Antique Japanese scroll painting of a small bird, perching on the branch of a tall growth of flowers. Signed with red chop.

Size: 16" W 9 69" H (entire scroll) 10.25" W x 38" H (painting only)

Finely Painted Six-Panel Crane Screen, in various poses with leaves and flowers on a charcoal silver background. A highly styled creation of the Taisho Period. Taisho screens are very much sort after today for their unique beauty and the way that they complement a contemporary setting. Each Panel: 30h x 13w inches, 76h x 33w cm; total Dimensions: 30h x 80w inches, 76h x 203 cm.

Antique Japanese Zenga scroll painting of a scholar's cane or staff. Elongated vertical composition with calligraphy. Painted in sumi ink on paper...

Japanese large scroll painting of a colorful bird seated on a persimmon tree branch, a bright persimmon hanging overhead. Signature and red seal in left corner. Provenance: Collection of Trotter's Antiques, Pacific Grove CA. Size: 88" H, 19" W (entire scroll), 31" H, 11.5" W (painting only)

Okutani Shuseki (1871-1936) was born in Osaka and lived in Kyoto for most of his life. His artistic lineage is among the very best. He, along with Yamamoto Shunkyo and others, studied under Mori Kansai, who was the pupil and adopted son-in-law of Mori Tetsuzan, who was one of Maruyama Okyo's best pupils. Like all painters of the Mori family school, Shuseki's nature paintings are remarkable for their unsentimental naturalism, showing his keen interest in the essence of nature...

Antique Japanese four-panel screen of a pine tree bearing flowers, overlooking an ocean cliffside, covered slightly in snow, with a gold leaf background. Size: 67" height, 101" width

Okutani Shuseki (1871-1936) was born in Osaka and lived in Kyoto for most of his life. His artistic lineage is among the very best. He, along with Yamamoto Shunkyo and others, studied under Mori Kansai, who was the pupil and adopted son-in-law of Mori Tetsuzan, who was one of Maruyama Okyo's best pupils. Like all painters of the Mori family school, Shuseki's nature paintings are remarkable for their unsentimental naturalism, showing his keen interest in the essence of nature...

Antique Japanese framed floral painting, with silver and gold flake accent clouds, of grape clusters on vines and large leaves, with red chop, possibly by Ogata Korin (1658-1716), Rinpa School.

Size: (entire frame) 28.5" L x 25" H (artwork only) 18.75" L x 13.5" H

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...

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

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 two-panel gold leaf screen with elegant, simplistic landscape scenes in black, with calligraphy and artist's signature. Unusual small size, very charming. Edo Period (circa 1800's). Size: 65" L, 11" H

Antique Japanese Zen Buddhist calligraphy scroll painting, with three red chops. Meiji age (1868-1912)

Size: 70" L x 19.5" W (entire scroll) 53.5" L x 12.75" W (artwork only)

Wonderful Japanese scroll painting of Mt. Fuji surrounded by mist, with small birds and reeds in foreground, painted in light colors on silk, signed: by Kazan, of Gaishi Studio. Total size: 33 1/2" wide x 69" high. painting size: 15 1/2" high x 26 1/2" wide. "Biog.:1793-1841 Painter. Born in Edo, son of a samurai. Served Lord Miyake, of the impoverished Tawara clan...

Antique Japanese door with a beautiful painting of a playful looking geisha holding the folds of her robes and carrying a maple branch in her hand. Her robe is navy blue with a turquoise obi, with intricate auspicious symbols accented by red. A low hanging maple branch with fall colored leaves and mushrooms hangs above her head. Splashes of gold flecking surround her. The opposite side of the door has been painted with a wonderful scene of boats and mountains...

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)...

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)

Japanese 2-panel Taisho Period screen painting of woman in flower garden, she is almost obscured by bright blossoms but can be seen bending over, a pair of scissors in her hand, her flower basket sits on the ground beside her, painted in bright colors with much use of raised gofun on gold silk, signed and seal "Gaun" which is the artist name for "Yamanouchi Shinichi". Size:67" high x 74" wide Yamanouchi Shinichi. Biog.: Western-style painter...

