Kawase Hasui
Uji Bridge (aka Bridge on a Starry Night)
Note: But are the stars fireflies? The Uji Bridge and River are known for fireflies.
Date: 1930s.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.75 x 5.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui's oval seal at lower left.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-24.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

With pottery shards from excavated kilns dating back to the 5th Century, Mino-ware is one of the oldest and most revered pottery traditions in all of Japan. Though the piece featured here does not fit neatly into any of the typical categories of Mino pottery such as Kiseto, Setoguro, Oribe, or Shino; the shape and overall feel of this piece unmistakably places it within this pottery tradition...

Large blue and white Arita (Imari) porcelain fluted dish. Decorated with a flowered basket having a bird and pomegranates, it dates early 20th C Japan, Taisho. Measures 15.75ʺ diameter × 2.75ʺ high.

Cotton kimono called "yukata" with bold polka dot pattern. The dye technique is called "chusen" which is one kind of stenciled paste-resist-dye. Several 10s of layers of cotton fabric can be dyed by pouring the dye liquid. All hand-sewn and in good condition except for a very faint stain in the white cloth inside the back. 20th century. 126cm x 150cm

Stunning, bold art deco Shigaraki wood-fired ceramic plate. Full of feldspar or long life stones unique to Shigaraki clays. Some kiln scars made during firing but the glaze has oozed out of the crack in the back indicating a natural firing scar. Diameter: 20". Great condition. Ca. 1970

A fisherman's work wear hand-woven of hemp for both wefts and warps. Both natural color and indigo stripes are hemp yarn, which are hand plied. 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 haven't been woven since then, so it is precious, especially in this excellent condition one. The first half of the 20th century, 110cm x 116cm

Unusual early Showa period (1930s) ceramic sake cup made in nerikomi (agateware) technique, its body with vertical grooves all around the perimeter. Nerikomi (translated as “mix and pull up”) is achieved by laminating different colored clays together and throwing them on a wheel to develop a swirling and spiraling effect. Beautifully made, wonderful patterns, glazed on the inside for safe drinking, inscribed by the potter the bottom, very pleasant to hold...

CLOTHING STARCH BRUSH

Old Korean brush made of the bark and root of pine tree used to put starch on the textile when spinning hemp, early 20th century, approx. L 22 x D 15cm (8.66 x 5.90in). Some expected stains due to age as is, and in aesthetic vintage condition as seen...

Lons stick ghurra richly carved on its front side, encrusted soot patina. H31 cm can been prsented on a custom iron stand More information on local and ethnic origin.

Ghurra with long stick richly carved, such rich carving is only obversed on very old ghurra, light bown patina, H 29 cm , can be prseted on a custom iron stand. H 29 cm More informatop, on local origin

Large size gurra, the long stick consists of 4 beautifully carved long strings with an open space between them which demonstrates fine carving craftsmanship. A realistic rope knot is in the middle. The upper part shows two hands grasping the hole. Great sooty patina and obvious signs of heavy use. H 34cm More local information on request

Ghurra showing a sitting protector with the hands joined in the Namaste gesture. The ghurra is fixed to a pillar by a noose. Beautiful black soot aptina, age could from second art of the 20th. H 26 cm More information on local origin on request.

This Ghurra which imitates a chain is carved from a single piece of wood so without any gluing. The top shows 2 two protectors sitting back to back like Janus H 6 cm. This work testifies to a great mastery of wood carving and also to a deep respect for churning work. H 23 cm More information on local origin on request

Very nice Ghurra with the mythic scenary of a protector riding a cow and surmounted by another cow. Very hard wood showing a Glossy brown patina. H 27cm. More information of local origin

Width approximately 25 cm. Few soft chips at the tipspout. In good condition.

9 METER-LONG GHOST SHUNGA SCROLL

Rare find of very long shunga (pornographic painting) scroll without any texts on paper, approx. 29 x 900cm (11.41 x 354.33in), early 20th century, Japan...

A tiny handbag handmade of bamboo strips. It is all handmade of bamboo, such as body, handles and clasp. Generally in good condition but has two tiny holes in the corners in the bottom. The first half of the 20th century. W:17cm, H:13cm, D:9cm

Very harmonius Protector in the sitting position with the hands in the namaste gesture, important weather eroded patina; remaining encrusted white pigment (seto mato). Hard wood, H 32 cm