A fabulous baluster form vase by the first generation Kato Keizan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gaoji Ryumimi Chokoku Kabin(Ivory Porcelain Dragon Ear Carved Vase). Low on the flaring neck two dragons form handles, and the body of the vessel as carved with archaic symbols reflecting continental taste popular from the Meiji through Taisho to early Showa period. It is 33 cm (13 inches) tall 19.5 cm (7-3/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

A Te-bako lacquered box decorated with pigeons in colored lacquer on pale white with mother of pearl inlay by one of the most important 20th century lacquer artists Banura Shogo enclosed in the original signed wooden box dating circa 1935. Sharp corners, the cream-colored box raised on a dark colored foot, the rim edged with two beads of solid silver, all typical of the design aesthetic of the 1930s. It is 30.5 x 21.5 x 12 cm (12 x 8-1/2 x 5 inches) and is in excellent condition...

A finely brushed image of a pheasant in the blossoming boughs of a cherry tree bearing a circular Rimpa School seal in the lower right. Pigment on paper with bokashi daubing of water on the tree trunk. Shadows dragged through the back appear to intimate bamboo. It is bordered in beige silk with a black lacquered wooden frame. The screen measures 71.5 x 68.5 inches (181 x 174 cm) and is in fine condition, dating from the early 20th century.

A carved wooden box with removable lid revealing a container for matches and tobacco slotted in the side to carry a Kiseru pipe. Exquisitely crafted by a man who both understood design and wood grains, it is likely from the arts and crafts era. It is 5-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 5 inches (14 x 9 x 13 cm) and is in overall fine condition, with wear to the base attesting to age.

 

A silvered bronze figure of a Noh actor made in Japan circa 1900 to 1940. Condition - good but lacking original detachable fan and mask. This item is heavy - approx 6 kilos (nearly 13 pounds) in weight...

 

This fabric came from an old kimono, beautiful old thick cotton with light brown stripes in dark blue dye. Some color fading but no visible damages or stains. The measurements:

2 pieces of 13 1/3" x 8'5", with 4" cut in the middle.
2 pieces of 13 1/3" x 46"
Total length: 23'5" x 13 1/3"

The black dye changed its color to a dark gray which is nice in its own way. It is a formal wear with 5 mon (family crest). Top half of the lining is done with a white silk and the bottom half is done with the same black silk from the front. The design from the front goes throughout the inside lining! The bottom is lightly padded which makes this kimono into a great decoration piece. Beautifully hand sewn, again it is the work of art itself...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Hirosaki Castle" by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) dated Showa 10 (1935). First edition impression with "jizure" (self-printed) seal in the upper left margin. The artist's black ink brush signature and red seal is at the lower left and the print is pencil-signed in the lower right margin. Illustrated in "The Complete Woodblock Prints of Yoshida Hiroshi," Abe Publications, color plate #192. Paper measures 15 3/4" x 10 1/2" (image size: 14 5/8" x 9 5/8")...

A demure image of grace and youth; this is a fine full sized Bunraku theater puppet dating from the first half of the 20th century; one of two from a private collection we are currently offering. The eyes open and close, but are stiff, hands are flexible and fully operational. She wears a period red brocade kimono with kiku chrysanthemum patterns and a black obi featuring dragons and phoenix. A white silk lining and silver crown of flowers complete her outfit...

A truly magnificent vase of pastel blue floral designs on yellow-green body by Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 8 inches (20 cm) tall and in excellent condition. It retains the original wooden base. I believe this is by the second generation.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture, and graduated from the (now) Tokyo University of Art...

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 radical ink landscape by legendary artist Fukuda Kodojin. Ink on paper in a green silk patterned border set in beige with wood rollers. It is 13 x 70 inches (33 x 178 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Fukuda Kodojin (1865-1944) an eccentric self taught artist, his status as a poet, calligrapher and literati artist has reached legendary status...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Morning Rain at Lake Hakone" by Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870-1949) dated in the right margin "11th month of Showa 13" (1938). The black ink signature and red seal of the artist are at the lower right corner of the image. The title and date are printed in the lower right margin. The seals of the publisher Doi Hangaten, printer Yokoi, and carver Harada are in the left margin. Prints with the Doi Hangaten and Harada/Yokoi offset markings were produced sometime b...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Ito Yuhan (1882-1951) titled "Fuji from Taganoura" published by Nishinomiya Yosaku in the 1930's. Signed at the lower right corner of the image. Paper: 16 1/8" x 10 5/8" (image: 14 1/2" x 9 3/4"). The painterly effect in Ito Yuhan's woodblock prints are achieved through the elimination of black key block lines. Very good overall condition. This print was never framed and has excellent color and full margins. There are some vertical wrinkles down the c...

The soft blur of blossoming plum, as if viewed in a dream, by Murashiam Yuichi. The evocative form, rising up in an arc to dominate the paper, seems powerful in comparison to the delicate petals clinging to new branches rising from the gnarled limbs. Ink on paper in green silk border, the scroll is 216 × 45cm (85 x 18 inches) and in overall excellent condition.
Murashima Yuichi (1897-1983 born Yuichiro) also known as Ho-o, was born in Toyama and graduated the Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko (Mod Un...