Oarsmen battle Tempestuous seas to carry safely home their cargo of courtly women in this vivid scene signed Hakushun dated 1932. The oars bend under the strain of the ferocious seas, the oarsmen pull with all their might. Behind bamboo curtains the young women huddle together, their courtly robes flowing about like the oceans mad waves. A very powerful scene supervised by a noble seated at the back of the small ship, witnessed by a gaggle of cormorants resting on a jagged rock cluster...

Early edition Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Boats at Shinagawa, Night" (aka “Shinagawa Coast”) from the series “Tokyo Views” (Tokyo Fukei) by Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870-1949) dated in the right margin "5th month of Showa 10" (1935). The black ink signature and red seal of the artist are at the lower right. The seals of the publisher Doi Sadaichi (used 1933-1945), carver Ikeda, and printer Matsushita are in the lower left margin...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Lake Yamanaka in Winter" by Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870-1949) dated in the right margin "2nd month of Showa 14" (1939). The black ink signature and red seal of the artist are at the lower right. The seals of the publisher Doi Hangaten, printer Itoh, and carver Ikeda are in the left margin. This seal combination was used between 1948-1950. Paper measures 10 1/4" x 15 5/8" (image: 9 7/16" x 14 1/4"). Very good overall condition...

A delicate white flower blossoms on the pink surface of this exquisite vessel by Kiyomizu Rokubei V which comes wrapped in the original stamped cloth sack and enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Taireiji Kabin. The vase is 22.5 cm (9 inches) tall and in excellent condition. Taireiji was the most important development by this innovative artist, and pieces are exceedingly rare...

KARAHAFU

Old miniature wooden architecture of 'karahafu' roof (ref...

Sitting demurely, legs folded with her back to the viewer, an oil painting by Yoshii Kosaburo dated 1937 and encased in the original period wooden frame. Oil on canvas, the painting is 15 x 18 inches (38 x 46 cm), the frame 21 x 23-1/2 inches (53 x 60 cm) and is in fine condition. The frame has marks and wear typical of age. It comes with some period documents (Japanese) on the artist. Yoshii Kosaburo was born in 1899, and initially studied under Imperial Art Academy Member Nakagawa Hachiro...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled “Keisho” (Make-up), No 2, from a series of six self-published prints titled “Women’s Manners of Today” by Kobayakawa Kiyoshi (1899-1948). At the upper left, the print is dated 6th month of Showa 5 (1930) and signed with the artist's red bird/duck seal below. The title is in kanji in the lower margin. A seal at the lower left margin shows it is from a limited edition of 100...

Koma Inu Shrine guardians decorate this unusually vivid Ako carpet dating from the early 20th century. The color combination is quite striking, especially when held up to the more standard subdued works typical of Ako. It is 95 x 195 cm (37-1/2 x 77 inches) and is in stunning condition. We found this wrapped in paper in the attic of a Kyoto home which had been sealed off during renovations in the 1950s...

A hand forged antique iron water pot with bronze lid for use in the Japanese Zen Tea Ceremony; handles in the shape of dragonflies embedded in the side. The upper half is grooved with concentric rings; spread wings of the dragonflies conform to the shape of the bowl while jointed bodies project out in 3-D almost 1 inch from the surface. 2 antique iron ring handles (included) are run through the body between the wings. The heavy bronze lid features a 5 petal plum blossom finial...

A pair of Himalayan masks inset with glass beads originating in either Tibet or Nepal and probably made circa 1900 - 1940. Condition - very good. 8 inches (20cm) high.

A large porcelain vase by Miyanaga Tozan decorated with a garden scene of young pine growing up around a large stone brushed by Yamamoto Shunkyo and enclosed in a double wooden box signed by both artists. It comes with the pictured rosewood stand in a separate section in the box. The vase is 12 inches (31cm) tall 8 inches (20 cm) diameter and in excellent condition...

This is a beautiful old Japanese Shusu (lustrous Satin-weave) obi with the finest embroidery work. Condition of the silk is excellent...

A large and stunning vase by Nakamura Shuto made for the Shobido Art Company enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 12 inches (30 cm) tall, 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) across the base and in excellent condition.
Nakamura Shuto I (1865-1928) was born the son of famous Kaga potter of Daishoji Temple Nakamura Shigeichiro from whom, along with Takeuchi Ginshu from the age of 12, he initially studied pottery and painting techniques. Delving into the past he researched and revived ancient...

Chinese scrolled painting executed in ink and color on silk with two beauties seated in a garden setting. Two vertical rows of sumi ink calligraphy and a red square seal are at the upper right. A rough translation of the inscription is: It doesn’t take a saint to play musical instruments. I have to call you a lady, Bo Ya. Bo Ya was a famous musician who lived during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Eastern Zhou dynasty. The painting is dated in Chinese cycle years to 1935 (Year of the ...

Early 20th century Southeast Asian dancing Nat or nature spirit statue. Hand carved and polychromed wood, this item most likely came from a Buddhist temple. Measure about 27 inches high. More information and photos coming.....

Pines in the Rimpa style grow on the folded surface of this fan painted by Kamisaka Sekka and enclosed in the original signed wooden box, retaining the original paper binding on the fan itself. It is 12 inches (30 cm) long folded, and in excellent condition.
Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) is the godfather of 20th century Japanese design and the Rimpa revival. He was born in Kyoto in 1866, one of six siblings. From 1882 he began his artistic career, however did not take-off until visiting t...

Large format (dai-oban) Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled “Blue Parrot” by Ishikawa Toraji (1875-1964) from the series “Ten Types of Female Nudes” carved by Yamagishi Kazue and self-published by the artist in 1935. The black ink Ishikawa signature and red seal are at the lower right section of the print. Paper: 14 1/2 x 19 1/8" (plate: 11 3/4" x 14 7/8"). Very good overall condition with full margins and silver mica highlights evident. One closeup photo was taken with a flas...