A very special early 20th century version of the Japanese interpretation of a Western doll, probably inspired by the Friendship Doll Exchange in 1929, when the United States gifted Japan with several hundred western dolls. This doll is very rare and a great find for the serious doll collector. She holds a wonderful stylized dog and makes a charming impression along with her great detailing. An important period piece...

Art deco oribe ceramic vase by Shigetaka Kato b.1927-d.2013. Shigetaka was born the second son of Kato Tokuro in 1927. He graduated the Seto Industrial School of Ceramics and studied under his father. From 1959-1971 submitted annually to the Nitten where he received the Hokusho prize as well as the Modern Ceramics Prize among others. He also received the Japanese Ceramics Society award and governors prize at the Asahi Togeiten...

Vintage wooden Japanese sumitsubo - a carpenter line, in a form of a base with a spike, and rotating spoked wheel with a thread on it. Unusual version of the tool - it lacks a vessel part for ink soaked cotton, but has a spike. I am not entirely sure how it functions, but it is probably fixed to a wooden beam by pushing in the spike, and the thread is pulled to the desired point to make a straight line...

Japanese woodblock print of a geisha holding a fan against a blue ground, titled "Summer Geisha" by Torii Kotondo (1900-1976). From his "12 Aspects of Women" series. Signed with red chop, and publisher's seals in left margin. With original storage folder.

Dimensions: 13" W x 19" H (entire print) 10" W x 16" H (artwork only)

Kawase Hasui
Mount Fuji in Moonlight, Kawaibashi
Date: 1947.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Bears the black 6 mm Watanabe seal in the lower right corner, indicating a first state printed between 1946-1957.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #241.
Condition: Paper is lightly toned on front. More heavily on back.

This is an old man's silk Jyuban, an undergarment worn under a kimono, a luxury from the past. Strange, but you will find quite a work of art in the undergarment, much more than finding them on the outer kimonos. The carps are tie-dyed. Other than a faint stain right above the right side carp, it is in excellent condition. This stain wil not show up unless you look at it under the sun. The measurements are 52" in width and 53" in length. No lining.

A pair of wooden tabi-kata, patterns for tabi socks. In good condition. The first half of the 20th century. L:21cm W:8cm H:5cm

Two shades of black form ethnic patterns on this hishigata vessel by Kiyomizu Rokubei dating circa 1960 nearly identical to figure 12 (page 85) of the catalog Yagi Kazuo to Kiyomizu Rokubei exhibited at the Muse Tomo in Tokyo in 2017. It is 18 x 13 x 24.5 cm (roughly 7 x 5 x 10 inches) and is in excellent condition. This came from the Rokubei family estate. No box
Kiyomizu Kyubei (1922-2006) was born Tsukamoto Hiroshi in Nagoya...

A hexagonal faceted gourd shaped vase decorated in a style not often found in traditional Kutani ware, but more so in traditional Japanese kinrande style porcelains. The vase is decorated in auspicious motifs. The top area of the gourd contains stylized characters of the word, "eternal longevity".Age: Showa Period Size: Diameter 7" Height 11.5"

Uehara Konen (1878-1940)
Hirosaki Castle
Size: Mitsugiriban. Approximately 15 X 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Likely Watanabe Shozaburo.
Date: ca. 1920s-1930s.
Artist's seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print
Condition: Excellent.

The Takahashi family is along with the Ueda family the oldest potter family in Shigaraki and Takahashi Rakusai III b.1898-1976 was largely responsible for the revival of unglazed Shigaraki pottery in the 20th century. Working in the third generation he was designated a "Shiga Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property" in 1964 for his countless efforts. He was succeeded in 1976 by his son Takahashi Rakusai IV who was designated by government as "Intangible Cultural Property"...

Noh theater wood mask representing the character of Shakumi, a middle-aged woman. The loose strands of hair give her the careworn air of one who has suffered and survived countless trials. Note the slight sag to her cheeks and the creases on either side of her mouth. She often appears in the role of a mother. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. A few signs of use, otherwise very good condition.

Japanese multi metal engraved plaque depicting an actor dressed in a rich robe wearing a demonic mask and a long red colored wig surmounted by a twisting dragon decoration. The actor represents Ryujin, the Dragon God of the Sea, and most likely is performing in the Noh play, KASUGA RYUJIN “The Dragon God of Kasuga Shrine”. Superb quality work with crisp carving, gilding and differently colored patinas, in perfect condition. Beautifully framed (have not been examined out of the frame)...

Exquisite miniature music instruments in a small doll size, made out of bones (ivory like). They are more elaborate than shown in the photos. Dimensions of the box are 5 5/8” x 3 7/8” x 1 1/8”. Circa, Taisho to early Show period, 1920 to 1940.

Wall vase for ikebana flower arrangement, to be hung at one of the vertical beams of the tokonoma. Brown stoneware with white inclusions, splash of greenish glaze...

A large shinto shrine constructed in the style based on the Grand Shrine of Ise. This type of construction for small shrines is often used by the local residents in Ise. The shrine contains fine details in the woodwork and brass fittings fit for a deity. Age: 20th century. Size: height 23.75" width 19" length 36"

A 2 section Japanese Isho Biraki Kamo Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Constructed using high quality Kiri wood from the Aizu snow country region of Japan known for their slow growth and dense grain. Upper section features 2 hinged doors behind which are 7 Kimono trays and three small side by side drawers. A secret interior wood latch locks the left and right drawers from opening while the left drawer has a secret drawer accessible from the back...

Japanese Woodblock Print in matted border in black lacquered frame, Ca. 1960's, 18 1/2 high, 14" wide for frame,14" x 9" for Image size, printed 1960's, one of the East coast series, as is, small tear on the lower left.