Very large tile in the shape of (and virtually in the size of) a handscroll decorated in underglaze blue with a crashing wave and a full moon. The image is surrounded by borders of geometric flowers and medallions filled with a phoenix. Some of the phoenixes looks left, others look right. Medallions colored in underglaze pink and yellow.

On the back are two ‘loops’ to hang the tile up...

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Side handles for ease of carrying. Large drawer used to store the Katana while the medium drawer stored the Wakizashi. The small drawer stored the sharpening and cleaning supplies for the weapons.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 44" Wide by 12" High by 12 1/4" Deep

19th century miniature Hirado porcelain sculpture of a reclining karako (Chinese boy) leaning on his right elbow. Could have been used as a brushrest. Excellent crisp modeling with incised details - see his superb dreamy face, well defined hand and clothing details. Beautiful glaze with numerous tiny bubbles giving it depth, unglazed bottom, in excellent condition (no chips, cracks or repairs), very pleasant to the touch...

A Japanese pipe case (kizeruzutsu) decorated on a deep red lacquer and lacquered *agiro ground with Chinese bell flowers (kikyo) on one side and a waterlily on the other side. It is attached to a stylish leather pouch with a clasp of mixed metal beans. Some damages on lacquer. Late Edo/Meiji period. *Ajiro is a woven wickerwork made out of strips of bamboo skin, cypress bark or Japanese reed.

A rare large antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest) made of solid quartered sawn Keyaki (zelkova) wood with hand forged iron hardware and wooden wheels. Sliders are made of burl keyaki hardwood. The upper portion of the chest has a large compartment opened by sliding panels with horizontal slats and a heavy hand forged iron latch. The bottom portion has two large drawers...

An antique Japanese Two-Section Kaidan Tansu (stair chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles. Made in two sections allowing for easier placement through a door or entrance. Drawers of varying sizes for organizing with a large hinged door with spacious storage behind and a lift out door on the top step with two wooden hooks where security keys were kept...

Antique Japanese makie lacquer suzuri bako (writing box) and matching large stationary box signed with bold signatures on the bottom reading: 光琳　青々Kо̄rin Seisei, an artist name used by Ogata Kōrin (1658 – 1716).
Both boxes have domed lids and are decorated entirely in gold lacquer with highly raised designs of flowers and silver pine branches. The flowers are further embellished with inlaid shell...

This is a Japanese antiques, a small Porcelain figurine For calligraphy tool suiteki around 1868-1900, a very nice wall clock design . suiteki is used to make ink for calligraphy. suiteki is a container for pouring water into the inkstone. There are two small holes (wind hole and water hole), and a small amount of drips are dropped. You can fine-tune the density of the ink with the water that flows out little by little...

Antique Japanese small tansu with 5 drawers of various sizes. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and still in it's original condition. Iron hardware includes hirute shaped drawer pulls and each drawer has a lock plate. The sides of the chest have a deep reddish lacquer finish. The deep patination is from hundreds of years of careful use.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 25" high x 25 3/4" wide x 13 1/2" deep

Japanese Wooden Tonkotsu, Tobacco container, with Kiseruzutsu, Pipe Holder, and carved nut Ojime, before 1900, Tobacco box - 3 1/2", 3 1/4", 1 1/2" high, pipe holder - 8 3/4" long, 1" wide, Nut Ojime - 3/8" diameter, top of the round wooden Tobacco Container and pipe is attached to the rope, all in one piece. Pile holder is natural carved wood, natural dark brown bark shows on the back. Maker's mark on the pipe. The condition is good.

Japanese ceramic oribe enamel chawan, or tea ceremony bowl. The bowl is squared with thick "dripping" oribe green/blue glaze down around its mouth. The foot is flat and recessed.

Circa Early 19th Century

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

19th century Japanese raku ceramic box for use in tea ceremony potted and painted to represent yuzu citron with leaves. Could serve as chaire (tea caddy for powdered tea) or kogo (box for incense). Wonderful hand potting, excellent depiction of fruit skin texture. Stamped with RAKU character on the body by the foot. Comes with newer kiriwood box and wrapping cloth. Very pleasant feel of age, well-used, in great condition. Diameter 3 1/4 inches, height with cover 2 5/8 inches.

Old Japanese Arita vase painted with peonies, plums and chrysanthemum flowers with leaves, tree and rocks in under-glazed blue. Mint condition, circa Meiji period (1868-1912). 9 1/4" in diameter x 12 1/4"H

Okimono bronze sculpture of a garlic head with a few cloves visible.

Unidentified mark on the base, most likely from the foundry.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Width: 2 in (5 cm) – depth: 1.5 in (4 cm) – height: 1.8 in (4.7 cm)

Fine iron jizai of a butterfly with articulated wings.

The butterfly (choho) in Japan is perceived as "the soul of the living and the dead", the spirits of the dead taking the form of a butterfly on their journey to the other world. The butterfly spreading its wings is a symbol of femininity. It can also symbolize joy and longevity. This last motif is taken up by the samurai, seeing in its twirling figure a motive of good omen allowing them to reach immortality...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Removable hinged door opens to two large compartments where merchant books and store records were kept. Below are two drawers for additional storage. Side handles allow for easy placement of the chest in a room.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 25 3/4" Wide by 41 1/8" High by 17 1/4" Deep

An antique Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Hinged door when opened reveals 6 drawers of varying sizes. In particular is one small drawer with ink stains that stored the inkstone...

