An open tsubo covered in highly unusual gloss glaze with a colorful floral spray by Kawai Kanjiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 24 cm (9-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kawai Kanjiro was a true artist by nature, and together with Hamada Shoji, set a pattern of study for modern potters...

Toshi Yoshida
Heirinji Temple Bell
Date: 1951.
This edition later from original blocks.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Toshi Yoshida seal and block-signed signature.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin corners have paper residue.

Additional photos of this fabulous Accordion book of 12 paintings by Kimura Seiun enclosed in a wooden box titled Atami Dan Ko-gasatsu and dated early Spring of Showa 4 (1929). The introductory page is written by Zen priest Hashimoto Dokuzan of Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto. The paintings are each signed with various names used by Kimura, mostly Seiun or Ren. The introductory and concluding pages are both dated 1929. It is 28 x 14 cm (5-1/2 x 11 inches) and in overall outstanding condition...

A fragment of washi with mending patches, whose ground paper as well as mending patches are kakishibu (persimmon tannin) dye for waterproof and sturdiness. It has several layers of old recycled washi. The original usage is not clear. Late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji). 40cm x 40cm

A fragment of washi with mending patches, groud paper as well as mending patches are kakishibu (persimmon tannin) dye for waterproof and sturdiness. It has several layers of used old washi. The original usage is not clear. Late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji). 40cm x 32cm

Circa 1920's hand carved Japanese ivory okimono of a long tailed rooster on a wood perch. Excellent antique condition.

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting of a lotus pond. Wide lotus leaves and pale pink flowers blossom on the surface of the water. A white heron comes in for a landing near a pair of Mandarin ducks. Painted in mineral pigments on silver leaf.

Age: Showa Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 38 1/2" high x 74 1/2" wide

Artist: Unidentified
Title: Miyajima
Print size: Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top margin edge slightly toned.

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Ito Yuhan (1882-1951) titled "Sailboats in the Sunset Glow" (aka Tsukuda Jima). This image is one of a limited number of woodblock prints by this artist that were published by Nishinomiya Yosaku in the 1930s. Signed in kanji at the lower right corner of the image. The publisher's seal is in the lower left margin in kanji and on the back in English. Paper: 15 5/8" x 10 5/8" (image: 14 5/8" x 9 5/8")...

Kawase Hasui
Evening at Miyajima
Date: 1950s-60s
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Hasui oval seal and title at lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Edge of top margin is browned.

Japanese chuban format shin hanga woodblock print by Takahashi Shotei, also known as Hiroaki (1871 - 1945) depicting two figures walking in the snow in the foreground, one holding a parasol walking toward a hut, the second crossing a bridge over a stream. A snow laden tree and torii gate are at the left. Titled "Snow at Ozawa; Torii Gate and a Cottage" the print was published by Watanabe prior to 1930. The title and artist's red Shotei seal are at the upper left...

This extraordinary vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form. Fashioned after cylindrical Song Dynasty pieces that are thought to have been introduced in the 9th century from Syria, the handles are of Chinese origin and represent the mythical "Fenghuang" (Hōu in Japanese). This deity, typically depicted with the body of a bird with characteristics of a dragon, is believed to have originated in the sun and is thought to symbolize virtue, wisdom, and grace...

A wonderful translucent blue celadon vase done in the classic style of Song Dynasty Chinese pottery. This piece was made by one of the few great female Japanese potters of the previous century, Suwa Sozan II, daughter of Meiji Imperial Court Artist Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pottery design and painting under Touda Tokuji in 1873...

Kawase Hasui
Pagoda in Rain (Inoruga no Ame)
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Reference: Hotei #Hp-62.
Woodblock print is tipped along its top edge to original cardstock.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Sacred Mount Fuji
Date: 1936.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.25 x 4.875 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
Reference: Hotei #Hb-s12
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top corners have tape remnants.

Shoda Koho
Shrine Gate at Miyajima
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series (No. 1251).
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.125 x 7.5 inches.
Date: 1910s - 1938.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Artist's seal at lower right.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro/Nishinomiya Yosaku.
Condition: Slight toning.

