Japanese limited edition aquatint etching by Sarah Brayer (b. 1957) depicting a solitary figure walking with a parasol down a snowy village lane titled "Kurodami." The print is pencil-signed, titled, dated ’96, and numbered 74/120 in the bottom margin. Visible paper size: 8 1/2” x 18 1/2” (image: 7 5/8” x 17 3/4”)...

A fantastic large tsubo vase by ceramic artist Teramoto Mamoru (1949-present) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. In spite of its size (almost 15 inches (37cm) tall), it is surprisingly light, and the colors are phenomenal. The slightly grooved surface is scored with primitive lines arching upward, filled with slip before firing. The artists signature is on the base of the piece, which is about 15 years old...

A radical Iga vase by unconventional artist Kishimoto Kennin (b. 1934) enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box. The free form Terracotta image is covered in lichen-like pale green ash glaze. The vase is 10 inches (25 cm) tall, 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide and in perfect condition. Possibly better known today for celadon, Kennin went through a radical period some 15 years ago working on pieces like this unusually formed Iga ware...

Japanese Limited edition lithograph of a traditional Japanese country scene in springtime titled “New Green” by Brian Williams (b. 1950). The print is pencil-signed, titled, numbered 54/80, and dated ‘98 along the bottom margin. The print is in the original Japanese gallery frame and is archivally matted. The framed size is 15 14”V x 46 ½”H. The visible paper size is 9 ¾”V x 35 ¼”H. It appears to be in very good overall condition...

VASE NAMED SPRING CLOUDINESS

Japanese Adachi ware vase from Fukushima, named 'Shunin' (Spring cloudy sky) made by Saito Sadao aka 'Joami' (1934-?), attached with original wooden box noted "Awarded for the Japan contemporary crafts exhibition in 1999" at the lid, red-stamped wrapping cloth, printed personal history, and etc. approx...

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.

Bonji Buddhist characters in five rings of silver, gold and brass damascene decorate this Incense burner by Izumi Ryoichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kin-do Gorin-mon Koro. We see the number five in Buddhism and Bushido, With the elements Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Air, as well the famous treatise on fighting by Miyamoto Musashi is called the Book of Five Rings, and the stone stupa seen all over Japan called the Gorinto (Five part tower)...

A large Amber glass Mizusashi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Mizu Utsuwa by Japans top-rated female glass artists, Iwata Itoko. It has a black lacquered wooden lid typical of mizusashi, but a tremendous convoluted form in rich amber which defies simple description. Itoko is one of the top rated glass artists in Japan, and heir to the legacy of Iwata Hisatoshi. The piece is roughly 1 foot (39 cm) in diameter...

Japanese Limited edition etching with aquatint of a traditional Japanese farmhouse covered in snow titled “Tamba” by Brian Williams (b. 1950). The print is pencil-signed, titled, numbered 170/180, and dated ‘93 along the bottom margin. Paper size: 10 1/4"V x 14"H (image about 5”V x 8 ¼”H). Excellent condition. There are two pieces of archival tape at the top edge verso. Born in Peru, Brian Williams has been living and working in Japan since 1972...

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: 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: 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...

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. It was made by Satou Yoshiki, who was born on September 26th, 1959 (Showa 24.) It is signed by the artisan, which the additional notation "Sensei ...

An intriguing lidded bowl patterned with soft blue red and white in the style of traditional hand made temari balls (multicolored silk thread balls) by modern ceramic artist Sato Kazuhiko (b. 1947). The piece is signed on the base and dated 1992, and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Inside the dish is pebble textured stone gray, with a silver tablet fired into the top. A perfect jigsaw cut separates base and cover. Certainly a representative work by the artist, it measures 6...

Gold willows drape over the highly unusual silver-tinged blue lacquer surface of this water container by Tonami Sosai II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Uwajima Nuri Seigin Yanagi Te-oke Mizusashi (Silver Blue Uwajima Lacquer, Willow, Bucket Shaped Mizusashi). The outside is a shimmering blue tinged with silver, while inside is black covered in powdered silver flake. A striking combination. The willow is delicately depicted in tendrils of gold about the circumference, on the...

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. These are often seen on...

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.

Japanese limited edition aquatint etching by Sarah Brayer (b. 1957) depicting two black cats on a snowy village lane titled "Footprints." The print is pencil-signed, titled, dated ’99, and numbered 80/80 in the bottom margin. Visible paper size: 23 1/2” x 14 1/2" (image: 22 1/2” x 13 3/4”). Original Kanda Gallery frame with non-glare glass measuring 32 3/4” x 22 1/2." The print has not been examined out of the frame, but no condition problems are visible.