An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hand made iron fittings with Warabite style drawer pulls. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Original use was for the family storage of ephemera, small valuables, letters, documents, etc...

Antique Japanese unusually small kannon biraki (hinged doors) tansu chest made of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top portion of the chest opens to reveal a compartment with a single shelf. The bottom portion has two exterior drawers. Elaborate iron hardware is like that of a larger kannon biraki chest and includes heavy hinges and cross bracing on the doors with an ivy leaf mon (crest).

Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 16 1/4" high x 19 1/4" wide x 10" deep.

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top section has two large drawers and the bottom section has two large drawers and two small drawers on the lower right hand side. Iron hardware includes large round lock plates on the large drawers and matching small round lock plates on the small drawers.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 1/2" high x 34" wide x 15 3/4" deep

Japanese Meiji period cloisonné enamel lidded square form kashiki (confectionery box for tea ceremony sweets) with canted corners supported on four attached tapered and splayed legs. The lid is decorated with a variety of fans of varying shapes and designs set against a black ground; the sides are covered in a dense floral diaper pattern in blue, yellow, and brown; and the bottom is decorated in clusters of flowers and scrolling foliage set against a black background...

An antique Japanese 2 section Kiri Kasane Tansu (stacked chest on chest) with handmade iron fittings. Bottom section features a hinged door behind which houses 2 small drawers). The top of each lock plate displays a stylized Chrysanthemum while above each handle has a plum blossom Ue Atari (upper handle stopper).

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 43 1/2" High x 37 1/2" Wide x 18" Deep

Japanese two section clothing tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) wood. Decorated with classic round iron locks and handles. The lower section holds a corner safe box.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37" x 16 1/2" x 43 1/4" H

This is a rare Yabu Meizan Censer. It is not decorated with gold details and painting but is still an attractive item with its rich turquoise colored glaze. The first and second images show how it appears under normal lighting. It probably does not have the original cover but this silver one is more functional than the ivory covers we have seen. The silver lids fit perfect.

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the stylized Chrysanthemum lock plates. Open fan style corners to the drawer fronts. Locking pin system secures top section to the bottom. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Meiji period (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 40 3/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 1/2" Deep

Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged...

This is a very fine and rare Japanese cloisonne box. The piece could have been made by Kumeno because of the style and quality. This box has been masterfully repaired on the bottom underside to chips in the dark blue enamel. The repair look great with no silver wire work and none of the flowers affected. The box has also not been sprayed. It has gilded bronze rims and this has worn. The box measures 4 3/4 by 4 1/4 and is 2 1/4 inches tall.

An unusual Edo period Oribe serving bowl, the color filled crackled glaze decorated with scrolling lines in iron and splashes of copper green. Both inside and out hash mars denote a bamboo fence with blossoms in the fore. A handle and raised architectural elements around the rim and rising to the mouth echo some western influence, possibly indicating original Christian use. It comes resting on a silk pillow in a age-blackened wooden box titled Oribe Katakuchi...

Length: 30 cm (12 in)
Height: 14.5 cm (5.9 in)
Depth: 11 cm (4.4 in)
Weight: 1.5 kg

Extraordinary statement piece; fine Japanese carved okimono of a resting elephant; the skin and bone structure and modelling of the piece is anatomically perfect throughout; the tusks are also wooden; a fine piece indeed; good condition

This is Egata used for the Taisho era period. As for this, a ramie spun by hand is used. This is drawn in Tsutsugaki. This is a natural indigo plant, and both sides are dyed. Egata dyed only by indigo dyeing in Okinawa dyeing and weaving is rare. This does not have stain damage at all. The state is good. Size 115cm x 115cm (45.2 "x 45.2")

This beautiful vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form. Fashioned after Song Dynasty pieces that are thought to have been introduced in the 9th century from Syria, the fine Kinuta celadon glaze is masterfully recreated by one of the most skilled Kyoto potters of the Meiji period. The outer ring of the foot is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay this piece is constructed from and the glazed center bears the seal of the Imperial Court Artist who fashioned this piece...

This Madara-garatsu tea bowl (Madara Karatsu-ware) uses a technique known as yobitsugi—using pottery shards from other works to complete the gold repair—thereby adding a special character to the piece...

A striking soft-glazed six-sided incense burner by Maki Hokusai decorated with white flower blossoms on soft flesh colored glaze surmounted by a silver lid pierced with the character Kotobuki (Fortune) by Hata Zoroku. The pot itself is 10 cm tall, plus the sliver lid. It comes in an ancient wooden box signed by Zoroku.
Hata Zoroku I (1823-1890) learned metalwork techniques in the studio of Ryubundo in Kyoto...

