Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Porcelain (32)

A beautiful old Kyo-ware tea bowl slightly elongated on one end producing an interesting and unique effect. The collector who furnished the box labeled it as being by the legendary potter Ninsei (17th C.). Though the potter’s mark suggests this could be the case, there is no way to confirm for certain other than by its age and undeniably elegant craftsmanship...

This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese motifs.. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced...

Dating from the 17th century, Kutani-ware is a type of fine porcelain that takes its name from the region from which it originates—the name literally means “nine valleys.” In sharp contrast to many other styles of Japanese ceramics which tend towards more modest color palettes, Kutani-ware are known for their vibrant red enameles, gold trimming, and complementary greens, yellows, and blues. This set of tokkuri is painted with a common hanging-lantern ornamental pattern known as youraku...

Simple, elegant, and functional, this Meiji period kyūsu (teapot) was crafted with precision and care by one of the periods most accomplished ceramicists. Showcasing refined beauty and delicate craftsmanship for which Japanese porcelain is renowned, its smooth and lustrous white glaze exudes an air of purity and simplicity...

Here we see a Chinese style celadon floral bowl by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. The potter, Sozan, spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Southern Song Dynasty as evidenced here with his powdery blue “kinuta” glaze...

One of the most prominent potters of the Meiji period and one of only five to ever be appointed as Imperial Court Artist, the name Tozan is synonymous with fine porcelains including: Kyo-style tea and sake-wares, pieces for the western export market, distinctively home-grown Japanese motifs, and expertly crafted Chinese-style pieces such as the one seen here...

From a large collection of Edo period Nabeshima and Hirado-ware, this intricately crafted vase features two serpentine dragons intertwined across the face of the round porcelain vessel. In addition to the carved dragons, the body displays a painted third dragon, much fiercer than the two in relief...

A Chinese style celadon vase by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. Sozan spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Souther Song Dynasty as evidenced here with the powdery blue “”kinuta”. The outer ring of the foot is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay this piece is constructed from and the glazed center bears the seal of the Imperial Court Artist who fashioned this piece...

From a large collection of Edo period Nabeshima and Hirado-ware, this intricately crafted incense burner in the shape of a lantern features two intertwined dragons dancing around the base...

Considered auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune; foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or koma-inu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling the doorways of shops, and protecting public buildings. Here we have a fierce guardian adorning an incense cady (kogo)...

One of only five Imperial Court Artists of Meiji, ceramic pieces by Kōzan are highly prized by collectors and are ever more difficult to find on the market these days. Here we have a fantastic example of a guardian shishi from the Kōzan kiln crafted in fine celadon...

In Asian folklore, the peach is said to represent long-life for mortals and immortality for the gods. According to legend, the moon goddess—a powerful alchemist—can make an elixir from peaches that grow in the garden of the western paradise with miraculous revitalizing properties. Here we have an exceptionally rare set of sake cups by Suwa Sozan, one of only 5 Imperial Court Artists from Meiji...

This beautiful vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form. Fashioned after Song Dynasty pieces that are thought to have been introduced in the 9th century from Syria, the fine Kinuta celadon glaze is masterfully recreated by one of the most skilled Kyoto potters of the Meiji period. The outer ring of the foot is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay this piece is constructed from and the glazed center bears the seal of the Imperial Court Artist who fashioned this piece...

This Meiji period incense burner is made of fine white porcelain with a silver globe decorated with autumn foliage. As with much of Japanese pottery from this era, it is fashioned after classic Chinese pieces from the Song Dynasty...

This extraordinary vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form...

A Chinese style celadon incense burner by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. Sozan spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Souther Song Dynasty as evidenced here with his powdery blue “kinuta” glaze. The bottom of the vessel is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay and the adjacent glazed foot bears his Imperial Court Artist seal. While several of Sozan’s better known motifs appear on the market with a fair degree of regularity, this is t...

This white porcelain statue depicts a small seated Bodhisattva deep in meditation. Bodhisattva, otherwise known as bosatsu in Japan, are enlightened beings who have postponed Buddha-hood in order to remain on earth and help others to break their cycles of karma. The base of this statue is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay from which it is crafted. The seal of the Imperial Court Artist who fashioned it can be seen clearly impressed on the unglazed base.

Suwa Sozan the first (1...

This captivating bin-kake, or traditional brazier for tea ceremony, is crafted from fine celadon porcelain using methods first perfected in the southern Song Dynasty. The outside is decorated with low-relief Peony flowers which display a vivid sheen, owing mainly to the expert craftsmanship of the Meiji period Imperial Court artist Suwa Sozan who created this wonderful masterpiece. This represents one of Sozan’s finer works from late in his career when he had attained mastery over the ceramic ...

This finely crafted tripod incense burner is one of several often-employed motifs used by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I. With a design borrowed from ancient Chinese porcelain production, this piece displays horizontal bands on a field of luminous light-blue—contrasting nicely with the lid which is a dark varnished wood.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pot...

