Catalog (1375)

Unusual early Showa period (1930s) ceramic sake cup made in nerikomi (agateware) technique, its body with vertical grooves all around the perimeter. Nerikomi (translated as “mix and pull up”) is achieved by laminating different colored clays together and throwing them on a wheel to develop a swirling and spiraling effect. Beautifully made, wonderful patterns, glazed on the inside for safe drinking, inscribed by the potter the bottom, very pleasant to hold. Height 1.85 inches, diameter at the...

19th century cypress wood small okimono representing standing Daruma (founder of Zen Buddhism) enveloped in his monastic robe dramatically billowing in the wind. The sculpture is skillfully carved out of Japanese cypress branch in ittobori (one cut) style characteristic of Hida Province with clever use of natural wood shape, structure and texture as elements of design. Excellently conveyed expression of extreme concentration on Daruma’s face, beautiful patina. Lengthy inscription in ink on t...

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke in manju shape with openwork carving of a winged water dragon in flight among clouds. Superb design and excellent quality sharp carving, beautiful warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Loss to the part of the inner ring (not visible when manju is put together, photo #5, lower right image) not affecting integrity of the piece. Diameter 1.6 inches.

Late Meiji - early Taisho (1900-1920) okimono size wooden mask of the old man Okina with its typical smiling expression. Actual size masks are used in Sambaso dance. Wonderfully captured facial expression, good representation of its hanging lower jaw, great quality carving typical for the Hida school. The material is ichii (Japanese yew wood) with clever use of wood texture to add to the charm of the piece. Signed ICHISADA on the back - the artist must have been a Hida school carver and worked o...

Late Meiji - early Taisho (1900-1920) okimono size wooden mask of smiling Okame. Wonderfully captured facial expression, cleverly exaggerated cheeks sticking out, great quality carving typical for the Hida school. The material is ichii (Japanese yew wood) with clever use of wood texture to add to the charm of the piece. Signed SUKEZUMI on the back - the artist must have been a Hida school carver and worked on netsuke as well. Height 5 inches.

19th century Asakusa school stag antler netsuke of a seated tanuki (badger) with its enormous belly, an inscribed sake bottle in one paw, an accounting book in the other. In Japanese folklore tanuki is a notorious trickster: it drums with his paws on its large belly (tanuki no hara tsuzumi), imitating the sounding of gongs in temples and inns, and leading tired travelers astray in the darkness. Judging by the book in its paw, this time tanuki acts as a sake vendor. Beautifully carved - see its e...

Very unusual 19th century lacquered wood netsuke of eagle talons clutching a tama (Precious Gem). Beautifully carved out of dark dense wood (probably kurogaki - black persimmon), gold lacquer highlights to the folds of the talons, tama is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and later wood start showing. Beautiful wear and patina. Length 1.7 inches.

Late Meiji to early Taisho (1910s) wooden netsuke of a bamboo shoot. Excellent realistic carving utilizing texture and natural growth lines of the material (ichii - Japanese yew wood) to represent the texture of the leaves. Wonderful sense of volume, very pleasant to hold. Cursively inscribed by himotoshi - may be a signature or a rendition of Japanese character TAKE (bamboo). Height 2.67 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke of obihasami type inlaid with metal tama (Precious Gem) and dots. The hooks at the top and bottom of the piece go around the edges of obi - a sash holding a kimono. Excellent clever piece typical of Asakusa school, warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Metal appears to be silver. Length 4.19 inches (106.5 mm).

19th century wooden netsuke carved as double theatrical masks of Okina and Okame. Nice pairing of characters, excellent quality carving, wonderful faces, great detailing, beautiful wear and rich lustrous patina. Height 1.5 inches.

Early 19th century lacquered wood netsuke of a turtle on a folded lotus leaf. Strong early carving with clever design, wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and later wood start showing. Beautiful wear and patina. Length 1.7 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke of two old broken roof tiles. Strong piece in Japanese taste typical of Asakusa school, beautiful dark staining, warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Length 1.8 inches.

19th century Satsuma vase of classic shape with painted enamel decoration of the Buddha surrounded by 7 rakan (original disciples), several female disciples and a boy attendant, with buildings, clouds and lotus flowers in the background. The Buddha is protected by a relief gold enameled dragon encircling the vase in its upper part. Excellent quality detailed painting - see fine depiction of their faces and supremely fine rich clothes with numerous patterns. Raised gold decoration, finely scatter...

19th century Japanese ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in a form of a natural fruit pit skillfully carved with 2 scenes of scholars engaged in discussions, all among swirling clouds. Excellent carving in deep relief with precise undercutting and complete piercing of the body of the pit. Very nice mellow brown patina, in excellent condition. Height 1/2 inches.

19th century Chinese scholar’ s rock in a form of petrified wood wonderfully resembling a mountain range of twisted rock formations with rich weathered surface. Can be used as a brush rest as well. Excellent rendition of raw energy of the stone, both dynamic, and frozen in a mountain shape. Wide variety of beautiful natural colors, wonderful patina, great quality fitted ebony stand with beautiful matte luster to the wood. Excellent object for contemplation on scholar’s desk. Length with stan...

Rather unusual 19th century Japanese bronze scroll weight cast in a form of a two-horned chimera with a long tail standing in alert attitude on a base in a form of a tiny island surrounded by a gentle stream. Can serve as a brush rest as well. Superb elegant modeling of the beast with its thin limbs and slightly upturned face, wonderful patination ranging in color from dark red to brown to black, in excellent condition, pleasantly heavy. Cast with 2 Japanese characters on the bottom reading TAKU...

Original woodblock print ONE TREE (GOLD) by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979) printed in 1978. Excellent crisp print in great condition, superb design, metallic gold highlights to the background, listed as plate 390 in JOICHI HOSHI CATALOGUE OF ALL TREE WOODBLOCK PRINTS published by Kato Gallery in 1988. Black “tree” seal of the artist in lower right corner, titled, signed and dated by the artist in pencil (see detail). A bit of foxing along the margins (see Enlargement 6), the image is not affected....

Vintage Japanese incense stick container carved out of kurogaki (black persimmon) wood, the body with dense leaf design, and the cover with fine lattice design and an oval reserve containing the the character FUKU (happiness. Excellent sharp work, very pleasant to handle, the cover fits neatly, beautiful patina. Very good object for a scholar’s desk. Length 9.25 inches.