"Sorihiki-happi"from Yusa in Yamagata prefecture which was worn for sleigh pulling. It has cloth with sashiko for reinforcement diagonally, from shoulder to one side of the body, and also both sides. It was worn when sorihiki pull down a sleigh with firewood from the mountain to the foot of the mountain. Yusa sashiko is one of Shonai sashiko in Yamagata prefecture. This happi has fine horizontal as well as vertical sashiko on whole ground cloth...

Chawan, or tea bowl, for use in the the tea ceremony. Fine gray stoneware turned out rather thin of almost round shape, with a ‘soul’ in the bottom, standing on a bamboo shaped foot, a swirl inside the foot. Opaque yellow glaze with fine crackle covers the ceramic. Over the yellow a white slip hakeme brush stroke on the outside and on the inside.

Seto region, Japan, 19th century

H 3 x W 5.25 x D 5 in.

Two unprofessionally, but lovingly repaired chips at the lip...

Square dish with straight rims, with elegant indentation on each corner. In the center two cranes (or similar birds) walking on rocks underneath a pine tree near the sea. On the inside of the rims a continuous border of heart-shaped flowers, on the outside a border with diamond pattern, broken by one cartouche on each side, containing a house. The top of the rim decorated with a karakusa-border.

White porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration...

DRAWING OF SAMURAI COSTUME

As a fragment of illustrated book for the Edo period's samurai costume regarding the detailed explanation for when, where, and how to wear. Edo period, Japan. 38.5 x 27cm (15.15 x 10.62in). Worm holes and stains due to aging as is. *This acrylic frame is not attached...

19th century boxwood netsuke depicting a playful puppy about to climb onto a back of its sibling. Wonderful sculpture, great rendition of their chubby bodies giving volume to the piece, excellent faces with horn inlaid eyes, delicately incised whiskers. Beautifully stained, superb wear and patina. Height 1 7/16 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke of a reclining deer with its head turned back, hooves bent beneath its body. Perfectly captured moment, wonderful sense of volume, excellent texture of its coat, beautiful patina. Length 1 3/4 inches.

Japanese Mother of Pearl and Bone inlaid Lacquer Panel of Tea Ceremony picture on black Lacquer wooden panel, Ca. Meiji period, 1880's, 26" high, 16 1/4" wide, 3/4" depth, two(2) ladies preparing traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, silver geometric design border on black Lacquered panel inside black lacquered frame. There are some very small lacquer losses around the frame, shows very thin separation on wood panel in the back, but does not show in front, stains on the lady's hair.

SOOTY BUDDHA WITH HALF FACE

Wood. Late Edo period, 19th century, Japan. Aesthetically well‐proportioned. H 19 x 5 x 5 cm (7.48 x 1.96 x 1.96in)...

This is a first class Kashiki of old Shino ware. It is 200 years old ( Edo Period ), beautiful distorted and has a tasteful painting.

Kashiki is the general term for bowls or plates to present biscuits and sweets for the tea ceremony.

It is an indispensable item for the authentic tea ceremony.

There is potter's mark. The name of the artist is Sozan. Nice antique condition with aesthetic inborn kiln cracks and with no repairs...

Japanese Wooden Tonkotsu, Tobacco container, with Kiseruzutsu, Pipe Holder, and carved nut Ojime, before 1900, Tobacco box - 3 1/2", 3 1/4", 1 1/2" high, pipe holder - 8 3/4" long, 1" wide, Nut Ojime - 3/8" diameter, top of the round wooden Tobacco Container and pipe is attached to the rope, all in one piece. Pile holder is natural carved wood, natural dark brown bark shows on the back. Maker's mark on the pipe. The condition is good.

Japanese mirror in cast bronze, partially silvered. Rare and elegant decoration in relief, in the center the "Mon" of the Tori-O clan of Yamaguchi in Suwo, surrounded by scrolls of flowers and stylized clouds mixed with Ginkgo Biloba leaves. The handle is covered with thin strips of bamboo. Japanese work probably from the 19th century or much earlier. Diameter: 17cm Total length: 26cm .Silvering partly erased. Original bamboo. Good condition. Traces of oxidation...

