Late 18th to early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a turtle hiding in its carapace. Excellent detailing - see the incised patterns of the carapace, its legs with scaly pattern leathery skin and horn inlaid eyes. Large deep differently sized himotoshi typical for the period, wonderful warm patina, very pleasant to the touch. Signed SHOYU on the left side of his lower back - this rare early carver is listed on p. 982 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick...

Unusual 19th century netsuke of a floor screen with pierced decoration of a dragon in flight among clouds over cresting waves. Appears to be a reference to the Chinese legend of a artist painting a dragon so realistically, that it came alive and flew to heaven. Carved on both sides, the scaled body of the dragon showing through breaks in the clouds, beautiful light staining, pleasant wear and patina. Himotoshi goes through the back down to the bottom of the screen...

19th century Japanese netsuke of Chokwaro sennin reading an open scroll as he rides his magic horse coming out of the double gourd. According to a Japanese legend Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted.. Beautiful carving, great faces, nicely rendered mane of the animal. Expert light staining, wonderful warm patina, very pleasant finish to the surface. Signed NAOMITSU on the bottom - the artist is listed on p...

KURAWANKA SAKE FLASK

Japanese Hasami ware kurawanka*-type white porcelain tokkuri (sake flask), mid-late Edo period, mid 18th – early 19th century, approx. H 19.7 x D 10.5cm (7.75 x 4.13in). Characteristically calm and refined white texture with such pale blue-gray reflection...

18th century netsuke of a lying dog with the front part of its body resting on a squished cloth ball. Superb early piece, powerful carving, wonderful face with large horn inlaid eyes, great depiction of its bone and muscle structure, excellent hairwork. Beautiful warm patina turning yellow, old age lines, no breaks, losses or repairs. Excellent sculpture. Length 1 3/4 inches.

Somewhat unusual late 19th century Japanese katsubera (shoehorn) with the handle section carved as 3 wise monkeys in their habitual "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” attitude: Mizaru covering his eyes, Kikazaru covering his ears, and Iwazaru covering his mouth. Wonderful work (see the rendition of their fur), clever functional design, beautiful patina, in great condition. Signed GYOKUSHO on the front - the artist appears to be the netsuke carver listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p...

19th century Japanese bronze netsuke representing a Noh theater mask of Buaku used for demonic roles such as Kaminari, Emma-O or any nameless demon or scary devil. Very nice casting, wonderful patina, overall in excellent condition. Signed SEKIZAN (alternative reading is Ishiyama) in oval reserve on the back. Height 1 9/16 inches.

Unusually large 19th century netsuke of a Nio lying on a straw sandal. Nio - one of the Buddhist Guardian Kings - is holding a vajra in his right hand, and a scarf is laid out around him. Strong bold carving, pleasantly heavy - might have been meant for a sumo wrestler to wear. Beautiful staining and patina. Signed GOTO SEIMIN TO (carved by Goto Seimin) on an oval reserve on the bottom. Formerly in du Pont collection - see Christie’s sale, New York, 1 November 1996, lot 23...

Unusual 19th century wooden netsuke carved as a Buddhist monk (recognizable by its shaved head) fast asleep, lower half of its body inside a huge Buddhist gong. The subject is a metaphor for a failure to reach enlightenment - instead of seeking and understanding the profound power of the gong’s message, the monk uses it as a sleeping pad. Rare, possibly unique treatment of the subject - usually the gong is small and is used as a pillow by a monk...

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke, the top being Chinese carving adopted as netsuke, with deeply undercarved scene of 2 scholars among trees and pavilions. Beautiful wear and patina, overall in very good condition, dark rosewood bowl, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 1 9/16 inches.

Late Meiji wooden netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned demon Hannya. Cleverly carved out os soft evergreen wood in ittobori (one-cut) style characteristic of Hida school, colors and gold lacquer highlights, beautiful patina. Height 1 13/16 inches.

