1st Nakamura Donen (1876-1937) High Quality Black Raku Chawan (Tea Bowl) for Tea Ceremony

He was a famous potter during Meiji-Taisho periods who studied with 4th Ninnami Dohachi and worked in different styles such as Raku and Mishima...

Ohara Koson
Eagle watching small bird (Eagle with outspread wings)
This example has a Matsumoto Print Works tag on the back (#105). The ca. 1910 Matsumoto catalog lists the print as "Eagle on a Tree."
Size: Ko-tanzaku. Approximately 7.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-1923.
Koson seal at lower right.
References: Matsumoto #105...

Kobako in the form of a dark brown tree trunk in a cross section. The back of the lid is made of golden hiramaki-e lacquer on a black background, representing in a close-up a branch of a Japanese cherry tree with its three fruits, with light brown outlines revealing a ring of the tree. Inside the box and base in nashi-ji lacquer. The Japanese cherry tree (Prunus serrulata) is an emblematic tree of the country, producing the cherry blossoms (sakura)...

A 1920's Wakasa lacquer clam trinket box. Both sides match and the two pieces fit together perfectly. Dating from the 1920's, it measures 4.75" across, 2.25" high, 3.75" front to back. Wakasa craftsman developed the process of layering lacquer coats of different colors during the Edo period.

Biho Takahashi (Yoshikuni) (1873-)
Butterflies and Blooming Mustard
Date: 1900-1910.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Left and right edges bumped and slightly toned.

Hiroshi Yoshida
Plum Gateway
Date: 1935.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.875 x 10.75 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil.
Jizuri seal at left margin indicating a first edition self-printed by the artist.
Self-published by the artist.
H. Takemura & Co. label on back.
Reference: Abe catalog #205.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Light toning as seen in margin. Tear repair at upper left corner margin...

Chiura Obata
Rainbow Falls, Inyo National Forest
Series: World Landscape Series - America.
Date: 1930.
Size: 17.5 by 13 inches.
Publisher: Takamizawa Color-Print Studio, Tokyo.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: A conservator has reconstructed missing paper of the upper right corner margin. Other margin edge tears and losses repaired. Toned paper.

Kawase Hasui
Sacred Bridge, Nikko
Date: 1930s. This edition 1950s-60s.
Size: 6 x 4 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui seal lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to an original blank card.
Reference: Hotei Hp-40.
Condition: Excellent.

Japanese Showa period apple form wireless cloisonne (musen-jippo) cabinet vase decorated with a snow-covered Mt. Fuji surrounded by clouds set against a pale blue-gray sky. Unidentified mark to base. Mid-20th century. 3 3/4” high. Very good overall condition. From a Prescott, Arizona collection.

Hiroshige Ando (Utagawa)
The Monkey Bridge in Kai Province (Kōyō Saruhashi no zu)
Date: ca. 1841–42 This edition early 20th century.
Size: Large vertical diptych at 29.0 x 9.625 inches.
Publisher: Bears Tsutaya Kichizo seal on front. This edition published by Adachi (seal on back).
Condition: Slight creasing at top corners. A couple of faint foxing spots near bottom.

Rare hat made of rice straw and indigo dye cotton cloth which is hand-spun. It was worn by a hunter or a worker in the mountain. From Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku. Generally in good condition. The first half of the 20th century. L:52cm (indigo cloth 42cm ), W:32cm

Japanese woven bamboo flower basket with original bamboo insert. Beautifully made with a variety of different sized bamboo strips and in excellent condition, it measures 13” high, 4.75 widest, 3.5 diameter. Dates pre-1990.

A basket made of akebi (Akebia quinata) vine which is from Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district. In excellent condition, no break. The first half of the 20th century. H:22cm, W:30cm, D:20cm

A basket made of bamboo strips and mountain grapevine which is a machete case. It is brought with a mountain worker. In good condition but has a few breaks near bottom. The first half of the 20th century. H:26cm, W:12cm, 4cm

A vintage Japanese Sado Mizuya (kitchenette for tea ceremony) made of Hinoki (Cypress). Used for storing tea bowls, brush whisks, ladles, tea caddies and various tea ceremony accoutrements. Bottom left drawer is copper lined to hold water that is drained from the bamboo grill above that holds newly washed bowls. Various shelves and hanging posts used for organizing and storage...

