This is a finely hand-carved Japanese Netsuke depicting a Man who is kneeling on a platform or base, while feeding a treat to his dog. Excellent detail and expression. Great two-tone patina. Outstanding huge chimney himotoshi, common of netsuke from this period. Unsigned. Base measure 1.14 X 0.86 inches (2.8 X 2.1cm) Netsuke is 1.78 inches (4.5cm) tall. Netsuke is in excellent preserved condition.

Vibrant shades of red, blue, gold and green were used to paint this mid Edo period Ko-Imari kendi. 9.5" x 6.75", it is in excellent condition with no chips, hairlines or repairs.

This is a wonderfully preserved Japanese Edo Period (Late 18th / Early 19th centuries) Tosa School Monogatari-e (painted subjects depicting scenes from the life at the Imperial Court in Kyoto) Six-panel. Gold-leaf Folding Silk Screen Painting. It shows twelve scenes from chapters of the novel 'The Tale of Genji', set in two sections per screen. It measures 110 inches wide and 48 inches tall. The inside panels are 18 inches and the two outer panels are 19 inches wide...

A square dish with canted corners decorated in Sometsuke style with a Peony mon to the centre made up of three stylised Peony blooms bound together with karakusa and four panels containing vignettes of a Dragon chasing a pearl, and waka matsu, young pine, set against a bank of snow with flower like snowflakes falling in the background. The rim decorated with a band of alternating double crested waves and flowers...

An unusual Arita wall-vase, kakehana, circa 1750. The seed-shaped hollow body is moulded with trailing vines supporting a dragonfly. The painter has used two different greens, aubergine, yellow and black. The unglazed back is pierced for suspension. It is probable that this kakehana was made for the home market.

In 52 years of business I have found only two of these unusual vases, this one I kept for my collection.

Approximately 16.7cm long...

Sagemono made of armor’s fragments. Probably mounted during the early Edo with elements dating from the Muromachi period. 9 x 6,5 x 6 cm.

A set of five Sake cups of tapering cylyndrical form, nozoki, decorated in underglaze blue with a diaper border, renzuku mon, to inside of the mouth, and an iron red diaper ground inset with shaped reserves or mikomi, each containg a gilt outlined and enameled Suisen, the Japanese Narcissus with Chrysanthemum demi florets in iron red and gilt with matsuawabishi mon in underglaze blue flanking them...

A large plate decorated in the three colour sancai palette with a central Peony motif with three reserves one with Peonies, emblematic of Spring, a pair of Quails beneath Millet and another with Chrysanthemums, emblematic of the months of Autumn. The partially ogee form reserves set against a blue brocade ground with stylised Chrysanthemums. The reverse decorated with three Peony sprigs. A three spur marks in a triangular arrangement to the base...

A large shallow bowl decorated in Kenjo Imari style with a central motif of a leaping Shishi with a peony branch framed by n under-glaze blue wave border with an elaborate diaper brocade ground inset with “S” and “C” scroll shaped reserves containing floral motifs, including Camelias, and peach form stylised Shou medallions in iron red and gilt framed by a further diaper border in under-glaze blue...

A heavily potted Arita porcelain dish featuring a rural pavilion beside a waterfall, the moulded cavetto with a celadon glaze. The blue and white landscape with touches of iron-red and gold enamel.

Arita, circa 1750 ~ 1780.

Approximately 22.5cm diameter...

Antique Japanese Scroll Triptych, signed Sumiyoshi Hirosada (1793-1862) , 7th head of the Sumiyoshi line of painters. Three paintings: One painting is of two men meeting on a mountain path, pines and blossoming plum trees dot the hillside and the rooftops of a fishing village can be seen emerging through the mist. Another scroll depicts a lady seated at her writing table by her pavilion window. Outside, the moon shines above pine covered hills...

A Japanese Imari chocolate cup, cover and saucer made for export to the European market dating to the early 18th century. Decorated with a rich Imari style ground of stylised palmate leaves and Peony blooms inset with ogee form reserves with Chinese style estuarine landscapes. An overlapping lotus petal border to the base of the beaker in underglaze blue The saucer and beaker are in excellent condition. The cover has been broken but has been cleanly re-stuck creating an almost invisible repair...

A set of five Arita sake cups, guinomi, in tsutsu-gata form decorated in sometsuke style with a scrolling vine arabesque, hagi-karakusa, imitating the habit of the Bush clover, hagi, a member of the Vetch family one of the seven plants emblematic of Autumn...

