Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout...

The forked arrowhead (karimata) was named after its resemblance to the V-formation flight of wild geese. Such arrows of different sizes were highly prized on the battlefield and for hunting large game. The Japanese arrowheads, many resembling miniature spears, were made in hundreds of varied shapes of folded, tempered steel.
They were attached to the bamboo shafts by means of long, thin tangs (Nakago)...

Edo period Japanese lacquered leather covered munitions box for gun powder. The leather hinged top has a gilt edge, on center is a copper metal clasp closure, and an iron chain handle. Double stamped in red lacquer with the Omodaka mon, which belongs to the Mizuno family clan. The box is in good condition.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8.75" x 2.75" x 4.5" H

Japanese Negoro lacquer (red over black) shrine table with squared slated legs detailed with brass hard mounts. The table expresses wear true to its age.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 20 ¼” x 9” x 10 ½”

The Japanese tantutu pistol has a octagonal russet iron barrel, with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". A stock dai of Keyaki wood and brass plate jiita of the arquebus's firing mechanism. Mounted for display on a custom museum iron mount.

Exhibition at the 2018 San Francisco Tribal Art & Textile Show

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8"L x 1.5" (5.25" H on stand)

A decorative and colourful Arita nagazara or long dish decorated with a central botan-mon, double Peony motif with alternating panels of Chrysanthemums and under-glaze blue Chrysanthemum leaf arabesques, and Shishi, lion dogs, set against an iron red Peony Petal ground. The dish is good condition, with the exception of a small shallow flake to the top left hand corner of one of the dishes...

A finely painted Kakiemon dish of scalloped form painted in under-glaze blue with a pair of auspicious Hoo birds amongst clouds, harbingers of good fortune, with stylised Peony branches. The reverse painted with a classic lotus scroll and a square fuku seal. Dating circa 1680-1700 and a product of the Kama-no Tsuji (Kakiemon) kiln in the Nangawara valley, note the fine pin point spurs and carefully trimmed footrim. The dish measures approximately 21.5cm in diameter, seven suns...

Antique Japanese tall box made from Kiri (paulownia), natural finish wood. With 5 front drawers slightly recessed into the box, opened by round "kan" pulls with lotus pod style backplates. The edges are protected and reinforced with iron plates.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 11.25" x 20" D x 24" H

The expression of this armor, with its dragon and carp maedate transformation, sets the tone of its mythological meaning. The red armor has a Zunari Kabuto decorated with a Nichirin sun motif, which supports the dragon and carp conversion. The menpo is a Reisei-men with rabbit hair mustache, rendering a fierce warrior’s expression. The menpo is attached with four Kiritsuke yodare in blue and gold silk cords...

A diminutive carved wooden Shishi, used as architectural elements placed under the eaves of Shinto and Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Carved Hinoki wood with glass reverse-painted eyes. Mounted on custom steel metal display stand.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8.5" x 7.5" x 4.25". Mounted on a step metal base 5 x 7".

Japanese tall armoire made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. This single section cabinet opens with two hinged cabinet doors. The interior has it's original metal rod for hanging clothes, a smaller metal rod on the right hand door and it's original small rectangular mirror. At the base is a single large drawer. Conservative design, with the only decoration being metal handles on the cabinet doors which are cut in a scrolling vine motif...

18th century consecrated Japanese dragon (Ryu) temple carving. Its serpentine body reveals his 3 appendages with classic three claw anatomy. The high relief carving engulfs the dragon in flames. The rendering of the dragon's face exudes power and compassion.
The dragon carving was part of the architectural decoration of a Buddhist temple. It has been sanctified with sutras, located in the dragon's eye during the "Eye Opening Ceremony" (Kaigen-Kuyo)...

Rare antique Japanese 2-Section Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made from Keyaki wood (elm). The top section contains 2 roomy e compartments behind sliding door panels with floral motif pulls and 3 drawers along the bottom. The lowermost section holds another compartment with sliding doors, 3 small and two larger drawers along the bottom. The sides of the piece are reinforced with horizontal panels.