Three pieces of wood plates with red and black urushi (lacquer). The bottom two are same ones but the top one is a bit different. Generally in good condition but have some minor flaws. Top: 10.3cm x 3cm, Bottom two: 10cm x 2.5cm

A fine Noh mask, with strong features, representing the character of Ayakashi, the malign aspect of a general killed in battle. Wood, with polychrome and gold painting, eyes made of brass. The mask is signed. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: The name "Ayakashi" also refers to an apparition with mysterious spiritual powers, or a vengeful sea-dwelling spirit...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Lake Sai Sunset (aka. Mt. Fuji at Sunset OR Mt. Fuji from Lake Sai)
Date: 1938.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten, also bears Doi watermark.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates an early postwar edition (1950-63).
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-DH-49.
Condition: Old tear repair at right margin and image edge. Paper is thinner in this area.

Ikebana basket (hanakago) in wickerwork of polished bamboo of elongated cylindrical shape, with a twisted handle in shape of a bamboo.

Ikebana or Ka-do (the way of flowers) is a traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike Western floral art, ikebana does not aim to emphasize only the beauty of the flowers and the harmony of colours...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Shinagawa (Rainy Season at Ryoshimachi)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Round, black 6 mm seal at lower right, indicating a lifetime printing (1946-1957).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #218.
Condition: Original drying pinhole in left margin. Slight fading.
"Shinagawa was the 1st station on the Tokaido." - Hotei.

Kawase Hasui
Guest House in the Pines on the Pond's Edge (Kiyosumi Garden, Mitsubishi Fukagawa Detached Villa)
One of eight views commissioned by the Iwasaki Family (owners of Mitsubishi).
Date: 1920.
Size: Horizontal nagaban 18.5 x 7.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed, sealed, and dated in the image.
Kiyozumien (Kiyosumi Garden) noted at bottom margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #50.
Condition: Top back co...

Kawase Hasui
Panoramic View of the Daisensui Pond (Kiyosumi Garden, Mitsubishi Fukagawa Detached Villa)
One of eight views commissioned by the Iwasaki family (owners of Mitsubishi).
Date: 1920.
Size: Horizontal nagaban 18.75 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Sealed Hasui and dated in the image...

Polychrome lacquered wood sculpture of a tanuki dressed as a pilgrim, carrying its baby on its back. Their eyes are in horn.

The tanuki is a kind of racoon dog which is part of the yôkai (spirits) of Japanese folklore. It is endowed with magical powers: it can metamorphose and take many different forms. This spirit is a symbol of luck and prosperity...

Bamboo and rattan ikebana basket (hanakago), rectangular format stretched in its height and Chinese style. Thicker bamboo braids on the four sides...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Morning Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, 1936.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Doi watermark.
Carver: Ikeda. Printer: Onohiko. This seal combination indicates printing between 1948-1950.
Reference: Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-38.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A couple of very faint foxing spots in the sky.

A bag made of hand-spun cotton with shibori (tie-dye) and katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern which is vegetable indigo dye. It has cotton lining with kasuri pattern which is also hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye and thinly padded with cotton. Generally in good condition except for a few stains. The first half of the 20th century. 30cm x 41cm

Kawase Hasui
Chuzenji, Utagahama
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.55 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
6mm Watanabe publisher's seal indicating printing between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #264.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Original drying pinhole in margin. Pencil note at back bottom margin. A margin crease.

A fisherman's work wear hand-woven of hemp for the weft and cotton yarn for the warp. Stripes are vegetable indigo dye and also natural color cotton yarn. It is from Tsushima in Nagasaki prefecture, an island located between Korean Peninsula and north Kyushu, and the textile is called Tsushima-asa. It had been woven till 1930s, but not woven since then, so it is precious, especially in this excellent condition one. Cotton was expensive, so richer people had more cotton yarn which made the texti...

The mark of the potter is stamped in the middle of foot ring.

Konyu was born the eldest son of his predecessor Raku XI Keinyu. He succeeded his father at the young age of 15, was succeeded by his son Seinyu and retired at 63 and died at the age of 76. He was a mild-mannered man, and is said to have dedicated himself to the continuation of the Raku family and its legacy. Konyu was a lover of haiku, and particularly after retirement led a contemplative life, appreciating various arts as...