Height: 3.9 cm (1.5 in)
Width: 2.3 cm (0.9 in)
Depth: 3.7 cm (1.4 in)

Quality Japanese netsuke of a seated monkey eating a peach and grasping another in his feet; natural material; excellent hair work and stained scrimmed clothing; signed on a polished reserve, Masanao; good condition

Antique Japanese small Kiri (paulownia) tansu with seven drawers, each with warabite handles and round lock plates. All original condition and finish hardwood.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 23.5" L x 15.5" W x 27.5" H

Long Japanese half section Mizuya or buffet cabinet, constructed with Hinoki and Sugi wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 57 1/2" x 16" x 30 1/2" H

Japanese sumi on paper—this piece by well-known Meiji/ Taisho artist Tomita Keisen depicts a lone banana tree. Deceptively simple in style, each brush stroke made with sweeping yet calculated motions to evoke nostalgia for sultry summer days and tropical climes...

An antique Japanese Gyosho Tansu also known as a merchant peddler's chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Five drawers behind the hinged front door and a sixth drawer below the door. The sides have upper iron cord holding rings and cord holes at the bottom which allowed the merchant to carry this tansu on his back while transporting his wares. All original hand made iron hardware.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" Wide x 27" High x 19" Deep

Antique Japanese Tansu from the Meiji Age in Japan. Made from beautifully cut Chestnut to showoff the striking grain. Small Locking hinged door with two hidden drawers located behind. Dimensions: 33 3/4" High X 40" Long X 15 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking 2 section chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and beautiful lock plates with the owner's family crest incised in the design. Each section has two sets of side handles, one for long distance moving and a hand pair for room placement...

Antique Japanese ikebana (flower) basket. Stunning Hand-woven in fine bamboo. signature on bottom by artist Ko-Sho. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Wonderful original condition. Size: 17" H x 12" W

An antique Japanese Gifu Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest from the Gifu region of Japan) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Kaki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles and the incised decorative sliding door handles. Mortise and tenon joinery with horizontal side supports and sliding doors with Persimmon runners for strength and aesthetic beauty...

The title does not lie, this is one against which all others might be measured. A celebratory sake set consisting of three cups and a stand enclosed in their original lacquered wooden boxes. The cups are over the top, decorated with plum pine and bamboo in taka-maki-e gold over red replete with bits of kirigane gold and ke-uchi details. The cups are equally gorgeous on top and bottom, the design extending even inside the foot ring...

An antique Japanese two sectional Tansu of kiri wood (paulownia) with four large drawers used for clothing. The original iron hardware has four locks. The drawers have warabite curved handles.

Date: Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 40" tall X 37" wide X 16.5" deep

One of the most prominent potters of the Meiji period and one of only five to ever be appointed as Imperial Court Artist, the name Tozan is synonymous with fine porcelains including: Kyo-style tea and sake-wares, pieces for the western export market, distinctively home-grown Japanese motifs, and expertly crafted Chinese-style pieces such as the one seen here...

We have a particular interest in beautiful old Raku tea bowls and spend quite a bit of time searching for exceptional examples to include in our gallery...

A beautifully formed earthen flask from the Bizen region, the fire-buffed side still gleaming softly while opposite it has absorbed time into the porous clay. It comes enclosed in a box titled Ko Bizen Kaijo Ko-Tokkuri, inside the lid is annotated the dimensions and the dating Momoyama Jidai no Saku (Made in the Momoyama period) signed by the great Bizen connoisseur Katsura Matasaburo. It is 6.5 cm (2-1/2 inches) diameter, 13.5 cm (5-1/4 inches) tall and in overall fine condition.
Bizen b...

This is a very fine Japanese cloisonne vase done in the style of Namikawa Yasuyuki. It is not signed but we believe it was made by Honda, another great Meiji era artist. The enamels are rich in color and this heavy vase has a superb high gloss sheen. It stands 4 3/4 inches tall and is in excellent condition.

Japanese early 20th century art deco bronze swan. The swan is done in a silver and gold finish. Beautifully designed and executed by artist, JOSHIN. Signed JOSHIN on the bottom. The swan measures 8 3/8" tall, by 9" long and 3 1/2" wide. Comes with box.

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 15th/ 16th century and comes with what may be the original box and a quite old silk pouch. The light creamy crackled glaze is smooth in the hand and fine hairline fractures radiating along the walls of the bowl show remnants of gold repairs from previous centuries. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people) and are quite prized ...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Lock plates feature double Chrysanthemum knobs with flying butterfly security catch plates. Each handle has upper and lower Atari in the form of Plum blossoms. The hinged safe door hides two small drawers where valuables were kept.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 44 1/4" Wide by ...

Japanese temple carving depicting a dragon (Ryu) and a tiger (Tora), with background of bamboo forest and blossoming plum branches. The dragon is a sacred creature representing great power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy. The imagery of the dragon fighting the tiger is symbolic of the opposing forces of yin and yang.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" H x 16" x 2 1/2"

A very interesting ceremonial tea bowl produced by one of the oldest generational potting families in Kyoto. In excellent condition with one fine gold repair along the rim; apart from its obvious beauty, this piece is interesting as a conversation piece for its involvement of two generations of Eiraku, a Head Tea Master of Urasenke, and a former Head Priest of Daitokuji.

The 14th Eiraku Zengoro potter was Eiraku Tokuzen, however, upon his death in 1909, his wife Myozen (1852-1927) ...