Antique Japanese chawan (tea bowl) made in the Iga Ueno - Shigaraki area. Beautifully sculpted and decorated with natural glazes which have melted to wonderful green and brown crackled drips. Perfect example of "wabi-cha", the style of Japanese tea ceremony that emphasizes simplicity. Shigaraki is known as one of the 6 great pottery regions of Japan. With a signed tomobako.

Dimensions: 2 1/2" high x 4 5/8" wide

A Japanese unusual stag antler netsuke depicting the head of a swan in finely carved and engraved deer horn, himotoshi under the neck. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 2,4 x 6,3 x 1,8 cm. Condition report: Good condition

19th century netsuke of half of a mokugye - a Buddhist gong in a shape of a fish with its head touching its tail, and a curled lotus leaf with a stem resting on the gong. Unusual combination of Buddhist symbols, great carving of fins and scales, leaf texture, eyes of the fish are inlaid with black horn. Expertly stained, beautiful warm patina with wonderful wear. Excellent netsuke. Length 1 3/16 inches.

19th century netsuke in manju pillow shape carved on the front with a scholarly landscape of Mount Fuji partially obscured by clouds, a wide bay with a sail boat and pines, and a lower part depicting 3 nasubi (eggplants) of different sizes. Excellent design in Japanee taste, superb quality carving, wonderful mellow patina turning honey color, wear to the back. Signed GYOKUHOSAI followed by a seal (rather worn) on the back - the artist is well known for that kind of work and is discussed on p...

18th century netsuke of a karako (Chinese boy) wearing nicely decorated robe, holding a fan in his hand and seating on a very large bag. Strong early netsuke, great facial expression with an attractive smile, well carved textile patterns, warm yellow patina, old age lines. Height 1 5/8inches.

First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "The Curtain and the Announcements" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" co-designed by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) and Torii Kiyosada (1844-1901). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 1st month 11th day in the left margin. Ginko's red seal is on the bottom of the curtain...

1900's Japanese Bronze Urn with Relief Elephant

It is 8.85 inches (22.5 cm) tall by 13.2 inches (33.5 cm) wide...

1900's Japanese Chinese Style Zitan Wood Lacquered Carved Box with Flower

It is 2.4 inches (6.2 cm) tall by 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) wide by 1.85 inches (4.7 cm) . It is 84.3 gram.

It has rubbing of gilding, peeling of lacquer, hairline cracks and 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 t...

First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "Pubic Reading (Yomitate)" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" co-designed by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) and Torii Kiyosada (1844-1901). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 4th month in the left margin. Kiyosada's signature can be found on the billboard at the upper left. This series is unusual in that it de...

Pair of six leaves screens with decoration of horse-races on golden relief paper. The decoration offers a multitude of characters combining all the social classes gathering in the sanctuary of Kamo to Kyoto, to attend the taking place horse-race the fifth day of the fifth month : the Kamo Kurabe-Uma (加茂競馬).

This race count twenty riders in costume of Heian period split in two teams. She begins on the cherry trees side symbolizing the spring, and finish on the maple trees ...

An eye-catching combination of brown-black colors and old expertly applied gold repairs on a classic Japanese E-Karatsu tea bowl dating from the middle of the Edo-Period (1603-1868).

Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century Korean potters heavily influenced the development of this form—helping to endow it with the earthy, simple, and natural qualities it is so appreciated for.

It comes...

Fabulous Taisho Period c.1920 iron lantern. Repapered and electric source added. Very art deco. 10" tall by 9" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote from California.

Expertly executed noh mask carved out of cypress wood. Okina, among all Noh masks, the Okina (old man) mask is considered particularly sacred and has been at times treated as the embodiment of god, bringing longevity and prosperity to families. C.1920. In silk bag. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

An antique Japanese single section Kimono Tansu (chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Front corner reinforcements on all drawer fronts with two side handles on each side for carrying this tansu from room to room. Constructed using thick straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails.

