A dazzling Hagi-ware bowl with cherry petal and earthen tones made by one of Japan's great potters. The 14th potter of the Sakakura line of potters Sakakura Shinbei XIV (1917-1975) was designated an important human cultural treasure of Yamaguchi prefecture in 1972...

A pair of Japanese wooden carvings of the Nio, or wrathful guardians to the Buddha. While Buddhism beliefs are typically pacifist, the Nio justified physical force in order to defend against evil and are usually found on either side of a temple door. The Nio called Misshaku Kongo or Agyo keeps his mouth open to represent the first sound in the Sanskrit language "a", symbolizing birth and overt violence...

This chawan was fired in the kilns of one of Kyoto’s best known raku-yaki potters, Sasaki Shoraku III (1944-). The Shoraku line began when the grandfather of the current potter established a kiln near the famous Kiyomizu temple, nestled at the foot of the eastern mountains in Kyoto. In 1945, the kiln was moved to Kameoka near the Yada shrine where it remains today.

Raku teabowls are made by hand, without the use of a potter's wheel...

This magnificent Shino-yaki chawan, done in a rediscovered Momoyama period style, came from the kilns of one of Japan’s most celebrated and talented potters.

Arakawa Toyozo (1894 - 1985), designated in 1955 as one of but a handful of National Living Treasures, is best known for rediscovering lost techniques of pottery from the Momoyama and early Edo periods...

A very elegant and mature tsutsu style chawan created by Ito Tozan III (1900-1970), third generation of the Ito Tozan line of potters. Tozan, who at one time worked in the kiln of Hamada Shoji, learned pottery from his father Ito Tozan II (1871-1937) and his grandfather Ito Tozan I (1846-1920) from a very young age...

This brilliant Tenmoku chawan displays gold and flaxen hues interspersed with dark ash glaze. The piece rests upon an unglazed clay pedestal showing the iron-rich clay the bowl is formed from.

Shodai-ware has a long and storied history stretching back as far as the Nara (710 - 794) and Heian (794 - 1192 ) periods...

This impressive han-tsutsu Shino chawan was made by the late 13th generation Mino potter Kato Seizo (1930-1979, Kagekiyo). Kato’s works are well-regarded throughout Japan and he has won a number of honors and awards over the course of his career as an artist. Not surprisingly, he is equally appreciated abroad and by foreign experts of Japanese pottery...

Occasionally as I’m browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to decipher the Chinese script and give it proper attribution through the course of my research. In this case, I was only able to make it half-way there...

Framed Japanese woodblock print by artist Okiie Hashimoto (1899-1993) Signed in pencil, with inscription and artist's cartouche. Circa 1959. Size: (entire frame) 35.25" height, 29.25" width (artwork only) 22.5" height, 17.5" width

A unique Japanese kanban (shop sign) in the shaped of a pipe, with gilt kanji. It hangs from a length of iron chain. A very fun and attractive piece. Vintage age c1950 Size: 8" height (17.5" hanging) 26.5" length

A breathtaking framed woodblock print by artist Takahiko Hayashi (1961-present) titled "The Wind Filled with Roots, Countless Small Beginnings". Hundreds of small overlapping swirls may represent gusts of wind blowing over bold blades of grass, with a gradating background of golden and deep brown hues. The top of a single, transparent red block sits in the very bottom center of the print. Signed, titled, and numbered 47/50 in pencil...

Japanese vintage woodblock print by artist Yoshio Kanamori (1922-present) titled 'Lake Mountain'. Numbered and inscribed in pencil, signed with red cartouche. Size: 19.25" height, 13.25" width

Japanese woodblock print by artist Makino Munenori (1940-present) titled 'Tenka' (or Heavenly Flowers) in pencil, number 107/180, and signed in bottom corner. The colors used are extremely beautiful and gives a surreal feel to this piece. Dated 1988. Size: 16.5" height, 22" width

This is an excellent hand-carved Japanese Netsuke depicting Shoki, the demon queller, in his usual standing position, with his sword drawn. Although he appears to have captured one of them, the other Oni is playfully standing on his shoulders while pulling one of Shoki's ears. Outstanding detail and form symmetry characterizes this miniature sculpture...

Looking as though it were cast from molten rock, this chawan has a very earthy and primal feel to it. The rich clay shows through in places hinting of ochre, yellow, and even a subtle metallic blue—cleverly mimicking the way mineral formations appear in nature...

Ohara Koson
Matsushima - A bay with rocky islands and a sailing boat seen from above
Date: 1900s-1910s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.5 x 8.25 inches.
Reference: K44.15 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent.
A very rarely seen seascape. "Made in Japan" stamp on verso.

Ohara Koson
Sailing boat near sandy coast
Date: 1900s-1910s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.5 x 8.25 inches.
Reference: K44.21 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. The original "Made in Japan" stamp on the verso shows through a bit in the sky.
A very rarely seen seascape and Fuji view.

Paul Jacoulet
Jeune Fille de Saipan Et Fleurs D'Hibiscus. Marianes" (Young Girl of Saipan and Hibiscus Flowers. Marianas)
Date: June 30, 1934. First edition. This edition was issued without a title...