Early 19th century suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke with round silvered bronze body, cloisonne outside and a swinging loop for hanging. Excellent early work in terms of Japanese cloisonne, functional netsuke shape, design of flowers among scrolling vines, matte finish, beautiful wear and patina, original pitting typical for the period, some filled areas along the rim as can be seen on photos. Diameter 1 1 5/8 inches.

This is Sakai-Sarasa used for Edo period. Sarasa of a small pattern is rare. The warm feel does this. As for this, cotton is spun by hand and is thick. There is the stain such as the image of the backside, but does not stand out. Size 80cm x 78cm (31.4 "x 13.3")

This matched set of Japanese lacquer consists of a 10 inch diameter shallow serving bowl and 5 plates, 5.75 inches in diameter. Each piece has a silver rim and nashiji finish with a decorative motif of bamboo leaves with abalone shell inlay flowers.

An exceptionally small Japanese tea or wine bowl and saucer, Edo period c 1710. Blood and milk iron red and gilt decoration of butterflies, flowers and swirls. Height of cup 1 ¼ " / 3.2 cm Diameter 2 ¼ "/ 5.5 cm, of saucer 3 ½ "/ 8.8 cm. Condition: repair to the saucer, the cup with a nick to the inner side of the foot rim (c.f. pics).

19th century Edo period Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with multimetal relief inlays depicting richly dressed demon over a samurai with his hand on a sword. The subject is Omori Hikoshichi who lived in the 14th century and served Ashikaga no Takauji. One night during a shadow-casting full moon Omori met a beautiful young woman in opulent robes who asked to be carried across a stream...

Uma-gake (horse cover) made of hand-spun cotton and has hand-drawn tsutsugaki design whose motifs are hyotan (gourd), tassel and kanji letters. Letters can be either the place or horse's name. This colorful one was used for a festival or a ceremony. It has red cotton lining. In excellent condition. 19th century. 31.5cm x 2m36cm The last image is one hint how uma-gake was used from the woodblock print, ukiyo-e by Katsushika Hokusai (1760～1849).

BOY ON BABY

Quite a unique old traditional Japanese Fushimi ningyo clay doll, together with too small boy? or too big baby?, 19th century, 26 x 13.5 x H 20 cm (10.23 x 5.31 x 7.87in), with the engraved sign at the bottom seemed to be the one of 'Ikaruga Kouemon' as the Edo period's master Fushimi doll craftsman, but not sure...

A very rare and fine Japanese Satsuma water dropper in the form of a Kyoto style saki pot. Delicately painted with figures and flowers, it is supported on three tiny feet and signed on bottom. In excellent condition, this treasure measures a mere 2 5/8 in diameter and about 1.25" high. Dates Meiji Period, 1868-1912.

This is a very unusual design. All the pigeons that fly under the gallan are Hand-painted dyeing and very accurately and boldly drawn, just like a Buddhist painting. There is light dirt, but there is no damage. Size: Length: 78 cm (30.7 inches) From cuffs to cuffs, entire back :: 80 cm (31.4 inches) garan (Complex of temple buildings) Meaning of a clean, clean and quiet place where monks practice Buddhism. Box.A

Wonderful Antique Japanese Imari two-piece flower arranger, Meiji Period c 1868-1912; the bowl with looped and reticulated border of interlocking rings, the interior decorated with blue, orange and beige fish and lilies, auspicious symbols of longevity and good fortune. The underside marked with a lucky symbol. The bowl is in good condition, some flaking on the perforated cover. No restoration or chips. The dish measures 12" diameter x 2 3/4" high.

19th century staghorn netsuke of a salamander on a length of half rotten trunk with some leaves on the inside and bark on the outside. Unusual subject, excellent quality carving - see its face with horn inlaid eyes, smooth skin and well defined paws. Porous center of the carving as is the nature of staghorn, beautiful wear and patina, signed HEISHIN on the bottom. Length 2 inches.

DESCRIPTION: A small Japanese Sumida vase with round neck rim covered in a rich, thick flambe glaze running to the shoulders; a high relief figure of a young boy in a green robe is balanced upon rockery on the ribbed red body of the vase. Excellent condition with no chips; unmarked base. DIMENSIONS: 4 3/4" high (12 cm) x 2 1/2" diameter (6.5 cm).

ABOUT SUMIDA EARTHENWARE POTTERY: This charming and highly collectable studio pottery originates from the Sumida River area in Japan (near T...

