Clearly this a very early ghurra showing greatly achieved carving art combined with thick crusted patina and significant signs of wear. The sculpture motifs represent on both side of the ghurra a scene of churning, supported by an interlacing which could represent snakes which it is however difficult to formally identify as the deposit is important and hides the details. The front and back sides of the ghurra are symmetrical H 31 cm, , width 9.5 cm , Thickness 3 cm

Kawase Hasui
Man Fishing on a Moonlit Night
Date: 1930s.
Size: Approximately 6 x 4.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-38.
Condition: Margin corner at upper left repaired by conservator.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Four Small Woodblock Prints
Titles: Kiyomizu Temple, Arashiyama, Kawaguchi Lake, and Kintai Bridge in Iwaki
Date: 1940s-50s.
Size: Approximately 3.5 x 2.25 inches.
Publisher: Shobido Tanaka.
Koitsu catalog nos. TK-SB-50, TK-SB-51, TK-SB-52, TK-SB-53.
These woodblock prints are tipped at the top edge to the covers of blank bridge tallies.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Fisherman at Sunset
Date: 1930s. This edition 1950s-60s.
Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's oval seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to original card.
Condition: Excellent.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Yotsuya
Publisher: Doi Hangaten (Doi seal).
Date: 1930s-1950s.
Print size: Approximately 3.75 x 2.5 inches.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-DH-205.
Woodblock print tipped along top edge to original, unused 5 x 3 inch holiday card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

An exquisite image of an emaciated man, the prominent bones about the eyes softly glowing pale white over the hollow cheeks. The mask is of the Yase-otoko type, and is signed on the back by the maker Iwasaki Hisahito in a carved seal above the eye. Superb craftsmanship!
Iwasaki Hisahito is a well known Mask carver currently 78 years old and still going. He was born in Oita prefecture, but moved to Nagoya then Yokohama at a youthful age...

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
The Friendly Garden Triptych - Pine, Bamboo, and Plum
Date: ca. 1980.
Size: Each panel measures 21.25 x 11.75 inches.
Publisher: The Yoshida Family Studio. Issued by the Franklin Mint.
Signed and sealed by the artist in the image.
Signed in pencil in Japanese in the margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margins have original tape residue. Slight toning.

An elegant celadon receptacle with custom made black lacquered lid by important female potter Suwa Sozan II titled Seiji Mizusashi and enclosed in a wooden box annotated by the third generation head of the family. The Taru shape (a traditional bound shallow wood bucket) is surmounted at the rim with lily pads upon which rests a tiny frog. In the center of the base is her circular stamp. It is 24 cm (9-1/2 inches) diameter, 12 cm (5 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

Iwai-Bandori which is a backpack pad for carrying household items on wedding, made in Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku. It is made of cotton rags. In good condition. The first half of the 20th century. L:110cm, W:28cm

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Twilight at Hira
Date: 1936.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Edition. First. Watanabe D seal at right margin (used 1931-41).
Artist's signature and seal at lower right.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-DH-18.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: TK-WN-7 in Koitsu catalog.
Condition: Print is fully adhered to slightly larger board. Two marks above boat. Slight soling in sky...

Saiho-hinagata (or hinagata), the sewing sample which is a miniature sample to learn sewing. It was invented by an educator for saving time and textile using a special measuring rod. It was practiced in a girl's school from Meiji 7, 1874). Reduced scales were one-third in the beginning and one-quarter, one-half, one-fifth etc. The sewing technique was exactly same as the real size in details. Saiho-hinagata was designated as a significant tangible folk cultural asset...

A classic mid 20th century Dry-lacquer vase by Kawai Masazo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Rankaku (crushed egg shell) on cream colored lacquer alternating with highly polished black. This work truly encapsulates the freedom for form which artists were seeking in the post war period. It is 45 cm long and in excellent condition. Kawai Masazo was born in Osaka in 1928, graduating the Osaka Municipal School of Art and Design...

55" tall by 30" in diameter. Dated Showa 25 ( 1950) . From Muneatsuji Temple in Gifu Prefecture. This Temple is connected to the Rinzai temple of Myoshinji in Kyoto. (Full translation of what is written on the bell is available). Made by Fujiwara Sadaatsu. Inscription says it was made for world peace.

Kawase Hasui
Great Buddha, Kamakura (Hase Daibutsu)
Date: 1930s.
Size: 5.875 x 3.75 inches.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
Reference: Hotei Hp-53
Condition: Back of print has paper residue at top.

Circa 1950s-60s, double fruit rock crystal snuff bottle with superb clarity and craftsmanship having apple green jadeite stems for stoppers. Presented on a nice hardwood stand. In perfect condition, just the bottle measures 3" long x 1.75" high x 1.25 wide".

This beautiful chawan (tea bowl) is a Raku ware made by famous Kyuraku Kimura. It was made about 40-50 years ago. The seal of Raku is stamped on the bottom.

It comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box and an appraisal of the Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto. This temple is very famous for its knowledge about chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony). Tea ceremony items with a signature and an appraisal of the Daitoku-ji Temple have a high evaluation for collectors...

Coxcomb decorates the deeply carved surface of this box covered in green and red lacquer outside, gilded with gold inside in the Kamakura-bori carving tradition. It is 22 x 25 x 5 cm and comes enclosed in a period wooden box. Kamakura-bori is a type of lacquer ware made in the area around the ancient capital city of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture. The tradition is based on carved lacquer wares imported from China during the Kamakura era...