A very unusual export dish decorated with an aubergine enamelled dragon set against a black ground and green clouds in a circle with a central Chrysanthemum motif. The border painted in a three colour Imari palette of Peonies and Irises. The reverse is undecorated. The dish is in excellent condition with no cracks, chips or restoration...

This large plate was fired with no glaze at the first, and the second fired pictured traditional pattern with blue glaze and the third colored picture depicted 2 Chinese men of literary taste and children playing at the garden, and the last painted with gold. The seal mark ”大明成化年製”was used at the middle Edo period, Very gorgeous piece. One more piece with the same pattern we have. Size: 41.0cm(D) 4.8cm(H)

A rare pair of miniature vases of hexagonal baluster form vases with the elegant proportions typical of the early eighteenth century c.1700-1720. Each vertical compartment decorated with flowers, chrysanthemums, pinkes and peonies...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated in gold lacquer on a roiro ground with Ni-o, also known as Kongo Rikishi with delicate scrolling background, the interior in red lacquer. Edo period (probably 17th century). 11 1/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12" long.

This Edo period scroll depicts Meota Iwa—a famous Japanese landmark in Mie. Symbolizing the union between two divine deities, Izanagi (said to be the larger rock, though there is no consensus on this point) and his wife Izanami, the two are joined by a shimenawa (heavy straw rope used in Japanese Shinto ceremonies). This straw rope is quite massive and must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony. One could think of this in terms of the care and maintenance required to keep a ma...

Antique Japanese chobako (small merchant's box) made with Sugi wood (cedar). Original condition. With squared iron handles on flared backplates. Two drawers are fitted with round iron locks.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 25" L x 15" D x 10.25" H

An Arita dish decorated entirely with a dense arabesque of trailing bush clover vine and leaf with flowers, lotuses These belong to a class of design called hosoge which ultimately derive from Chinese patterns of the Tang period. This particular form popular from the seventeenth century features Bush Clover, Hagi one of the auspicious akikusa-de, and is known as Hagi Karakusa, where karakusa means Chinese (literally Tang) grasses. This type of design would have required great dexterity and skil...

A pair of cobalt blue glazed Sake cups with hexagonal notched rims. Each cup is decorated in gilt with a pair of Hollander figures preforming martial exercises with Halberds. The cups date to around 1780 and the Meiwa era. The cups measure 7.5cm or 3 inches in diameter, and stand 5cm or 2 inches high, and are in good condition with no cracks, chips or restoration, save for one minute rim frit to one of the cups. Shipping at Cost

A moulded hexagonal bowl, hakkaku hachi, decorated to the exterior with an iron red ground inset with alternating reserves containing ribbon bound scrolls, makimono, and artemisin leaves, mogusa-ha, two of the Eight Chinese precious objects, Babao, hachitakara, and a band of stylised eight petal flowers, presumably Tessen the clematis flower, with leaves and pine branches. The interior divided into four brocade panels, each with a reserve containing, respectively auspicious Chrysanthemums and Ro...

A large impressive shallow dish of typical export type decorated with two boughs of auspicious Chrysanthemums and Cherry blossom to the centre. The border divided into a set of six elliptical reserves each containing Butterflies and Peonies by a series stylised floral motifs inset against alternating blue and blue and green enamel grounds. The reverse simply decorated with Chrysanthemum Sprigs. The dish dates to the period 1710-1730, the Kyoho period. The dish is large measuring approximately 3...

A large Japanese Imari dish of saucer form with slightly everted rim decorated in underglaze blue, iron red and gilding with a central motif of a vase on a verandah containing an arrangement of Peony and Chrysanthemum flowers. The cavetto of the dish decorated with an underglaze blue brocade ground inset with three lobed reserves containing Hydrangea, Ajisai, Chrysanthemums, Kiku, and Peonies, Botan. The reverse decorated with three Peony sprigs to the reverse. The dish dates to the period 1700-...

A beautiful and delicate white porcelain composition with low-relief molded seashell design lining the inside. The overall condition of the bowl and several oxidation marks on the bottom suggest considerable age—at least several hundred years. The box lid bears the character “定” which can be translated as “truth” or “certainty.” The origin of this piece is unknown, though the previous owner regarded it as Chinese (Northern Song). Skillfully applied gold repairs give this sub...

Middle Edo Period Japanese Antique Ko-Imari Porcelain Cup with Dragon Painting made over 200 years ago. It was used for buckwheat (Soba-choko). Imari ware has been produced in Hizen area of Saga prefecture of Japan since 17th century. Size Width 2.8in ( 7cm ) Length 2.8in ( 7cm ) Height 2.3in ( 5.9cm ) Weight 3.53oz ( 100g) Condition Overall good. Used. There are few tiny cracks on the edge of bottom rim.

