Japanese Cedar, Cyprus wood two(2) section Tansu, Ca. Meiji period 1890's, 42" high, 35 1/2" wide, 16 1/2" deep, 2 graduated size long drawers above 2 long drawers in lower section, total 4 long drawers. Old red lacquer on black iron back plates are still visible. Small hole on the lower left side of bottom frame. The condition is original as found condition.

DESCRIPTION: A skillfully lacquered suzuri-bako (writing box) from the Meiji Period, early 1900’s. The lid of the rectangular box is decorated with a takamakie floral design in gold, silver and shu (a hue of red-orange) lacquer on a black ro-iro ground. The interior of the lid and box are sprinkled in a nashiji cloud motif. This suzuri-bako is a complete set, fitted with the original water dropper and inkstone and its original kiri (paulownia) wood box with inscription. Excellent conditio...

Japanese Jubako, traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes, represent not only culinary refinement but also an important aspect of Japanese food culture. These elegantly tiered containers, often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, are integral to the presentation of special occasion meals such as New Year’s celebrations and formal picnics. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Jubako boxes like the one featured here showcase the artistry of Japanese lacquerwa...

RIMPA SCHOOL INKSTONE CASE WITH BAMBOO FOREST IN MAKIE

Bold and refined gold and silver three-dimensional makie lacquer design with the black background in the style of 'Rimpa (Rinpa)' (ref. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/rinp/hd_rinp.htm). Edo period, Japan. 21.8 x 16.5 x 5 cm (8.58 x 6.49 x 1.96in). Some scratches in places and slight bend at lid due to age, but considered in generally very good condition for such aged lacquerware.


selec...

Japanese two(2) section Tansu, Cedar and Cypress Wood, Chest on chest, Meiji period before 1910's, 42"high, 34" wide, 17" deep, 2 large long graduated size drawers on upper section above one long drawer above shorter drawer next to 2 small drawers on the right side, lacquer painted Crane on the black iron round back plates, and pulls. Some of the small upper section black iron pieces are broken off and one top round black iron back plate has no crane design, maybe replaced later date some time ...

A Japanese lacquer bowed top box with portrait of a Kabuki actor - presumably named in gold lacquer and the role of Daihachi named in a lustrous iron color. All slightly raised work, the portrait is in gray, black, red, flesh tone, browns and gold. Lines including pattern and folds in the figure's attire and hair in his coiffure and sideburns cleanly defined with raised work. Metal along the facing edges of the top and bottom have no doubt contributed nicely to the preservation of the box. Actor...

Japanese antique Funa Tansu (merchant's safe), all made of very heavy quarter sawn Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. The door opens to 3 interior drawers also with Keyaki wood fronts (interior of each drawer made with Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood, wooden bracing on the bottom, heavy iron hardware including double locks on the outer doors and each of the three interior drawers has a large lock as well, two handles on top of safe, 2 iron reinforced holes at the bottom of each side to allow the safe to be...

This old Japanese Noh theater mask has the expressive face of an old man. The mask is carved from paulownia wood and dates to middle Edo period, around 1750. The patina is wonderful.

Mask measures approx 8 inches high and 6 inches wide

A 10.8" square tray signed Teizan and sealed Kinzan, mid Meiji period, depicting an unfortunate encounter between a hawk and a goose.

Condition: Quite good overall condition, There is a faint nick and short enamel crack to the front of the tray, two small areas of enamel cracking to the reverse, and pitting usual to the period. No dents or restoration.

A fine Arita blue & white porcelain flower vase to be mounted on a wall, kakehana. 18th century.

The flower vase is heavily moulded with a leaping Chinese Lion or karashishi in a landscape of rocks and Tree Peonies, a classic subject in Japanese art known as “Botan-ni-Shishi”, an auspicious subject.

This old kakehana was manufactured in Arita in the mid Edo period, probably for the home market.

Approximately 16.7 cm high. A tiny glaze chip on the mouth-rim,...

Elegant old lacquer towel rack, makie on black lacquer. The dimensions are 25" across at the top, 20 1/4" at the bottom and 22 1/4 inches in height.

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamam...

There is no visible image of God in Japanese Shinto religion. For this reason, people find the spirit of God in their surroundings, especially in nature. In the noh play “Takasago”, an old couple is seen together on the beach of Takasago (today’s Hyogo prefecture) sweeping pine needles under the trees. The old man Jo and old woman Uba are the spirits of the pine trees that were grown in Takasago and Sumiyoshi. The two trees are located far away but they are together with their spirits. ...

The warrior’s armor and helmet, samurai sword, spears, banners and paper carps (later cloth) in the sky are all tools used to showcase boy’s day in Japan. This tradition started early Edo period (1603-1868) by samurai families wishing their son’s good health and studies to be honorable samurai.

This set is made in Kyoto, Japan and is called “Kyo-armor”. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. The culture there was developed to serve the best for the emperor...

A female dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated ...

A male dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated fr...

First edition Taisho period Japanese woodblock print titled “The Snow Maiden Umekawa” (aka “The Heroine Umekawa in the Snow”) from the supplements of “The Complete Works of Chikamatsu Manzaemon" by Kitano Tsunetomi (1880-1947) published in 1923. First edition with mica and silver highlights, hand applied gofun, black ink Tsunetomi seal at the upper right, and Yamagishi Kazue (carver) and Nishimura Kumakichi (printer) seals at the lower edge. Paper: 17 3/4" x 11 3/8." Very good overa...

A fine and very rare bat-shaped porcelain censer with what are apparently bat head feet. We believe that there would originally have been a wood cover secured into the two outer holes and that the incense smoke would have escaped through the three central holes.

This item was made in China for the domestic market as a temple or home alter piece in the early 18th Century, probably during the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662-1722).

Condition - excellent - no damages and no restoration.

8...