An image of the white robed Kannon (Quanyin), Goddess of Mercy, by Mashimizu Zoroku dating from the early 20th century. Exquisitely crafted, The figure is 14.5 x 12 x 21.5 cm (5-3/4 x 4-3/4 x 8-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Kannon, also known as Guan-yin in Chinese or Avalokitasvara is a Bodhisattva, (one who has prolonged their own eternal enlightenment to stay behind to alleviate the suffering of others in this ephemeral world...

1938's Japanese Woodblock Print Paul Jacoulet Sunset Menado Celebres "Coucher De Soleil A Menado"

It is 17 inches (43.3 cm) long by 13.38 inches (34 cm) wide.

It has creases, dog ears corners, stains, browning, yellowing, fading, toning, foxing, discoloration, and tapes at the back (as seen in the photos).

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A small Shigaraki pottery urn of very rough clay dating from the 16th century covered in thin natural ash glaze. The squat form known as Uzukumaru is very popular for its simplicity in Japanese Tea Aesthetics. About the shoulder is a lattice fence design engraved into the earth, otherwise it is unadorned and very humble. It is 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) diameter, roughly the same height enclosed in an ancient wooden storage box...

A pair of masks representing the two variations of Tengu, the long nosed Tengu and the Karasu (Crow) Tengu mounted on a wooden placard dating from the Meiji period. Each mask is of carved and lacquered wood with inset glass eyes. The placard is 38cm (15 inches) wide 22.5 cm (9 inches) tall and the masks are roughly 11 cm (4 inches plus) in depth. It looks as if the Karasu Tengu mask has had the eyes repaired, and they appear cloudy by comparison to those of the the long nosed partner...

An anonymous hyper realistic ceramic version of a skull about which crawls snake, circling down the cheek and exiting through the eye socket, late Meiji to Taisho period. It is 11 x 16.5 x 10 cm. This type of object was popular in the later 19th to early 20th centuries as a talisman. The dilapidated wooden box bears a label reading Mayoke Ko-To-Sei Dokuro (Protective Old Ceramic Skull).

Cotton furoshiki, indigo dye wrapping cloth with shop's name , which is chain stitched with cotton yarn. It also has sashiko in two corners. Some small rips and mending patches. The first half of the 20th century. W:136cm, L:134cm

The bird-faced Kami (god) Doryo Daigongen strikes a powerful pose astride the back of a mischievous white fox. Doryo is purported to have been an ascetic monk who turned himself into a Tengu when he vowed on his deathbed to protect the Mountain Temple Complex of Daiyuzen in modern day Kanagawa prefecture. This legend inspired a cult which rose to great prominence in the Edo period. To this cult the figure was the ward of Budo (martial arts)...

Antique Japanese bronze usubata in the shape of a boat. Held up by little waves, it seems to float along on the water. Made for ikebana flower arranging. Signature on the bottom in a raised cartouche.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 5 1/4" high x 9" long x 5 1/4" wide

Japanese antique woodblock print by Utamaro (1753-1806) of a young nobleman on horseback holding a hunting falcon. Surrounding his horse are three beautiful female attendants and a young boy holding another falcon. In the background, Mt Fuji rises from the mist.

Utamaro is most famous for his bijin-ga (pictures of beauties). He was taught by Sekien and heavily influence by Kiyonaga. Utamaro is considered one of the great masters of Japanese woodblock printing...

Japanese antique woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825) of a woman and boy. The lady holds a bamboo branch festooned with decorations possibly for the Tanabata Festival. In the upper left is a blossoming branch hung with paper strips of writing (tanzaku). During Tanabata this writing would be wishes.
Toyokuni I started work in the studio of Toyoharu at the age of 14. He was heavily influenced by the print artist, Utamaro...

