A Chinese style celadon incense burner by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. Sozan spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Souther Song Dynasty as evidenced here with his powdery blue “kinuta” glaze. The bottom of the vessel is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay and the adjacent glazed foot bears his Imperial Court Artist seal...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware with Warabite style handles. Upper section includes a pair of sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers below. The bottom two sections each have full width drawers for clothes storage. Made using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Made in 2 stacking sections, the upper part features 2 sets of sliding doors with four drawers below and the bottom part has a pair of sliding doors with a removable split level shelf. All original bronze hardware including the Marui style handles. Center doors have intact copper wire mesh screen used to prevent flying pests from entering...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (marchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles and incised Chrysanthemum lock plates. Unusual low size with two drawers side by side, a pair of sliding doors and a security hinged door behind which lie 3 small drawers and a secret hiding box. Side swivel handles through which a pole passed through allowing two persons to carry this chest from place to place...

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...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Kakute handles. Two pairs of sliding doors were used to store merchant records and books. 6 drawers were used for keeping business accessories and valuables. Main drawer lock plate features an incised Turnip with leaves. Constructed using dovetail joinery and side support slats...

An antique Japanese 1 section tall Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron and bronze hardware including the Hirute style handles. It features 2 pairs of large sliding doors and a lift-out door behind which were kept store records and books. 12 exterior drawers were used for storage and organizing. A small pair of sliding doors near the bottom hides two small drawers where valuables were kept...

Wood Sumikiri-bon with red urushi. Summikiri means a tray whose four corners are cut. Four sides have painted in Negoro style which has partly black urushi. Used and some scratches and chips in both sides . Late 19th to early 20th century. 36.5cm x 36.5cm x 3.5cm

Ivory netsuke representing a bamboo shoot (takenoko).

Netsuke constitute the major part of Japanese ivory of great quality. Since the Japanese costume (kimono) had no pockets, the objects were passed under the belt and the netsuke, held by a cord, was used to hold them.

From imaginary animals to natural and domestic elements, the subjects represented in netsuke are varied. The netsuke could represent elements of daily life...

A beautifully crafted Shino ware chawan with fantastic crackled glaze by Kato Gorohachi (?-1900) The potter signature is carved on the bottom.

Probably inspired by early Korean Ido shape examples, the bowl perfectly lies in hands giving strong Wabi feel.

There is not much information available about this Meiji potter even in Japan and his birth year is unknown.
He worked in the Hinno kiln of Aichi Prefecture in late 19 century.

Shino ware pottery is produce...

A classic renditions of the Bodhidharma (more commonly known as the Daruma in Japan), this scroll from the Muromachi period (1336-1573) depicts the legendary monk who famously introduced Buddhism to China. Originally from India, he is said to have traveled across the Himalayas on foot to share the wisdom and knowledge from his studies of meditation which later spread to Japan, Korea, and other parts of the world...

Pure Aka-Raku Chawan by the 9th generation Raku Ryonyu (Raku Kichizaemon IX) 楽了入 (9代 楽吉左衛門) enclosed in its originally signed and sealed wooden box and made around the beginning of 19th century about 200 years ago during the Edo era.

This Raku chawan is particularly endowed with a structural power deriving from simple composition of features of a bowl - another reminiscence of the earlier generations of this unique family of artists.

Ryonyu was the second...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hand forged iron hardware with Warabite style handles and corner drawer front reinforcements. 5 drawers for storage and organization with 2 side handles for carrying this chest from room to room. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Perfect side chest or bedside night stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" Wide by 22 1/2" High by 12" Deep

Outstanding Ohi Chawan from the early stage of the Meiji Era (1868-1912) with a rarely seen octopus and coral sculpture on it. The outer earthy amber glaze harmonises wonderfully with the colourful interior landscape of the bowl. A firework of colours running into each other. What an impressive demonstration of the artistry of this 19th century artist. His seal is printed on the unglazed foot ring.

The mesmerizing play of tones of this particular vessel is yet another fine example o...

Tenmokujawan, a tea bowl which is mended with kintsugi with seigaiha (wave pattern) makie. Tenmokujawan is a pottery tea bowl which is fired with Tenmoku glaze (iron glaze). It is made in Seto in Aichi prefecture, one of places where copies of Chinese potteries were manufactured. 17th or 18th century. Diameter:11.8cm, H:5.8cm

A fine Japanese lacquer tray dating Taisho era, pre 1920. In excellent condition with only having some light wear to the bottom from sliding on tables or what not over the years. Measures: Length 8" x Width 6.75"

Japanese Yama Chawan (literally 'Mountain Tea Bowl'), biscuit firing ware with impressive natural glaze and slightly distorted form. It dates back to the Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333). Highlight is the inside design with a Japanese Koi image which was added by a former owner as a kind of Kintsugi to close a damage on the inside surface. Such typ of Kintsugi is definitely rare.