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni with a pensive face. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.2 inches.

19th century ebony mask netsuke of a man with a wrinkled face, probably representing the character O-Guchi. Well carved, beautiful patina with characteristic sheen. Height 1 5/8 inches.

19th century long wooden netsuke of nyoi - a Buddhist scepter carved as a length of a reishi fungus with three fungus heads...

Antique Japanese tall merchant's box. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood with iron hardware. The box has a total of 9 small drawers: upper drawers most likely held writing implements, tools or documents while the ink stains on the inside of the lower drawers reveal they once held ink, seals and ink stone. Each drawer has an iron hirute shaped pull and a round lock for keeping important items like the merchant's signature seals safe.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 1...

Antique Japanese Kimono Bo Tansu from the Iwayado area of Northern Japan. Constructed of quarter sawn Toneriko (Tamo Ash) wood with striking grain and a translucent lacquer finish. The frame is made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood with an opaque wiped lacquer finish. Hardware is hand made all of iron and includes Warabite shaped drawer pulls with unusual raised Pine and Peach back plates. Lock plates are also raised and consist of various flowers including Peony (Botan), Magnolia (Ho) and Ivy wi...

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing an unusual theatrical mask of KO-BESHIMI used for roles of some harmless demons or gods who exert their powers for good. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, great patina. some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.13 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...

A very lovely small Japanese teapot accented with decorative running splashes of gold against a dark brown almost black backdrop. The same color can be seen on the bottom 1/5 of the teapot just under the handle and continues to include the base bottom. The copper remaining exposed copper has a deep copper patina that comes only with age and usage. The handle features intricate basketry weaving. This was a treasured teapot and would make an excellent decorative specialist addition to your home....

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Hinged safety door protects 6 drawers that were used for various merchant supplies, valuables and papers. Upper carrying handle used to move piece to various locations.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 12 1/4" Wide by 14 1/2" High by 17" Deep

Kobako box decorated with stylized foliage in black and gold hiramaki-e lacquer. The motif is karakusa, a growing plant extending in all directions. It symbols prosperity and longevity. Interior is lined with a floral fabric and topped with a pewter border.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 2.5 in / 6.5 cm – width: 3.5 in / 9 cm – depth: 3 in / 7.5 cm

19th century ichii (yew wood) netsuke of a resting wild boar, its head raised. Skillfully carved out of chosen matsu (Korean pine wood) in characteristic Hida school ittobori (one cut) style with clever use of wood texture to represent the creature’s fur and add to the charm of the piece. For similar examples see Bushell’s NETSUKE FAMILIAR AND UNFAMILIAR, p. 128. Excellent rendition of its alert posture, wonderful mellow patina. Length 1.96 inches.

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Kasane Tansu (chest on chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original thick gauge hand made iron hardware with beautiful Chrysanthemum knobs on the lock plates. Constructed using thick solid Paulownia wood for the drawer fronts, the case was made using traditional dovetail joinery with all parts secured by hardened wooden nails. The top section features 2 side carrying handles on each side and both sections have side swivel handles for ease of carrying.

Japanese Meiji period wood eight-drawer ko-tansu (personal chest) with black iron lockplates and hirute form handles. 19th century. 20 3/4" high x 14" wide x 13" deep. Very good overall condition with only minor wear. From a Phoenix, Arizona collection.

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (merchant's ship safe chest), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with beautiful original translucent lacquer finish with deep patina, heavy iron hardware including bracing on front with Kiri mon, interior with 5 small Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood drawers, Edo Period (c1850), on custom made metal stand. Size: 22 3/4" high (15" high without stand) x 13 1/4" wide x 17" deep.

The size of Plate: 7 3/16" Dia x 1 1/4" High. Japanese Antique Porcelain Kutani Plate. Plate has four windows of design. One with two male seating at the table, detail gold works. Other with one female poet and two male poet. Two windows with Chrysanthemum desing with fence. Very fine detail works. Nice gold works which photo relly does not cature the whole details gold works. The condition of plate is Excellent, no chip, no crack and no hairline from outside force. However, there is called Jika...

An antique Japanese Tohoku Tansu made of beautiful Keyaki Burl root (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish and hand made iron fittings including stylized Kakute handles. The top and sides used a traditional wiped lacquer technique. Raised tea leaf style corners on the drawers which is a traditional design for this region of tansu. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide x 9 ...

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with 8 cloth dolls of Zen Patriarch Daruma. This representation of Daruma refers to him stretching after 9 years of continuous meditation, when his legs withered from not moving all those years. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, beautiful floret surrounds to the holes, superb patina. Signed SHOZAN on the side - the artist is listed on p. 984 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS...

Dark brown patina bronze sculpture of a praying mantis.

The praying mantis (in Japanese, kamakiri) is considered an auspicious symbol.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 0.79 in / 2.3 cm – width: 1.18 in / 3.5 cm – depth: 3.15 in / 8.8 cm