A black bird sporting a tufted beak shelters among the thick foliage of fresh bamboo by the easily identifiable and quite rare artist Sakakibara Shiho performed with pigment on silk in the original signed double wood box titled Mosochiku Hakkacho (Crested Myna Bird in Moso Bamboo), a favorite motif by the artist dating from the Taisho period. It is bordered in fine pattered silk threaded with gold and is appointed with solid ivory rollers (these will be changed if exporting)...

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...

Splendid and majestic Japanese landscape painting showing a pavillion with a large scholar's rock and pine tree. Scroll contains a signature attributing to Sesshu Toyo but may have been added later. Age: Momoyama Period. Size: Scroll: Height: 74.25" Width: 18.3" (with roller ends): 20.5"

Japanese scroll painting depicting a scene from the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji). A nobleman and a young man sit on tatame mats and look out onto a garden setting. They are surrounded by painted byobu screens and clouds of gold mist. The painting is rendered in traditional Tosa School manner with flattened over head perspective and fine lined brushwork. Painted in mineral colors, sumi ink and gold leaf flecks on paper. Edo Period. Size of scroll: 47" high x 19 1/2" wide...

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...

This playful image of a Japanese raccoon dog (tanuki) enjoying a flask of saké was done by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Rengetsu was a lady in waiting at Kameoka castle where she was trained in the arts and courtly graces...

New Arrival

Japanese antique small and charming scroll painting and poem by Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875). The image is of a small hut with a thatched roof...

Antique Japanese 6-panel folding screen, or "byobu", with a wonderful painted ocean scene and pine trees over a gold leaf background. Mild damage is hardly noticeable and does not detract from the gorgeous paintings. 19th century SIze: 66.75" height, 145" length

Antique Japanese triptych print of a landscape with a port scene and mountains by Hiroshige Utagawa. Three individual woodblock prints compose this tranquil port scene at the base of a mountain range. Original condition. Each measures 16.5" tall by 9.75" wide, overall 16.5" by 29.5" wide. They are in very good condition with few signs of age. The first print bears seals in the upper and lower left corners. The second print bears seals in the upper and lower right corners...

Antique Japanese fushima (sliding door panel). Painting with a crane and pine tree on a background of gold mist. Painted in mineral colors on a sugi (cryptomeria) wood panel and framed with black lacquered hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 68 1/4" high x 36 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" deep

A fine example of Edo period Kano painting, this generously proportioned hanging scroll illustrates a late autumn scene from the Japanese countryside over 300 years ago. The poem on the scroll reads:

Solitary, with the color, of nothingness
A close to autumn, on a ring of mountaintops

The painter, Minenobu Kano (1662 - 1708), was greatly admired by the Ienobu Tokugawa shogunate who eventually promoted him to the position of inner-court artist...

This poem, inscribed with Rengetsu’s unmistakeable flowing calligraphic script, is set on a backdrop of colored washi paper decorated with gold flecks and intricate renderings of magical forest spirits. The spirits are drawn using “gofun”—a calcium carbonate powder obtained by heating and grinding oyster shells collected around the Inland Sea coast...

This poetry and artwork, done by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century—Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875), tells the story of a personal moment of joy and contemplation upon returning home one autumn evening accompanied by the brilliant moon above...

An antique pair of Japanese Fusuma doors made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Natural Urushi lacquer frame and hand painted design of Bamboo trees on one side and Pine trees with Bamboo on the opposite side. Bamboo symbolized tenacity and perseverance while the Pine tree represented a long life making these doors auspicious and full of good luck.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: Each 35 1/2" Wide by 71 1/2" High.

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a beautiful court lady with very long, flowing hair rolling up her screen door. To her right is a painting of cranes flying over seaside mountains and trees. In good condition. Circa 1800s Edo age (1615-1868) signed Totsugen Tanaka of the Tosa School. From Bay Area Estate. Size: (entire scroll) 63.5" H x 17" W (artwork only) 33.5" H x 9.75" W

Antique Japanese zenga calligraphy scroll with swirling wish-granting ball of flames, signed with artist's chop. Nicely colored mounting with porcelain scroll ends. Taisho period (1912-1925) Size: 77.5" L, 15.5" W (entire scroll) 46" L, 11.5" W (artwork only)

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...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of Kannon also known as Guanyin. The Goddess of Mercy sits on a rock overhanging a still body of water. She is silhouetted by the full moon. Painted in sumi-e ink on paper. There is a seal in the lower right hand side.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: Total size of scroll: 70 1/2" high x 15 3/4" wide (18" wide including rollers). Size of art: 37 1/2" high x 11 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a hawk standing on the branch of an oak tree. The hawk is detailed with great attention to every feather. Painted in sumi ink and light colors on paper. Signed Shunkei with seal, possibly Mori Shunkei (1775-1841).

Edo Period (Late 18th - Early 19th century)

Dimensions: Total 79" high x 27 1/4" wide (29 1/4" wide including ends) Art: 51 1/2" high x 21 1/2" wide

A symbol of health and prosperity, these ripe eggplants were painted by Hasegawa Gyokuhou (1822 - 1879), a disciple of one of Kyoto’s leading Shijo school artists, Matsumara Keibun (1779 - 1843). The attached stylized calligraphic poem, which speaks of accomplishment and being productive in one’s endeavors, was done by one of Japan’s most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century—Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)...

"Yacchimatta!" the lost soul seems to say as he slaps himself on the head, a sake cup and Tokkuri wine flask in front of him. Ink on dark paper with patterned dark cloth boarder with wide gray piping and featuring bone rollers. The skeleton and or skull have long been featured in Japanese art, both secular and Buddhist. It is used as a symbol of impermanence and as a Zen teaching tool. In this case, perhaps this fellow spent too much time in the bottle and not enough in more meaningful endea...