You can also find traces of the famous kai-yu glaze on this excavated piece.

At the beginning of ...

Important and extremely rare Mid Edo Period Narumi Oribe Mizusashi (fresh water container) in perfect antique condition with no cracks or repairs and with its original lid. It is almost impossible to find such an old and valuable Oribe Mizusashi - so take your chance. It comes with a very good Japanese wooden box.

Narumi Oribe ware is comprised of white and red (reddish brown) clays. The white clays are glazed with green glaze. The red (reddish brown) clays are decorated with white...

Amazing boro which used to be noragi (work wear). It is made of many fragments of vegetable indigo dye and hand^spun cotton cloth. It is from cold areas such as Tohoku or Japan Sea Side where cotton could not be cultivated and cotton cloth for kimono was expensive so that people bought fragments which were brought from warm areas such as Shikoku , Kandsai or Chubu districts. The second half of the 19th century. Measurement: Approx. 160cm x 150cm

We are proud to offer you a really rare antique piece of art and one of a kind: wonderful Echizen Chawan from the Momoyama Era (安土桃山時代 Azuchi Momoyama jidai; 1573–1603) without any crack, damage or repair.

There is no similar item on the antique market.

Echizen ware (called Echizen yaki in Japanese) is a type of pottery produced in the town of Echizen, Fukui prefecture. This traditional handicraft comes from one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan which along w...

Frog on a water lily and a lotus root at the base. The whole is in bronze with a dark brown patina.

In the Japanese bestiary, the frog has a special place, carrying positive values. Both the frog and the toad, called kaeru, come back every year, no matter how far away they are from the pond where they were born. The word Kaeru is a synonym for "coming home". It is the protective animal for travelers and the symbol of hospitality. Its effigy is present on door hammers or gongs placed...

Inrô with four lacquer compartments representing eagles: eight on one side, seven on the other, one on the upper side called ten; sometimes posed on a rocky promontory in takamaki-e and kirigane lacquer, sometimes in flight near the sea. Bamboo branches. Bottom in fundame and hiramaki-e lacquer. Interior in nashi-ji lacquer. The eagle motif is relatively rare in Japanese iconography. Most of its representations are found on older lacquerware. Ojime in red lacquer. One side represents an autu...

Golden patinated bronze representing a lying crane with its baby bird on its back.

The Japanese crane is also known as tanshozuru (丹頂鶴) which mean “red crowned crane”. It is known to be standing for longevity since the tale told this animal to be 100 years old. The crane is omnipresent in Japanese culture, mostly in the tales of “Tsuru no Ongaeshi” and “Tsuru Nyobo".

Furthermore, if you fold and bound a thousand crane of a paper to each other throughout ...

Inrô with five compartments with lake landscape decoration in continuity on both sides, in gold lacquer hira maki-e, taka maki-e, kirigane and brown lacquer on a fundame gold background. The interior is in nashi-ji lacquer.

Wooden netsuke representing Daikoku, carrying in his right hand his wooden mallet and in his left hand his bag.

Daikoku, deity of wealth and trade, is part of the Seven Gods of Happiness. His wooden mallet or hammer represents the virtue of work ...

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamamizu VI, deno...

Revered Chinese scholar and tea master, Lù Yǔ is known as the “Sage of Tea” and is credited with advancing the practice of tea through the writing of his life’s work,The Classic of Tea. Here we see a masterful rendition of this historic figure done by one of the most iconic Kyoto painters—and founder of the Maruyama school—Maruyama Ōkyo.

Student of Ishida Yutei (1772-1786), Maruyama studied primarily Kano and Tosa painting and was influenced greatly by western art, par...

Peacock in cast bronze and partially gilded shakudo in 2 shades of gold. Japanese work in the style of Miyao around 1900. No signature. Hardwood and boxwood plinth.Good condition, no welding and original patina. Very slight wear, insignificant for a century-old object. The body of the peacock is raven wing black which suggests that it is in shakudo which represented a significant additional cost, the shakudo alloy being obtained by adding gold to copper. Total height about 16cm.

An antique Japanese single section Sendai Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. The lock plates feature an incised flying crane and a pine tree, both representing longevity and good luck. The corners on the drawer fronts have the raised turnip (Kabu) design and the handle back plates have incised Chrysanthemums. This is a rare example of quality metal smithing during the Edo era.

Age: Edo Period (18...