Dates from the Meiji Period c 1900 Dimensions: 44" L x 17" D x 63" H

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing). Made with kiri (paulownia) wood. Original finish. Classic motifs include the round iron lock plates and warabite drawer pulls. The bottom corner of the piece holds two of the smallest drawers behind a safe door.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 38" L x 17.25" D x 40.75" H

This is a rare Yabu Meizan Censer. It is not decorated with gold details and painting but is still an attractive item with its rich turquoise colored glaze. The first and second images show how it appears under normal lighting. It probably does not have the original cover but this silver one is more functional than the ivory covers we have seen. The silver lids fit perfect.

This is a rare Yabu Meizan Censer. It is not decorated with gold details and painting but is still an attractive item with its deep plumb glaze color. The first image is how it appears under normal lighting. It probably does not have the original cover but this silver one is more functional than the ivory covers we have seen. The silver lids fit perfect.

Japanese antique handspun & natural indigo dyeing cotton shirakage shibori (Tie-dye)kimono meij era(1868-1912). It is rare in the pattern of kemari(japanese ball game) on willow. Kemari (Japanese: kemari) is a ball game that was popular in Japan during the Heian Period. Kemari has been revived in modern times. There are thin stains and small damage...

Antique Japanese 2 section 3 ft. Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made with Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood, with Keyaki (elm) hardwood burl panels. The upper section holds two open compartments behind sliding door panels with chrysanthemum pulls, the lower pair also decorated by horizontal carved panels with floral carvings, and three small drawers below. The lower section is the largest compartment for storage with no shelving behind two large sliding doors with slats...

Antique Japanese chobako (small merchant's box) made with Sugi wood (cedar). Original condition. With squared iron handles on flared backplates. Two drawers are fitted with round iron locks.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 25" L x 15" D x 10.25" H

In 1563 the Amako of Izumi province won a victory over the Kikkawa with 33 of their adversaries wounded by Tanegashima. As a result, in the year 1567 Takeda Shingen announced that "Hereafter, guns will be the most important arms, therefore decrease the numbers of spears per unit, and have your most capable men carry guns"...

Japanese antique amazing silk furisode Hand drawn dyed kimono meij-taisyo era(1900-1926).It is auspicious, wedding costume design like great art.It has the same pattern around the hem of the lining.It has a few thin stain...

Tall circular woven bamboo yumi arrow case. The bamboo has a sooted chestnut patina. It is held together with a long silk tassel and attached to the circular fitted cover. The yumi is stenciled with the family crest of Chiba. Included are 4 arrows. Mounted for a custom fabricated Bronze museum stand.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3.5" x 37" L (40" H on stand)

Tall, rectangular arrow case completely covered with mother of pearl (Raden) inlay. The apex lid has the gilt "Mitsudome" symbol commonly associated with Hachiman, the Shinto god of war. The case is in good form with a beaded edge for a secure fitting. It is kept together by silk cord by means of tying the knot. Mounted on steel stand.

Late Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 5.5" x 4" x 27" H (41" H w/ stand)

Japanese russet lacquered leather zunari jingasa with riveted plating. Finely disguised as metal which is completely constructed of lightweight materials strengthened by lacquer. The interior helmet is lacquered in red. The front features a large gilt mon of the Ashikaga crest. The finial form takes shape of a chrysanthemum flower. Mounted on custom display stand.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 13: x 12" x 6" H

A Japanese Export Imari plate decorated with a pavilion amongst flowering trees. The reverse plain with four spur marks. Arita porcelain circa 1750.

Approximately 23.5 cm diameter. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

For new customers resident in China sadly I have to state that I am no longer prepared to accept payment by PayPal, I will accept payment only by bank to bank transfer in British Pounds Sterling (GBP), fees to be paid by the purchaser....

A fine Japanese porcelain small tray-form dish with an upturned vertical rim decorated in the centre with a lake, waterfall and pavilion. The base with a fuki chosun mark. A solitary figure paddles past. Circa 1750 ~ 1780.

Approximately 10.5 cm diameter. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

For new customers resident in China sadly I have to state that I am no longer prepared to accept payment by PayPal. I will accept payment only by bank to bank t...

