Latticed windows of gold shine softly through the translucent blue glaze of this shapely vase by Kutani Master Matsumoto Saichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vase is 11 inches (28 cm) tall, and in excellent condition, dating circa 1985, a time of upheaval in the artist life where he established a wood fired climbing kiln in his new home village of Yoshinodani. Saichi comes from a distinguished line of potters, his Father being Sahei and grandfather Sataro...

Sakiori obi (sash) for casual kimono. Wefts are strips recycled from silk kimono and warps are black cotton. In excellent condition. 20th century. 13.5cm x 2m40cm

A charred Tsubo blasted with ash by Takahashi Rakusai enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It reflects the style of early Shigaraki, with an engraved crosshatch belt circling the flaring mouth. The piece is 8 inches (21 cm) tall, roughly the same diameter and in excellent condition but for one tiny nick in the base.
Born in Shigaraki in 1900, Rakusai was considered one of the true masters of Shigaraki and Iga-yaki, along with Naokata and later Michio...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.25". This is an example of "Kijiyama-kei" tradition of Akita Prefecture. The artisan was Abe Heishirou. It is not dated, but was most likely made in the 1960's to 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our website, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Hope Bay (Antarctica).
Date: ca. 1977.
Edition: 74/600.
Size: 25.25 x 12.25 inches.
Published by the artist.
Pencil signed and numbered. Blue jikoku seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A sizable rectangular platter covered in pale mottled earth-toned glaze by Shigeya Iwabuchi (1925-1993) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A simple slab of clay, 1 inch (2.2 cm) thick, curled up in the corners. The simplicity is refreshing, the disparate surface natural and cool to the eye. It measures 16 by 11-1/2 inches (40 x 30 cm) and is in perfect condition. Shigeya was born in 1925 in Kyoto...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.5". Naruko-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Made by Itou Shouichi (Matsuichi?), born on Feb. 13, Taisho 13 (1924). This kokeshi probably dates from the 1970's.

Oversized limited edition etching and relief print by Ouchi Makoto (1926-1989) titled “Firebird” dated 1971. The print is pencil-signed, numbered 30/60, and titled in kanji in the lower section beside the artist’s red seal. Paper size: 35 7/8”V x 23 1/2"H. Very good overall condition. The right paper edge cut is slightly irregular. This image is illustrated as plate 19 in the reference book “Aramusha: Ouchi Makoto The Artist Warrior” by Mary and Norman Tolman...

Ainu carved wooden doll of woman in traditional Ainu dress. H.12.25"(31cm) x W.4"(10cm.) Finely sculpted features show elements of Ainu traditional apparel & appearance; mouth tattoo, head band and kimono with traditional patterns, and large beaded necklace.

Japanese framed woodblock print by Kihei Sasajima (1906-1993), signed, titled, and numbered 54/100 in pencil, with red chop. Image of a samurai running with sword over his shoulder in black with deep blue pigments.

Size: (entire frame) 21" L x 17" H (print only) 14" L x 10.5" H

This is an excellent and intricately carved very charming netsuke, made by our own Pennsylvania native, David Carlin. He describes it as a "Clown seated on a ball with his left hand holding his forehead and the right arm resting in the clown’s lap. The eyes are inlaid in amber and the clown has a star in his right cheek matching the stars on the sleeves and bottom hem of his sweater...

Japanese framed woodblock print by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991) of a bridge and a quiet lake in the evening. Lanterns illuminate cherry blossom trees among the darker color palette. Print is laid down and framed. Artist's chop and signature with title in right margin.

Size: (entire frame) 15.75" L x 21" H (print only) 10.75" L x 16" H

Woodblock Print of Traditional Japanese Folk Potteries by Serizawa Keisuke. Issued by Nihon Mingeikan (Japan Folk Craft Museum) in 1970. H. 20"(51cm) x W. 26"(66cm.) Excellent colors, light toning to paper. Printed text in Japanese. See also SK-1 in English. Keisuke Serizawa (5/13/1895 - 4/5/1984) was designated a Ningen Kokuho (National Living Treasure) in 1956 for his work in katazome stencil dyeing...

A heavily potted Ash-glaze vase by Seto potter Kato Shinya enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The geometric patterns collide and dance off each other, gray on white, a piece well representing the artistic endeavors of the era in which it was created. The vase is quite large, 13 inches tall, 8-1/4 inches diameter and in excellent condition...

Japanese framed woodblock print by sōsaku hanga artist Haku Maki (1924-2000). This print is titled "Hantou - 75", number 32 in its series and signed with a red cartouche. Depicted is a glossy, embossed vase with silver embossed flower buds. Size: (entire frame)14" height, 11.25" width (artwork only) 9" height, 6.25" width

Woodblock print of a maiko playing cards. Seated with her back toward the viewer, displaying her richly embroidered obi with flying cranes, she looks over her shoulder and demurely displays the card in her hand, the ace of hearts...

Vintage Japanese conch shell horn, known as a horagai or a jinkai depending on its usage. The horagai has been used in Buddhist practice for over one thousand years. The jinkai was used as a battle signal by samurai trumpeters called kai yaku. The shell has a bronze mouthpiece and decorative purple tassles. Early 20th century Size: 6" height, 16.5" length,

Large Japanese porcelain vase by Shumei Fujii, decorated with the design of white herons and pine in underglaze blue and pale green. The rest of the areas are covered with white gold (straight translation from the "title", platinum like), all hand decorated with the artist’s signature at the bottom. Beautiful "Tsubo" in museum quality.

Shumei Fujii (1936 to present) is a famous Arita ceramic artist with a remarkable record...