier has two openings, one in front and one in back, and has two large, round handles on its sides, held in the mouths of beasts or dragons. The upper portion is for boiling tea and has two slim handles on either of its sides. The hardwood lid has a very cute leaf and flower bud decoration. Comes with two iron coal pokers. Size: 13.5" height, 12" width

This small ivory carving of a geisha is a late Meiji period (1868~1911) product. It is 3 1/8" high, 1 1/4" wide and a little less than 1" thick. It depicts a geisha bowing her head demurely and looking at the floor. Her right hand holds her kimono robe closed; her left hand rests on her chest. The artist signature is on the bottom. It is in great condition.

New Arrival

Antique Japanese large onigawara roof tile end cap. This beautiful tile was made in the toukigawara method with a hollow interior. It once graced the roof of a large building, perhaps a temple or an important house. It has a raised Tomoe crest (mon) in the center which is surrounded by wonderfully three dimensional swirling clouds and topped with it's own roof. Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 20" high x 22" wide x 12 1/2" deep.

A fine pair of large fan shaped sweetmeat dishes decorated with a design of vase or censer flanked by a pair of square suiban on a veranda containing arrangements of Cherry, Camelia, Chrysanthemums and Pinkes. The dishes are strikingly similar in form and decoration to some examples in the Dresden collection with inventory marks indicating that they were acquired before 1721. See Reichel “Altjapanisches Porzellan” illustration no 60 “Konfektschalen”, and the notes thereto at page 151. T...

Samurai's kaji-haori (jacket), mune-ate (breast pad) and ate (ornament in the back waist) and all pieces have Tomoe kamon (three-way family crest). The ground fabric is not sure, looks mixture of cotton and wool and the lining is cotton European print. There were many massive fires in Edo in 17th and 18th century. Edo government organized the fire prevention system by samurai and then by civilian firefighters (hikeshi) later. Civilian firefighters fought fire at the fire site but samurai did pa...

Large Japanese early Meiji period sumi ink on paper scroll by calligrapher Ito Keishu (aka Ito Shinpei), who was active circa 1870s to 1890s. Signed and with three red seals. Paper mount and wood scroll ends. The scroll measures 79” x 32 1/2" (painting size: 54 1/2" x 26”). Good intact condition with some rubbing and soiling evident. There is a small distressed area or repair to the paper mid-way down the scroll on the right side (see enlargement). The top mount has a few old paper r...

A large sometsuke style bowl of auspicious Yuanbao form imitating the form of a boat shaped gold ingot decorated in underglaze blue with an elaborate lappet border to the base incorporating Pomegranate and Lotus motifs and a variety of geometric and contrasting karakusa patterns to the narrow border to the rim, repeated both to the interior and the exterior. The interior decorated with a series of roundels, marumon, containing a variety of auspicious geometric and painted motifs, pine, prunus an...

A saucer form dish decorated in a full five colour Ko Imari “wucai”, gosai palette. The design arranged in fuyo-de Kraak style with a border of six sectional compartments each containing a panels of “Persian flowers”, precious objects, and Chinese figures standing upon a bridge in a stylised landscape. The central mikomi painted with rocks, viewing stones, and foliage and Banana plantain, basho, flanking a pair of small “Deshima style” figures, standing on a podium. The general desig...

Kappa (cape) made of cotton kasuri on both sides which are hand-spun and natural indigo dyed. It is called "maru-gappa" or "hiki-mawashi" in old days. It was worn on the occasion of travel over kimono. It has washi (Japanese handmade paper) between two cotton cloth which is washed out and soft. The word "kappa" came from Portuguese "capa". The Portuguese first came to Japan in 17th century. The piping　is made of handwoven hemp. Generally in good condition but has some holes and wear in cords. ...

A fine quality Kameyama-yaki auspicious Peach form, momogata, bowl delicately and painstakingly painted in the Chinese Literati style with Sansui scene for which the Kameyama kiln was renowned. The reverse decorated with auspicious Lotus motifs to the reverse and a small seal mark for the Kameyama kiln. A similar moulded dish with sprig decoration to the rim is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York (Accession number 93.3.453 and there dated 1820). At this period the kiln was probably produc...

A dish intended for use in the kaseki meal decorated with three ragged fans inset within an arabesque of Hagi, bushclover, one of the seven plants of Autumn, that makes up the Akikusa-de. The sensu, Japanese folded fan, was often used as a seasonal motif representing the hot and dry months of summer, so the discarded ragged appearance of the fans shows that summer has ended, and that the winds of autumn have arrived. They can be seen in a more general sense as symbols of the transience and frag...

A finely painted Kakiemon dish of scalloped form painted in under-glaze blue with a pair of auspicious Hoo birds amongst clouds, harbingers of good fortune, with stylised Peony branches. The reverse painted with a classic lotus scroll and a square fuku seal. Dating circa 1680-1700 and a product of the Kama-no Tsuji (Kakiemon) kiln in the Nangawara valley, note the fine pin point spurs and carefully trimmed footrim. The dish measures approximately 21.5cm in diameter, seven suns. There is a fille...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of thick Hinoki (Cypress) and thick Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nail construction. Original bronze and iron hardware. Two different sized coin slots at the top of the box. Includes a working key.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 10 7/8" Side x 12" High x 11 7/8" Deep