Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (184)

Here we have a beautiful scroll with a mounted letter penned by famed Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) who is known as one of the 4 great haiku poets of Japan along with the likes of Bashō, Buson, and Shiki. As one might expect, Kobayashi’s life was one of turbulence punctuated by several tragedies including the death of his mother at an early age and a lengthy legal battle with his step-mother over the family inheritance after the death of his father...

Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Typically, black or green glazes are applied to the bodies of these works and light-colored windows are created using feldspar. These high-contrast areas then act as a canvas upon which abstract, minimalistic, and often naturalistic themes are painted.

This piece is quite unique for its brown color which may have been produced using a copper glaze under very specific conditions...

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time. Later, during the Muromachi period, Seto potters established kilns in Mino thus starting the period known as ko-Seto, or “old Seto.” These pieces were distinctive as they were produced in small batches and with great care...

Going back over 1,300 years, Seto-ware has the distinction of being Japan’s oldest pottery tradition still active today. Made from the rich clay and silica of the region of production, Seto porcelain in particular has been highly prized throughout the history of Japan. The piece shown here can be described as Seto-guro (Black Seto) and is an excellent example of this type of pottery. The writing on the box describes it as being from Muromachi, so well over 400 years old...

The large characters in the center of this scroll "南無妙法蓮華経" are pronounced as "Namu Myōho Renge Kyō” in English — a phrase associated with Nichiren Buddhism that is often recited as a mantra, expressing devotion to the Lotus Sutra. This sutra is one of the main tenants of Nichiren and is thought by devotees to be the ultimate law and truth of the universe...

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...

During the Kamakura period in Japan (1185-1333), a remarkable form of Buddhist sculpture known as the votive Buddha emerged. Commonly referred to as kakebotoke (hanging Buddhas), pieces like this would have been mounted on spherical plaques made of bronze or copper and hung in a Buddhist temple or possibly even in a Shinto shrine. These small-scale sculptures were created to serve as objects of devotion and were often commissioned by wealthy individuals or temples...

A stylized grass motif painted in ferrous pigment across each side and on the inside of this mukozuke serving dish marks it as being more likely produced in Karatsu as opposed to having come out of a Mino kiln. Though very similar styles and techniques were utilized during the late 16th or early 17th C. when this would have been produced; the color, distribution of glaze, and patterning suggest Karatsu...

Based on telltale signs, this extraordinary Raku tea bowl likely dates to the late Edo period (200+ years old). Crafted with meticulous care, its smooth, ebony surface exudes a sense of depth and mystery while its reddish hues gracefully traverse the bowl's contours—creating subtle variations of color that evoke a feeling of warmth...

Most likely Chinese in origin, this antique celadon tea caddy is a mesmerizing piece of art that exudes elegance and sophistication. Crafted during a time when attention to detail and craftsmanship were paramount, this piece showcases the mastery of traditional ceramic techniques used across Asia. The celadon glaze appears luminous, somewhat reminiscent of a pale turquoise in color with intricate crackled glazing covering the entire surface...

Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be familiar with the traditional storehouses in Japan (kura) with their thick plaster walls used to store valuable items—sometimes for hundreds of years—safe from humid air, insects, and the like. On occession, after the passing of a parent or relative, these storehouses are opened up and the art pieces and valuables inside ar...

From a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be occupied by the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl has been given a new lease on life with a gorgeous and detailed kintsugi repair with maki-e gold painting. Known to have been devoted patrons to cultural institutions, the Tokugawa’s governance and policies contributed greatly to the flourishing of arts, literature, theater, and urban ...

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this “shimokabura” or radish-bulb-shaped sake flask (tokkuri). Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this tokkuri embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze and distinctive markings achieved through specialized firing techniques. The t...

Composed by one of the most well-regarded and important figures within the Kanō tradition of painting, here we see a whimsical rendition of tiger and cub prancing through the forest. With its beautiful and well-preserved silk brocade to highlight the scene, the overall composition radiates a feeling of lightness and playful curiosity.

Oldest son to Kanō Takanobu, Tanyu was appointed as the first designated painter to the Tokugawa Shogunate. An enthusiast for Chinese style painting...

The Muromachi period in Japan, known for its artistic and cultural flourishing, produced exceptional pottery and ceramics, including this exquisite e-Shino incense burner. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this piece exemplifies the refined aesthetics of the time. Its elegant form, featuring gentle curves and a graceful silhouette, reflects the harmony between nature and art. Adorned with a lustrous glaze in shades of ivory, coffee, and pearl; this incense burner emanates ...