An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original lhand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Six drawers of varying sizes with 2 sets of sliding doors. Merchant records and books were stored behind the upper doors. The lower doors hide three small drawers, a storage area for more records and a secret hiding drawer where valuables were kept hidden from possible thieves...

An antique Japanese Sendai Bo Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and lacquered finish. Main drawer lockplate features Chrysanthemums with the lock bar featuring Pine trees and the bottom lock-late depicting a Paulownia leaf. 2 small drawers reside behind the hinged security door.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 42 1/2" Wide by 35" High by 17" Deep

Edo Period (1603-1868) Seto ware Brown Glazed Tea Bowl (Chawan)

Lovely antique Seto chawan with skillful Kintsugi repair.

Seto pottery, dated as early as the 13th century, produced around Seto city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
It is also considered as one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan.

Size
Width 11.5cm;
Height 8cm;

Condition
Overall good.
There are repairs with gold lacquer.
Supplied with the appraisal box.

Shimacho with more than 545 fragments which are mostly hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Some of them are silk or colored yarn are also silk. Shima means stripes in Japanese but also means an island. Cotton textiles were imported from south Asian countries from mid 16th century and the were called "shima momen", cotton textiles from islands. Kasuri or check patterns were also included in shima (stripes). It has kanji characters "安政 4，Ansei 4" 1857, very late Edo period...

Antique Japanese hikeshi banten, fireman's coat. Made of layers of cotton fabric and stitched in the sashiko quilting technique. Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel...

Antique Japanese tea bowl made by Sen Sosa VI, Kakukakusai Genso (1678-1730) who was the 6th Iemoto of Omotesenke school.
There is the "Fu-niko" mark and the inscription which says "with Shigaraki sand soil".

A museum quality masterpiece made by the head of one of the main tea ceremony school in Japan.

Kakukakusai Genso, the son of Soei Hisada, was adopted by the 5th generation Zuiryusai Ryokyu, and inherited the Iemoto title of Grand Master of Omotesenke tea ceremony ...

Original work of Yanagisawa Kien (1703-1758) Antique Japanese Painting of Jurojin, the God of Longevity

Yanagisawa Kien was a samurai in the middle of the Edo period and a pioneer of Nanga painting style...

17th/18th century Shino-Ware Kogo (Incense box) Edo period (1603-1868) Shino pottery is produced in today's Gifu prefecture since 16th century and it is distinguished by thick white glazes, red marks and the surface of small holes. Size Height 4.8 cm Width 5.7 cm Weight 93 g Condition No chips, no cracks Supplied with a wooden storage box

Edo period (19c) Aka Raku Chawan (Tea bowl) made by Ninnami Dohachi.
Slightly deformed on one side, with unglazed foot ring.

Good example of well-known Dohachi family red Raku tea ware made in late Edo period, this would make an valuable addition to any collection of Japanese antique ceramics.

One of the most brilliant Kyoto potter of the Edo era, Ninnami Dohachi is renowned for the revival of the Kyo ware that flourished during the late Edo period...

Elegant Agano ware Chaire (tea caddy) with lovely bluish green glaze made in Fukuchi, Fukuoka Prefecture...

An antique Japanese Tohoku Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress). All original hand forged iron hardware with Urushi lacquer finish. Three sets of sliding doors with removable shelves behind the larger doors. Three side by side drawers provide additional storage. Sections can be separated for use in different rooms of the house.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 36 3/8" Wide by 62 1/2" High by 16 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese low chest called Isho Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Added custom iron base to elevate chest for modern form and function. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 36 1/2" Wide by 25 3/4" High by 16 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu (book storage chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria). All original bronze and hand forged Iron hardware including the stylized Mokko handles. Two sets of sliding doors behind which spacious storage was used to keep books. Two side by side drawers at the bottom for additional storage...

An antique Japanese fish Jizai Kagi made of bamboo, wood and iron. Adjustable arm allows for height changes of the hook. Bamboo body with a wooden stem.