Sakiori obi (sash) for a casual kimono which is hand-woven of strips recycled from silk and cotton kimono for weft, and cotton yarn for warp. In excellent condition. 20th century. 18cm x 2m96cm

Kawase Hasui
Evening View of Snow-Covered Cottage
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Print size: 5.625 x 3.75 inches.
Reference: Hotei Hp-76.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top right margin slightly trimmed.

Hanten with sashiko (quilting) which is made in Shonai in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku District, which is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has 2 layers of cloth with sashiko. The collar cloth is also hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye cotton with stripes. In excellent condition. The first half of the 20th century. W:88cm, L:75cm

Kawase Hasui
Moon Over The Ara River, Akabane (Arakawa no Tsuki, Akabane)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1929.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Black 6 mm seal in lower left corner, making this a lifetime edition printed between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #159.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A beautifully sculpted image of a pheasant by Ogawa Yuhei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 37 cm long and in excellent condition.
Yuhei Ogawa (1885-1945) was born in Takamatsu, Okayama prefecture an came to pottery a bit later than most. In 1923, while working part time at the Naval Hydrographic Department, he was deeply moved by seeing the solo exhibition of ceramic sculptor Kazumasa Numata. This gave him impetus to begin sculpting in his free time...

Kawase Hasui
Terajima in the Snow
Date: 1930s.
Image size: 6 x 4.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Hotei Hp-69.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Hasui seal at lower left.
Woodblock print is attached along its top edge to original 1930s card.
Condition: Excellent.

Lilian May Miller (1895-1943)
The Three-Foot Bamboo Pipe
Date: 1927.
Size: Approximately 5.625 x 3.75 inches.
From the book, Grass Blades from a Cinnamon Garden.
Monogrammed within the image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning.

Lilian May Miller (1895-1943)
The Little Shrines on Quiet Hills
Date: 1927.
Size: Approximately 5.625 x 3.75 inches.
From the book, Grass Blades from a Cinnamon Garden.
Monogrammed within the image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning.

This pair of vases was recovered from an estate in the Castroville/Watsonville area of California, over 20 years ago. This area is known as the Artichoke Capital of the world. When I recovered these vases they had been lamps and have since had the bottom drills hole restored. These vases are old but probably not Meiji era. They do have silver rims with scalloped wire trim at the edges of the enamel. The colors and shading are wonderful...

Hiroshige Ando
Seven Song-birds (aka. Gourds and Japanese White-eye)
Size: Approximately 7.5 x 5.25 inches. 19.4 x 13.2 cm.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 26).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Small spot where back Matsumoto label is attached.
The Matsumoto catalog notes, "Seven mejiro (known as Japanese silver-eye) perching on a melon-vine."

Hiroshige Ando
Fisher and Fire
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Date: 1930s.
Size: 6 x 4.125 inches.
Signature and seal at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Vermillion-lacquered Temple Gate in Snow
Date: 1930s.
Size: Approximately 6.125 x 4.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Hasui seal at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei Hp-48.
Condition: Excellent.

Vintage Japanese wood carving of the face of Bodhidarma with his fly whisk. Also known as Daruma, the legendary intensity of the monk is expressed in his downturned mouth and heavy eye brows over wide eyes. A popular sign of good fortune for any business. Lacquered details in red, white and black.

Age: Showa period (early-mid 20th century)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" high x 19 1/2" wide x 2 3/4" deep

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Lake Kawaguchi at the Foot of Mt. Fuji
Date: 1938.
Size: Oban...

Oribe Raku Kashiki Dessert Bowl made by the greatest I Choraku Ogawa (1874-1939), the disciple of Raku Kichizaemon Keinyu and Konyu.
The potter's mark is stamped near the foot ring.

Ogawa Choraku is one of the best known Raku potters of modern times and the founder of Choraku potter family.
He became the disciple of 11th Raku Kichizaemon (Keinyu) and 12th Raku Kichizaemon (Konyu) and started his own kiln in 1904.
He received the name Choraku in 1906 from Choyuken, the h...

Print by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995). "White Plum in Farmyard". Good condition. Framed under glass. Dimensions of the print 26x36.5cm, of the frame: 46x56cm.