Age: Early Meiji Era (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 36 1/2" Wide by 37 3/8" High by 17 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite stye handles. 5 exterior drawers for storage and organizing with 2 sliding doors behind which store records and books were kept. Hinged door secures 2 small drawers where valuables were hidden away. Horizontal side slats provide strength and a visual design element complimenting the sliding door slats. Through mortise a...

Rather unusual decent size 19th century staghorn netsuke of a horse appearing from a dried gourd that has a rope tied around its waist. According to a Japanese legend Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted. Cleverly and elegantly carved piece with great face, mane and front legs. Porous center of staghorn at the mouth of the gourd is plugged as is usual in those types of pieces, and plug is carved as a flower with inlaid ...

19th century netsuke of a karako (Chinese boy) with a flower in his hand standing by a tall floor screen decorated with a dragon in flight among clouds. Very nice carving, beautiful light staining, pleasant wear and patina. Tiny old chip to rim on the top of the screen. Formerly in Mary Louise O’Brien collection (Sotheby’s NY, September 17, 1981, lot 153. Height 1 3/4 inches.

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with multimetal top and wooden bowl. The top is inlaid with an actor wearing a mask and holding an open fan in his hand seated next to an assembly of stacked shallow boxes. Superb quality work with silver and gold inlays, excellent depiction of different designs on his robe and boxes, in great condition. The box is made of shakudo (an alloy of copper and gold) with its characteristic black patina resembling lacquer). Signed SEISEI MINGYOKU follo...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a crouching puppy about to pounce. Strong early piece with unusual posture, excellently captured facial expression and chunkiness of a young pup, wonderful hairwork. Eyes are inlaid with black horn, old stable age line along its back, superb wear and patina. Excellent strong netsuke. Length 1 1/4 inches.

19th century kagamibuta netsuke with iron lid inlaid with multimetal old torn fan and iron tetsubin (tea kettle) in a shape of a pig, its handle of twisted gold wire, and 2 drum strikers incised on the plate. Elegant design in Japanese taste, crisp work, beautiful patina on the lid and the bowl. Metal swinging loop on the back for hanging. Recently deaccessioned from the Framingham History Center, Massachusetts, where it has been part of the collection since 1923. Lid diameter 1 1/4 inches, bowl...

19th century Asakusa school staghorn / bone netsuke carved as 2 sprays of fungus growing on a tree stump. Superb elegant carving in Japanese taste, excellent rendition of fungus head textures. Very clever design, excellent wear and patina on the surface. Height 2 1/2 inches.

19th century netsuke depicting Ashinaga seated next to a basket, his absurdly long legs raising higher than his head, wearing a skirt, a short European jacket and tiger skin pants. In Japanese legends he is often accompanied by Tenaga (long arms) whom he puts on his back and goes fishing. Very nice work, wonderful smiling face, buttons are inlaid with horn, pleasant wear and patina. Height 1 3/8 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a blind masseur working on a client who appears to be a scholar wearing glasses and leering as he looks through a shunga (erotic book) edition. Wonderful carving with great faces, beautiful textile lines, rich warm patina. Signed HOMIN on the bottom - for information on this pupil of Meikeisai Hojitsu see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 487. Height 1 3/16 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a theatrical mask of O-Beshimi skillfully carved in characteristic ittobori (one cut) style typical for the Hida school. Pupils are inlaid in brass, golden paing highlights, excellent rendition of facial expression, wonderful mellow patina. Signed RYOSEI (alternative reading is Ryusho) on the back. Height 2 inches.

19th century netsuke carved out of kurumi (natural walnut shell) with a reserve on the front showing a face of a tengu hatching from an egg. Tengu are mythological: creatures half men, half birds, they are usually depicted as goblins and are considered to be first-class fighters. Nice carving, black and red highlights. Fantastic deep warm brown patina, signed NIKO by himotoshi - this rare artist who seems to have specialized in using walnuts is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 503, number 183...