A brush, ink stick letter knife and ink stone are set into a compartment inside this flattened bamboo shape carved from Zitan wood with a poem engraved into the lid signed on the back side Hokkyo Sessai and enclosed in a wooden box. Lifting out the lid by means of the strap, one finds the knife tucked into the handle, the brush, stone, and ink laid out and ready to use. It is 34 cm (13-1/2 inches) long...

Perhaps the best dragon carving we have ever owned, here is a solid Keyaki carving taken from the interior of a temple with glass eyes glaring fiercely out at anyone who threatens the sanctity of Buddhism. Flames leap from the body blown by fierce winds as it rises from the Churning ocean. The carving practically roils out from the wood panel, fully in three dimensions. It is 78 x 26 x 10 cm (31 x 10 x 4 inches)...

An unusual Ryoku Odoshi Ni-Mai-Do Gusoku armor of pleated horizontal plates and Armadillo scale mae-ate reminiscent of the leather covers on the front of older O-yoroi with an inscription inside the box lid attesting the armor to the property of Prince Arisugawa Taruhito. It features a black lacquered 62 plate suji kabuto with simple brass Tehen Kanamono and 6 lame shikoro with arisugawa crest on the fukigaeshi and genuine armadillo tail maedate...

A large sweets dish decorated with blossoms by Eiraku Zengoro XII (Wazen) enclosed in a custom made wooden box. The bold pattern is fitting this bold artist. It is 9 inches (23 cm) diameter, 4-1/2 inches (11 cm) tall and in fine condition.
Eiraku Zengoro XII (Wazen, 1823-1896) was one of the most influential potters of his time, setting the stage for the revival of and modernization of Kyoyaki, based on models by Koetsu, Kenzan and Ninsei...

Japanese cylindrical blue and white porcelain brushpot in three-section bamboo form decorated at the center with birds in flight among tree tops. The top section is covered in a key fret pattern and the bottom section with a myriad of small white circular medallions containing foliage set against a blue ground. A band of scrolling foliate decorates the flat interior rim, which is dressed brown...

The bowl is 5 inches (13 cm) diameter2-1/2 inches (6 cm) tall and in fine condition. Oku yama no, Hana no Shirayuki, Nagare-kite, Haru no sue kumu, Kawazura no Sato (From Deep in the mountains, fallen petals white as snow, Flow past the village, like the last vestige of Spring). Much has been written about the life and work of poet/artist Otagaki Rengetsu...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting Minamoto no Yoshitsune in full armor and surcoat seated on a tiger-skin with his hand on an armrest from the series “Stories of One Hundred Heroes of High Renown” (Meiko hyaku yu den) published by Izumi-ya Ichibei (Senichi) circa 1844. Vertical oban size (14 1/4"V x 9 5/8"H). Very good overall condition with only minor fading and soiling evident...

A skull lies ethereal, only a soft circle before the ghost-like apparition of a grave-marker rising from the boldly stroked dead grasses of some forgotten field...

A rare large piece of Edo period Fushina Yaki pottery in the form of a parallelogram shaped box decorated on all sides with landscapes, including what is likely a view of Matsue castle, home of the Matsudaira clan. On hte lid cranes soar between garden rock formations. Inside a SEa Turtle, said to live 1000 years, occupies the center. Called a Jikiro, these types of large containers were used for serving and storing prepared foods...

Rare Japanese Edo period woodblock print pentaptych depicting five 16th century Takeda warriors involved in the Kawanakajima campaigns against the forces of Uesugi Kenshin by Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Ebisuya Shoshichi (Kinshodo) circa 1845. Each warrior is surrounded by biographical text written by Shotei Kinsui...

A conical Jingasa battle hat 6-1/2 inches (16.5 cm) high, 14-1/2 inches (37 cm) diameter entirely gilded outside with genuine gold. Inside is lacquered black and retains the tie holds for the liner. There is some writing within, and a maru-ichi crest. There is damage to the peak and edges, but is quite impressive looking, and was likely used by the immediate vanguard of the Daimyo. One of two variations we have, they are from Omi province, just outside of Kyoto in old Japan.

An antique Japanese manju sagemono carved from a stag antler rose. The top showing attributes of the Seven Lucky Gods, the bottom with leaves. Nice patina, the green silk cord is replaced, due of the material the rim section is partially not even. Condition: traces of age. Dimension: diameter: c. 4.6 cm, c. 1.8 cm wide.

Two fox representing Inari, one of the principal kami (gods) of Shinto, are depicted on this Edo period talisman made at a shrine and traditionally hung in the home for protection. The two creatures hold in their mouths a buddhist jewel, symbol of knowledge, and a key to the kura, a storehouse for treasures. Between them is written Inari Daimyou Jin. Inari is the Japanese god of fertility, agriculture and of general prosperity and worldly success...

A museum quality work by 19th century great Oda Kaisen featuring vines burgeoning with ripe fruit under the epitaph “Painted on a muggy date (possibly “by moonlight” as the term keigetsu refers) in 1840”. Ink on silk in brass colored Satin patterned with tendrils of mist and featuring white piping in the Mincho style and ivory rollers typical of literati painting of the 19th century. It is 18-3/4 x 72-3/4 inches (47.5 x 184.5 cm) and is in excellent condition...

Two Edo period finely executed Japanese lacquered wood dishes, each decorated with a gold "mon" (family crest), pawlonia, and scrolling foliage set against a brown/black ground. The wood grain is clearly visible. 19th century. Each measures just under 8" diameter. Very good overall condition with only minor flaws. There is a small lacquer drip or imperfection on the back of one. Included with purchase is the original certificate of authenticity dated May 5, 1967 and provided by Z. Izuoka, ...

Large and finely inlaid mixed metal pair of Ikebana bronze vases, Meiji era, finely inlaid silver over bronze surface, cartouches with mixed metal birds, flowers, foliage, wonderful to find a matching pair. Measure 13 1/2" high, 7 1/4" diameter at top, and 5 3/8" diameter at base. Nice old patina, deep bronze color, mixed metals include silver, gold, and copper. There are four cartouche elements, on front and back of each vase. The rest of the vases are inlaid with inlaid silver geometric b...

Japanese bronze mirror. 19th century. 8.2 x 0.2 cm. 86gm

An impressive, Mingei carved wood kiseruzutsu (a pipe case or holder worn similarly as a sashi netsuke) with snake and frog decoration - quite appropriate for the 'year of the snake' and a tiny compass with inlaid into one corner. Depicted are a snake coiled around a weathered log apparently in ready ambush for a frog perched on the other end - both with pierced bone or stag antler inlaid eyes. A stag horn decorative embellishment also inlaid into the log (possibly suggesting a bone remaining fr...