Age: Late Meiji period (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 11 1/4" Long by 3" Wide by an adjustable Height 75 3/4" to 104"

An antique Japanese Fish Jizai Kagi made of hand forged iron, bamboo and wood. The fish, the hook and the two segment connecting rods are made of iron while the main body is made of bamboo and the inner post is made of wood.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)
,br>14" Long by 3" Wide by an adjustable 70" to 102" High

An antique Japanese 2 section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and Urushi lacquer finish. Upper section has two sets of sliding doors with two side by side drawers below. Bottom section has a pair of sliding doors, a lift-out door and six drawers of varying sizes...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage) chest made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Pair of sliding doors behind which is a split level shelf. Five drawers of varying sizes used for organizing and spacious storage. Constructed with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Taisho (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide by 18 3/4" High by 11 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original bronze and iron hardware. Six drawers and a pair of hinged doors that open to a merchant books and records storage area with vertical separators and a removable shelf. Thick wood drawer construction and the Tansu was made using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Taisho (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 34" Wide by 34 7/8" High by 14 1/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage) chest made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the slightly Gumbai style handles. Used for all purpose family storage of papers, letters and sundry articles, it works well in a contemporary home as a side chest or night stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 21 1/2" Wide by 21 3/4" High by 13" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba (Merchant ) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Quarter Sawn Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and a beautiful age acquired patina. Unique and rare visual striations in the frame intentionally produced by the quarter sawn cut of the wood. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area with two side by side drawers below...

A sample book of cotton stripes with 352 fragments in 29 pages which are handspun and vegetable indigo dye. The name of the owner: 南島隈衛、Minamishima Kumaei. Meiji 8 (1876), Shinano (Nagano prefecture). In good condition. 19.5cm x 11cm x 2cm

An antique Japanese Omise Tansu (merchant storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Consisting of 15 total drawers, it was used in a merchant store setting to organize and keep inventory available for sale. The upper counter was used for the display of wares and the wrapping of sold items. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 69 5/8" Wide by 26 3/4" High by 15 7/8" Deep

Karatsu pottery is one of most desired pottery type in Japan based in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture since 15th century.
It is made from high in iron clay often decorated with an iron-based underglaze, giving an earthy and natural feeling to the fired items.

Width 6.6cm
Height 3.4cm
Weight 73g

No cracks. No chips.
Supplied with wooden box with the label "Ko Karatsu"

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu (Kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Original hand cast bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles. Top section has two sliding doors behind which lies a half split level shelf with three side by side drawers below. The center section features 3 drawers and the bottom section has 2 larger drawers for spacious clothes storage...

An antique Japanese Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Made in 2 sections, the upper portion has two sets of sliding doors with spacious storage while the bottom section has 9 drawers, a pair of sliding doors and a pair of hinged doors that provided storage and organizing of daily Japanese culinary tools, gadgets and utensils. Constructed using double mitered through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

This is the one in the of Edo period. (1800-1867) wonderful textile of very valuable museum class. The lotus flower represents the Pure Land. Tsutsugaki textile of museum class Rare It used it in the buddhist temple at the ceremony. Please look at the leaf of the lotus. The expression of the technology of the shadow is very wonderful. Tsutsugaki to make good use of this advanced exact technology is very rare. Please look at the cloud. The technology of this expression is a feature ...

Polylobed lacquer box (kobako) with chrysanthemum decoration. On the lid, maki-e lacquer decoration, a slight relief in the center of the two flowers. Sides in fundame and base in nashi-ji.

Inside, two decorations of vegetal landscapes with flowers (campanulas, pampas, pampers) and butterflies in maki-e on a nashi-ji background. Very fine mother-of-pearl inlays (raden) give light highlights of blue and red colors.

The chrysanthemum (kik...

