Over 400 years ago the first Takatori potter known as “Hachizan” was brought to Japan by the powerful Kuroda clan and was tasked with establishing a kiln in the town of Fukuoka. Since that time, the Takatori lineage has produced many fine works and gained a reputation across Japan for their skill at producing porcelains of thin construction, using many layers of glaze, and with a variety of unique colorations.

Born in 1907, the 11th generation Takatori potter (Seizan), along wit...

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...

Early red glass silver overlay perfume. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1886. Globular with short neck and flat everted rim. Ball stopper. Dense and engraved overlay with scrolls and flowers. A concentrated design with small reveals of the glass. Scrolled cartouche engraved with scrolled monogram. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, patent year 1886, and no. S684. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. #BT177

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Senso Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the lord of the tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chozaemon came with him and established Ohi-yaki ware in Kanazawa. Chozaemon had been the chief apprentice for the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ohi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea ceremony desp...

Ito Sozan
Peahen
Date: Pre-1923. Pre-earthquake.
Size: Tanzaku. 11.75 x 5.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's double red square seal at lower right.
Reference: Attribution by Mauro Novelli as T-48 at itosozan.com.
Medium: Crepe (chirimen) Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Lightly foxed.

The distinctive and easily recognizable style of Bizen pieces, such as the one featured here, originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and has a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Bizen-ware is known for employing a natural-ash glazing technique that is unique to this type of pottery and which requires extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures. This means that constant attention is required to ensure good results. The tea bowl shown here...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Asakusa Kinryusan, 1938
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Doi watermark.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates an early post-war edition.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-DH-51.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Left margin has two tears that do not impinge on image.

Kawase Hasui
The Torii at Miyajima at Night
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Size: Koban. Approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei Hp-52.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Simple yet classic styling—this tea bowl is perfect for anyone looking for the quintessential Ido-shaped chawan crafted by one of Japan’s master Hagi potters.

Born in the famed pottery town of Karatsu in 1942, Zenzo Hatano spent a number of years learning the various styles particular to his region before taking up an apprenticeship under well-known Hagi potter Yoshiga Taibi. Winner of a number of awards including the Japan Crafts Exhibition Award in 1977, Hatano’s greatest d...

Ramp up your allure with a turn-of-the-century parasol handle. Silver and amber cylinder mounted to cone with enameled stylized vertical leafing branches on green guilloche basket-weave ground. Silver rim with seed-pearl border and cabochon-cut pink hardstone top. For a flirty, twirling come-hither. In a leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining with Parisian retailer’s gilt stamp (Dupuy). Worn marks appear to be those of Georg Adam Scheid; also, French import marks. Very good cond...

Ohara Koson
Two goldfish and lotus plants
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.75 x 7.5 inches.
Date: Early 20th century.
Reference: AK.21 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Condition: Excellent. Marks in top margin. Slight edge indentation as shown.

Exquisitely painted cherry blossoms (sakura) and willow branches (yanagi) on a background of jet-black traditional lacquer.

The craftsman, Wakashima Takao (b. 1935) was born in the north of Japan in the picturesque town of Wajima. The lacquer technique particular to this region (Wajima-nuri) is rather unique in its use of an undercoating incorporating special compounds that make it exceptionally durable over time. Wakashima perfected this demanding technique and, over the course of...

Eijiro Kobayashi
Pagoda by Moonlight
Approximately 10.25 x 7.5 inches.
Date: 1938-1960.
Red "Eijiro" seal at lower right.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. From the "Hasegawa Night Scenes" series. Hasegawa catalogue No. 1243.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Utagawa Fusatane
An evening scene from the Snow, Moon, Flower series
Date: ca. 1850s-60s.
Size: 11.75 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Two punch holes from original folio. Thinned area from wormhole at upper left.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Cold Winter Wind.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15.0 x 6.5 inches.
Date: pre-1936 (Mid-1920s).
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. No. 204 in 1936 Watanabe catalog. M-4 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. On the back, there is clear tape along the top edge.

Kaoru Kawano
Two Girls
Date: 1950s-60s
Size: Approximately 16.5 x 11.5 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower right and on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. We've removed this print from its original folder.

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
In the Moonlight Under the Trees a Beautiful Woman Comes (Getsumei Rinka Bijin Majiru)
No. 59 from the series "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon"
Date: 1888
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.5 x 10 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon.
Carver: Yamamoto.
Condition: Some spots and creasing.
"The elegantly dressed Chinese woman represents the spirit of the plum ...

Hiratsuka Un-ichi (1895 ~ 1997)
Selected Woodcuts By Un-ichi Hiratsuka
Date: 1954
Publisher: Nippon Geijyutsu Hangasha
This rare book contains 30 lithographic plates (23 black-and-white, 7 color) by the renowned sosaku hanga artist. English and Japanese text.
Size: 14.25 x 10.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very good. Light toning and foxing.