This soulful image of a Japanese hamlet in the depths of winter was done by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Rengetsu was a lady in waiting at Kameoka castle where she was trained in the arts and courtly graces. Due to her rumored great beauty, she soon married but after the death of her husband in 1823, ...

Long a symbol of longevity, good luck, and support in many parts of Asia; in Japan the turtle has the added symbolism of being one of the cardinal protectors of Heian, the ancient capital city of Kyoto. This rendition of a turtle basking on a sunny riverbank was done by one of the most renowned and loved Waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Re...

The large characters in the center of this scroll "南無妙法蓮華経" are pronounced as "Namu Myōho Renge Kyō” in English — a phrase associated with Nichiren Buddhism that is often recited as a mantra, expressing devotion to the Lotus Sutra. This sutra is one of the main tenants of Nichiren and is thought by devotees to be the ultimate law and truth of the universe. Commissioned in 1690, this scroll commemorates the reconstruction of the main hall of Ryuhon-ji Temple, estab...

Beautiful Japanese scroll painting depicting farm women with large baskets on their backs making their way up a steep mountain path, the snowy slopes of Mt. Fuji rise out of the trees in the distance, a beautiful rural scene, painting in light mineral colors and ink on silk, after Hokusai, Meiji Period. Size of painting: 38" high x 16 3/8" wide Total size of scroll: 71" high x 21 1/4" wide (23 1/2" wide including ends)

Japanese scroll painting of a mountain landscape with a river leading into a waterfall, tree branches overhanging the edge of the mountain, a tent set up at the water's edge beside some flowers. Artist chop on side. Size: (entire scroll) 72" H x 18.5" W (artwork only) 41" H x 13" W)

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a horse, done in sumi ink, its legs kicked up into the air. Very disciplined calligraphy brush work is used, and may have been executed by a Zen Buddhist monk. This horse painting was possibly cut down from a larger screen and mounted as a scroll.

18th century Edo period (1603-1868)

Size: 17.5" W x 52" H (entire scroll) 14.25" W x 20.75" H

Signifying strength and resilience, bamboo—together with pine and plum (sho chiku bai)—is an auspicious symbols running through the heart of Japanese art and culture. The young bamboo depicted here—sprouting from a patch of rocks—were composed by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Rengetsu was born into a Samurai family but was soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family. From the age of seven to sixteen s...

Antique Japanese Zenga scroll painting of a scholar's cane or staff. Elongated vertical composition with calligraphy. Painted in sumi ink on paper. The seal with white on red says: 巨福山主 Kofuku Sanshu "Chief Priest of Kofuku" (Kofuku is the "mountain name" of Kenchō-ji temple in Kamakura) The lower seal with red on white says: 曇華 Donge So, these are the seals of Sugawara Donge (original name Sugawara Jihō) [1866-1956] (The don means cloudy/overcast; ge means flower/...

Here in Kyoto our gallery is located along the Kamo River in a district known as Shobu-en Machi, which roughly translates as “Iris Town.” As you can imagine, the scene depicted in this painting of irises and cranes is one that can be commonly witnessed in our neighborhood in the spring (May) when these flowers are in full bloom. Close inspection of the painting shows one crane amusing itself in the swirling eddies created by rocks on the river bed, while another lifts its head to admire the ...

Antique Japanese zenga scroll painting of Bodhidharma, with calligraphy most likely done by multiple people, with artist chops. Date reads "7th year of Taisho" (1912-1925) circa 1918 Size: 79.5" L x 26" W (entire scroll) 52" L x 18" W (painting only)

Antique Japanese hanging silk scroll from the 19th century, Meiji 1868-1912. There is a beautiful scene of a courtesan and pair of Kamuro order, attendants, walking under a blossoming cherry blossom tree. The screen is signed by Koryusai with seal. It measures 18.25" wide by 24.5" long.

Japanese screen painting in two panels of butterflies and moths. The etherial quality of the fluttering creatures is conveyed by delicately painted details and movement. Painted in mineral colors on silk. Each rectangular silk composition has been mounted on a ground of gold leaf on paper. Seal mark on the left hand panel: Watanabe Kiyoshi.

Watanabe Kiyoshi (1778-1861) was born into a family specializing in embroidery in Nagoya. He studied painting in the Kano style under Yoshikawa...

A very rare early work by Shirakura Niho dating from the mid Taisho period clearly showing his early watercolor training under Ishii Hakutei signed with his first art name, Kinro. Light color on silk framed in patterned silk extended with classic beige and terminating in red lacquered wooden rollers. It is 45.5 x 107.5 cm (18 x 42-1/2 inches) and is in overall excellent original condition, enclosed in a modern wooden storage box.
Shirakura Kinichiro (Kinro, Niho or Jiho, Kanyu, 1896-1974...

This tranquil pond scene is done in sumi on gold leaf and has a black lacquer wooden frame. Appearing to date from Meiji or early Taisho, the various cranes and songbirds are depicted with light and playful brushstrokes giving the piece an air of serenity and calmness. Especially eye-catching in low-light atmospheres, the gold leaf appears resonant and warm.

This screen stands 67 inches tall (170.5 cm) and each panel measures 25.2 inches in width (64 cm) for a total length of 151.2...

Antique Japanese fan painting of a grasshopper with an array of leaves and berries in the background. Edged in gold and laid down, signature of Tani Buncho (1763-1840), an extremely influential artist during his time. Size: 10.25" tall, 22.25" wide