Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 13.5". This example is of "Tougatta-kei" tradition, generally made in Miyagi Prefecture. But, this particular artisan, Ouhara Masakichi, lived in the city of Noboribetsu in Hokkaido. Ouhara-san was born in 1907 and passed away on June 8th, 1982 (Showa 57.) The doll was made in November of Showa 51 (1976.) For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 16.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan was Akiyama Tadao, born on November 7th, 1932 (Showa 17.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, whch can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 17". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan was Moriya Kazuo, who was born on Septemeber 4th, 1928 (Showa 3.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 5.125". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. This particular shape was called an "ezuko" (Basket child) in the local Miyagi vernacular. The artisan was Oyama Kesaki, who was born on March 25th, 1940 (Showa 15.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 5.25". This is an example of the "Nambu-kei" tradition of Iwate Prefecture. It was made at Hanamaki Onsen (Hanamaki Hot Spring) by an unidentified artisan. The wood used is "keyaki" (Zelkova-Chinese Elm.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the past 20 years. This particular tradition of kokeshi is unique in that there is no painting, as in all other traditional kokeshi of Tohoku (NE Japan.) The wood is left bare...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.5". This is an example of kokeshi from Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture on the main island of Honshu. It is classified as "Tsugaru-kei", Tsugaru being the old name for this region, with a lesser classification of "Nuruyu," the hot spring area where many Aomori kokeshi artisans are located...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 5". This is an example of the "Yajiro-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture, with a lesser classification of Shiraishi, the city where the artisan is located. The artisan is Ougura Katsushi, who was born on November 22nd, 1947 (Showa 22.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 24". This is an example of kokeshi made at Akiu Onsen (Akiu Hot Spring) in Miyagi Prefecture. It is one of the older kokeshi-making sites in Tohoku (NE Japan.) It is a large doll, standing 2 feet high! The artisan was Satou Noboru, who was born on June 10th, 1932 (Showa 17.) It is not dated, but was most likely made in the late 1970's...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.25". This is an example of the "Tougatta-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Yuda Sadao. It is not dated, but most likely made in the 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 7.5". This is an example of "Yamagata-kei" tradition of Yamagata Prefecture. The artisan was Okazaki Shouichi, who was born in Showa 3 (1928) and passed away at the age of 67 on April 15th, 1995 (Heisei 7.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's or 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Takahashi Teruyuki, who was born on January 13th, Showa 15 (1930.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's or 1980's. For a brief story of "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.25". This is an example of "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. It is signed "Tatsuko", the artisan (Ms. [rare in the mostly male world of kokeshi artisans]) Takahashi Tatsuko. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 12.4". This is an example of "Yamagata-kei" tradition of Yamagata Prefecture. It was commissioned as a commemorative item and is signed on the back as follows (in Japanese):“38th Tohoku Regional High School Baseball Tournament. Heisei 3 [1991], June 6th. Yamagata-ken High School Baseball Association”The artisan is Umeki Shuuichi, who was born on March 18th, 1929 (Showa 4)...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 12". This is an example of the "Yajiro-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Ishikawa Tokujirou, and is signed that he made it at the age of 69 years old. I have been unable to find his birth record, but believe this kokeshi to have been made during the 1970's or 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 11.75". This kokeshi is signed "Matsuzuru-saku" (made by Matsuzuru), but little else is known about is origin. The style could be from either Miyagi or Yamagata Prefectures (my guess is Yamagata.) It was most likely made during the 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, whcih is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 12". This is an example of "Tougatta-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Satou Katsuyou, who was born on April 24th, 1944 (Showa 19.) It is not dated, but was most likely made within the last 20 years. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 6.5". This is an example of "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Oonuma Hideo, who was born on february 17th, 1930 (Showa 5.) It is not dated, but was most likely made in the 1970's or 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi,please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero website.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 7.25". This is an example of "Kijiyama-kei" tradition of Akita Prefecture. The artisan is Onodera Masatoku who was born on June 13th, 1958 (Showa 23). For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 4.25". This is an example of the "Yajiro-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Niiyama Manabu, who was born on October 13th, 1930 (Showa 5). It is not dated, but was most likely made within the past 20 years. For a brief story on "dentou" kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 4.25". This is an example of the "Yajiro-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Niiyama Manabu, who was born on October 13th, 1930 (Showa 5.) It is not dated, but was most likely made within the last 20 years. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through out Trocadero homepage.

We learn how people lived in the Edo period (1603-1867) from the dolls (ningyo) that were left to us today. They are called Fuuzoku (customs and manners) ningyo or Ukiyo (floating world) ningyo. There are basically two types of dolls of young men among them.