Early 19th century wooden netsuke carved as standing Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck, also considered to be the incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future) with his hand on his large belly. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and then wood starts showing. Great quality carving - see his face with a crooked smile and finely textured stubble, fingers with well defined fingernails, flow of the robe folds. Beautiful patina and wear, very...

19th century boxwood netsuke depicting theatrical mask of Ikkaku sennin (single horn Sage). The character was an Immortal, but ended up living on earth as he have not been able to resist temptations presented by females. Rare mask subject, wonderful pensive face, beautiful wear and patina, old paper label on the back. Recently deaccessioned from the Framingham History Center, Massachusetts, where it has been part of the collection since 1923. Height 1 5/8 inches.

19th century mixed material netsuke in kagamibuta (mirror lid) form. The top is bronze with medium relief fierce dragon twisted around the Precious Gem. Wonderful quality metalwork - see its face, claws and crisply incised differentiated scales. Warm patina, beautiful fat bowl, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 2 1/16 inches.

Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print of a BIJIN by Chikanobu. Dated Meiji 29, or 1897. Fine color and impression. The print measures 9 3/4" wide by 14 5/8" tall.

19th century netsuke of kagamibuta (mirror lid”) type with Shibayama inlay depicting a small bird (probably a sparrow) in flight chasing a single cherry blossom petal. Very well made, the inlay is in perfect shape, no losses or repairs. Beautifully fitted metal frame around the inlay, dense rosewood bowl with beautiful mellow patina, metal peg for hanging on the back, old silk cord. Bowl length 1 7/8 inches, inlay length 1 1/8 inches.

Very unusual late 19th century Japanese lacquer small table screen decorated on both sides with tsuba (Japanese sword guards). Excellent clever work with different lacquer colors and textures imitating rusting iron and cleaner silvery surfaces of different tsuba. Beautiful carved textured surface of the rest of the screen with lower layer of red lacquer and upper layer of tan colored one. Wonderful patina, in excellent condition. Height 6 7/8 inches (17.5 cm), maximum length 10 inches (25 cm).

Unusual 19th century Japanese mixed metal scroll weight in a form of a karako (Chinese boy) standing with one hand raised, wearing a rich robe and a collar. Could have been used as a brush rest as well. Dynamic posture, pleasantly heavy bronze with gilding on the collar and robe, intricate textile designs on the robe superbly inlaid with silver, excellent depiction of his chubby face with a slight smile. The underside of his robe on the bottom is lacquered black. Wonderful patina from handling, ...

19th century wooden netsuke of a slightly inebriated dancer with a fan in his hand. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red (or golden brown) lacquer over black, so as it wears the black starts showing. Beautifully carved drunken facial expression, really nice feel of age to the piece, very pleasantly worn. Height 2 inches.

Japanese tall bronze vase with ho ho bird handles and floral and bird motif on the body. Same image on both sides. In excellent condition it measures 14.25 inches high. Dates 1900

19th century wooden netsuke carved as a theatrical mask of Okame with characteristic chubby cheeks. Great facial expression with a slight smile, excellent finish, beautiful wear and patina. Signed IKKO on the back bar - this remarkable artist is discussed on p. 512 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 13/16 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke in a form of a bowl of ogival section, decorated with an incised keyfret design along the rim. Exquisite subtle piece, one of the most elegant netsuke that I have had. Superb precise carving, warm brownish patina, brown lacquer on the inside, early himotoshi design. Natural darker porous areas of staghorn perfectly imitate scarred surface of an old ceramic bowl. Must be by the same carver as a storage jar netsuke from the collection of Cornelius Roose...

DESCRIPTION: A square porcelain dish by Arita, hand painted in the blue and white “Three Friends of Winter” motif. The “Three Friends of Winter” was a popular Japanese theme where pine, prunus and bamboo are grouped, said to represent perseverance, longevity and vitality, despite adversity. The raised and flared edges have repeating geometric patterns and bamboo plants are found in each corner. The plate rests on a round raised foot with blue designs on the undersides. Produced in the...

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba inlaid on the front with gilded copper bunch of flowers and grasses, the back inlaid with a sickle. Elegant piece in Japanese taste, superb quality inlay with finely defined petals, great feel of age. Height 3 1/4 inches.