Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl with scalloped rim to resemble a lotus, with blue cobalt florals designs along the outside and "comb" style design along the foot. The interior of the bowl has a black squirrel hunting for grapes. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 5.5" diameter, 2.25" height

Ca. early 1800s

This porcelain dish is in the shape of an abalone shell with underglaze blue and overglaze enamel decoration. It is raised on a low footring with an underglaze blue four character mark reading, “Made in the Great Ming.” There is minor glaze wear to the interior and minor firing flaws. There are no cracks or restorations.

Length: 6 3/8 in., Width: 5 3/8 in., Height: 1 ¼ in.

Finely drawn chrysanthemums on a field of ivory porcelain. The flowers are placed on the outside and inside edges of one half of the bowl drawing the eye away from the center and giving this piece a unique perspective.

Seifū Yohei IV, Seizan (1871-1951) was the second son of Seifū Yohei III (1851-1914) who was awarded the title of Teishitsu Gigeiin or “Imperial Court Artist” in 1893...

19th Century, nicely hand-carved Ebony Netsuke depicting Ama, the Diving and Fisher Girl, standing with a basket on her back, accepting the advances of the amorous Octopus that is enveloping her legs with its tentacles and placing one of them in her private parts. The netsuke is unsigned. It measures 0.75 inches (1.9cm) wide, and 2.68 inches (6.8cm) tall. It is in excellent conditon, as may be seen in the posted photos.

A stunning two section Japanese tansu from the Yonezawa region, made with Kuri (chestnut) front and Sugi (cedar) burl frame. The iron hardware is highly decorative with floral elements and incised cherry blossom mon (family crest) into each round lock plate, as well as attractive mokko "melon" style handles for each drawer. Top section has side lockbox with two drawers within. Beautiful lacquer finish. 19th century. Size: 38" height, 42" width, 18" depth

Antique Japanese large carved wooden tray, natural form and curled edges reminiscent of a lotus leaf, beautifully sculptured, late Meiji/early Taisho Period. Size: 24 1/2" wide x 15 1/2" wide x 1" deep.

Japanese antique isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area, made with keyaki wood on drawer fronts, highly raised and incised black iron hardware including elaborate lock plates in the form of large peony blossoms and scrolling leaves. Moko shaped Iron drawer pulls incised with tiny flowers, 4 large drawers, 2 small exterior drawers. A safe box on the right side has beautifully ornate hardware in a peony motif...

Wonderful hand shaped Tanba chawan, made 80 - 100 years ago. The tea bowl is well balanced and has a perfect shape.

No chips or cracks.

The bottom is signed. Good Wabi Sabi aura. Great!

Size: 6,5 cm height x 11,7 cm in diameter.

Tanba-yaki pottery originated approximately 800 years ago and has played an essential role in people’s daily lives, as well as becoming sought after as artwork in recent years...

An interesting all original Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) basket with a wide, flat woven body and a gnarled root handle. The inside of the basket is lined with a removable bronze dish. True work of art. Meiji age (1868 - 1912) Size: 13.25" height, 16" diameter

This extraordinary piece depicting two shishi guardian lions locked in playful combat, is done in fine white porcelain from the Arita region of Japan.

Guardian lions (alternately known as Shishi, Foo-dogs, or Koma-inu) were introduced to Japan in the 8th century and are often seen outside shrine gates or adorning rooftop shingles. When seen in pairs, one typically has its mouth open (the male) while the other’s is shut (the female)...

A tazza, pedestal dish, with a Satsuma type earthenware, stoneware, body decorated almost entirely with totai cloisonné. The dish decorated with a snowflake shaped, yukiwa, roundel containing various autumn flowers, akikusa, set against a lilac coloured ground, set against a blue cloissone ground inset with flowers and butterflies. The reverse of the dish decorated with further butterflies, flowers and cash set against a blue cloisonné ground. Lilac ground cloisonné to the stand column...

