An Arita porcelain whistle in the form of a reclining Chinese boy. Decorated in Kakiemon-type overglaze blue, green and iron-red enamels. Circa 1680 ~ 1700.

A similar whistle is illustrated in Christiaan J. A. Jorg’s ‘Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections.’

Approximately 7.6 cm long...

Antique Japanese small Bizen ware oil lamp in the form of Fukurokuju, one of the 7 Lucky Gods. Easily identified by his elongated head on top of which is a small bowl for oil. His expression is kind and he sits holding a large gourd (hyotan) in both hands. Fukurokuju is believed to be a sennin, a philosopher who can exist without eating food. His name literally means "happiness" (fuku), "wealth" (roku) and "longevity" (ju)...

Japanese bronze brown patinated representing a hare laying on a crescent moon.

Japan – Showa (1912-1926)
Height: 11 cm – 4,3 inches

The Hare is a very beloved animal in Japan. Each year, on the 15th day of the 8th month of the moon calendar, Japanese are celebrating “Tskukumi”, a party paying tribute to the hare of a tale.
A God decided to get down on earth as a starved man...

Late Meiji Period C.1910 Shinto Shrine Festival Chochin Lantern. Black lacquer on wood with gold hawk feather crest. Copper metal fittings. Written in bold kanji characters, "Go Shin To" Sacred festival light. Very good condition; no tears. H: 30"; W: 7". Ask for shipping quote.

Antique Japanese lacquer jingasa, samurai's hat. Round rim with a gradually pointed top. Lacquered black and decorated with a design of 3 flying cranes in swirling clouds and with a Narabi-ya (double arrows) mon in raised gold lacquer.

The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather...

Antique Japanese ko tansu (personal storage chest) made with kiri (paulownia) wood drawer fronts and sugi (cryptomeria) wood body and drawer interiors. 5 drawers of various sizes. Finished with red and black negoro lacquer finish. Hand forged iron hardware including hirute drawer pulls and round lock plates.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 16" high x 22" wide x 13 1/4" deep

A four-case lacquer inro in iroe, togidashi, hirame and kirigane lacquer, on a nashiji lacquer background, decorated with a boat, sailing on the flow, carrying numerous passengers, there are some mountains in the background.
Nashi-ji lacquer interior.
The ornamentation probably depicts the Sumida river in Tôkyô...

Inrô with five compartments with lake landscape decoration in continuity on both sides, in gold lacquer hira maki-e, taka maki-e, kirigane and brown lacquer on a fundame gold background. The interior is in nashi-ji lacquer.

Wooden Netsuke representing the Japanese wonder shell (Thatcheria mirabilis).

Ojime of tubular form in gilded copper and incised with peach decoration. In Japanese popular culture, fishing has the power to drive away evil spirits...

Fan-shaped kobako, decorated with clouds and wisterias in gold lacquer and kirigane on a silver background. The sides are decorated with a checked pattern in gold lacquer. The background and the inside are in nashi-ji lacquer.

Kobako (“little boxes”) are often adorned with harmonious decors and sceneries inspired by Japanese fauna and flora...

Inrô of three black lacquer compartments decorated with raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) of ducks on the water or in flight on both sides. One of the faces shows four ducks (one per box) in different postures among a decoration of stylized bamboo leaves. The upper one in flight, head to the right, the second facing left and about to land, wings spread apart, the third in a resting position, head on its wing, the fourth on the water, leaning its head forward...

Kato Shuntai (1802-1877) Japanese Antique Shino Ware Chawan Teabowl made for Tea Ceremony Wabi Sabi The seal of the potter is stamped on the bottom. Kato Shuntai is a notable potter from Seto area, Aichi prefecture who lived in the late Edo period. He followed his father profession as a ceramist at the age of 15 and soon he received a name Shuntai from Tokugawa, the 11th Daimyo of modern Nagoya. Kato Shuntai expanded Seto ware techniques adding Shino, Oribe and Mugiwara styles to his works...

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of Echigo-jofu which is hand-woven of choma (ramie) and dyed with indigo. The fine kasuri pattern is yoko-gasuri (weft kasuri) and bamboo, pine tree and plum bloom motifs. Echigo jofu was first woven asa kasuri in mainland Japan having been influenced by Ryukyu (Okinawan) kasuri. The dye is called Ai-sabi which is very dark blue dyed with vegetable indigo mixed with shoen (burnt pine shoot) or other catalysts...

Snuffbox carved out of a dried marrow decorated with lacquered leaves. The rim and stopper are made out of wood. Signed in golden lacquer in a black lacquer cartouche.

Japan, 20th century
Height: 4" (10 cm)

A large presentation tray in finely carved polished wood in the shape of a rounded stump cutout. The sides mimic the knotty grain of a tree trunk. This type of tray was used to present bonsai.

Japan – Shôwa era (1926 – 1989)
Length : 15.75 inch (40cm) – Width : 9.9 inch (25cm) – Height : 0.8 inch (2cm)

Large hollow porcelain bowl with polychrome decoration of flowers, landscapes, and a samurai on horseback.

The village of Kutani, located in the province of Kaga, is a famous place for the production of ceramics, characterized by a particular decoration...

Japanese antique small Buddhist zushi shrine in the form of a lotus blossom enclosing a tiny figure of Buddha Amitābha. Also known simply as Amida Buddha, he stands on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Amitābha (which means Infinite or Immeasurable light) is much loved for his gentle wisdom and his all accepting nature. Carved of wood and intricately dec...

Japanese Antique woven fruit basket with bent bamboo handle. Woven of split bamboo with a wide and rounded hexagonal, squat form with low walls. The body of the basket is woven with two layers, a wider weave on the outside, and a layer of very thin strips of bamboo in a finer pattern on the inside. The handle and the rim of the basket are made of whole stocks of bent bamboo. The basket is woven with a low foot and has a signature on the underside.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Antique Japanese carved wooden Kyōgen theatre mask of Zo-onna (middle-aged woman). Still beautiful, she is more serious than her younger counterparts. Her face is longer and narrower and she does not smile but her mouth is open, showing both rows of perfect teeth. Beautifully carved of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, signed on the inside.

The characters of the signature read 工藤則朝作 (作, saku, here means "work of _" / "made by _", and the name is 工藤則朝). 工藤 i...