Bag made of one kind of hemp, probably imported one, such as jute or sisal, which is used for coins. It has many mending patches. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:38.5cm, L:70cm

Inro with 4 squares decorated with Toba riding his mule, on the reverse a rooster under a bamboo. Toba, the rooster and the bamboo are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and lacquered with gold powder on a background of red lacquer in slight relief. The mule is inlaid with pewter. This style of inlay is from Ogawa Haritsu (Ritsuo) who was active in Japan at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th...

A skeleton sits among the dried grasses, alone and forgotten, perhaps reflecting on his life in this earie painting by Buddhist priest Higuchi Ryuon dated Meiji 6 (1873). Ink on paper, it is 41.5 x 179.5 cm (16-1/4 x 70-1/2 inches) and is in fine condition; completely remounted in a border of two subtle shades of black with colorful piping and features black lacquered rollers with mother of pearl flakes. It comes in a kiri-wood box...

A set of three spouted nesting bowls decorated in the traditional Mugiwara pattern of alternating stripes of russet red, pale blue and orange emanating like rays from the center...

A Dojin licking Dango-treats dances in erratic dashes of soft wet lines and swift dark strokes of flying white on this vertical presentation by Edo period eccentric Doi Goga. Ink on paper it is 43 x 184.5 cm (17 x 72-1/2 inches) and has been completely remounted in dark silk with bone rollers. The creature clutches the raku-in stamp in his upper hand, the other stamps seem to follow his feet like footsteps. It comes enclosed in an age darkened wooden box. Known as the “Mad monk” Goga had...

Boxwood netsuke depicting a Karashishi with his mouth wide open, accompanied by a perforated ball, protected with his front paws, a symbol indicating a male shishi, representative of the Yang principle and male energy. Signed Minkoku. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.5 x 2.7 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory netsuke depicting a large open lotus flower with a frog and a crab looking at each other. The patina is light on the front and more yellowish underneath. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 2.4 x 4.5 x 3.9 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Boxwood shunga netsuke with skillfully carved natural himotoshi depicting two mushrooms. A touch of genius is found in the depiction of the smallest mushroom, which is placed upside down above the larger one's head. From this small cavity emerges a delicate caterpillar carved from blond horn. Engraved signature Masatomo 正友. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 2.4 x 4.2 x 3.6 cm. State of conservation: Excellent condition - There are natural openings in the wood.

Tapestry, silk embroidery, depicting four tigers along the banks of a watercourse surrounded by rich vegetation. The four tigers are depicted in various poses and attitudes. The watercourse is represented with delicate embroidery that suggests the movement of the water. The back to protect the silk embroidery is decorated with a delicate floral motif. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 195 x 145 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition – There are some slight wears on ...

Byobu 屏風, folding screen, with six wooden panels covered with hand-painted paper with gold leaf and fine silk applications. The main scene shows a pair of black carts with vases and a selection of flowers, such as wisteria, iris, peony and chrysanthemum, with distinct colors in various shades. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 118 x 364 x 2 cm. State of conservation: Excellent condition - There is slight wear compatible with time.

Boro noragi (work wear) made of many cotton fragments, which are hand spun and vegetable indigo dye. It is from Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district and called Shonai-sashiko. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:89cm, L:81cm

A ghost rises from the darkness pulling on her hair, a wry grin as she looks sideways at the viewer on this antique painting by Moriwaki Unkei. Ink on paper completely cleaned and remounted in vine patterned blue silk with dark wood rollers. There are old age stains on the paper, which appear much stronger in the photos than in life. It is 40 x 200 cm (15-3/4 x 78-3/4 inches) and in excellent condition.
Moriwaki Unkei (1858-1946) was born in Tanakura-cho, Kawaetsu-han (Fukushima prefectur...

Long verses fall like rain upon the sinister figure of an Oni (type of devil) dressed in the habit of a priest who glares as he walks through the village, banging out a warning to all evil-doers. Around his neck hangs a bell which he clangs loudly with the hammer held high in one hand. The stern figure carries in the other hand a booklet titled Hogacho. A Hogacho is a record of the name and quantity of persons who donated (hoga) for projects such as the construction and repair of temples or shr...