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

Okutani Shuseki (1871-1936) was born in Osaka and lived in Kyoto for most of his life. His artistic lineage is among the very best. He, along with Yamamoto Shunkyo and others, studied under Mori Kansai, who was the pupil and adopted son-in-law of Mori Tetsuzan, who was one of Maruyama Okyo's best pupils. Like all painters of the Mori family school, Shuseki's nature paintings are remarkable for their unsentimental naturalism, showing his keen interest in the essence of nature...

Antique Japanese screen painting in 6 panels. Painted to resemble a samurai encampment space divider...

A superb pair of hanging scrolls depicting a group of Japanese beauties set in two seasons, spring and summer. The scroll is mounted in fine damask silk in the san-dan style. Unusual high quality scroll ends with reticulated scrolling vine silver covers. The scroll comes with a box inscribed: Ukiyoe shichiken mitate, which roughly translates to An ukiyoe painting arranged in the seven sages style. Age: Taisho Period Size: Each height 88.5" width 40"

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...

A very rare and unusual Japanese 2-panel astrology screen. The blue pigmented mica-flecked screen depicts the Northern Hemisphere and shows Hokuto Shichi Sei, the 7 star constellation or the Big Dipper which points to the North Star. The celestial chart is surrounded by calligraphy naming processional years.

Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Dimensions: 61 1/4” high x 34 1/2” wide.

A prominent Japanese dealer is currently offering a Kawabata Gyokusho painting of similar size for $21,500. You can find this painting online. Kawabata Gyokusho is considered the last great representative of the Shijo school of Japanese painting. His work is quite delicate, making use of Japanese technique in a realistic manner. He had many pupils who later became well known. His paintings are in the permanent collections of many major museums, including Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, New York's Met...

Wonderful Japanese 2-panel byobu screen painting, 2 intricately painted Meiji Period fans, probably once used in a Noh performance and later mounted on a screen, each fan is painted in colorful mineral pigments with gold leaf, the fan on the left depicts white wild flowers blossoming near a meandering stream with billowing gold mist, the fan on the right is painted with a scene of 3 cranes flying over sea crests and a weeping willow tree, the two fans are mounted on a ground of gold flecks...

Wonderful Japanese antique two panel byobu screen painting in ink and mineral colors on silk, Nihonga School, depicting a scene of a group of seven crows and a single magpie near a waterfall and hot springs possibly Onsen Baths, beautifully painted churning water and falls, signed and with hanga of artist Aizu Katsumi: born Fukushima Prefecture.

Exhibited Teiten and Bunten Exhibitions during prewar period.

c. 1900.

Size: 76 3/4" high x 90" wide

Japanese antique scroll painting of a group of three monkeys in persimmon tree, painted in colors on silk, school of Mori Sosen, Meiji Period (1868-1912). total size: 58" high x 38" wide

Extremely rare and hard to find Edo Period c.1860 byobu screen in good condition and featuring tigers frolicing in bamboo. One of a pair most likely as the other six panel screen had the hanko. This screen has been repaired a long time ago and we challenge you to find the repairs. All and all, a museum piece that fits handsomely over a couch.

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)

A late winter scene picturing a majestic white hawk alighting on a plum branch in full bloom. Hawks—which were used for hunting during the Momoyama and Edo periods (takagari)—are considered symbols of nobility, strength, and are thought to embody the samurai spirit. This piece is signed Kano Tanshin, though it is unclear exactly which Tanshin as there were several Kano painters who went by this name during this period.

Color on silk, this scroll is 71.5 inches tall (18...

Antique Japanese beautiful pair of Kacho (bird and flower) 6-panel screen paintings, painted with scenes of pairs of different birds by a stream; depicted are herons, pheasants, mandarin ducks, and others; growing near river are cherry trees, peonies and pines; painted in mineral colors and gofun on paper with gold leaf mist, early 19th century (Edo Period)

Provenance: from the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art.

Early 19th Century

Size: Each...

