Porcelain cranes in a lead tree decorate the lacquered top of this gilded wooden box enclosed in the original wooden box titled Romatsu Sokaku Zu (Ancient Pine Two Cranes) and signed Sekka, with signatures of Tozan II (porcelain decoration) and Hyoetsu (lacquer artist) inside...

This is a beautiful old Japanese Shusu (lustrous Satin-weave) obi with the finest embroidery work. Condition of the silk is excellent. It feels so soft, totally different from the newer obis. Color is a shiny deep blue. There is one seam in the center of the front and two in the back. Converted from Nagoya style obi to a flat obi of 11 1/8" wide x 80" long, all the works are done profesionally by hand. The design areas are balanced on each end of the front side this way...

A large Chinese "Peach" bowl vibrantly decorated with "famille rose" enamels in 18th Century Imperial style. On the base is the mark 'Qianlong yu zhi'('Made by Imperial order of Qianlong') written in blue enamel enclosed by a double square. However this item was made later - probably during the 1920s or 1930s in the Republic period. Provenance - from the collection of the late Reverend Victor Farmer...

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...

KARUTA

Remains of the 18 old paper picture cards (with no cards to be read) in a game of Japanese card game called 'karuta' (ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karuta), early 20th century, Japan, 5.5 x 8 cm (2.16 x 3.14in) each...

A lacquered wooden box decorated in built up Takamaki-e with Tsuba and Kozuka by Heian Zohiko dating from the first half of the 20th century. Inside is fine even nashiji. The decorations rise quite high off the surface, almost as if genuine tsuba were lying atop the box. One tsuba is in the shape of a Mokugyo, a Buddhist prayer drum of hollowed wood culminating in two dragons...

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...

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...

Superb carving work figuring a Raktsatsa (devil) masks, few old wounds, hard wood, old reddish color, from the first half of the 20th H 25 cm More information on request

Antique Japanese Pair of Old Hand-painted Kutani Teabowls with Bird and Pine Tree Design Made Before 1940s Size Width / 4.29 inch ( 11cm ) Length / 4.29 inch ( 11cm ) Height / 3.12 inch ( 8cm ) Total Weight / 450 g Condition Good. No cracks, no chips

Chinese glove puppet depicting a man with bright opera face paint and long beard that appears to be horse hair dressed in a heavily sequined pale yellow robe with red fur accents. The legs are covered in red and white checkered trousers. Painted wood face, shoes, and hands. Measures about 18" long. Possibly dates from the early 20th century. Very good overall condition with minor wear and soiling from use...

A noborigama (multiple chamber climbing kiln) ascends the right side of this wildly brushed Autumnal Nihonga screen signed Takuji, which dates from the late 1920s or 1930s. Drastically contorted thatched buildings are shaded by a massive leafless tree which dominates the center of the scene. A few remaining leaves dangling after winters first frosts, shine with gold about the edges...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Ito Yuhan (1882-1951) titled "Fuji from Taganoura" published by Nishinomiya Yosaku in the 1930's...

A set of stacking brass coasters in the shape of a cannon shell complete with dial settings on the warhead made for the Shobido company in the 1930s or 40s and enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Stacked it is 10 inches (25 cm) tall, 3 inches (7.5 c) diameter and in excellent condition.
Shobido has been commissioning works with first rate artists and craftsmen for its own facilities and top Department stores since 1900. Founded by Eto Eikichiro at the height of the salon era, it...

A rush of water descends into mist between the rocky crags tinted with autumns color on this superb silk scroll by Ochi Shokan enclosed in the original signed double wooden box (niju bako) titled Shusei (Voice of Autumn). Top quality, it is mounted in striped silk extended with green and has large solid ivory rollers. The scroll measures 55 x 213 cm (21-1/2 inches x 7 feet). It is in fine condition. Ochi Shokan (1882-1958) was born in Ehime prefecture on the island of Shikoku and studied p...

 

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. With a relatively small quantity produced within the rather short history of Japanese car...

A gold tree laden with peaches accompanied by a poem drapes over the sides of this large porcelain bowl made by Miura Chikusen and decorated by Hashimoto Kansetsu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 7-1/2 inches (19 cm) diameter, 3-3/4 inches (9.5 cm) tall and in fine condition.
Born into the family of literatus and painter Hashimoto Kaikan in Hyogo, in the heart of central Japan, Hashimoto Kansetsu (1883-1945) was a sinophile and manic painter trained initially by his own...