An antique Japanese Choba Display Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Two sliding glass doors were used to showcase the store owner's wares with two drawers below for safe keeping the inventory. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Gunbai style handles. Drawer corners feature the raised tealeaf design suggesting this chest originated in the Yonezawa region of Japan. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware and Oxblood red Urushi lacquer finish. Drawer lock plates have an unusual stylized insect-like incised design with fine stimple work accents and handles in the Warabite style. True dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails were used in the making of this chest.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 5/8" Deep

This is a Japanese antique indigo dye Thick hemp katazome Stripes long Roll fabric handspun & natural indigo dye katazome.There is no stain.There is no damage and it is in very good condition. Size:Length:7m15cm(23.45ft) / Width: 34cm(13.3inch)

An antique Japanese Tansu chest made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles with natural age acquired patina. The handles have unusual embossed designs of a crescent moon, a plum blossom and a Bugaku pattern. Drawer lock plates feature the full moon pattern and each section has side carrying handles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions:...

The bowl and cover with moulded panels of shi-shi and botan, peony flowers. All against an underglaze blue karakusa ground. The cover is surmounted by a seated shi-shi.

Unusually, the coloured decoration appears to have been applied in Europe, not as ‘clobbering’ but in reserves left blank for just such painting. Sotheby’s sold a pair of jars and covers, perhaps from the same workshop, as “Japan, Edo period, 18th-19th century, the painted decoration, Piedmontese.” Sotheby’s, 1...

Japanese antique natural indigo dyed hand-spun Jōfu Hemp or Ramie long roll fabric. It is a precious piece of cloth. It is a traditional Japanese Basho leaf design. There is no dirt. There are many small repair marks. There are several small holes. But the fabric is good. Two pieces are sewn together. Size: Length: 4m 54cm (178.7) Width: 34cm (13.38 inches)

Oliver Impey illustrates a coffee pot of the same form and design in ‘Japanese Export Porcelain, the catalogue of the Collection of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.’

Made for the European market during the last quarter of the 17th century and probably copied from a Dutch metal version. These coffee pots have a purpose-made opening in the lower body but taps seem to have been fitted upon arrival in Europe. This example has been fitted with a hinged pewter lid and the taphole has been stop...

The decoration of flowers on this khendi has been reduced to the absolute minimum possibly denoting its destination as South East Asia where early exports from Arita were made.

Approximately 20cm high. Weight: 1.30 kg. Fine condition.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank to bank transfer is preferred.

Customers resident in China must make arrangements to pay by International Bank Transfer in GBP, fees paid.

Please note that ...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware and Oxblood red Urushi lacquer finish. Drawer lock plates have an unusual stylized insect-like incised design with fine stimple work accents and handles in the Warabite style. True dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails were used in the making of this chest.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 5/8" Deep

Very rare Isomaru Kasuya (1764 - 1848) Red Raku Tea Bowl (Chawan) nail-carved with his poetry.

Isomaru Kasuya is a Japanese poet of late Edo period.
Born as the eldest son in the poor fisherman's family in Irago Village, Atsumi District , Mikawa Province (currently Irago Town , Tahara City , Aichi Prefecture ). He lost his father at the age of 31, and his mother was ill for a long time who could not read or write after the age of 30.

However, hoping for the complete ...

The dish is shaped in the form of a folded paper letter. Unusually it is decorated with a stenciled design of what appears to be a formal pattern of lightning behind an arrangement of stylised flowers. The back is simply decorated with pine needles.

Two dishes of very similar shape are illustrated in the Catalogue of the Shibata Collection, items 2604 and 2635, dated to 1690 ~ 1730.

Approximately 13.8cm wide. In fine condition. In the photograph of the back the foot-rim looks a...

Decorated with a carp diving in waterweed executed in typically thick and strongly hued enamels. The back similarly decorated with oysters and weed, the centre with a large Kutani mark.

The Yoshidaya kiln was a short-lived venture, situated in Yamashiro, intended to revive earlier Kutani-style wares. The founding investor was Toyota Denuemon IV (aka Sekio, lived 1751-1827), a businessman who used the professional name Yoshidaya. He chose not to situate his kiln in Kutani because of the ...