Brocade lined signed Japanese lidded basket circa 1910-1920 by Suzuki Gengensai (1891-1950). In beautiful condition (the silk brocade lining has deteriorated). Signed on the underside. Works by this artist are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. Please ask for additional photos.

Jizai okimono of an articulated hammered copper praying mantis.

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

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 3.15 in / 8.5 cm – width: 3.94 in / 10.5 cm – depth: 4.72 in / 12.5 cm

Rectangular kobako box in takamaki-e and kirigane gold lacquer circled with pewter depicting a lake landscape. Inside and back of the box in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japan – Edo period (1612-1868)
Height: 0.8 in (2.6 cm) – width: 2.4 in (6.7 cm )– depth: 3.1 in (8 cm)

Takamaki-e and kirigane lacquer kobako box depicting two samurai entering an enclosure. Four guards block their access. The side is decorated with cherry blossoms in maki-e lacquer on a fundame background. Interior in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japan - Edo period (1612-1868)
Height: 0.4 in / 1.5 cm - Width: 1.97 in / 5.3 cm - Depth: 1.97 in / 5.3 cm

Jizai okimono of an articulated wooden lobster. This one is a Japanese spiny lobster (ise-ebi in Japanese), a lobster species of Pacific Ocean that grows up to around 12 in (30 cm). It is a popular item in high-class Japanese cuisine.

Wooden jizai okimono are quite rare. They are mostly made of metal (iron, copper, silver, shakudô, etc.).

Signature below the tail of Shôroku's lobster (笑緑). Left antennule missing.

Japan, Shôroku (笑緑) - Meiji ...

Jizai okimono of an articulated crab in bronze with dark brown patina.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 2 in / 5 cm – width: 7 in / 18 cm – depth: 3.9 in / 10.5 cm

Ivory netsuke depicting four painter's seals, linked together, of which the most important has a karashishi as a handle, a symbolic figure representing protection and courage. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 2.2 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory netsuke with amber patina depicting a seated child playing with a turtle while a cat climbs onto his shoulder. Signed Komin 虎眠 within a rectangular reserve under the base. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 3 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Oval ivory netsuke manju depicting the profile of Daruma, also known as Bodhidharma, a spiritual figure of great importance in Japanese Zen Buddhism. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5 x 1.2 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ryoshibako document box in black and gold lacquer decorated in takamaki-e and hiramaki-e. In the center of the panel stands an imposing castle, immersed in a natural landscape dominated by Matsu pines. Nashiji lacquer forms a cloud-like texture adding a touch of depth. The nashiji lacquering also follows on the sides and inside. The box is complete with its internal tray. Period: Edo, early 19th century. Dimensions: 15 x 40 x 30 cm. State of conservation: Excellent condition – Som...

Ivory okimono of exceptional quality depicting a fisherman standing on a rock, with the rough sea crashing around him. The scene captures a moment of triumph for the fisherman, who raises his fishing rod with a freshly caught fish still attached to the hook. Signed Munemasa with engraving under the red lacquer dowel base next to an old Christie's label. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 21.4 x 7 x 5.5 cm. (Maximum height 32 cm.) Conservation status: Excellent conditio...

A marine ivory okimono with elephant ivory parts depicting a daily life scene of a seated craftsman while he repairs a small wheel. The wheel can move in a circular direction giving the sculpture a unique characteristic. He holds a hammer with other tools typical of his profession and wears a tobacco holder complete with netsuke. Signed Seiwa with engraving on a red lacquer insert under the base. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 5 cm. Conservation status:...

Pair of bronze vases adorned with inlays, decorated with two Onagadori roosters, known for their elegant length of tail. The roosters are represented perched on a plum branch. Signed by Yoshimasa for Nogawa company. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 17 x 7 x 7 cm. State of conservation: Excellent condition – With wooden bases and tomobako (storage box)