Wakashu ningyo is one of them. Wakashu was used to refer to young men who had yet to experience the ceremonial rite of passage of becoming a man, commonly at the age of 12 in the old time...

Description: A brushpot was uniquely made from old wood root. In natural form, the twisted wood root was skillfully cut, shaped and formed as a scholar utensil with real Zen atmosphere. Date: Late 19th century. Height:13cm

White cranes soar from the black water of a lake tucked in the shadow of orange hills on this lovely mid 20th century scroll enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box by Takazaki Ko (b. 1910). Extremely delicate yellow trees reflect off the dark surface of the lake, contrasting with the thick ranks of orange marching up the hillside. Painted in the audacious style of Banka, the painting retains a quiet charm in the singular movement of the graceful birds...

Description: An Incense box with beautiful dark brown patination was made of bamboo section. A palmful small piece which had been used for keeping incense powder now can also be used as an ideal holder for your precious stones. Date: Late 19th century. Material: Bamboo. Width: 5.3cm Height: 3.5cm

Description: An archaic bronze water dropper in a calf's figure was vividly made in Ming dynasty. Ingeniously designed with three holes. the scholars would immerse the bronze calf into the water basin, then held one of the holes until dropping water from the calf's mouth-a syphonic effects. She was beautifully decorated with parcel gilt...

Description: A set of straw glazed QingBai cup and stand was preserved well. The cup was in six petals' floral shape and was crackled beautifully. The stand was in perfect condition with obvious excavation evidences. They were not an original set but were originated from the same date and were perfectly matched. Date: Song Dynasty (12th century) Set Height: 7cm, Cup Height: 4cm Width: 8.8cm, Stand Height: 4cm Width: 9cm

Description: It is a gilt-silver hat finial of an official of Qing dynasty. In Qing dynasty, the official uniform was strictly regulated including the hat decoration. Hat finial was categorized formally from Younzhen reign(17th century) as 9 classes. Gold tip(gilt) the sixth category were used by officials like county administrators. This tip was decorated with three bats (means well-being in Chinese pronunciation) amid swirling cloud and ru-yi motifs in open work surrounding the golden ball...

At first glance this appears to simply be a large image of a burning tree, however, look again and find the tree like figure is in the from of two entwined lovers, flames leaping from their impassioned bodies. This was likely made as an exhibition work, as it certainly would be difficult to fit into even a large Japanese home. The piece is signed Yoneda Mio, (Yoneda Mionosuke), and likely dates from the 1930s...

Description: With at least 400 years' enduring age, this brushpot reflected the beautiful patination of restrained dark brownish luster. Huanghuali wood had always been a prestigious material used by noble people in Ming and Qing dynasty. This brushpot was made of Huanghuali in a plain and elegant shape. The removable board underneath was preserved as an original piece instead of a replaced one and covered the entire bottom as a typical style of Ming dynasty. The inner surface of the pot was...

Description: A Yaozhou bowl in conical shape was kept in perfect condition. The olive-green glaze is beautiful. Even though it was in plain style without any motifs, the typical Song mood was still exemplified. Date: Song dynasty. Width: 9.9cm Height: 4.1cm Condition: perfect.

Festive red paper lanterns parade in a sea of mist across this elegant 20th century scroll by Hayashi Bunto (1886-1966) enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box. A wonderful summer-time scene reminding one of all the matsuri-festivals dominating the nights of this season. The silk scene is bordered in blue ending with bone rollers trimmed with gold. The scroll is 22 by 52 inches (56 x 132 cm) and is in fine condition. Bunto studied painting under Yamamoto Shunkyo, and became a ...

A giant mingei carved mask of an oni (demon) embodying the indefinable sense of madness particular to Japanese Demon images. The face has a mysterious mixture of sadness and evil not duplicated in any other culture, a truly pitiable character. The mask, carved from a single block of wood, is just over 2 feet (66 cm) tall and in fine condition.

Description: An ivory toggle was in beautiful patina. The honey-brown coloured surface was spread with numerous crack lines which was due to hundreds of years of enduring age. Date: Ming Dynasty (15-16th century) Length: 5.2cm Width: 3.3cm Depth: 0.8cm.

Description: A pair of peaches with branches and leaves was sculpted vividly by a small block of ivory. Survived almost perfectly after hundreds of years, this toggle still can be used as a beautiful pendant. Date: Qing Dynasty (18th Century) Length: 4.0cm Height: 2.0cm Depth: 1.4cm

Description: A beautiful toggle was made of ivory. The brownish and crackled surface was reflected with the old age. Date: Qing Dynasty(18th century) Width: 4.0cm Depth: 1.5cm

Description: The story of Bu-Dai monk was originated from Five Dynasties(10th centuries) when the raging wars between different countries put people's lives in jeopardy. The unfortunate miseries forced people to pursue the religious and spiritual comfort. A happy go lucky monk went to the markets and streets everyday soliciting alms for favorable karma. Dressed raggedly with a bag(Bu-Dai), he laughed all the time without any complaining and bore no grudges to anyone who had loathed him. One day...

