A large sculptural vase by Eiraku Zengoro XVI (Sokuzen, 1917-1998) enclosed in the original signed wooden box dating from the 1950s, an era when Japan was redefining its own views on art. This is an excellent example of work from that time. Born into traditional tea ware, Zengoro XVI was with the rest of his compatriots, experimenting with new ideas and new forms, unafraid of a dawning new era. This piece is 35.5 cm (14.5 inches) tall, 17 cm (7 inches) square and in fine condition...

Kawase Hasui
Rain at Shinobazu Pond
Date: 1929.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. A lifetime edition bearing the Watanabe 6 mm seal faintly on the bench to the right of the Hasui seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has two pieces of tape.

A bunch of grapes in slight color under shadowy cool leaves decorate the milky white and sand toned surface of this very unusual plate by Kitaoji Rosanjin enclosed in a wooden box annotated by Living National Treasure Arakawa Toyozo dated 1968. It is 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) They say adversity is the mother of invention, and Rosanjin can be said to epitomize that expression...

Kawase Hasui
Kanestuki Hall Bell Tower, Okayama
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1947
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower right, indicating a first edition printed between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #500.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Back top margin has tape residue. Very slight bend lower right corner. Pencil notation at lower back margin.

Kikuchi Yuichi
Figure Walking in Snow
Date: Early 1950s.
Woodblock print is tipped at the top to an original 1950s Japanese holiday card.
Size: Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Late Autumn Rain, Nanzen Temple, Kyoto
Date: 1951
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower right, indicating a first state produced between 1946-1957.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.25 inches.
Reference: Hotei #562.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Back margins have tape residue. Slight fading.

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Sakurada Gate (Sakuradamon)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.375 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1928.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Round, red 6 mm seal at lower left, indicating a lifetime printing (1946-1957). Old Watanabe seal at back.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #156.
Condition: Excellent color. Toned paper. Two pieces of paper at back margins.

Artist: Uchima (Aohara) Toshiko (1918-2000). Aohara would marry the renowned artist Ansei Uchima.
Scene: Girl in Costume.
Image area: 5.5 x 3.5 inches. A woodblock print tipped at the top to original cardstock.
Bears the "Aohara" seal.
Publisher: Kyoto Hanga-In.
Condition: Excellent.

Vibrant tusty red splashes across the black glazed surface of this sculpted vase by Kawai Kanjiro dating from the 1950s enclosed in a wooden box annotated by his daughter Koha, the head of the Kawai Kanjiro Kinenkan Museum. The vase is roughly 8 by 4 by 4-3/4 inches (20 cm x 12 x 10 cm) and is in perfect condition. Kanjiro was a true artist by nature, and together with Hamada Shoji, set a pattern of study for modern potters...

Leaf images in various seasonal shades decorate the raw earth of these expertly crafted dishes by legendary artist Kitaoji Rosanjin, the set enclosed in a double box, the inner box the original age darkened kiri-wood box signed by Rosanjin, the outer box later covered in black lacquer showing the esteem for which both this dish set and box were afforded. On bottom is the star mark, indicating these were made for use in his restaurant...

Kawase Hasui
Mt. Fuji in Winter
Size: Koban. Approximately 5.75 x 4 inches.
Date: 1930s.
A mid-century edition tipped along the top edge to original cardstock measuring 7 x 4.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-10.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Dramatic waves are combed into the clay surface of this large Toban Platter by Living National Treasure Suzuki Osamu (Kura) covered in glass-like copper green; unusually signed and dated on bottom 1957 and enclosed in an artist signed wooden box...

A heavily glazed early square pottery dish by Kimura Ichiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The sandy clay appears to have been twice fired, the first firing unglazed with a simple ash burn later a very thick feldspathick glaze wiped on and re-fired. It is roughly 11 by 11-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches (28 x 29 x 6 cm) and is in good condition, no chips or cracks but some color has soaked into the crackled white glaze...

Horses dash past in a fervent black mass both carved into and built up onto the paddled surface of this large vessel ballooning open from a narrow base by Nakazato Tarouemon XIII enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Inside the box is written Tataki Tsubo (Paddled Vessel), Kurabe Uma (Horse Race), exhibited Autumn 1958 at the Tokyo Mitsukoshi Sports Theme Art Exhibition; Ochawangama, Nakazato Tadao (given name of Nakazato Tarouemon XIII) followed by the artists seal...

Raised designs in slip decorate the yellow glaze of this deep bowl by Kawai Kanjiro enclosed in a kiriwood box titled O-yu Tsutsugaki-mon Wan annotated by Kawai Toshitaka, current head of the Kawai Kanjiro Museum. This piece dates from later in the artists illustrious career, 1950s-1960s. It is 4 inches (10 cm) diameter, 3-1/4 inches (5 cm) tall and in excellent condition...

A rare sculptural basin by Kiyomizu Kyubei dating from the late 1950s signed on the base Yo. Very heavy, it is 11 x 8 x 9 inches (28 x 20 x 23.5 cm) and is in excellent condition. This came from the Rokubei family estate. No box. Early works by Kyubei are rare because, according to the catalog: Yagi Kazuo to Kiyomizu Rokubei (exhibited at the Muse Tomo in Tokyo, 2017) “he changed names several times and is said to have destroyed the works he produced in those days...

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...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Evening Rain in Kawarago
Date: 1947
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.75 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Edition: First. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower left corner. Used 1946-1957.
Reference: Hotei #504.
Stamped "Original works of art" on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil notation at upper right margin. Partial stamp at lower right margin.