Rare large Japanese locking bar tansu made of solid gorgeous quartered sawn Keyaki (elm) hardwood. Finished in its original translucent lacquer finish with a black lacquer frame and dark red lacquer front, top, and sides...

Unusual Japanese 2-panel calligraphy screen with highly stylized brushstrokes, bordered with silver leaf and silk. The left character reads "Gi" (or Righteousness); On the right reads "Dao" (the path or way). The inscriptions appear to mean "Righteousness must always be pursued".

Signature of a monk or a priest in his late 70s named Kakuan, appearing to date Spring 1851 with a description of the studio in which the painting was made...

A massive Japanese solid Keyaki (elm) hardwood Kannon Biraki merchant's chest. Decorated with hand-forged iron plating, the motifs seen throughout the piece's hardware include the image of Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune, proudly holding up a freshly caught fish, a large Mokko (melon) shaped lock on the front pair of doors, with flowers and pine trees adorning the drawer below in the form of its lock and handle plates...

Japanese small choba tansu, constructed of Kiri (paulownia) and Sugi (cypress) natural finish wood. With hand-forged iron hardware and plates. The choba has hirute handles, with foliate edge motif lock plates, small pair of sliding middle doors with slats, and a corner bottom safe box with two small drawers inside.

Late Edo / Early Meiji Period (circa 1850's)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" x 14" x 24" H

Antique Japanese 2-section kaidan tansu, or step/stair chest of drawers. Made of solid Keyaki (elm) hardwood, the bold woodgrain is well-complimented by the original deep red lacquer finish and heavy iron hardware. With original set of keys.
Exhibited at the Prestigious SF Fall Art and Antique show, 2017.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 55" L x 26 1/8" D x 80" H

18th century consecrated Japanese dragon (Ryu) temple carving. Its serpentine body reveals his 3 appendages with classic three claw anatomy. The high relief carving engulfs the dragon in flames. The rendering of the dragon's face exudes power and compassion.
The dragon carving was part of the architectural decoration of a Buddhist temple. It has been sanctified with sutras, located in the dragon's eye during the "Eye Opening Ceremony" (Kaigen-Kuyo)...

Maeda Toshinaga was a Japanese daimyo, who was the second head of the Kasa Domain. He was the eldest son of Maeda Toshiie and married one of Oda Nobunaga's daughters, Ei-Hime. He supported Tokugawa Ieyasu and, after receiving his brother Toshimasa's lands (Noto, 215,000 Koku), controlled a total of 1,250,000 Koku, an amount exceeded only by the Shogunate. Toshinaga built and resided in the Kanazawa Castle. He had no children and adopted his brother Toshitsune as his heir...

Japanese solid Keyaki isho tansu from the Sendai region. With original deep red lacquer finish. The interior of the drawers done in black lacquer...

A Hirado ware porcelain figure of a kirin (in Chinese, qilin). The mythical creature is part lion with the body of a dragon and the hooves of a deer. It represents good fortune, protection, prosperity, longevity and fertility. The recumbent kirin figure is executed with masterful attention to detail and form.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 5 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 3 1/2"

Antique Japanese cotton woven futon cover, dyed with a paste resist technique called Tsutsugaki on an indigo ground with the mythical creature Baku, devourer of dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The Baku should not be summoned without caution, however, as ancient legends say that if he is not satisfied after consuming one's nightmares, he may instead devour their hopes and dreams.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 64.5" x 53"

A large architectural Buddhist temple carving of a Dragon (Ryu), with reverse glass painted eyes. The dragon clutches a smooth clear quartz crystal ball in its 3 point sharp claws. The high relief carvings show the dragon's body coiled behind clouds of smoke and waves. Dragons are the powerful embodiment of yin and yang and are seen as a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy...

Antique Japanese tansu from the Iwayado area. Made with Sugi (cypress) wood frame and dramatic Keyaki (elm) burl front panels, in original red/orange lacquer finish. The extensive iron plating is incised into flowers and Kiri leaves; The top drawer features a large flying Phoenix as its lock plate...

A collection of samurai arrows, or yajiri, mounted on a custom built museum display stand.

Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 1 1/4" x 9 3/4" H (overall)

Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout...