A superb pair of Tokkuri sake flasks by LNT Tokuda Yasokichi III (Masahiko, b. 1933) enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box. The slightly belted form seems to imitate a gourd, with glaze fading up from rich purple to green to deeply crackled white. Each piece is 6-3/4 inches (17 cm) tall, signed on the base in a traditional Kutani cartouche Masahiko. Masahiko was trained under both his grandfather and father, succeeding the family name in 1988. He has been awarded at the Nitt...

Description: A piece of rootwood was adapted as a water dropper which was used by the Chinese scholars. Coloured inside with black paint for protection and to waterproof, the surface shone with old patina of dark brown. With intriguing shape and a savor of bookishness, this small piece yielded a true sense of Chinese scholar's connoisseurship. NOTICE: NO ANY WAX WAS USED ON THE SURFACE, IT JUST SHONE DUE TO ENDURING AGE. Date: 18th Century Width: 9.0cm Height: 5.0cm

Description: A wood sculpture of Guan-yin holding a baby was worshipped by Chinese people who wished to have children. Guan-yin had always been a deity who supposed to relieved people's agonies. Fertility was one topic the traditional Chinese religious people usually cared and needed to be blessed by this god of mercy. This sculpture was made in early Qing dynasty by one solid block of wood. Delicately carved and applied with several layers of fibers and white paste, the figure was then added...

Description: A bronze brush rest in a shape of a stag resting under a tree and a bird perching on the branches with scholar rock's view. It is an elegant piece with traditional Chinese atmosphere. The antlers was delicately casted and tenoned on the stag's head. A glued work had been made to the tenon section for fastening. Date: Ming Dynasty (15th-16th Century) Width: 9.5cm Height: 10.5cm

Description: A gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva was casted in Tang dynasty.
It was preserved rarely with original assemblies. Without any restorations, the Bodhisattva posed in a gesture of fear-not(abhaya mudra).
The stand was casted in a shape of a bud of lotus and with flouring floral motifs which had a likeness of Pala style of India from where the Buddhism was originated and was introduced to China in the 6th century.
The patina of the halo and bud-shape stand was different fr...

Description: A plain form inkstone with cloud scroll pattern on the rim and inscriptions of a palace scholar's poem on the back. A true Chinese scholar studio's object was in typical Chinese scholar's taste of esthetics. It was a piece from spring auction 2004 of Antique and Curiosity Company of China lot 685. The estimated price when was RMB 8000. The price was lowered for Trocadero's customers .Length: 21.5cm Width: 14cm Date: Qing Daoguang period (18th Century) Condition: some defects on t...

Description: A miniature porcelain figure was molded as Bu-dai Buddha with bare and protruding belly. With characteristic wide smile he was solid shaped as a porcelain toggle which was rarely seen. It was an excavation piece. The incursions were obvious within the pleats. The stand was newly custom made in a pattern of leaves troves. Date: Early Qing Dynasty (17th-18th century) Height: 3.7cm (including stand)

Description: Walnut carving was a typical Chinese craftsmanship. From late Ming until now, this skill was treasured by Chinese people. It has been a miniature art for hundreds of years. In a clear cut way this hard kernel was carved as a deity of longevity who was favored by Chinese people. Holding on the right hand with a staff and the left hand a Peach of Longevity, he was accompanied by a boy attendant and a crane. The brownish patina was due to the aged years not from dyeing. Date: early 2...

Description: "Hundreds of monkeys" is only a description for the topic of this master piece. Amid the branches of a peach tree, a lot of monkeys are playing and teasing to each other. The exact numbers of these nimble animals had never been really counted. A deft open-work carving had been done in early 20th century China. Old black paint were faded due to age. An old amber bead was adorned. Width: 3.5cm

Description: An excavated blue and white cup was in elegant water basin shape. With obvious excavation condition, the cup crackled well. The minor everted rim let it can be easily held when drinking tea. Condition of this cup is good. One darker spot on the rim is not a defect. It was due to the incursion under the earth. Date: Qing Dynasty. Width: 8 cm

Description: An elegant Ru-Yi was rarely made of iron. Casted in a beautiful shape and preserved very well. Dark russet paint were reserved sparsely on the surface which reflected with good old black patina. Date: 19th Century Length: 34cm

Description: This white glazed stem cup was beautifully decorated with brownish black paint. Produced well at the Huozhou kiln of Shanxi province of China in the 13th-14th century, this ware was preserved perfectly. Huozhou kiln was one of the typical kilns which produced Cizhou wares since Northern Song dynasty(12TH Century). The unique characteristics of wares from Huozhou was on the foot rim where the domed supporting points were obviously seen. Otherwise the cellular form of the deposits ...