A rather unusual export dish decorated with a Kraak style border of six larger panels containing respectively a pair of Peaches, symbols of Longevity, and a scroll and whisk, representative of the Eight precious objects, Baxia, with the smaller intermediate panels decorated with a combined clove and jewelled Rhinoceros horn motif. The centre is decorated with a wreath of Pomegrantes and Pomegranate leaves in iron red, green and blue enamels, partially disguising an unglazed circle, enabling stac...

An unusual rectangular small Koro, Incense burner, decorated in under-glaze blue, iron red and gilding set upon four small feet. Each side of the censer is decorated with bands of diaper brocade inset with rectangular panels containing stylised arabesques set against an iron red ground. The square end panels suggesting a Taotie mask. The koro is of slab construction with applied moulded feet. It measures 8cm long and 6.7cm wide and stands 7.5cm high. It is in good condition with one minute flak...

Large Ko Imari Shochikubai Roundels Dish c.1730 No 2 An unusual dish decorated with a principal motif of three wreaths, wahana, each representing one of the three elements of the Shochikubai, further intersected and linked by a central ring all painted in underglaze blue with some gilt outlining. A type of design that is more frequently found used in the context of Lacquer and textiles. In addition Chrysanthemum and Peonies are depicted in gilt outlined enamels to produce an overall less aust...

An interesting pair of Japanese Arita saucer form dishes decorated in a transitional style incorporating elements of the Kakiemon style, notably the asymmetric elements within the reserves to the outer rim of the dish, with Katamono style motifs dating to the late 17th century or early 18th century made for the domestic market. For a more sophisticated version of this type of design in Katamono style dated 1680-1700 see Shibata Volume II no 422. These dishes probably date from the period 1690-17...

A pair of rice bowls with their accompanying covers cum sauce dishes dating from the late 18th century to the early 19th century decorated entirely in enamels with gilding. Their exterior is decorated with a turquoise green brocade ground intended to simulate a Chinese enamelled scrafitto pattern of the period. The design of the bowls including the marumon elements is strongly influenced by contemporary Chinese porcelain, although the iconography and style of painting is distinctly Japanese. ...

A small cottage perched on the edge of a tranquil lake, fishermen heading out in the morning chill to secure their daily catch. This pastoral scene from the Japanese countryside was captured over 300 years ago by painter, poet, and Buddhist monk Hyakusetsu Genyō (poet) and Kuge Yaou (painter) a monk of the Tenryu-ji sect.

Dharma heir to Chinese monk Gaoquan Xingdun, Hyakusetsu Genyō began his spiritual practice in the Rinzai sect under his teacher Hyakuju. An important figure in t...

The dish is in “Ko Sometsuke” style. It is decorated entirely in underglaze blue with an Island Scene shrouded in auspicious ruyi form clouds which recedes into the background, three geese Kari occupy the mid ground (a seasonal motif associated with Autumn) and in the foreground Arumi rough waves crash over kaisou, water weeds, and Conches, horagai and Scallops, hotategai. The abalone form, awabigata, was considered especially auspicious, as noshi, dried awabi strips, were formally pres...

A fine seji, celadon, and sometsuke style dish. In the early eighteenth century it would appear that this style of decoration was the preserve of the Nabeshima kiln. However in the Kyoho era during the Shogunates economy drive this style of porcelain was largely replaced with sometsuke patterns. Presumably, the prohibition on the production of this style of porcelain by the commercial kilns of Arita was relaxed or lifted during this period. The central pattern in underglaze blue is of a Peony...

This is a Late 18th Century, most likely Osaka School, excellently carved netsuke of a resting stag, head turned back, eyes inlaid in black horn, with a dapple cloth, and good hair work. Unsigned. It measures 2.05 inches (5.2cm) wide, and 0.83 inches (2.1cm) tall.

A fine Japanese porcelain small tray-form dish with an upturned vertical rim decorated in the centre with a lake, waterfall and pavilion. The base with a fuki chosun mark. A solitary figure paddles past. Circa 1750 ~ 1780.

Approximately 10.5 cm diameter. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

For new customers resident in China sadly I have to state that I am no longer prepared to accept payment by PayPal. I will accept payment only by bank to bank t...

An intriguing set of five small dishes kozara decorated in kakiwake sometsuke style with a design of three Chinese boys, karako, manoeuvring a large snow ball, set within a yukiwa snow flake shaped reserve framed by a band of plum blossom set against a dark blue ground. The design is a variant of the “One hundred boys playing” pattern popular on Chinese porcelain from at least the Yongle period. The immediate source of the design would appear to be taken from a woodblock polychrome pri...