Four volumes of sample books of mingei textiles which are all natural dye and handwoven from Aomori to Kagoshima prefecture. Some are designated as intangible national assets, however some haven't been woven anymore now, and some are reproduced. They include precious bast fibers such as fuji-fu (wisteria), shina-fu, kuzu-fu and so on. They also have natural dye textiles such as shikon-zome, akane-zome, indigo dye Arimatsu Narumi shibori, tsumugi and so on. Published in 1965, 3 volumes and a supp...

Arai Yoshimune
Fishing Boat
Date: 1910s.
This edition late 1950s or later.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 11.5 x 8.25 inches.
Artist's seal at left.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. Seal at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top margin has faint yellowish spot.

4 pieces of meisen cloth which used to be haori (jacket). The longer two have a horizontal 9cm cut in the middle for the neck. Generally in good condition but has some patina and stains. Mid 20th century. 36cm x 1m74cm x 2 (sleeves) 36cm x 2m68cm x 2 (body)

Kawase Hasui
Carp Banner (Koi Nobori), Toyohama, Kagawa Prefecture
Date: 1948.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.625 x 10.625 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
A first edition bearing the 6mm seal in the lower right corner, indicating a first state printed between 1946-1957.
Hasui signature and seal at lower left.
Reference: Hotei #508.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Two original drying pinholes at left margin have been sealed...

Japanese Kamakura Bori fish dish or tray. Finely hand carved in the shape of a red sea bream using the Kamakura lacquer technique, this dish was made for Fitz & Floyd in the 1970's. In excellent condition, it measures 15" long, 6" at widest point.

Japanese mid-century sosaku hanga woodblock print depicting a horse in a stable by Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997). Signed in black ink at the lower left and with the artist's red seal above. Unlimited edition dating circa 1960. Paper size: 11 1/2" x 17 1/8" (image: 10 1/8" x just over 15"). The print was never framed and is in very good overall condition and color with full margins. There is some waviness to the paper and a couple of the margin corners have creases.

Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Bridge in the Snow
Date: Almost certainly pre-earthquake 1910s.
Size: Oban. 14.125 x 9.625 inches.
Shotei seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: O-30 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has paper residue. Creasing at upper left and lower left corners. Fading.
- This print features applied gofun snow. The rarity of this print suggests that it wa...

Japanese Antique Aka Raku Chawan (tea bowl) by the 1st Choraku Ogawa (1874-1939).
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 head of a Urasenke tea ceremony association.

Hamada Shoji (1884–1978) Broken Straw Brush Motif Yunomi.

Excellent example of Hamada's broken straw brush pattern with distinctive iron pigments.

No box is provided.

Size
Width 8.6cm
Height 8.9cm

Hiroshi Yoshida
Garden in Summer
Series: Four Garden Scenes
Date: 1933.
Paper size: Approximately 15.625 x 10.5 inches.
Image size: Approximately 15.5 x 7 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating a first edition self-printed by the artist.
Embossed seals in left margin. Publisher: Hiroshi Yoshida.
Reference: Abe catalog #136.
Condit...

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
White-fronted Geese Flying in Front of a Full Moon
Size: 15.0 x 6.75 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
First edition.
Shoson signature and seal lower right.
Reference: S11.7 in Crows, Cranes, and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very slight wave in paper at upper right corner. Back edges have mounting residue.

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Tanuki Among Autumn Grasses
Catalog title: Badger between Autumn Grasses
Size: Approximately 11.125 x 9.75 inches.
Date: 1934. First and only edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo (T36-199).
Shoson signature and seal lower left.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: S41.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tape residue show...

Sakiori sodenashi (vest) handwoven of cotton strips recycled from old kimono for weft and asa (hemp) yarn for warp. It has beautiful mixed color of indigo, brown, purple etc. In good condition. The first half of the 20th century. W:48cm, L:73cm

Asa (hemp) noragi (work wear) with fine kasuri pattern which is katazome (stecil-resist-dye) and vegetable indigo dye. Both weft and warp are hand-plied. This kind of thick hemp textiles are found in Tohoku district. Generally in good condition but has some mending patches and stitches and wear in shoulder lines. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:116cm x L:76cm, Measurement of details, please inquire.