Antique Japanese kannon biraki tansu, made with keyaki (elm) and hinoki (cypress) wood. Interior has four storage compartments. Top and sides have the same kanji marking burned into the wood. Beautiful, original finish. Very unusual. Size: 25.75" height, 23" length, 10" depth

Japanese antique isho tansu (clothing storage chest), made with chestnut wood drawer fronts and sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame, beautiful deep reddish brown lacquer finish on the drawer fronts and the sides and top of the chest, the frame on the front of the chest is lacquered black as is traditional with Fukashima area tansu. Iron hardware inlcudes large round lock plates and warabite shaped drawer pulls. The chest has four large drawers and two small drawers in the lower right hand corner...

This is a finely hand carved, 19th Century Wood Netsuke depicting Ikkaku Sennin (the Single Horn Sage) carrying on his back the beautiful Lady Sendaramo. According to Legend, Ikkaku is an inmortal who could no resist the sight of women on the earth, and he was punished by the loss of his power. He fell in love and married the beautiful Lady Sendaramo, with whom the Sennin is often depicted, carrying her home on his back. Wonderful carving with very fine details. Unsigned...

An interesting Japanese multi -layer lacquer stand with mother of pearl inlay. Top surface has oil spill pattern in hues of red, black, and orange with green accenting. Taisho Period (circa 1950's). Dimensions: 18" Long X 12 1/2" Wide X 4" High

This is a 19th century, excellently hand-carved Kyoto School styled netsuke of a seated dog, in a protective posture, with its young puppy right in front of it. Delightful expression on their faces. Outstanding detail, Excellent form, wonderful hair work. Double inlaid eyes. Very nice two-tone patina. The spaces between the right and hind leg of the dog serve as natural himotoshi. Netsuke measures 0.70 inches (1.8cm) wide, 1.34 inches (3.4cm) long, and 1.72 inches (4.4cm) tall. Signed...

An intriguing and rare dish that borrows its overall arrangement from a Chinese export Kangxi precedent, but given a distinctly Japanese twist. It is a parody on the theme of the Four Gentlemanly or scholarly accomplishments, Kinkishoga or Siyi, calligraphy, painting, reading poetry and playing music, mitate-e. Here the scholars are replaced by Bijin, elegant ladies at leisure, set in a large Garden arranged in a continuous frieze that is adapted from a Chinese export plate of the Kangxi period...

Very Unusual Antique Japanese large safe box made all of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, door has elaborate six drop-in hinges (when door is unlocked it can be lifted completely off), other hardware inlcludes heavy iron cross and corner bracing, heavy side handles, and warabite shaped drawer pulls on the two interior drawers, the outside of the box is finished with it's original reddish orange translucent lacquer finish. Edo Period (circa 1850's) Size: 41 1/2" high (42" high including ...

Original Antique Japanese sword tansu made from kiri (paulownia) wood with a brown lacquer finish. The front features four long drawers and one small drawer with iron locks and handles. Original finish.

Mid Edo age (1603-1868)

Size: 42" L X 12" D X 14" H

A fine Imari bowl and cover decorated with a pattern composed of Autumn flowers, akikusa de, and Banded hedges, shibagaki. A wheel cut Johanneum inventory number incised to the interior of the foot-ring of the bowl indicating that it belonged to the collection of Augustus the Strong, and was acquired before 1722. Both cover and bowl marked with an enamelled choji motif. The bowl and cover are in superb condition, no cracks, chips or restoration...

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. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 71" ...

Antique Japanese door with beautiful painting of two beautiful geisha. One holds a black and gold lacquer tray while the other kneels beside her. Flecks of gold accent the space surrounding the painting. The backside of the door has a monochromatic painting of waterside scenery. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 71" height, 37" width, 1.25" depth

This piece features a warm golden glaze with several patches of lighter pigmentation. The inside of the bowl is especially inviting and shows a magnificent patina developed over many decades of use and what appears to be a partly faded stencil of a pinecone. The foot is well-shaped, well-grounded, and clearly displays the unglazed rich clay. The Chinese characters on the lid of the box read 古瀬戸 (ko-Seto) 大茶碗 (oo-jawan), indicating it is an large tea bowl...

Rare Antique Japanese two section isho tansu (clothing chest) from Sado Island. Beautiful burl keyaki (elm) wood front with original lacquer finish, interior all kiri (paulownia) wood, four large drawers with three smaller drawers on the right, safe box in lower right hand corner with three small interior drawers also with keyaki fronts and iron hardware. One drawer has a secret compartment. Unusually beautiful and elaborate iron hardware with pierced, incised and raised details: the top two dra...