An Arita porcelain deep dish painted in shades of underglaze blue with fishermen in a boat in a river landscape. This item was made in Japan, during the Edo period, in the second half of the 18th Century. Condition: there is a glaze imperfection (bottom left) below the boat; no damages and no repairs or restoration. 22 cm / 8.7 inches diameter

A classic Japanese Imari bowl with a slightly everted rim richly decorated in typical Imari export style with three irregular lobed shaped reserves containing Chrysanthemums set against a dark blue brocade ground of Peonies and gilt Karakusa divided into three sections each containing three flowers. The foot-ring is decorated with a band of three further Peony flowers. The interior of the bowl is painted with a band inset with stylised flowers, Peony, Chrysanthemum and Gobenka, and the main regi...

A rectangular dish, kakunagazara, made for the Japanese domestic market decorated with an auspicious manji-tsunagi, wan diaper, gilt brocade ground inset with ume hana, plum blossom inset with niche like lobed reserves containing stylised Camellia, Tsubaki. The central reserve, mikomi, window, containing geometrically arranged stylised Bamboo, take, Bamboo shoots and grasses with mist or clouds in Kumo finger form painted in underglaze blue. The motifs are consistent with a late autumn, winter, ...

A namasu or serving dish of unusual quadrilobed form with scalloped suhama style rim; a stylization of a wave washed beach. An auspicious form referencing Horai-san, the isle of the Immortals and therefore a wish for a long life. The bowl is decorated with a central mon of a stylised Lotus motif, perhaps also containing elements of the aoi-mon, and karakusa. Surrounded by four panels containing an unusual four toed Water dragon emerging from stylised waves. Each panel separated by columns of pe...

A pair of Arita dishes moulded in so-called suhama form; a stylised interpretation of a wave washed beach often associated with the Isles of the Immortals. Painted in underglaze blue with a group of five auspicious karako, Chinese Boys, bound together with a ribbon or rope; symbols of joy and a wish for offspring. In addition a Chinese style Fan and a Double gourd are painted in iron red and gilt to complete the design. These are symbols associated with the Taoist Immortals Zhongli Quan and Li ...

A very nice quality Japanese chawan, rice bowl, of conventional form dating to the Kyoho period, c.1716-1736, decorated with an auspicious pattern, kisshon-ga, featuring a ring motif containing auspicious clouds, painted in a combination of gilt and iron red wash, and Karahana, so called Chinese or “Tang flowers”, painted in a striking pallet of iron red, green, yellow enamels and gilding. The base of the bowl decorated with a Karakusa arabesque inset with Lotus flowers. The interior of the...

Original work of Yanagisawa Kien (1703-1758) Antique Japanese Painting of Jurojin, the God of Longevity

Yanagisawa Kien was a samurai in the middle of the Edo period and a pioneer of Nanga painting style. He is also known as Chikkei and Gyokkei.

His father was one the important member of the Yanagisawa samurai clan, which rose to prominence under the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate.

As a child, he lived in Edo and developed an interest in painting at the age of nin...

An unusual Arita dish with an out-turned rim decorated in a greyish toned under-glaze blue with a Chinese Export Qianlong “Chinoiserie” style pattern featuring a conventionalised landscape of Pagoda and Islands surrounded by two bands of diaper containing four floral sprigs, Peonies and Chrysanthemums. The reverse decorated with further lotus flower sprigs and a “zhen wan”, precious trinket, type four character mark of commendation; the first two characters I have not been able to identi...

A finely painted sometsuke bowls decorated with alternating reserves of three leaping koi divided by a criss-cross ground or “nets” and a central motif of a Chinese landscape featuring a figure collecting fire wood with his head looking skyward. This is probably a representation of Ceng Shen (So Shin) collecting fire wood, a disciple of Confucius , who whilst looking at the moon suddenly became aware that his mother needed him, a popular Confucian parable of filial piety. The symbolism of th...

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. The central roundel in the well of each bowl is decorated with a Namban or Tojin style figure of a European with a two legged long tailed dog like cr...

A barbed form dish decorated in kakiwake style with a White Elephant and Chinese Boy. The design here is not the Confucian parable of Shun and the Elephants, but one that explores a Buddhist theme. The White Elephant in Buddhism is symbolic of mental strength achieved through the practice of the Dharma. The boy figure holding a staff stares at rocks and Banana plaintain, symbols of longevity and the impermanence of life. He may be a representation of Henkitsu, the Bohisattiva Fugen. Boy avatars,...

