This is a rare Japanese cloisonne vase from Kato. In all my years I've come across far more signed Hayashi, Sosuke and Namikawa pieces than I have Kato. This vase has stamped silver rims and is 6 inches tall. There is no damage other than a few enamel pits. It was probably made during the 1920's.

Japanese ceramic vase with a slender form, reddish brown base colors, areas with black, grey, yellow, and brown glaze and areas of texture. The artists' signature is incised into the bottom of the vase. Included is a wooden storage box with kanji. Size: 9" height, 4" width

Japanese woodblock print by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) titled "Fujiyama from Miho", signed in pencil, with stamp and printed title. Size: 10.5" height, 15.75" width

Beautiful Antique Japanese Shigaraki tea jar. Made to hold home brewed cold tea. Natural blues and Greens flow together on the original fired glazed finish. Holds water without leaks. Early 19th Century Dimensions: 18" 1/2 High X 15" Wide

Furoshiki with tsutsugaki auspicious motif, sho-chiku-bai which are pine, bamboo and plum blossoms. It is made of hand-spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo and colored with pigments. In good condition but has a hole (2cm x 5mm) which is mended and pigment in plum blossoms is faded. Late 19th to early 20th century. 130cm x 142cm

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 two section clothing tansu, constructed of Kiri (paulownia) wood with hand-forged iron hardware and plates. The upper unit holds two drawers with two iron pulls each. The lock plate of each drawer overlaid with brass turtle and kiri leaves. The lower unit holds two staggered larger drawers with small safe door.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37 1/4" x 16" x 39 3/4" H

Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout...

An antique Japanese Ikebana basket made with split and large slatted bamboo and Wisteria branches for the handle and mouth. Its design is a flattened Ovid form that is almost purse-like in shape. The top of the basket is woven along the Wisteria mouth in a free-form style that undulated along the wavy movement of the mouth. The base is a raised twisted rope foot...

A painted lacquer panel decorated with carved bone, ivory and "composition" figures depicting a farmer and a boy in a mountain landscape...

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl, with cobalt blue design of waves and an array of scholar objects in mint green, lilac, yellow, and red glaze. Edges are decorated with "comb" design along foot. Underside has interesting signature mark of a budding flower. 19th century. Size: 6" diameter, 1.5" height

A Ko-Seto-yu Chaire Tea Container by Teishitsu Gigei-in Suwa Sozan I wrapped in a chord bound silk pouch enclosed in the original signed wooden box tied with deer leather, the box bearing the seal of the Imperial Art Academy. It is 5 cm (2 inches) tall and is in perfect condition.
Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initially studied before moving to Tokyo in 1875...

Antique Japanese stringed instrument called a koto, with a black lacquer box lined in fabric with floral motif and a cherry blossom crest in gilt lacquer on the lid. It is made from kiri wood (paulownia) and is covered in beautiful, intricate inlay of coral, mother of pearl, and shells in the forms of various flowers and birds. A koto player would kneel before the instrument to play. Special bridges are used on each string to alter the pitch. Size: 4.5" H x 9" W x 70" L

Long Japanese half section Mizuya or buffet cabinet, constructed with Hinoki and Sugi wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 57 1/2" x 16" x 30 1/2" H

A stunning Japanese two-section choba tansu (merchant's chest), made from solid Keyaki (elm) wood, originating from the Mikuni region. The upper section holds a roomy, shelved interior with two bold Keyaki grain sliding door panels. The bottom section holds a long top drawer, with elongated lock plate typical to Mikuni tansu. Below are two small drawers with iron Warabite handles, with old labels in Japanese on the fronts, and a smaller set of sliding Keyaki panel doors...

Antique Japanese taiko drum, made from keyaki wood, with an iron handle on its front and iron studding to keep the drum skins into place. Size: 14" wide diameter on top and bottom x 18" high. Circa 1900. Taiko drums are said to have originated when the Shinto goddess of sunlight, Amaterasu, locked herself away in a cave when her brother, Susanoo, god of the sea and storms, became enraged and created havoc on dry land...

Unusual Japanese incensor of two Japanese toads made from Izushi Yaki pottery technique. Depicting a large toad with a smaller baby toad resting on top. Smoke rises from the inner chamber an rises and vents from each of their mouths. Beautiful original patina consisting with age. Overall very good condition.
Izushi is a town that continues on from the mythical era. Today it is a castle town popular for its nostalgic atmosphere of old Japan...

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of machine woven cotton with hand-painting with motif of noble people. It has se-mamori (charm) with silk thread. The diagonal stitches to the left means it is boy's kimono ( to the right is girl's ). In old days, it is believed that evils come from back and a baby is vulnerable without seam in the back, so se-mamori is put. In good condition but a bit dusty from aging. Dry cleaning only. Late 19th to early 20th century. 62cm x 76cm