Japanese bamboo crafting, known as "Takezaiku," is a traditional art form that involves the skilled manipulation of bamboo to create various functional and decorative objects. Craftsmen trained in this art carefully select bamboo of appropriate size and quality, then use specialized tools to cut, shape, and join the bamboo pieces. Techniques such as splitting, bending, weaving, and binding are employed to achieve intricate designs and durable structures. Bamboo crafting encompasses a...

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...

Ota Shumin (1884-1950, Japanese)
Boats on River (given title).
Date: 1930s.
Size: Oban. 17.25 x 12.625 inches.
Signed "Shumin" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Tonal difference at edges where formerly matted. Light creasing visible in side light.
Note: Shumin participated in a painting event at the 1936 Olympics.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round Takemura seal.
Date: 1930-40s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Titled and sealed by the artist.
Reference: TK-TM-140.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent

A pair of blue topaz earrings. The pear shaped stones measure 1/2" x 3/8" while the setting measures 3/4" x 5/8". The butterfly clutches are marked 14k.

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 attached along its top edge only to original card.
Condition: Excellent.

Pair of German 800 silver figural bird bowl, ca 1920. Each: Swan with ovoid body, upturned tail, and scaly-s-scroll neck terminating in in closed bill. Imbricated feathers and hinged plumy wings that can be opened to suggest flight. Hollow gilt-washed interior for holding treats. German marks including Hanau maker’s stamp (Gebrüder Neumann) and American importer’s stamp (Buchholz & Zelt). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x L 6 3/4 x W 3 1/4 in. Wingspan: 8 1/2 in. Total weight: 1...

Fujiwara Fuseki
A Scenic Spot in Atami, Mt. Izu Coast
Not dated. ca mid-century.
Publisher: Nisshinbo
Size: The artwork measures 5.75 x 3.75 inches and is attached along its top edge only to a 7.5 x 5.75 inch paper frame.
Sealed by the artist.
Medium: While this piece has the look of a watercolor, the cover states "hand-printed woodblock print".
Condition: Artwork is excellent. Paper folder is toned.
Note: The print features mica highlights.

Cyrus leRoy Baldridge (1889-1977)
Soo-Chow Canal
Date: 1944.
Size: 16.5 x 12.25 inches.
Signed, titled, and dated by the artist.
Medium: Etching.
Condition: Creasing primarily in margins. Please see last photo. Marks in margin. Small tear at mid-right margin.
Note: Cyrus Baldridge was also a woodblock print artist. See examples in our gallery.

Masaharu Aoyama (1893-1969)
Man Cutting Hay by Hand
Date: ca. 1950s.
Print size: Oban. 16.5 x 12 inches.
Signed in pencil.
Aoyama's seal at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along top edge only to original holiday card.
Condition: Creasing (See last photo).

Shien
Temple in Snow
Date: 1930s-1950s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Size: Approximately 6 x 4 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Near bottom small indentation in snow and lower margin bump.

Art Nouveau glass claret jug with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin Corp. in Providence, ca 1900. Cylindrical with small lip spout and spread base; c-scroll handle in silver collar. On underside cut-to-clear star. Overlay in form of entwined and scrolling fruiting grapevine with pendant bunches and leaves. Asymmetrical scrolled cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. R326. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/2 x W 5 1/2 ...

Ohara Koson
Sparrow on a Vine of Wild Melon
Size: Chuban. Approximately 26.4 x 19.4 cm. 10.375 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Artist's signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 398).
The signature and seal are unusual, but the contemporaneous Matsumoto catalog notes, "A most delicate and charming picture. The fine workmanship is visible in every touch. By Koson."
Reference: Not listed in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara ...

Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870 - 1949)
Lake Kawaguchi
Date: 1933.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Doi watermarked paper.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates a 1950-1963 edition.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-DH-6.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Short dash mark in right sky. Very slight creasing at upper right.
Notes: This spectacular Fuji view features embossed clouds. Title...

Art Nouveau Craftsman glazed earthenware whiskey jug with engraved silver overlay. Made by Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati in 1893. Globular with short neck; silver collar round mouth with lip spout flowing into c-scroll handle. Painted ear of corn with exposed kernels on shaded brown green ground. Overlay in form of entwined grapevine and berry branches with succulent fruit and outsized leaves.

The painter was Harriette Rosemary Strafer (1873-1935), who began working at Rookwood Pottery in 189...

Shrine in Forest
Seal not read. Artist unidentified. Elsewhere attributed to Okamoto Kouen
Date: ca. 1940s.
Print size: 3.75 x 2.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. From a group included in an Unsodo client sample book.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along top edge only to original holiday card.
Condition: Excellent.

Rain at Shinobazu Pond
Sealed "S". Artist unidentified.
Date: ca. 1940s.
Print size: 3.75 x 2.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. From a group included in an Unsodo client sample book.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along top edge only to original holiday card.
Condition: Tiny dot in sky.

Nihonbashi
Sealed "S". Artist unidentified.
Date: ca. 1940s.
Print size: 3.75 x 2.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. From a group included in an Unsodo client sample book.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along top edge only to original holiday card.
Condition: Excellent.