A dish of auspicious shuronagata, hemp palm form, decorated in gilt outlined enamels with Bamboo and Prunus, emblematic of the season of Spring and the New Year. The reverse decorated with three pairs of ribbon tied shippo, and a six character reign mark for the Chinese Emperor Chenghua. The base of the dish supported by set of 4 spur marks distributed in a Y shaped form. The dish was probably produced at the Kakiemon kiln in the Nangawara valley. See no 254 at page 135 Kakiemon – The Whole A...

An abalone shaped dish decorated in underglaze blue with trailing Clematis vine, Tessen. The dish is in “Ko Sometsuke” style based on porcelain specifically produced in China for the Japanese market in the first half of the seventeenth century made to Japanese specifications. The abalone form was considered especially auspicious, as noshi, dried awabi strips, were formally presented with gifts. It would have been particularly suitable as a gift to one of Samurai rank, as the word noshi was a...

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

Dimensions: 8 3/4" x 3" x 16" H (overall)

A kakuzara decorated in a combination of underglaze blue with enamels and gilding. The main motif is composed of waka matsu, young pines, often used an emblem for the arrival of spring with warabi, fern croziers, and fingers of spring mist, kasumi, The borders containing further motifs, composed of bamboo, and pine boughs growing from stylised hexagonal, kiku-mon, rocks, which when combined with the stylised karakusa motifs to the reverse, each of which contains a plum blossom, ume-hana complete...

A bowl of unusual inverted bell shape with a comparatively high foot-rim the exterior decorated in early Ming style with an elaborate high looping lotus arabesque to the body. The foot decorated with stylised lotus petals and an “oxo” border to the foot-ring. The interior of the bowl decorated with a band of alternating pairs of crested waves with blossom to the rim, and a roundel form “pussy foot dragon” with stylised clouds in the well of the bowl. The bowl dates to the period 1740-60....

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...

Offered is a lovely pair of 18th Century Japanese Arita Porcelain Awabi Dishes, made for use in the Kaiseki (懐石) or kaiseki-ryōri (懐石料理), a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. Each dish is molded in the form of an abalone shell (Haliotis Gigantea, Abalone or Sea-ear - Awabi in Japanese). These dishes are decorated in underglaze blue as well as overglaze enamels of green, red and aubergine, further enhanced with gilding. The theme of each dish is a landscape (sansui) - s...

Pair of folding screens with painted decoration on paper. The screens are made up of six leaves representing figures in a landscape decorated with pine trees and enhanced with gold leaf. On each of them is a cherry tree in bloom, indicating that the scene takes place in early spring.
On the first screen, several groups of figures, each holding a bunch of flowers in their hands, play and talk. On the fourth sheet, two young women sit and appear to be receiving flowers from a kneeling man's...

A large plate decorated in the three colour sancai palette with a central Peony motif with three reserves one with Peonies, emblematic of Spring, a pair of Quails beneath Millet and another with Chrysanthemums, emblematic of the months of Autumn. The partially ogee form reserves set against a blue brocade ground with stylised Chrysanthemums. The reverse decorated with three Peony sprigs. A single spur to the base. Dating Kyoho era, c1710-40. The plate measures approximately 24.5cm in diameter (...

An interesting pair of straight sided flared bowls decorated with contrasting panels of Bamboo, painted with gilt outlined enamels, and Aka-e kinrande with unusual black enamel roundels with kara kusa patterns, brocade balls, and green and gilt demi florets. The interior of the bowls decorated with two contrasting diaper patterns and a mon style motif to the interior. The bowls are 12cm in diameter and stand just under 8cm high. The bowls date to the mid 18th century. They are in overall good ...

A good quality deep bowl on a relatively high foot-ring decorated in a full Imari pallette, sans aubergine enamels, and decorated with a curiously constructed set of three reserves in underglaze blue with a central stylised Chrysanthemum (or possibly a Lotus, or fusion of the two) with assymetric stylised vine like scrolls surrounding a light iron red wash with gilt karakusa vine ground. Between which “naturalistic” seasonal motifs kakitsuba, rabbit eared, Irises, Botan, tree peonies, and Ch...

This tranquil winter scene showing a group of birds taking shelter in the snowy boughs of a tree was done by well-known Edo painter, poet, and tea ceremony devotee—Baiitsu Yamamoto.

A native of Nagoya, a bustling Japanese center for shipping and trade in Late Edo, Baiitsu was heavily influenced by works of Chinese art, especially the naturalistic landscapes that made their way into Japan through this port city. Over time he came to paint almost exclusively birds in various landsc...