An antique Japanese 2 part Usubata in bronze featuring a Minogame (age old turtle) base. Mounted to the shell is a flanged cloud rendering with four terminating columns that undulates to a removable wide rim water receptacle. Artist signed at the base of the receptacle. Beautiful craftsmanship including the fine stimple work to the underside of the turtle.

In Japan, the turtle is a good luck animal symbolizing 10,000 years of long life. It is considered the chief amongst all shelled c...

This large plate was fired with no glaze at the first, and the second fired pictured traditional pattern with blue glaze and the third colored picture depicted 2 Chinese men of literary taste and children playing at the garden, and the last painted with gold. The seal mark ”大明成化年製”was used at the middle Edo period, Very gorgeous piece. One more piece with the same pattern we have. Size: 41.0cm(D) 4.8cm(H)

Antique Japanese small zushi (traveling shrine). Red lacquer case opens to reveal the Buddha in the moment in which he attains parinirvana, dies and is released from the cycle of rebirth. Here he is recumbent on his side on an elongated lotus bed on a two tiered stand carved with blossoming branches and waves. The whole interior of the zushi is lacquered gold as is the Buddha while the lotus petals are delicately painted in colors with gold details.

Edo Period (1603-1867)

...

Aka Raku Chawan named "Hanshan" made by Matsuo Fushunsai (1792-1830) who was the 5th generation head of Matsuo-Ryu Tea Ceremony School in Higashi-ku , Nagoya.
The box is signed by Matsuo 6th generation Iemoto Gyosai (1820-1856).

The rim is gently undulated moving to the plump body. The hills are lightly squeezed, and the whole shape is rounded as if it is a sphere. The surface has irregularities that allows to follow the trajectories of hand-modeling, and the dynamic scenery giv...

An incredible and massive Japanese Buddhist Temple Ranma (transom) carving of a crouching Shishi (Fu Dog) under an overhanging pine tree flanked on both sides by exaggerated Peonies. Beautifully hand carved with great detail. The pine tree represents longevity while the large Peonies symbolize an abundance of wealth. The frame and carving both are made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Very good original condition.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 94" Wide by 27 1/2" High by 4" Deep ...

An antique Japanese Buddhist temple freize wooden carving of waves centered by a Hoju sacred jewel. Carved from one solid block of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Professionally mounted on an iron stand.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)

Dimensions: 32 1/2" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 5" Deep

Antique Rare Ainu woven pouch, created by the indigenous people of northern Japan. The Ainu are well known for their especially beautiful attusi garments made of woven elm bark. This rare pouch is made of a variety of natural fibers, with reinforced corners and edges. The detailed patterns of the Ainu were past down through generations of women and were believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits. This pouch is beautifully constructed with another smaller woven pocket on the inside. ...

Antique bronze sculpture of a male lion. Standing with head raised, he lets out a roar. Beautifully rendered with naturalistic details especially in mane and face. Signed with a raised cartouche on the underside of his belly: 誠谷作 Seiya saku "Work of Seiya". His full name is Genryūsai Seiya (源龍斎誠谷) and he was the master craftsman of a studio specializing in high quality wares for export. It is suggested that his sculptures of animals were probably influenced by the opening...

Large suzuribako showing on its cover a mountainous landscape, crossed by a river, bordered by two houses and trees such as pine trees and cherry trees in bloom. It could be Okabe, the twenty-first of the fifty-three stations of the Tôkaidô. The bottom is gilded in the fundame technique, decorated with takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, hirameji and kirigane. The inside of the lid shows a lake landscape with very sinuous pines in takamaki-e and kirigane on a hirameji background.
Removable part, to...