A dynamic early porcelain work in vivid color by Kiyomizu Rokubei VI enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Futatsuki Kajutu Mon Kashiki (Sweets dish decorated with fruit) bearing his real name, indicating it predates his taking the name Rokubei in 1945. The box bears the seal of the Hattori Tokeiten, purveyors of fine art in Pre-war Japan. The porcelain is 19.7 cm (8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, signed on the bottom.
The Kiyomizu family potters managed one ...

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Titled in Japanese: Flower(s) of Vienna, the great Leo Sirota ウィーンノハナ　レオシロタ大人
Dated: April 11, 1965.
Leo Sirota (1885-1965) was one of the world's most famous pianists. Munakata was his friend and produced this print shortly after Sirota's death.
Edition: Not known. A color version of this design exists.
Signed: "Shiko" in Japanese; "Munakata" in English.
Sheet size: 16 x 10.75 inches. Image size: 11.5 x 6.5...

Kawase Hasui
Title: Zojoji Temple
Date: 1950s-60s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Print size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to an original blank card.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Not sealed by the artist. We've encountered a sealed late twentieth century example. Please see our last photo. This Zojoji design is very similar to a well-known 1930s Hasui print.

Toast the new years with this solid silver sake set made for celebrations. 3 solid silver cups, as well as a beautifully shaped silver sake kettle with lid, each piece bearing the jun-gin (Pure or 100 percent silver) mark. They come enclosed in a wooden box titled Jungin-sei Shuki (Solid Silver Sake Set). The kettle is 13 cm diameter, 18 cm wide at the spout. The largest cup is 12 cm (4-3/4 inches) diameter. In total the set weighs 757 grams, or 1.65 pounds of pure silver!

A solitary thatched hermitage rises on the top of this stony crag set onto a beautifully carved and signed rosewood stand. Together they are 7.5 x 11.5 x 13 cm (3 x 4-1/2 x 5 inches) and in excellent condition. The box is titled Yasegawa-ishi, inside signed Seicho and dated a fortunate day in the second month of 1936.

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
Bamboo in Early Summer (Shoka no Take)
Date: 1954. First edition.
Publisher: Unsodo.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed in Japanese in the image at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Removed from its original folder.

A waka poem in underglaze blue brushed by female artist/poet Tomioka Haruko decorates this porcelain Mizusashi by female potter Suwa Sozan II enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The porcelain container is 17.5 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall, 11.5 cm (4-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition. On the base it bears the circular mark of Suwa Sozan II and on the side the verse is singed Haruko 80. From this we can surmise it dates from 1926 when Haruko was 80 by Japanese count.
Su...

An exquisite set of small petaled-plates, each wafer thin, with a floral spray of yagiku (wild chrysanthemum) in a blue dial in the center by Suwa Sozan II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kiku-gata Kozara, Jukyaku (10 Chrysanthemum Shaped Small Dishes) dating from the 1920s. The design is Japanese, the decoration is strongly influenced by Korean wares. Each is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter and all are in excellent condition.
Suwa Sozan (1852-1922) was born in Kutani cou...

Kawase Hasui
Snow at Koshigaya
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.375 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1935. First edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's "E seal" (used 1932-42) in right margin.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #353
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Bump at tip of lower left margin corner.

Kawase Hasui
Mt. Fuji Seen From Oshino (Oshino no Fuji)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.625 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1942. First edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Publisher's "G seal" in right margin (used 1942-45).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #465.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Senjogahara, Nikko (Senjo Plain Nikko)
Date: 1937. First edition
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe F seal (used 1934-41) at right margin.
Size: Oban. 16 x 11 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #410.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil note at bottom back margin "artist - Hasui".

Kawase Hasui
Kiyomizu Temple Kyoto
Date: 1933.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's 6mm seal at lower left. A lifetime edition (printed 1946-1957).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Size: Oban. 15.25 by 10.25 inches.
Reference: Hotei #324.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margins and back are toned. Slight creasing at upper left corner.
This is the only print that features Hasui in self-portrait.

Kawase Hasui
Tite: Namakiri, Shima
Date: 1942
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's 6mm seal lower left. A lifetime edition printed 1946-57.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Size: Oban. 15.375 x 10.25 inches.
Reference Hotei #463.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Yakumo (Yagumo) Bridge at Nagata Shrine, Kobe
Series: Collection of Scenic Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1934. A lifetime edition produced between 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. 6mm publisher's seal at lower right.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #327.
Ships with Watanabe brown folder (see last photo).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition...

Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956)
Chinese Matriarch, Soochow
Date: 1934.
Sheet size: 17.625 x 13.625 inches. Image size: 13.25 x 11.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed and titled in pencil by the artist.
Medium: Colored etching.
Provenance: Henry McBride collection.
Condition: Upper right corner margin crease. Tape at top back margin.
Notes: Richard Miles opined that this is one of Keith's greatest images and noted that the etching was produced...

Yamamoto Shoun (1870-1965)
The Old Willow Tree
(Titled: "Snow Hamlet" in 2005 Museum of Kochi exhibit catalog, A View of Nostalgic Japan and the Beauties of Those Days: An Exhibition of Shoun Yamamoto's Work)
Date: ca. 1900-1910s.
Size: Approximately 17.4 cm 11.6 cm. 6.875 x 4.5 inches.
Artist's signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 446).
Condition: Excellent. Brown dash mark near signature.
An early and rarely seen design. Note: ...

Vintage Japanese uchikake (wedding kimono) crafted from heavy woven and embroidered silk brocade fabric with extensive gilt thread in a dense pattern of flowers and peacocks. Mid-20th century. The lining is fine red silk. Very good overall condition with only minor wear at the bottom corners where the lining meets the brocade. Measures about 73" in length by about 50" across. From a Casa Grande, Arizona collection.

Kawase Hasui
Ikegami Honmonji (Honmon Temple, Ikegami)
Date: 1931.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Watanabe round 6mm seal, indicating a lifetime edition printed 1946-57.
Signed and sealed within the image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #245.
Condition: Lightly toned paper at back and margin. Tape residue at back margin.
Note: One of Hasui's most loved snow scenes.

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
Spring Night, Ginza
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.625 inches.
Date: 1934.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. 1946-57 edition.
Watanabe black 6mm seal at lower left corner.
"Printed in Japan" and "Original Works of Art" stamped on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Pencil note "Shiro" and tape residue at top margin.

Ohara Koson
Willow Tit Sitting on a Vine
Date: 1910s-23.
Size: 14.125 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Koson signature and seal.
Reference: K29.1. in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back lower left corner is toned.

Japanese chuban format shin hanga woodblock print by Takahashi Shotei, also known as Hiroaki (1871 - 1945) depicting two figures in the foreground, one carrying a lantern. Across the water and backed by tall trees, the windows of a traditional Japanese home are lit. Titled "Night Scene of Mabashi, near Tokyo," the print was published by Watanabe prior to 1936. The title and artist's red Shotei seal are at the upper left. Paper size: 9 7/8” x 7 1/8” (including small margins). This image is ...

Gold and silver steel cigarette case. Work in the style of Komei. The landscape decorations are in gold and silver relief. Examination with a magnifying glass does not show us the typical scratches of a damascene work (nunome zogan). The borders are worked with floral motifs in slight relief, the hollows being filled with black lacquer. two golden metal chains to hold the cigarettes. These two chains are extendable by a clever spring system hidden in each link. Japan Taisho or Showa period.Good ...

Ohara Koson
Two Japanese Waxwings on Twig with Red Berries
Date: 1910s-23.
Size: 14.75 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Koson signature and seal.
Reference: K32.3. in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toning at top margin and back.
Note: This example retains its lovely yellows.

Kawase Hasui
Ikegami Honmonji (Honmon Temple, Ikegami)
Date: 1931.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15 x 10.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Watanabe round 6mm seal, indicating a lifetime edition printed 1946-57.
Signed and sealed within the image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #245.
Condition: Adhesive residue at back visible only slightly in the tops of the trees.
Note: One of Hasui's most loved snow scenes.

Ito Yuhan
Watercolor Painting
Depicting a footbridge above a waterfall.
Date: 1930s.
Size: 13.25 x 9.75 inches.
Signed "Y. Ito" at lower left
Condition: Brilliant color. The top back has paper residue. A couple of very faint foxing marks in upper left corner.
Ito Yuhan is known for his woodblock prints that have a watercolor-like appearance.