Used for ceremonial purposes by the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Traditionally, the jue vessel was made of bronze with a pouring spout on either end and a pair of capped posts rising from the rim. This ceramic jue cup is done in fine porcelain with underglaze enamel and is described on the tomobako as being a jue-shaped incense burner (korou). One of Chikusen’s finest works, the painting shows a pastoral scene in the countryside in Japan.

Miura Chikusen (1854 - 1915) was an exc...

This Hirado-yaki brush-rest—fashioned for the scholars desk of a bygone era—features meticulously sculpted plum blossoms set in a porcelain reproduction of a knotted plum branch. Hirado wares—alternately known as Mikawachi wares in some contexts—are known throughout Japan and also abroad for their high quality and fine craftsmanship and date back at least as far as the mid-18th century when they were produced exclusively for powerful lords and their families. In the 19th century, Hirado ...

This peach-shaped kogo (incense box) is made of fine kinuta celadon from one of the great masters of the Meiji era—Suwa Sozan. A classic design, the peach is said to represent long-life for mortals and immortality for the gods in asian folklore. According to legend, the moon goddess—a powerful alchemist—can make an elixir from peaches that grow in the garden of the western paradise with miraculous revitalizing properties.

Suwa Sozan the first (1852—1922) was born in an area...

The inside of the bowl is painted with cherry tree boughs laden with blossoms—done in a dazzling underglaze blue-and-white porcelain distinctive of Imari-wares. Below, the trunks of the trees can be seen grounded in a grassy field resting on an abstract ring of karakusa (arabesque). The center of the bowl displays a fashioned wreath of cherry blossoms strung together with field grasses. The outside of the bowl shows darkly pigmented cherry blossoms and berries running around the circumference ...

With meticulously sculpted vines and fantastic Peony blossoms in low relief on the kinuta celadon powdery blue background, this extraordinary vase is a truly Japanese expression of classical Chinese motifs. Reminiscent of floral designs produced by legendary pottery Itaya Hazan and other Imperial Court Artists of the time such as Seifu Yohei and Ito Tozan, this vase was potted at the very beginning of an era when such works came into fashion towards the end of the Meiji period.

Suwa...

A beautiful and delicate white porcelain composition with low-relief molded seashell design lining the inside. The overall condition of the bowl and several oxidation marks on the bottom suggest considerable age—at least several hundred years. The box lid bears the character “定” which can be translated as “truth” or “certainty.” The origin of this piece is unknown, though the previous owner regarded it as Chinese (Northern Song). Skillfully applied gold repairs give this sub...

This extraordinary piece depicting what appears to be a learned scholar (possibly of foreign origin?) being escorted by a young vassal, is done in fine white porcelain from the Hirado region of Japan. Hirado wares—alternately known as Mikawachi wares in some contexts—are known throughout Japan and also abroad for their high quality and fine craftsmanship and date back at least as far as the mid-18th century when they were produced exclusively for powerful lords and their families. In the 19t...

This nikuchi, or seal paste box, was created by one of the very few Imperial Court Artists of late Meiji and bears an attractive and subtle design etched on the cover. Seal paste boxes are used to hold the red ink paste used for endorsing official documents and works of art by way of an in-kan (official seal). This attractive piece by Sozan would not only be a nice addition to any comprehensive collection of his works, but could also be used as a functional item if desired.

Suwa Soz...

Know more for his works of powdery-blue celadon, on occasion Sozan also produced fine white porcelains as well. This delicately-crafted porcelain kashibachi (sweets bowl) is one such example. Displaying a wonderful low-relief vine and leaf pattern on a backdrop of nearly eggshell thin ivory-white porcelain—this is a rare and interesting composition by Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan I (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the m...

Finely drawn chrysanthemums on a field of ivory porcelain. The flowers are placed on the outside and inside edges of one half of the bowl drawing the eye away from the center and giving this piece a unique perspective.

Seifū Yohei IV, Seizan (1871-1951) was the second son of Seifū Yohei III (1851-1914) who was awarded the title of Teishitsu Gigeiin or “Imperial Court Artist” in 1893. He studied literati-style painting under Tanomura Shōsai (1845-1909)—a son of T...

This extraordinary piece depicting two shishi guardian lions locked in playful combat, is done in fine white porcelain from the Arita region of Japan.

Guardian lions (alternately known as Shishi, Foo-dogs, or Koma-inu) were introduced to Japan in the 8th century and are often seen outside shrine gates or adorning rooftop shingles. When seen in pairs, one typically has its mouth open (the male) while the other’s is shut (the female). This is no coincidence, but rather Buddhist sym...

This large, finely crafted tsutsu chawan was done by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pottery design and painting under Touda Tokuji in 1873. From this point forward, he divided his time mainly between Kanazawa and Tokyo working at a number of kilns and research institutes. While in Tokyo, he made the acquaintance of famed cons...

Used for ceremonial purposes by the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Traditionally, the jue vessel was made of bronze with a pouring spout on either end and a pair of capped posts rising from the rim. This piece, although in the shape of a jue, is done in fine, powdery-blue celadon and is described on the tomobako as being a jue-shaped incense burner (korou).

Suwa Sozan the first (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in t...