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. The bottom...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Kozu, Osaka
Souvenirs of Travels, Third Series.
Date: 1924.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.50 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe C seal at right margin, indicating printing between 1929 and 1942.
Reference: Hotei #118.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Lovely mauve horizon. Barely perceptible matte toning at left edge of image.
This design is on the cover of "Dreams and Diversions: Essays on Ja...

Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Snow in Uchikawa
Date: Pre-1916.
Size: Mitsugiriban. 14.625 x 6.375 inches.
Shotei seal at right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo (#682). S-81 in Shotei catalog.
Reference: Shotei cat. M-116. Ota #60. Watanabe #682. Ota-ku Folk Museum notes date this print 1907-1915.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Fading and toning. Spotting in snow. Chip at lower right edge and corner. Crease upper left.
Note: Sno...

Ohara Koson
Songbird and Lotus
Size: Approximately 6.625 x 4.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Koson signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 439).
K.35.21 (cat 125b) in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Frayed lower edges. Paper remnants at back.
An early and rarely seen design.

Kawase Hasui
Autumn at Shiobara
Date: 1930s.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.75 x 5.0 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's oval seal at upper right.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-36.
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top corner margin has original drying pinhole.

Ishiwata Koitsu
Twilight at Imamiya Street, Choshi
Date: 1932.
This edition 1946-1957.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe red 6 mm seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Lighter area in lower foreground. Foxing in margin and at a few spots on the back that do not show through.

Small rug or zokin made of cotton fragments recycled from old kimono or futonji, which are hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye. It has sashiko (quilting) and two to four layers of cloth. The first half of the 20th century. 43cm x 49cm

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Two wild ducks near water; reeds behind
A well-known woodblock print and the original watercolor on board on which it was based.
Date: 1930s.
Watercolor size: 14 x 7 inches.
Woodblock print size: Approximately 15 x 6.75 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Shoson signature and seal on each.
Reference: S7.4 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Amy Reigle Newland).
Condition of waterc...

Eijiro Kobayashi
Evening Cool on Sumida River.
Series: Hasegawa Night Scenes.
Date: 1910s-1938. Early edition.
Eijiro seal at lower right.
Size: Approximately 9.75 x 7.125 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro.
Reference: No. 1244 in Hasegawa catalog.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Hunting Fireflies in Cool Breeze
Date: Pre-1923.
Size: Oban. 14.25 x 9.75 inches.
Shotei seal at left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: O-41 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Upper left corner rebuilt by conservator. Scuff in sky near tree. Wormholes (see illuminated last photo).
- The blocks for this rare print depicting a pond in Ota-ku were destroyed in the Great Kanto ...

Eiichi Kotozuka
Night Scene of Kiyamachi Street
Date: 1950s
Size: 17.75 x 11.5 inches. Full margins shown in additional photos.
Publisher: Uchida Woodblock Printing Co., Ltd.
Artist's seal and publisher's seal at lower right.
Full margins (Shown in enlargement 2).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Removed from original folder. Lower margin slightly wavy.

Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Spring at Sensoji
Date: Pre-1916. Pre-earthquake.
Numbered edition: Numbered "48" inside fan seal at lower left corner. Part of the kanji character "8" is off the edge.
Size: 19.625 x 8.5 inches.
Shotei signature and seal at left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: O-36 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Laid down to board. Toning.
- The blocks for this rare, numbered pr...

Kawase Hasui
Wada Beach in Kagawa Prefecture (Kagawa-ken Wadahama)
Date: 1954.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
A first edition with red, 6mm seal in the lower right corner.
Signed and sealed by the artist at the lower left.
Reference: Hotei #595
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin has tone line and discoloration from previous framing.

Ohara Koson
Monkey reaching for the reflection of the moon
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.75 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Daikokuya
Date: ca. 1910-1923.
Koson signature and seal.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: K41.25 (cat. 136) in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tonal difference in blue at bottom of image due to previous matte.
One of Koson's...

Cotton woman's kimono (yukata) with shibori pattern which is chemical indigo dye. Shibori techniques are Orinui shibori (folded & stitched) and Hiranui-makiage shibori (stitched & bound). In good condition. Mid 20th century. 130cm x 146cm

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 modern era lacquer hibachi. Carved of wood in round form with stacking bands of 5 alternating colors called Koma Urushi (literally translates to spinning top lacquer). Inset with traditional copper lining.

Age: Showa Period (1926-1989)

Dimensions: 9" high x 17" diameter.