Japanese rare antique 3-panel screen painting of Raigo Zu: Amida Buddha in Raigo pose. The screen has three panels with the two outer panels half the width of the central panel so they open like shrine doors. A bronze butsudan latch keeps the doors closed. The screen opens to reveal a central panel with a large image of Amida Buddha painted in mineral colors and gold on silk and framed with silk brocade of golden clouds. The outer frame is lacquered red.

Age: Muromachi/Momoyama Per...

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 scroll signed Rengetsu (1791-1875), with beautiful calligraphy poem, and small painted flying crane, painted in sumie, beneath. Grass writing calligraphy poem reads: Tsuki no , aki no tomoshi, saki no toki matsu hodo, shiru toki wa, hatsukari no shiru Along with The Autumn moon, Instead of waiting for its coming, The first geese Know already

Size: (entire scroll) 70" L x 12.5" W (artwork only) 38" L x 9.25" W

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 finely painted water colour , with gold leaf overlay, depicting a scene from the 11th Century classic "The Tale of Genji" written by noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. This item was made in Japan in the 19th Century during either the late Edo or the Meiji period (1868-1911). Condition: there are small marks on the paper and some losses to the gold leaf which predate the framing of this picture during the 1920s or 1930s. Frame: 32.5cm (12.75 inches) wide; 29cm (11.4 inches) high. ...

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. The poem translates as follows:
春鳥 春寒み 榾火にねぶる 山賤の 夢おどろかす うぐひすの声

cold spring day, a worker naps, by an outdoor fire,
his dreams i...

An Extremely Rare Reverse Glass Ukiyo-e Beauty Painting: Japan, 18th –early 19th C. with Original lacquered wood frame The artist name singned with a square red seal on lower right. Offered Here is an extremely rare reverse painting of a whole figure of standing beauty painted on reverse glass, This type of Japanese Ukiyo-e painting of a beauty is rarely existed in markets now. This beauty painted so elaborately with a Japanese traditional dress with a holding fan, and painted in colorfu...

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

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. Due to her rumored great beauty, she soon married but after the death of her hu...

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, ...

A hanging scroll (kakejiku) attributed to Kano Masunobu (1823-1880) entitled "take suzume" (Bamboo and Sparrow) with Kiri (paulownia wood) box. Kano Masunobu, also known as Toun, was a member of the Kano School of painters who excelled in ink paintings (occasionally with the addition of pale tints) of landscapes and birds. The school's founder, Kano Masunobu (1423-1530,) was attached to the court of Shogun Yoshimasa. Scroll dimensions: H.90cm(35.25") x W.43cm(17"). Silk-bordered area: H.37c...

A large sized hanging scroll of a landscape in the literati style by Okuhara Seikou (1837-1913). Seikou was one of the few female artists who specialized in the literati tradition (known as Bunjinga or sometimes associated with Nanga). An inscription can be found on the top left of the painting where a short Chinese poem is describing how the guests are approaching through the mists found among the hills of the landscape. Interestingly, at the end of the inscription the artist signs that she com...

A pair of Japanese Edo Period scroll paintings by the painter Sumiyoshi Hiroyuki (1755-1811) , one of a dragon in the clouds and another of a tiger in a bamboo thicket, skillfully painted in sumi ink on silk and signed by the artist. The painter, Hiroyuki was as disciple of the painter, Hiromori and a of successor of the Sumiyoshi School which worked primarily for the Shogunate of Edo Period. The Sumiyoshi school was founded in 1662 when Emperor Gosai (1637-1685 ordered Tosa Hiromichi (156...

Antique Japanese small 6-panel screen painting for table top, painted with a scene of stream and flowers, painted in mineral colors on silver leaf, the silver has oxidized a beautiful dark color, Edo Period, 18th century. Size: 18" high x 50 1/2" long

A collaboration piece between the famed poet/ nun of the late Edo period Rengetsu and her younger protege Tessai, this scroll depicts a frightened cricket making his way to the top of a stalk of grass on a windy day. Set in the fall season, the viewer can imagine a message of frailty, loneliness, and possibly the feeling of trepidation that accompanies the turning of the seasons towards the colder months. Melancholic though it may seem at first glance, there is the deeper, more hopeful message o...