Little distorted half cylinder shaped (tsutsugata) tea bowl made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay.

The expertly thrown body is covered with the typical, glossy black iron oxide glaze inside and outside.

The window is decorated with three concentric squares and twigs in iron oxide glaze has then covered with a clear ash and feldspar glaze. This is a typical Momoyama design.

The three concentric squares is the mon (the family crest) of the famous Kabuki act...

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...

This is Sashiko used for a martial artist of the Taisho era. This is a natural indigo plant, and Kinari--colored lining cotton is put on the cotton of a dyed face. And it is done Sashiko. As for this, thick cotton cloth is performed Sashiko of by the white cotton thread of the W thread. Therefore it is very thick. This does not have a stain and damage. Size 82cm x 90cm (32.2 "x 35.4").

This large, finely crafted tsutsu chawan was done by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pottery design and painting under Touda Tokuji in 1873. From this point forward, he divided his time mainly between Kanazawa and Tokyo working at a number of kilns and research institutes. While in Tokyo, he made the acquaintance of famed cons...

A charming Japanese small tansu made from kiri (paulownia) wood, with attractive, simple iron fittings. Each drawer features a round iron lock plate and gunbai style handles. Size: 22.5" height, 25" width, 13" depth

This a Kioto School Netsuke, carved in Late 18th century, that depicts a seated and laughing Hotei. His robe falling open to reveal a large belly. The robe with incised leave branches. Hotei's hand and feet unsually large. Large, faithful time-period chimney himotoshi. Wonderful two-tone patina. Netsuke measures 1.55 inches (3.9cm) wide, and 1.45 inches (3.7cm) tall. It has some age hairlines, common to netsuke this old, but, it is solid, and otherwise, in excellent condition.

19th Century, Boxwood Netsuke finely hand-carved and engraved boxwood netsuke depicting a squatting Karako (Chinese Boy), wearing the customary Chinese garb, holding a Hyotokko mask with both hands. Signed Yoshiharu on the bottom of the netsuke. Nice compact form; great expression and form details; nice mellow patina. Netsuke measures 1.35 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 1.48 inches (3.8cm) tall. It is in excellent condition, as you may be able to see in the posted photos.

19th Century, Boxwood Netsuke finely hand-carved boxwood netsuke depicting a seated Hotei, the god of Contentment and Happiness, smiling and holding a Fan on his right hand. Signed Shogyoku on the bottom of the netsuke. Nice compact form; wonderful symmetry and patina. Netsuke measures 1.60 inches (4.,0cm) in diameter, and 1.15 inches (2.9cm) tall. It is in excellent condition, as you may be able to see in the posted photos.

Little distorted half cylinder shaped (hanzutzu) tea bowl made of light, coarse unrefinde Mino clay, with very nice, little and small ishihaze (exploding stones).

The mouth has been trimmed in a fashion frequently seen in black Oribe but rarely in Ki Seto (yellow Seto) bowls. The expertly thrown body is covered with the typical ash glaze inside and outside which has turned into yellow due to a slight iron oxide content in the clay.

The thick and glossy glaze (guinomi-de) has ...

This is an excellently executed mid-19th Century Netsuke depicting a Copper Dragon over the Dojoji Bell, made from Bronze. This dragon is the converted Kiyohime, the daughter of an innkeeper who turned this way after being rejected by the pilgrim Inchin. Wonderful detail and composition, which is rare for a metal netsuke, have been used in the creation of this piece, which has been preserved in an outstanding manner. It is considered a functional netsuke in that it was not only used as a ...

Antique Japanese woven bamboo basket for ikebana, or flower arrangements. The body has a gourd form, inside it holds a large bamboo vase lined in metal. Size: 16.5" height, 9" width

Distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata)tea bowl made of light, fine, unrefined Mino clay.

Shape and style (note the trimmed walls and the flaring mouth) make it appear contemporary with the late Oribe bowls.

The expertly thrown body is covered with the typical white, feldspatic Shino glaze which has been poured and under which a decoration of four cedar trees and grass on the reverse side have been applied in iron oxid (oni ita). Just the foot ring and its immediate surroundin...