Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged...

This is a really nicely painted antique Japanese Arita porcelain covered bowl, sometimes called a chawan, dating to the Meiji era, circa 1870s-90s. It measures about 13.2 cm across the lid, and about 8.5 cm high including the lid. It is entirely hand painted, with garden scenes and a pair of plovers. The mark on the inside of the foot of the lid is a kakutomi mark, associated with one or more of the kilns of the Meiji era...

An antique Japanese bronze Kirin standing over a Peony blossom as it protects the prosperity it imbues. Originally a cherished fragment from a bronze vase, it was professionally museum mounted to showcase its beauty and elegance.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions with stand: 8" Wide by 6 3/4" High by 4 1/8" Deep

19th century Japanese iron mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) in a form of a haboki - a feather brush used for swiping ashes during tea ceremony. Iron is notoriously difficult to work with. Excellent design, superb crisp detailing, gilded highlights. Length 1 7/8 inches.

This is the clothes which a fire fighter of Edo period wore inside of Sashiko Hanten. This is the very rare item which the person of waterfall ascetic practices was drawn on to a back in Tsutsugaki. This picture does one of the famous programs of Kabuki in a motif. The cotton is spun by hand. And it is slightly thick. This has several places of fading and tears. This has small damage on a collar and a shoulder. However, I do not feel the state. Size 67cm x 90cm (26.3 "x 35.4")

Late Meiji (1890s to 1910s) bone obidome (sash ornament) carved as a pair of swimming carp. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Clever design, good quality carving, nice finish and patina, two metal fittings on the back for an obi cord. Length 2.95 inches.

First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "Pubic Reading (Yomitate)" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" co-designed by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) and Torii Kiyosada (1844-1901). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 4th month in the left margin. Kiyosada's signature can be found on the billboard at the upper left...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper carrying handle and hinged door that hides 4 drawers of varying sizes used by a merchant to store writing paper, receipts, money and calligraphy brushes.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 10" Wide by 12 1/4" High by 14 3/4" Deep

Japanese Meiji to Taisho period ogi folding fan decorated with a single bird in flight over treetops. Signed at the right and with artist's seal. Late 19th to early 20th century. Measures about 8 3/4" vertical x 18 7/8" across from tip to tip. Very good, clean overall condition with some minor crinkling of the paper at the corners. The paper at the right edge is slightly distressed. From an old New Orleans collection.

19th century shakudo Japanese sword tsuba with inlaid decoration of autumn grasses on both sides, all on finely textured ground. Shakudo (an alloy typically consisting of 96% copper and 4% gold) body, superb design perfectly capturing the mood of autumnal melancholy. Crisp work, black shakudo stems and gold seedheads, in excellent condition. Height 2 3/4 inches.

Antique Japanese keyaki (elm) wood temple carving of a fu-dog. Beautifully carved with mane of swirling curls and mouth full of sharp teeth, this fierce guardian would have once graced the eves of a buddhist temple roof. Edo Period. With contemporary black metal stand. Size: 15 1/2" high total (10 1/2" high not including stand) x 15" wide x 7 1/2" wide.

Massive Japanese Taisho period bronze jardinière cast with four lobes in high relief with chidori (Japanese sparrows) perched on or flying among flowering cherry branches. A lappet band extends around the circumference where the top of the incurving shoulder meets the short, straight neck with everted rim. The ovoid form body rests on a splayed base. Measures about 16” high by 20” diameter and weighs 26 lbs. Early 20th century. Very good overall condition with good patina...

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

Antique Japanese yari saya, carved wooden cover for a yari spear. Favored by many samurai and ashigaru (foot soldiers) for the reached allowed by the long pole arm, the yari was a popular weapon for greater military use. At times of peace during the Edo Period, the yari also acted as a ceremonial weapon. The job of the yari saya was to protect the blade when not in use. Often the yari saya was decorated, in this case with inlaid shell...

Japanese carved bone three(3) monkey design Fan Holder, Meiji period, 1 1/8" high, 2 1/4" wide, 1/2" deep, with opening on the bottom and wider opening on the top, carved serious money faces with black enameled wide eyes. There are some stains and wears on the surface.

Antique Japanese iron tetsubin (cast iron pot for heating water for tea), decorated with wonderful raised scene of houses over water and pine trees; on the other side, a sage sits under a rocky out cropping and reads by the light of the moon, in the distance are more houses nestled in the mountains, Signed on the bronze lid, Meiji Period. Size: 10 1/2" high (including handle) x 7" wide (including spout).

Lovely hand painted Japanese Kutani tea caddy with inner lid. The jar features birds in flight, a slight crackle finish, gold accents, and is in excellent condition. There are no chips, no cracks, no hairlines, no repairs. It is signed on the bottom. The tea caddy measures about 5.75 Inches (14.6 cm)tall. Circa 1900.

Antique Japanese hirado porcelain brush washer in the form of a fu dog, laying on his backside and sporting a large, whimsical smile. The brush washer sits on three short legs. The form and detail in this little guy are wonderful. Size: 2.5" length, 2.25" height