Description: An old ivory plaque was decorated with archaic scrolling Chilong(DRAGON) pattern in against position on both sides.On the rims, fret pattern was regularly carved. The motifs of this rare piece had long been used in traditional Chinese works of art. It was an abstract art and a decent motif which had always been adopted by the noble echelon. Date: Qing dynasty (18th Century) Length: 6.0cm Width: 3.9cm Depth: 0.6cm

Description: A wood panel was carved with motifs of a view of a pond. Two egrets were playing by picking a fish on a lotus leaf. Teased with enjoyment by two of the water fowls, the fish yet was not in a easy mood. Date : Qing Dynasty (19th century) Width with frame: 47cm Height with frame: 27cm

Description: A wood panel was carved with a house, a plum tree, and an elephant. An odd combination when an elephant was described in Chinese garden. "Good sign(elephant) stays in my house" -a greeting words meant a lot to Chinese people. The panel or the architecture sculpture had always been bestowed with the best wishes like this. An elephant who doesn't seem to be realistic, maybe just because the carver had never seen a real one. Date: Qing Dynasty(early 19th century) Width: 19.5cm

Description: A religious oil painting on canvas was made in 19th Century from the minority people at southwest region of China. A piece of art from Dian people of Guazhou or Yunnam Province, this painting was displayed with bold colours. Sketched freely but regulated as well, it is in astonishing beauty.

Description: A real scholar's item with Zen atmosphere of this piece was ingeniously made use of a root wood. With good old patina, this piece was in original condition without any restorations. It testified itself that it had been carefully treated and treasured by the past collectors despite its informal style among typical Chinese scholar's items. Date: Qing Dynasty (mid or early 19th Century) Length: 14.8cm

Description: A pair of blue and white imperial dishes were painted in underglaze with tendrils, flowers and bats. Kept well in perfect condition, these dishes exemplified the beauty of the imperial porcelains of Qing dynasty with fantastic blue paintings, the pure quality of the body and the shape in regularity. By a rare opportunity, they were acquired in an adequate price and therefore were offered here at Trocadero in a reasonable manner. Anyone who would like to have Chinese imperial porcela...

A beautifully Qing dynasty enamelled pink-ground "famille rose" bowl with seal mark and period of Hsien Feng (1851-1861) and of the period. Brightly painted with alternating upright lappets surrounded by meandering foliate and branching leaf on an incised with a wave like pink background. The interior of the bowl is evenly applied with light turquoise enamel.

There are no sign of cracks or chips. It is in fine condition.

The measurement of the bowl is: Diameter 12.2cm and...

With deep sides rising from a tapered foot to an everted rim, decorated in delicate familie rose colours with a bird perched on a branch of wisterias beside flowering branches of poeny and seal mark " spring-time for the whole family of heaven earth" and the characters Daya Zhai (studio of Great culture) all reserved on a turquoise ground. On the base, it has four iron red character mark -- "Yung Ching Chang Chun" -- "Eternal Fortune and Enduring Spring".

There are no sign of cracks o...

Description: A bronze figure with the image of Luohan was casted in the 10th century or earlier. With sophisticated expression, this figure was carved vividly. The religious spirit had been casted in the image by the devoted craftsmen when. The material used in this piece was in very good quality. After enduring ages, the bronze surface had turned into dark black shining patina. Faded gilt had left between the pleats of the figure. Date: Liao Dynasty(AD907-1125) Material: Bronze Height: 5.5...

A Ming dynasty stem cup with flowers decoration on the outside and a boy holding a stem cup on the inside. Inside the cup, the boy is surrounded by a pair of 3 claws engraved dragons chasing each other tail. The cup has the rich 15th century color with the heaping and piling effect. The painting detail are not crisp because the blue has ran together which can happens often in blue and white ware. The stem cup has transparent greenish glaze and the inside of the stem cup a slight greenish tint, w...

Description: An alloyed Buddha with Japanese origin was cast well and preserved perfectly. A very beautiful small sculpture which had east Asia religious taste. Date: 19th Century Height: 5.5cm

Description: A bronze Buddha figure of Japanese was cast with very fine quality of metal. He was molded very well with the religious mood. Meditated in calm expression and with religious hand symbol, this Buddha was once installed on a pedestal which had been lost. Two drilling holes can be seen on the bottom. Date: 19th Century Provenance: Japan Height: 15.3cm