A beautiful original large Buddhist temple sitting lantern called Koshi Tsuridoro. These lanterns are placed in front of the entrance to the temple itself. The verdigris copper and wood construction is decorated with 8 panels of scrolling arabesque designs of lotuses. The front pair panels are hinged and they are secured with a lock and sliding flat pin.The diminutive transom panels of swirling cloud cut-outs sets the square domed roof on 4 piers. The panels are perforated with swirl...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original patina and bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles and the Chrysanthemum incised lock plates. A configuration of 3 large drawers and 2 smaller side by side drawers provides for organization and storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. It would work well as a side chest or a bedside nightstand.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dime...

Japanese lacquer tray with raised gold cranes on top a hill under a large meandering pine tree along with smaller trees and grasses on a large expanse of nashiji lacquer with gold maki-e edges. The underside is performed in a darker sprinkled lacquer and has some chipping to the bottom outer edges, although the face of the tray is good with only some light surface wear. Measures 21.25" long, 15.25" wide, and 2.25" high. Dates circa 1900.

An antique Japanese bronze Buddhist temple bell called Bonsho with a carrying handle depicting diverging dragon heads called Ryuzu. The upper protrusions called Chi or Nyu improves the resonance of the sound when struck. Two opposing striking panels called Tsuki-za is the point on the bell where the best and longest sound is achieved. A bell of this size was hung in a small temple to summon the monks to prayer.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 17 1/2" High by 11" Diamete...

Japanese antique natural indigo dye hand-spun Stripes hemp long Roll fabric.There is discoloration over time, but it has changed to a charming color. There is a slight damage to the edges. It is in very good condition.Size: Length: 596cm / 234.6 inches Width: 32cm / 12.5 inches

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes with 182 fragments which are mostly hand-spun and vegetable dye. The book is "daifuku-cho", a record book of a merchant. It has the age Keio 2nd, 1866. 11 pages with fragments. The second half of the 19th century. 16cm x 22cm

Lacquer kobako box with two compartments in the shape of a fan. Decorated with pine trees near a stream on all sides in takamaki-e, hiramaki-e techniques with a nashi-ji background. On the upper side, a couple of cranes are looking for food on the ground, while three baby cranes are waiting in the nest located in the pine tree. Interior in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japan - Edo period (1603-1868)

Height: 1.8 in. (4.5 cm) - Width: 4....

Dark brown patina bronze sculpture of a monkey with shakudo eyes. Sitting, he is contemplating or examining attentively a small turtle placed on his right hand, held with care. The latter is removable. The monkey's eyes seem to be illuminated by what he is observing through the shakudo (copper alloy typically containing 3-7% gold, mainly used for its black-purple lacquer-like patina).

In Japanese art, there are many representations of monkeys (paintings, sculpture, ceram...

Rectangular kobako box in ivory with inlays of stones and mother-of-pearl according to the shibayama technique to represent insects. Combining this technique and the legs painted in the hollows of the ivory, the insects stand out and are highlighted by the play of volumes, materials and contrasts. Among them, there is a cricket, a firefly, a fly, a dragonfly, a ladybug and a butterfly.

The shibayama technique consists of inlaying ivory with lacquer, wood or precious materials or st...

Wooden netsuke representing two frogs with horn eyes. They are hanging on a round water lily, on and under it.

The frog (kaeru) is associated with luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the frog to return each year to the pond of its birth. A frog-shaped gong can thus sometimes be used as a door hammer or to protect a house.

Signature near the holes for passing the cord, unidentified. ...

Wooden netsuke representing a frog whose eyes are inlaid with horn. It is lying on a water lily folded on itself.

The frog (kaeru) is associated with luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the frog to return each year to the pond of its birth. A frog-shaped gong can thus sometimes be used as a door hammer or to protect a house.

Signature near the holes for passing the cord, unid...

Late 19th Century Japanese cloisonne bronze charger with a flock of flying cranes. Beautifully designed, it measures 12 inches in diameter. There are a few stress marks in the upper left side, please study last photograph where I have enlarged and highlighted the area through photoshop. It is not as evident in person. Pricing has taken this into account.