An antique Japanese Kotansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Made in a rare design to look like a miniature Kimono tansu. All original iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Complete with front drawer corners. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nail construction. An unusual and unique personal storage chest.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 25 1/4" Wide by 14 1/4" High by 13 1/8" Deep.

11th generation Raku Kichizaemon Keinyu (1817-1902) White Raku Sake Bottle Tokkuri.

The mark of the potter is stamped at the bottom. Keinyu used this mark after his retirement.
The red clay was used which was glazed and fired. It is a rare work that depicts the standing cranes of parents and child. He often used crane decoration in his later years such as Fukurokuju tea bowl exhibited in Kyoto in autumn 2020. (Autumn Special Exhibition. Teabowls by Successive Generations of the ...

Meticulously crafted from carefully woven strips of bamboo, this traditional “chabako” would typically contain all of the basic utensils for conducting tea ceremony. As the same name is commonly used to describe wood boxes used to store and transport tea leaves, the piece below could also be described as a “chakago” to avoid confusion—though the former descriptor is much more commonly used. In practice, the box would contain a tea bowl, kensui, chashaku, chasen, chaire and several othe...

A fragment of cotton cloth with tsutsugaki turtle and crane design which is an auspicious motif. The cloth is hand-spun cotton and natural dye. It is probably a fragment of nobori (banner). It has calligraphy in one of the hems, but not readable. In good condition. The first half of the 19th century. 32cm x 74.5cm

Antique Japanese lady's kimono made with grey-green chirimen silk and white silk jacquard with orange and green embroidery of bamboo and plum blossoms with cranes. Details in wrapped gold thread and use of tiny shibori technique in the leaves and flowers. The front hem of the kimono is decorated with a delicate design of plum blossom in resist and white silk embroidery. The kimono interior is lined with red silk.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 60" high x 48" wide

An antique Hon Kotansu (personal book storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Two hinged Biraki doors open to a split level shelf where books and other personal belongings were stored. Two side by side drawers below gave additional storage space for organizing. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nails were used in its construction.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 25" Wide by 19 3/4" High by 12 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original bronze hardware. Two sliding doors open to a storage space with one shelf. Five drawers provide additional storage and organizing areas. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. It would make a perfect nightstand or side chest for any room decor.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 23 7/8" Wide by 20 1/8" High by 13 18" Deep

At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighboring country were brought to its shores. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people); and, older pieces such as this are quite prized today as relatively few from this era have survived in such good condition.

With skillfully applied antique gold repairs, this exceptional tea bowl dates from the early ha...

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.

Apprenticed to Kameya Kyokutei, Tozan (1846-1920) took it upon himself to visit many kilns and to gain technique and advice ...

Classic Shino yaki matcha chawan (tea bowl) for Tea Ceremony made during Meiji Period in late 19 century.
The seal of the potter is stamped on the bottom.
The fine crackle look with natural kiln vivid cracks gives the bowl an authentic wabi sabi feel .
Overall it is lovely example of an old, professionally crafted Shino tea bowl.

Shino ware pottery is produced in today's Gifu prefecture since 16th century and it is distinguished by thick white glazes, red marks and the...

An antique Japanese Katana Small Chest and Stand made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron with cat bronze hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Upper area holds 4 Katana and lower section has a locking bar with key that secures 4 small drawers where polishing tools and Katana parts were kept. Note: Katana is for example and display purposes only.

Age: Late Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 18 3/8" Wide by 14 3/4" High by 11 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kansai Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. Two sliding doors behind which the merchant stored business books and records. 9 drawers of varying sizes for business storage and organizing. Through mortise and tenon joinery and side ribs for added strength and support.

Age: Meiji period ( 1880-1890)

Dimensions: 35 7/8" Wide by 37 1/2" Hi...

An antique Japanese tansu chest with Biraki hinged doors made entirely of Paulownia wood. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. The doors secure two large drawers where kimonos were stored. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. It would make a functional dresser in today's contemporary home or a side table that would be perfect under a window.

Age: Meiji period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 38 1/2" Wide by 20 1/2" High by 17 ...

An antique Japanese small tansu chest called Kotansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles. 5 drawers of varying sizes and a hinged door that hides 2 additional drawers where valuables were kept hidden for security. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. It makes a perfect night stand or side table in today's contemporary home.

Age: Meiji period (1880-1890)

Dimens...