Japanese Buddhist Zushi (portable shrine) with bright red lacquered wood exterior and gilt interior. Shrine with the statue of sitting Fudo Myoo, the fierce deity with his pair of attendants, is seated on a craggy outcropping. The double doors decorated scrolling gilt metal work.

Buddhist traveling altars and shrines create a sacred space of spiritual magnetism and are the product of dedicated craftsmanship...

An incredible pair of Inari (Japanese fox's) made of pottery. Original patina consistent with age. No major damage.
No two Kitsune are exactly alike, and all of them are complex characters! Their high intelligence and boundless creativity make them hard to predict. Foxes and humans lived close together in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit, and serve as its messengers. T...

Silver square-shaped inrô representing a peony. It is considered as the queen of flowers in Japan. It symbolizes the feminine ideal and the protective force.

Shakudô (alloy of copper and gold, with a lacquered appearance) square-shaped manju netsuke with a golden border. On the front side, a delicately engraved plant, around which a moth flies under the silver moon. On the other side, gold seal (unidentified, ??土?) and stylized plant motif in silver.

Two-tone wooden...

Beautiful antique Japanese 2 panel byobu screen painting of a hawk in flight against natural foliage background. Hand painted with exquisite detail. Excellent original condition. Signed with red seal.

Early 20th Century Taisho Period

Dimensions: 56" W x 60" H overall

The expression of this armor, with its dragon and carp maedate transformation, sets the tone of its mythological meaning. The red armor has a Zunari Kabuto decorated with a Nichirin sun motif, which supports the dragon and carp conversion. The menpo is a Reisei-men with rabbit hair mustache, rendering a fierce warrior’s expression. The menpo is attached with four Kiritsuke yodare in blue and gold silk cords. The Renzan Dou is decorated with slivers of silver in the Ronin pattern from front to ...

This beautiful processional Satsuma Jar or koro is a treasure from he Meiji era. It is signed by both Sozan and Kinkozan. This stoutly made jar is 4 1/2 inches tall and 5 inches wide. The mixed metal lid is a replacement from the Meiji era, that fits perfect and is possibly more attractive than the original. We also have the original lid. It was broken in half and glued back together. The replacement lid has a gold wash in between the raised flowers. The piece has virtually no wear to the gold....

Two young women caring for silkworm cocoons

Signed Kunitoshi Ga in a red cartouche with date: 1881 and publisher’s information in yellow cartouche, good impression, excellent color, very light soiling, upper corners thin with remnants of paper attachments, not backed, margins trimmed right and bottom.

Oban tate-e: 9 ½ x 14 in.

Ca. 1800s

This round turned wooden dish is lacquered a rich red on the face and black on the back, and set on a turned wood pedestal that is lacquered black on the exterior and interior. This was an item made for frequent use, perhaps for serving food, or also for displaying festival paraphernalia on certain occasions. There is wear from use – losses to the red lacquer, as well as some abrasions to the surface. The top is slightly out of round from typical shrinkage. Acquired in Kyoto ar...

Scene from a Noh play, issued ca. 1920

Signed Kogyo on U.L., with red artist's seal, and fan-shaped publisher's seal on L.L. Very good impression, color and condition.

Oban yoko-e: 14 ¾ in. x 10 1/8 in.

Ca. early 1800s

This bowl is divided into eight petal-form lobes, with a rim painted with alternating leaves and geometric designs in underglaze cobalt blue of medium to dark tones. The well is painted with a so-called “The Friends of Winter” design of pine, prunes and bamboo, and the interior base is painted with a bird on rocks and leafy plants. The exterior sides have a scrolling peony Arabesque, and the base has a four-character Chinese Ming Dynasty Chenghua mark. Very good conditi...

Ca. 1800

This porcelain bowl, molded in chrysanthemum form, is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels in red, green and gold. The center of the interior is painted with a 16-petaled flower in underglaze blue, and the well is painted with various plant and landscape scenes. The exterior is surrounded with an underglaze blue floral pattern, and the base is painted with a Chinese “Chenghua” mark, as is often seen on 18th and early 19th Century Imari dishes. The bowl is ...

Scene from a Noh play, issued ca. 1920

Signed Kogyo on L.R., with red artist's seal and fan-shaped publisher's seal. Very good impression, color and condition.

Oban yoko-e: 14 ¾ in. x 10 1/8 in.