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Two women walking on a spring night
Date: 1920s-1930s.
Size: Oban. 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo (label on back).
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist...

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
A balcony scene with falling cherry blossoms
Date: 1920s.
Size: Oban. 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Faint matte line.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed as "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar s...

Ide Gakusui
Heron in Rain
Date: ca. 1950.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Artist's signature and seal lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Round, red 6mm seal lower left, which is consistent with a first edition (produced 1946-1957).
Embossing is featured on the snowy egret's body. Please see enlargement 2.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Adhered to board via contact sheet.

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Street After Rain (雨後の街)
Date: 1920s-30s.
Size: Oban. 19.75 x 13 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed as "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar style and at times ...

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Street in Front of Restaurant
Date: 1920s-30s.
Size: Oban. 19.75 x 13 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar style and at times depict...

Tsuto made of rice straw which is used for containing ceramic plates. It has a small wooden tag "12 plates". In old age, there was no plastic cushioning material so that rice straw was used much for it and for other crafts. In good condition and very few scraps which is usual for old crafts made of rice straw. The first half of the 20th century. Diameter:24cm, H:26cm

This model is a faithful representation of the American privateer ship built in New York at the beginning of the 19th century. The model is of exceptional quality. It may be that it was built from a kit from the 70s but the multitude of excellent details leads me to believe that it is a unique work created from scratch by a virtuoso model maker. Although we know of many models of the "Prince of Neuchatel", none equals this one. There are older models in certain museums and a model, also from the...

Sakiori obi for an everyday kimono. It is handwoven of cotton and silk strips of old kimono and cotton yarn for warps. Some wefts are from kimono with kasuri. In excellent condition. 20th century. W:16.5cm, L:2m92cm

Yuki-boshi (snow hat) or yuki-kabuto (snow helmet) made of palm tree fiber and vegetable indigo dye cotton inside. It has washi painted with Paulownia oil for waterproof, between outside and cotton indigo lining. It is from Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district. It is said it was worn by "matagi", a hunter. The second half of the 19th century. In good condition with belts inside are left, which is rather rare. 40cm x 57cm

Balinese antique pair of Dwarapala temple guardians. Carved of stone, these figures once guarded a temple entrance, a warning to humans and negative energies not to pass. Their ferocious appearance is a warning that only those with good intentions will be ushered through and guided to ascend a higher path.

Age: Mid-century

Dimensions: left: 23" high x 11" wide x 9" deep. right: 24" high x 11 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" deep.

The painting is depicted of two beauties in between plum blossom trees and is dated 庚辰年夏 1940 summer (民國29年). Ye Darong, courtesy name as Xiangfu, son of Ye Manshu who was also a famous painter from Shanghai. Size: 20.5 (52cm) inches long.

Kondō Yuzō is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelains), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted nearly seven decades. The pieces shown here then would be from an earlier period and are evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the ones he is most well-known for. The intricate brushwork on ea...

San Idelfonso blackware jar, burnished finish with abstract designs, early unsigned piece, in the style of Maria Martinez (1887-1980), beautiful condition and good size. Measures 6" diameter, 4 3/4" high, opening is 3 3/8", bottom is 3 1/8" diameter. Fairly thick walls, evidence of hand finishing in interior, bottom has spots where it looks like felt buttons were once attached. Classic designs of feathers, circular shapes, all very precisely done, this was crafted by a highly skilled artisan....

Beautifully Framed Zen Buddhist Painting of a Pair of Cranes Flying Past the Moon by the Famous Korean Jeju Island Monk, Ko Chang Nyul aka Jung Kwang Sunim aka the Mad Monk (1935-2002). The third photo here is from a prominent dealer's "sale" going on right now on Jung Kwang paintings, where you will see the prices are several times higher than mine. This other gallery has been in business for over forty years and has sold to many of the major museums. A google search of Jung Kwang Mad Monk will...

The cormorant prepares to take flight, wings extended, captured in bronze in a moment of excitement, the shapr eyes focused ahead. Captivating realism with simple Art-deco overtones signed below the tail. It is 32 x 36.5 x 25 cm (14-1/2 x 13 x 10 inches) and is in excellent condition. The cormorant, known in Japanese simply as U, is a migratory bird native to the east Palearctic with a range from Taiwan to the Russian Far East. It has a black body with a white throat and cheeks and a partial...

An unusual woven basket of bamboo strips and roots in the shape of a cocoon or bird nest dating from the 20th century. It can be used flat on a table or even better suspended on the wall or pillar. It is 43 cm (17 inches) long and in excellent original condition.

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Rain at Omiya
Date: 1930
Size: Oban. 16.75 x 12 inches.
Date: 1930. This edition later.
Publisher: Shobisha (Acquired original blocks from Kawaguchi and Sakai).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #215.
Condition: Crease at top center margin (photo). Light toning. Top back margin has tape. Framer's pencil note in back bottom margin.

Exceptional signed Suzuki Kenji Kiyomizu pottery vase. He was born ca.1935. He studied under the famed master Kiyomizu Rokubei VI from 1959. He won many prizes including the prestigious Nitten Prize in in Showa 42. 23cm tall x 17cm wide x 12cm deep. Ask for shipping quote.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Nikko
Date: 1937
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten (seal lower left).
Koitsu seal and title at lower right.
Reference: Koitsu catalogue TK-DH-122.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Some fading. Paper residue at top back corners. Fox spot at top margin.
Note: We know this example to be early as it was acquired along with a heretofore unknown Koitsu design.