Paul Jacoulet
Une Averse A Metalanim Ponape, Est Carolines (Downpour at Metalanim Ponape, East Carolines)
Date: October 1, 1935. First edition. This edition was issued without a title. The title label at the lower right was added by the original collector.
Size: Approximately 18.75 x 13.75 inches.
Jacoulet signature and watermark with mandarin duck seal.
Edition: 053/150 numbered in kanji. (The edition of 150 is the earliest. Fewer than 75 impressions produced.)
Ref...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Spring Rain at Matsushima
Date: 1936.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.5 x 11.25 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten, also bears Doi watermark.
Carver: Harada, printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates an early post-war edition.
Condition: Excellent.

Japanese woodblock print by artist Mayumi Oda (1941-present), titled "Ancient Sea", number 19/45 of the series. Signed in pencil. Pairs with another print titled "Ancient Sea Spider Conch". Largest Prints she has made. Size: 38.5" height, 25.5" width

Japanese woodblock print by artist Mayumi Oda (1941-present), titled "Ancient Sea Spider Conch", number 19/45 in its series. Signed in pencil. Pairs with another print titled "Ancient Sea" Largest prints she has made. Size: 38.5" height, 25.5" width

A set of four unusual small dishes enclosed in the original signed wooden box by Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959), one of Japans most famous 20th century artists. Iron reds underlie the pale earthen glaze, with a dollop of Oribe green on one side. Almost as if planned, the pieces have firing cracks filled with black lacquer, adding a fourth consideration to the standard essentials: form, design and glazing. Each dish is roughly 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) diameter. As mentioned there are firing flaws a...

Ohara Koson
Cawing Crow
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 17 x 11.5 inches.
Date: 1930s. This edition post-1950.
Reference: K5.15 and page 140 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: the Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland)
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku
Condition: Excellent. Full original margins.

Ohara Koson
Cormorants at Coast
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 17.25 x 11.25 inches.
Date: 1930s. This edition ca. 1960.
Reference: K3.3 and page 141 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: the Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland)
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku
Condition: Excellent. Full original margins.

Ohara Koson
Owl and Moon
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 8.5 inches.
Date: 1930s. This edition post 1950.
Reference: K20.6 and page 97 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: the Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland)
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku
Condition: Excellent. Full original margins. Never framed.

Raised, undulating ridges on a field of cobalt blue highlighted with white slip and bronze flecks around the rim, this piece conjures images of the deep and stormy sea or possibly of the vast swirling cosmos. Conceived by 20th century master Kawai Kanjiro (1890 - 1966), the combination of “gosu” and “doro hakeme” used in the creation of this work is one of his most sought after motifs.

Like so many great artists throughout history, Kanjiro refused to confine himself to one g...

Ohara Koson
Crows.
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: 1910s.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Reference: K5.10 and plate 111 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Never framed. Full original margins.

Unusual Low root wood table, beautiful golden color wood, the top is a cross section with dramatic burl grain radiating from the center like run rays, the base is made of a section of tree trunk. Size: 20" high x 36" long x 27" wide

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Rain at Igusa
Date: Pre-1923 earthquake. Muted color version with full title.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15.25 x 6.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-76 in Shotei catalog.
Provenance: From the collection of Canadian missionary Sybil Courtice, who was in Japan from the early 20th century up until WWII.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Note: Blocks destroyed in 1923 earthquake.
Condition: Excell...

This simple and elegant green porcelain vase was made by a student of Kiyomizu Rokubei (VI) who was well-known for creating fine porcelain pieces modeled on ancient Chinese forms.

Kato Keizan I (1886-1963) was born in Tajimi, Gifu prefecture but later moved to Kyoto and opened a kiln in Gojozaka in 1912. He specialized in Longquan style celadon ceramics—often referred to as "tenryuji seiji”—and the bulk of Keizan's work closely approximated the style of the Chinese Yuan to Min...

This lovely white Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot.” The crackled milky glaze varies in consistency across the curves and contours of the bowl with some areas tending towards a faint brown, adding an interesting dimension to the landscape.

The creator of this piece Matsuura Mugen (1944 - ) has spent his life in the pursuit of perfecting the art of Hagi. In his formative years as a potter, he was fortunate enough to study under Living National Treasure Miwa...

Paul Jacoulet
Tatooed Woman of Falalap, West Carolines
(Femme Tatouée de Falalap Ouest Carolines)
Date: July 5, 1935.
First edition: 91/150 numbered in kanji. Fewer than 100 impressions produced.
This edition was issued without a title. The title label at the lower right was added by the original collector.
Size: Approximately 19.50 x 13.75 inches.
Jacoulet signature and watermark with mandarin duck seal.
Seal of carver Yamagishi.
Reference: "This print...

Located at the foot of an active volcano, the Ougaku kiln specializes in a type of pottery know as Sakurajima-yaki. The kiln is headed by Hashino Midori and run entirely by female potters who strive to infuse each piece they produce with the “energy” of the surrounding environment. Pieces such as the one featured here are made from volcanic ash and mineral-rich onsen spring water giving them a unique luster that is difficult to reproduce. In addition, each pieces is made by hand, one-at-a-ti...

Japanese framed sumi print by abstract artist Toko Shinoda (1913-present). This print is titled "The Shade", with very light shadows and intersecting calligraphy lines with a streak of red. Number 14/50, signed in pencil. Size: (entire frame) 16.75" length, 13.75" width, 1" thick (artwork only) 11" height, 8" width

Kawase Hasui
Rain at Shuzenji Hot Spring
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1933
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the Watanabe "E seal" used between 1932-42 and consistent with a first edition.
Condition: Excellent with slight fading.