Antique Japanese 'suzuri bako' letter writing box. Carved out of one piece of wood and then lacquered, the design is of Japanese plum blossoms. On the right are the Japanese characters, 'Kyoku Ten Koki o Gosen' which is the last line of a very famous poem by Fujita Toko, a samurai-statesman who played a huge role at the end of the Edo Period, to help end the shogunate system and open Japan to the west. He personally was instrumental in dealing with Admiral Perry. The poem extols the virtues of...
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...
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 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...
The size of Emperor: 5 1/8" w x 3 9/16" D x 6 1/4" H, 13 cm x 9 cm x 16cm
The size of Empress: 5 1/2" w x 3 9/16" D x 4 3/4" H, 14 cm x 9 cm x 12 cm
This is rare Japanese Oribe Yaki Hina Dolls set by Japanese Artist. Artist name written on the back side of Emperor. Left side written as "Okina Senichi Saku" (Okina mean old men in Japanse, Senichi made). I checked calligraphy for this artist name. It came up as Senichi. Right side Japanse said "Soroi Hyaku Rokuju Sai" translated into Eng...
Ca. 1700s / early 1800s
This circular box is lacquered in brownish black with mother of pearl inlay encircling the lid which is well-fitted to the bottom box. The top is painted in slightly-raised gilt lacquer with two characters: “fu” and “shou,” for happiness and longevity. There is light wear to the edges of the lid, inner rims and to the base, as would be expected, and also a few minor touch-ups. Overall, considering the age and use, the box is in good condition with the mother...
Japanese two(2) section Tansu, chest on chest, Ca. Meiji period, late 1800's, 41" high, 41" wide, 17" deep, Black Iron round Back Plate with floral Mon design, beautiful shaped heavy black iron handles. Two(2) small drawers behind black iron mounted small blind door on lower right side. Two(2) small drawers are "as is", one(1) missing small round ring and damaged wooden area in front.
Takeda dolls are modeled after the characters from 17th to 19th century Japanese theater. They are known for exaggerated postures and often with a vivid facial expression of the Kabuki actors or Jyoruri puppets on stage from the period.
This doll is holding up a "takafuda" bulletin board in one hand and a brush in the other. "takafuda" was an official bulletin board for Tokugawa government (1603-1868) to announce any regulations, or changes etc.
Little was known about Takeda do...
Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and with all of the trappings that let you know they were cared for by a devoted cha-jin can be quite challenging. Here we see all three. The shape of this tea bowl is exquisite and something I have not seen before in an Oribe piece. The lacquer box, while not the original was undoubtedly custom made for this tea bowl and looks to be 100 - 2...
Korean Joseon dynasty lacquered wood hinged scholar’s document box with brass edge brackets and brass lockplate. One shelf to the interior. 19th century. 14 3/8” long x 7 5/8” wide x 7 1/2" high. Very good, solid overall condition with great patina and typical wear and soiling from use. Ink stains and unreadable ink calligraphy are evident on the underside of the lid. There is a split in the bottom and one small chip to the interior corner of the inner shelf. A tiny pin is missing f...
This is a really great set of 'Little Hostess' Children's Party Play Dishes made by Hazel Atlas in the early 1950s. This sixteen piece set includes four 5 1/4 inch plates (2 pink and 2 black), four pink cups, four black saucers, a pink creamer, pink sugar and pink teapot bottom with black lid, in the original box. The Pink and Black colors are hard to find. All sixteen pieces are in very good condition with no chips or cracks. The paint is all very good. The original box is good and measure...
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.
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 ...
This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as the "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; the plum blossoms represent purity, subtle beauty and the inner strength of women. Bamboo is often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bam...
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 rare wonderful Daki Ningyo with the most artistic style and a beautiful hypnotic face, wearing a gorgeous painted silk kimono of Imperial purple. Made for the Imperial class. Late 19th Century. 27 inches, 68.5 cm.
An amazing and rare Daki Ningyo of the Imperial class, with a specatularly carved face, wearing the finest silk textiles of brocades, featuring a highly prized shibori collar, wearing tobi socks and a wonderful hat, all original. Height: 30 inches, 76 cm.
This is a rare and large, top quality Satsuma Jar or vase by Yabu Meizan. We are not sure because the top is both gilded and glazed on the inside edge. The beautiful Meiji era lid is not original to the piece. The gold detail and landscape painting are beautiful. It is stoutly potted and measures 9 inches tall by 8 1/2 inches wide. This piece is not signed but at one time it was signed by Yabu Meizan. The original signature has been covered up by an excellent restoration to a drill hole. The pri...