Antique Japanese carved wooden ranma (decorative transom). Beautifully carved with blossoming lotus flowers on a background of swirling water. The lotus flowers range in different stages of blossoming, a Buddhist symbol for the different stages of enlightenment. Carved of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) wood and framed in brown and gold lacquered wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/2" high x 46 1/2" wide

Japanese seto ware ceramic chawan (tea cup). Made of dark brown stoneware with round body and small round foot. Appealing greenish glaze with drips. Artist's mark on the bottom. With tomobako.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 2 7/8" high x 5 1/4" wide

Wooden toad with long legs. In the Japanese bestiary, the toad has a special place, carrying positive values. Both the toad and the frog, called kaeru (蛙) return every year and regardless of the distance to the pond where they were born. The word kaeru is a synonym for "coming home". It is the protective animal for travelers and the symbol of hospitality. Its effigy is present on door hammers or gongs placed at the entrance of some houses and hotels. The toad also has the power to attract...

Bronze sculpture of a giraffe beetle (Prosopocoilus girafa). The top of the abdomen is raised, revealing a perfume burner. The lucanus, in Japanese kuwagata mushi, is highly valued for its playfulness and aesthetic value.
Insects (mushi) have a very important place in Japanese culture. Insect hunting is a popular pastime, especially among children. Using nets and cages, they catch cicadas, beetles and other insects to observe them. Mushi can indeed be seen as familiar animals, playing a ro...

Bronze okimono with brown patina of a mouse lying down. The coat, the tail and the legs are chiselled. The details of the head are particularly detailed, such as the moustache hairs and the long eyelashes.
In Japan, the term nezumi refers to both the mouse and the rat. They are regarded as the messenger of Daikokuten, the deity of trade and wealth. In the Chinese zodiac, taken over by Shintoism in Japan, the rat (or mouse) is the first of the twelve animals, a place that, according to the ...

Exceptional wagumi Japanese style free flowing bamboo flower basket, Taisho Period c. 1920. Masterful weves using big strips of susudake bamboo aged in old Japanese farmhouses from the irori smoke. Height 36cm; width 32cm.

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Kotansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze and iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Locks feature a Chrysanthemum motif and the door handles display stylized clouds. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area and five drawers used for additional storage and organizing. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 23 7/8" Wid...

Kohai, a halo made of metal (copper). Very little bit of gold plate is left. 19th century. L:38.5cm, W:13cm

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu (Tea Chest) made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood and hand lacquered with hand applied Mother of Pearl inlay. The central theme is longevity as the landscape design captures the Pine tree throughout the chest. Foliated accents highlight the front outline and sides. Four sliding doors at the top, 2 sliding doors to the bottom left, a pair of wood hinged doors to the bottom right, and two small drawers along the bottom.

Age: Meiji period (1900-1910)

Dime...

An antique Japanese chest called Kotansu (for personal storage) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. Two sliding doors open to a spacious compartment separated by a center shelf. 5 drawers for additional storage and organizing.

Age: 1910-1920 (Late Meiji-Taisho Period)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide by 18 7/8" High by 11 7/8" Deep

Antique Japanese wood carving of a pair of fu-dogs (shishi) near a waterfall. Playfully, they chase each other over the flowing stream. Clouds billow over head. Carved of keyaki (zelkova - Japanese elm) wood with details in black and red pigment.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 9" high x 28 1/2" long

An antique Japanese tansu chest known as a Kotansu (for personal storage) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original bronze hardware. Six drawers of various sizes for organization and storage. Two sliding doors with a shelf behind. Constructed using hardened wood nails. It would make a practical side table or a nightstand.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide by 19 1/4" High by 11 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (small personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area with a split level shelf. 5 drawers provide additional storage and organization. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. Makes a great side table or functional nightstand.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 24" Wide by 21 1/2" High by 13" Deep

Two Saga-men, Okame and Hyottoko which were sold in front of temples in Saga region in Kyoto since late Edo period (the first half of the 19th century). They were sold as charms against bad luck and evil but interrupted in early 20th century and revived in 1950s. Both are made in late 19th to early 20th century. Many layers of wastepaper are pasted on the plaster model and colored. Hyottoko-men is not finished. Okame mask has some paint came off. Okame: L:20cm, W:13.5cm Hyottoko: L:18cm, W:14...

Very Rare Goryeo Dynasty (12th/13th century) Korean Celadon Inlaid Crane Stoneware Oil Bottle

Provenance: Japanese private collection

Size
Diameter 7.5cm
Height 4.5cm
Weight 110g

Condition
There is excess of scree around the bottom occurred when firing.
Please see the pictures for reference.

This is a sashiko socks made of white cotton that was made and used from the Edo period to the Meiji period. It is in good condition, but there are some stains. There is no damage. Length: 21.5 cm Height: 13 cm

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)

This is a Japanese vintage textile made of indigo dye cotton corduroy Tattered socks with repair. All original condition.Size: length 22cm