A Japanese Arita dish, in Kakiemon style, of rhomboid shape with rounded, spreading sides rising from a circular foot. The inside is decorated round the sides with a continuous 'classic scroll' boldly moulded in relief, and below with a design painted in pale blue, red, green, black and pale yellow enamels. The rim is glazed brown. The exterior is painted in enamels with sprays of camellia and pairs of flying birds. Circa 1700 ~ 1725. An identical dish is in the collection of the V & A M...

A large Arita celadon and Blue & White porcelain dish, 18th century.

The attractive dish with a misty village and waterfall scene within a moulded celadon border. The back celadon glazed to the foot-rim which contains a six-character Chenghua mark and five neat spur marks.

Approximately 29.3 cm diameter. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

For new customers resident in China sadly I have to state that I am no longer prepared to accept payment...

An 18th century Japanese Arita porcelain moulded dish, circa 1750 ~ 1780. The dish with a cavetto moulded with foliage and lotus flowers within a barbed rim. The centre sporting a fine underglaze blue ferocious dragon and pearl amongst coloured clouds. Within the foot-rim is an unusual six-character Yongzheng mark. A dish of this design is illustrated in Shibata, “Complete Catalogue of the Shibata Collection” The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, # 3359.

Approximately 21.2cm diameter. P...

During the Meiji period there were only five potters ever to be awarded the prestigious designation of Imperial Court Artist: Ito Tozan, Seifu Yohei III, Miyagawa Kozan, Itaya Hazan, and the artist whose work is featured here, Suwa Sozan. Several years prior to receiving this designation, Sozan spent a period of time in Korea where he undertook the formidable task of excavating and restoring ancient Korean kilns in an attempt to replicate traditional techniques used in centuries past. The vase f...

A high quality crisply cast Japanese mirror. The reverse of the mirror decorated in high relief with a conventionalised representation of the utopian Isle of the Immortals typical of the Edo period integrating into the design the auspicious Takasago twin branched pine tree with a pair of flying cranes and a Minogame in the left hand corner. All set against a crisp granular ground. Probably late Edo period, or possibly slightly earlier. The mirror is inscribed with four kanji characters reading...

A finely embroidered silk River or Lakeside Landscape made in Japan for export during the late 19th or early 20th Century. This item was framed in the UK by Boots the Chemist's, circa 1910 - 1925 Condition: excellent. Frame: 37cm (14.5 inches) wide;29.3cm (11.5 inches) high.

A bronze mirror, wakyo, decorated with a classic Autumn pattern that evolved in the Heian period which features a pair of birds, sparrows, water weeds, ashi, water, and a wave washed sandy beach, suhama. The design is cut by a single ring. The design of the inverted pistil boss and the density of the design, horror vacui, dates the mirror to the late Kamakura period 1275-1325. A great deal of the detail has been lost as a result of wear and over polishing. See British Museum 1927 – 1014.5 (...

A good quality mirror of comparatively small proportions decorated with a fine line drawn pattern of a double and single Chrysanthemum supported by a fence and a banded hedge set against a fine sand textured ground to the reverse of the mirror. Fine line drawing in this style first appears in the eighteenth century. The mirror is signed on the left hand side Fujiwara Mitsumasa. A Mirror signed by a kagamishi with this name is included in the Kyoto National Museum Collection (EK248-85) and is...

A Japanese handled mirror, e-kagami, decorated with a Hoo Bird in flight, a harbinger of Peace, combined with Waka Matsu, Young Pine, a common motif associated with the celebration with the New Year. The design can therefore be seen as symbolising a wish for a Peaceful New Year. In the right hand portion of the mirror reverse is a set of four characters reading Fujiwara Mitsunaga. Two individuals with this name operated as Mirror makers, kagamishi, during the Edo period, one operated during the...

A Japanese handled mirror, e-kagami, cast with a Hoo bird in flight, a symbol or harbinger of peace, and a Kiri tree to its right, auspicious symbols associated with the Empress of Japan, Kiri ni Hoo. Beneath which is pine tree set upon a rocky shoreline washed by seigaiha; a wave pattern symbolizing eternal peace and happiness. The design overall connoting a wish for Peace and Harmony. To the left of the pattern is a set of four characters reading Fujiwara Mitsunaga. Two individuals with this ...