Beautiful antique painting of a scene taken from the Japanese novel The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), written by Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period (794-1185 AD). The painting depicts chapter 4, in which Genji, 17 at the time, goes to visit his old wet-nurse, Koremitsu ,who had fallen ill. He notices some moonflowers growing in the adjacent yard, and he orders his servant to pick one. As his servant follows the order, a beautiful girl steps out of the neighboring house and offers him a...

Based on a classical tale adapted into a popular Kabuki performance in late Edo, the story of the Fuji Musume or “Wisteria Maiden” is an often employed motif in Japanese art. In the story, the Wisteria Maiden is depicted in a painting holding a wisteria branch, until one day she becomes smitten with a young man passing by and steps out of the painting in an effort to capture his attention. Unfortunately, her attempts are futile. Her love goes unrequited, and she sorrowfully steps back into ...

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.

A finely painted water colour , with gold leaf overlay, depicting a scene from the 11th Century classic "The Tale of Genji" written by noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. This item was made in Japan in the 19th Century during either the late Edo or the Meiji period (1868-1911). Condition: there is very minor "foxing" to the paper which probably predates the framing of this picture during the 1920s or 1930s. Frame: 32.5cm (12.75 inches) wide; 29cm (11.4 inches) high. Painting: ...

A finely painted water colour , with gold leaf overlay, depicting a scene from the 11th Century classic "The Tale of Genji" written by noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. This item was made in Japan in the 19th Century during either the late Edo or the Meiji period (1868-1911). Condition: there are small marks on the paper and some losses to the gold leaf which predate the framing of this picture during the 1920s or 1930s. Frame: 32.5cm (12.75 inches) wide; 29cm (11.4 inch...

Antique painting of a scene from one of the poems in the Kokin Wakashu or "Collection of Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times", dated from the Heian period (794-1185 AD). It was invented and published by Emperor Uda and his son, Emperor Daigo in the year 905, and was compiled by four of their court poets: Ki no Tsurayuki, Ki no Tomonori, Oshikochi Mitsune, and Mibu no Tadamine. This scene is likely taken from a poem by Tsurayuki in which the narrator laments over his loneliness and compare...

"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...

Sessho was a student of the legendary Tani Buncho. His paintings were collected and much appreciated by Emperor Meiji. He painted this gorgeous flower painting in a deliberately straightforward manner in order to take focus away from his superior technique and have you consider only the beauty of the subject. Silk Canvas and Mount. Mount: 72 x 25 inches, 182.5 x 63 cm. Painting: 44 x 20 inches, 112 x 50.5 cm. cf. C.H. Mitchell's The Illustrated Books of the Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo, and other Rela...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a mountain scene. A pagoda rises in the distance, behind it, a misty mountain range. In the foreground a small figure crosses a bridge. Signed by Kano Tsunenobu (1636-1713). Sumi ink on silk. Provenance Collection of Vlasheslav Batov, Illinois

Age: Edo Period (circa late 1600's to early 1700's)

Dimensions: Total: 51 1/4" high x 29 3/4" wide (32 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 15 3/4" high x 25 1/2" wide.

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...

Japanese scrolled painting on silk by Kikuchi Yosai (1788-1878), also known as Kikuchi Takeyasu, depicting the sun rising behind Mount Horai. Signed in black ink at the lower left and with the artist's red Takeyasu seal below. A symbol for Japan, Mount Horai (Treasure Mountain) is a lofty mountain covered in pine, prunus, and bamboo on a mythical island of immortals in a distant sea. In the foreground swimming toward the rocky shore, a pair of tortoises whose backs are covered in seaweed, sym...

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).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by...

Japanese antique small 6-panel screen painting of five cranes flying over waves as the sun rises in the distance. Painted in mineral colors with gold flecks on paper. Signature: Morifusa.

Age: Showa Period Mid 20th Century

Dimensions: 22 1/2" high x 62 1/2" long