19th century Satsuma vase of classic shape with painted enamel decoration of the Buddha surrounded by 7 rakan (original disciples), several female disciples and a boy attendant, with buildings, clouds and lotus flowers in the background. The Buddha is protected by a relief gold enameled dragon encircling the vase in its upper part. Excellent quality detailed painting - see fine depiction of their faces and supremely fine rich clothes with numerous patterns...

The outside of this elegantly understated container is simply semitransparent red lacquer over cloth in the Tame-nuri style opening to reveal an interior glowing with large patches of applied gold and silver. It is 20.5 cm (8 inches) square, 10 cm (4 inches) tall and in overall excellent condition, with minor marks from use on the bottom. Inside the box is contained a number of papers as well as a receipt from the late Meiji period, circa 1910.

Gold forms a billowing pine tree lavishly applied to the dark lacquered body of this wooden water jar enclosed in the original wooden box titled Ikkan Mage-Mizusashi, Oimatsu signed by both the wood craftsman and the lacquer artist. It is 15 cm (6 inches) diameter 16cm tall and in excellent condition, dating from the early 20th century...

19th century boxwood netsuke of Jurojin (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck, usually associated with longevity) leaning on a long gnarled staff and accompanied by one of his familiars - a crane (symbol of longevity). Essentially, the netsuke is a wish for a long life. Wonderful carving, great smiling benevolent face, excellent patina. Height 2 inches.

Japanese antique Thick hand-spun otton tsutsugaki Horse cover of the Edo period.(1800-1867)The string currently attached to this is shirakage-shibori-dye. It is very impressive and beautiful. It is made of hand-spun and hand-woven and natural indigo dyed cotton. It has a thin stain. However, it is in a state good on the whole. size:190cm x 47cm (74.8" x 18.5")

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a standing blind masseur with a staff in his hands and a habitual bump on his head. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and then wood starts showing, thus adding yet another color to the piece. Wonderful elegant carving with fantastic sour face and clean lines of his robe, rich warm patina. Height 2 1/8 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of Shoki the Demon Queller getting foot massage from an oni. Rather unusual subject, very nicely carved out of dense sakura wood with beautiful color and patina. Wonderful faces, eyes are inlaid with metal, in great condition. Length 1.36 inches.

Late 19th century netsuke of four blind men fighting, characteristic bumps on their heads. Excellent carving with a lot of detailing, superb faces, subtly incised textile patterns, very pleasant patina. Height 1.46 inches.

Dry lacquer mask of the traditional Gigaku Theater, finely carved and lacquered to depict an elderly man (old widower) with a long aquiline nose, full red lips forming a smile, elongated earlobes, and deeply carved wrinkles. The eyes and mouth are pierced. The back with a label inscribed inside deszcribing the mask and with the artist signature. Rich, dark patina. Height: 25 cm...

19th century wooden netsuke of a sitting boy wearing a shishi mask that is too big for him and hitting a drum in front of him with a striker. These mask are usually used in shishimai dance, and the face of the boy can be seen inside the mask (see Enlargement 2, difficult to photograph). Nice dense shitan wood (Southeast Asian rosewood), beautifully carved, eyes of the mask are inlaid with copper. Superb wear and patina, large and deep himotoshi...

A large Kuro-Oribe chawan, hand thrown and carved from fine Mino clay during the later Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). It comes with a very good Japanese wooden box.

Oribe-yaki – I guess no other pottery had a greater influence on the aesthetics of Japanese pottery.

Oribe ware is a historically important Japanese pottery variety that emerged during the late Momoyama and early Edo periods in Tajimi, in modern day Gifu prefecture...

Exceptional carving of Kannon Bosastu or Bodhisattva the goddess of compassion and mercy. She holds a lotus in her left hand symbolizing purity and ability to rise from the mud to transform into a beautiful flower. She stands on a stand of lotus pedals with large lotus leaves. To the side are buddhist clouds. Painted in the Edo Period c. 1860, some of the colors have worn away and the right foot is chipped off. Hinoki wood. Comes in paulownia wood box. Ask for shipping quote. H:19cm x W:28cm

Pair of early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting different hanaike - hanging container for flower arrangement, one made out of a bamboo stem, the other out of a hollow double gourd. Fantastic unusual design in Japanese taste, excellent casting and detailing, beautiful patina. Length 1 7/16 inches.

Simple elegance envelops this wonderful late Meiji Period C.1910 bronze 'koro' crane incense burner. The piece has two parts; the top consisting of the crane's feathers and head, and the bottom which contains the ash. On the underside of the bottom in relief are the crane's legs tucked under. Typical understated japanese beauty. Used in the tea ceremony. 'Aka (red ) bronze. Not a fake. Excellent condition. H:about 11cm; W:about 18cm. Ask for shipping quote.

19th century boxwood netsuke depicting the head of himono (gutted dried fish). Initially food taken along on a journey, dried fish came to symbolize good luck and health. Beautiful realistic carving (appears to be a head of salmon), wonderful sharp detailing, clever use of one eye as himotoshi. Superb patina on wood, in excellent condition, very pleasant to hold. Length 2.35 inches (60 mm).

19th century Japanese copper and brass keman in a shape of a rounded fan (uchiwa) with pierced low relief decoration of two phoenixes confronting each other in flight above lotus flowers, buds and leaves rising from a pond, and an elaborate knot in the center. Hanging pendants representing the Wheel of the Buddhist Law and lotus flowers, old glass beads...

Early 19th century netsuke of a boy holding onto a bamboo branch next to a large ball. Netsuke illustrates one of the paragons of filial virtue, that of Moso - a young scholar who went into the woods in the middle of the winter to look for bamboo shoots, a favorite dish of his ailing and dying mother. Bamboo does not grow in the snow but the Gods were moved by his filial piety and allowed bamboo shoots to suddenly spring from the ground. The large ball probably represents a snowball...

This is very fine Imari Pedestal bowl. In fact one of the best ones we have come across. It has very fine workmanship and there are many symbolic characters mixed into the busy design so look close at the images. It is a beautiful display piece that stands 7 1/2 inches tall and is 10 inches wide. Condition is excellent except for some sear mainly on the top rim. To make a purchase please contact us. We accept Pay Pal and process all credit card payments directly through our store.