Ca. early 1800s

These bowls with matching inset lids are crafted from turn wood, and are lacquered black and red in the folk art tradition. They are intended for everyday use for soup and rice. Each has a kanji character painted in red lacquer on the lid and centers of the base. There is minor lacquer flaking here and there and usual evidence of use, but overall the condition is good. The sizes, though similar, are not exactly the same. Acquired in Kyoto around 1973.

Diameter: 4 5/8 ...

An absolutely stunning Edo period (1700s) Kuro Oribe Chawan covered in thick, ink-black crackle glaze and some fine cream colored decoration.

The slightly irregular kutsu-gata form settles easily into the palm of the hand, with the built up rim resting lightly on the fingers. A high quality box called Shiho-zan is part of the offer. The four sides of the box are surrounded.

No chips or repairs.

It is unsigned, as would be typical of older tea implements.

S...

Getzuzan inherited from his renowned father an effortlessness with the brush, shown here in the easy curves of the robe and face of the 12th Century Zen master, Taikobo, and the gentle washes that are used to compose the soft landscape that is the lovely place where he meditates and fishes. Gekko had several students who achieved fame, but he always favored his son. Getsuzan paintings that are available for sale are very rare. 45.5 x18 inches, 115.5 x 45.5 cm, unmounted

Here we present our second Hagi Chawan from the famous Koraizaemon family. We already offered and sold a Hagi Chawan made by the first Saka Koraizaemon some month ago, please see item number 0211 on our website.

This chawan was made by the 6th. Koraizaemon Shinbei Saka (1739 - 1803), accompanied by a wood box with the certificate and appraisal of the 11th Saka Koraizaemon.

Toujin-bue (Chinese flute) flat shaped tea bowl made of coarse, unfined clay with a high content ...

Here is a real beauty. Perfect in form, shape and design: Ao-Oribe (Green Oribe) Chawan from the early stage of Edo period. Little distorted half cylinder shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with slightly flaring mouth made of light, unrefined Mino clay.

The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potters knife and covered with the typical green copper oxide glaze inside and outside. A 'window' on the side has been left unglazed and is decorated with Chrysanthemum over water (kikusui, you ...

This is a wonderful tea bowl of Japanese Hagi Ware, which was made about 100 years ago.

The seal of the potter is stamped on the bottom. Some natural glaze cracks, which were intentionally created in the time of the firing process, are very nice. This bowl has an authentic wabi sabi taste.

Hagi Ware is a type of Japanese pottery most identifiable for its humble forms and use of translucent white glaze. It originated in the early 17th century with the introduction of potter...

A superb Karatsu chawan dating from the mid Edo period (1615-1868). Karatsu pottery originated more than four hundred years ago in the small town of Karatsu, located in northern Kyushu. It has been a favorite of tea practitioners for centuries for its simple design and natural feel. Decorated karatsu ware is called E-karatsu.

This tea bowl is in excellent condition and comes with a special wood box with describtion of its content ("Karatsu Tea Bowl Edo Period").

It is perf...

Admirable Japanese antique tetsubin (tea pot), made of cast iron. On the body, Kanji symbols are raised with the following message: Pine Tree, Longevity, 1000 years in the mud, really low, always a master. The idea is "Out of the mud comes the master". On the opposite side, designs of a crab, water lily, full leaf and half leaf. The handle is uniquely shaped. The lid is of bronze with a flower bud as the lid handle. The lid is is also signed, Kijudo. Age: Meiji Period. Size: 9.125" high (includi...

Darling Antique Japanese gilt metal pair of hand mirror and brush. Designed with picture of flowers in cloisonné on backs. Flowers are blue with white and yellow, on a black background. The set has matching handles, which display a butterfly fan, palms, and woman holding her mirror at the bottom. Meiji Period: Circa 1910 Dimensions: Mirror- 9.5" Long X 3.5" Wide Brush- 9" Long X 2.75" Wide

18th Century Japanese Two Panel Painted Screen. All four seasons are represented here, with the background representing Winter and the kimono patterns representing Spring, Summer, and Fall. This is an unusual and creative take on the tagasode (whose sleeves?) genre of screen painting that usually depicts interiors. The pair of kimono poetically speak of a romantic liaison. The colors are breathtaking and the painting technique is pure master work. 68 inches (173 cm)w x 60 inches (152.5 cm)h. Exc...