Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a woman with a look of frustration on her face, wearing a black kimono, decorated with light pink and blue sakura blossoms, and a salmon pink under robe. Behind her are several cottages with trees and mountains, and stylized signatures in the top right corner and middle left side. Ukiyo-e is a genre of woodblock print that was popular during the 17-19th centuries in Japan. The print is set behind glass in a large frame, and the back of the frame lists artist: ...

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of an anxious person in a brown checkered kimono, with light blue trim and obi with black flowers, assisting a rather bored looking woman in a gorgeous, long black kimono with pink and blue blows, blue trim, and a pink under kimono and obi. By artist Ichiyosai Toyokuni Okada. Size: (entire frame) 21.5" height, 17" width (artwork only) 14.75" height, 9.5" width

An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to represent strength, freedom, good luck, and magic, dragons are a popular theme in the artwork across Eastern cultures. Interesting to note, the dragon here is portrayed in the Korean style with four claws, with dragons in China typically having five claws and dragons in Japan typically having three. Fashioned by one of the few great female Jap...

Being based in Kyoto we occasionally come across fine Chinese and Korean tea-ware to mix in with our Japanese offerings. Here we have an example of a ceremonial tea bowl from the Shinragi kiln in Korea. Pieces like the one seen here are baked in a traditional wood-fired “climbing kiln” at a temperature of over 1,300 degrees for 5 days. Fashioned after classical works held in museum collections, the motifs are timeless and captivating.

In excellent condition, this piece is 5.5 in...

The pottery style know as “nerikomi” or sometimes “neriage” in Japan is a technique where various colors and consistencies of clay are stacked together and then cut through to reveal a unique pattern. Here we see a beautiful execution of this approach by potter Wakasugi Naomi (b. 1974) who spent many years perfecting the technique. Wakasugi typically uses Shigaraki clay and porcelain clay from Kyoto in her works and says that when she first started out very few people were ma...

Takashi Nakazato is a celebrated Japanese ceramic artist whose family's mastery of pottery now spans 14 generations. Born in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture in 1937, Nakazato inherited a rich legacy of craftsmanship dating back over 400 years. He trained extensively in traditional ceramic techniques under his father, and later pursued further studies at the Kyoto City Arts and Crafts Institute. Nakazato's work is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of Karatsu-ware, known for its earthy tones an...

With a masterfully applied black Raku glaze and a noticeable aesthetic of austerity and stillness, this piece is what is refereed to in Japanese as an “utsushi” or what we might call in English a “tribute piece.” Such pieces are typically made by all Raku potters, regardless of the kiln and tradition, and seek to emulate famous works from the early masters over 400 years ago—in this case, a tea bowl created by the brother of the second Kichizaemon, Tanaka Somi, born sometim...

A mesmerizing piece of ceramic art, this exquisite tenmoku tea bowl embodies the rich traditions of Japanese craftsmanship that are inspired by over a millennia of Chinese artistry. With its distinctive deep red glaze, reminiscent of brilliant sunsets, red chili peppers, and festival colors; its presence creates an enchanting visual allure. The bowl's form is elegantly simple, with a gently flared rim that invites contemplation. Crafted with precision and care, this piece reflects th...

The artist who produced this piece, Wataru Motomura, prides himself in living a traditional life in the eastern hills of Kyoto—long known for its rich clay and idyllic pastoral lands. Though the form of this vessel appears innovative and modern, the techniques and materials used to produce it have been around for many hundreds of years. Taking inspiration from the varied pottery traditions of his native Hyogo, Motomura is also known to use clay and methods from the Shigaraki region and many of...

An interesting contemporary Hagi piece resting on a split-foot (wari-kodai) and a unique glaze patterning that somewhat resembles layers of flower petals. A creation of Morishige Tetsuyo, a native of the famous potting town of Hagi who later studied in Kyoto and eventually took up a position at the family kiln “Renkozan” with tutelage from both his father and grandfather. This particular piece is from a series he began in 2009 aptly named “Kaben” (The petal series). Actively displaying b...

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 a Mino piece. The lacquer box, while not the original was undoubtedly custom made for this tea bowl and looks to be 100 - 200...

A beautifully crafted vase from a studio potter in the hills of Iga, a few hours drive east of Kyoto. Iga-ware has quite a long history—by some accounts dating back to the 7th and 8th century—with the major kilns being established some time around the end of the 16th century. Similar in many ways to Shigaraki pottery, the glaze is the result of kiln ash being vitrified and melted on to the surface of the clay body at extremely high temperatures during firing, which can last many days. To add...

Rare Edwardian 14k gold picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1915. Oval window in plain and flat surround. With glass, silk lining, and stained-wood back with hinged easel support. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18880 (first produced in 1915), and director’s letter m. Very good condition with nice toning.

Dimensions: Frame: H 5 7/8 x W 4 1/4 in. Window: H 5 1/8 x W 3 1/2 in. Weight (gold only): 48.7 grams. #BZ802

American Modern sterling silver vase. Tapering and faceted bowl and raised round foot. Support in form of two interlaced Cs. C is for Cartier, the world-famous retailer of super stylish wares. Marked “Cartier / Hand Made / Sterling”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x D 2 1/2 in. Weight: 5 troy ounces. #BZ768

Set of 12 Queen Elizabeth sterling silver goblets. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. Each: Ovoid bowl with flared rim; slender cylindrical stem on raised and round foot. Holds 2 ounces. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. H121. Ten have date symbols: 1953 (1), 1955 (7), and 1956 (2). Very good condition.

Small dimensions: H 4 1/4 x D 2 in. Total weight: 20.5 troy ounces. #BZ680

Edwardian Regency sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Graff, Washbourne & Dunn in New York, ca 1909. Lobed and ovoid bowl on domed foot; helmet mouth and high-looping leaf-mounted handle with leaf-and-flower cap. Chased and engraved ornament including ribboned swags and four strapwork frames of which three inset with flowers and the other engraved with interlaced monogram. Foot has tubular piercing overlaid with swags and open strapwork frames inset with pendant flowers. Engraved in block on ...

Palmette sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Curved sides and flared rim. Rests on 4 side-mounted stylized floral supports. Each support radiates 3 incised vertical lines. An early piece in this pattern (no. 23238), which was first produced in 1947. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern number, and director’s letter M (1947-56). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x D 8 3/8 in. Weight: 23.6 troy ounces. #BZ778

Danish Modern Classical sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Rectangular with straight sides; short inset foot with engraved egg-and-dart. Cover hinged with open bracket finial; to has flat raised border. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1945-77) and no. 825. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 3/8 in. Weight: 10 troy ounces. #BZ777