Catalog (266)

Exceptional Meiji Period wood carving of Daikoku, one of the seven lucky gods, known as the god of abundance. He stands on two full rice caskets and carries a bulging bag of treasures and happiness. 22cm tall x 13cm wide x 9cm deep. Ask for shipping quote.

Important 'Omizutori' festival lacquer plate from the late Meiji Period. Omizutori (お水取り), or the annual, sacred water-drawing festival, is a Japanese Buddhist festival that takes place in the Nigatsu-dō of Tōdai-ji, Nara, Japan. This ceremony is to cleanse the people of their sins as well as to usher in the spring of the new year. Once the Omizutori is completed, the cherry blossoms have started blooming and spring has arrived. Eleven priests, who are called Rengyoshu, are appointed in December of the previous year to participate in the Omizutori festival. Priests are tasked with cleaning the sites for the rituals, making circuit pilgrimages to surrounding shrines and temples, and preparing various goods that are used in the rituals. During the time leading up to Omizutori, the priests are forbidden to speak at all or leave their lodgings, spending 2 weeks prior to the festival in prayer. They eat from special lacquer plates made for the festival. This plate is one of 36 made for that year featuring lotus in maki-e and the Heart Sutra written. 39cm in diameter. Quite thick at 2cm and made of stout elm. Great condition with original box. Ask for shipping quote.

Written on the inside of the original box is the artists' testimonial to this piece. Carved by famed carver Terada Keitaro (artist name : Kei'in) when he was 71 and his retirement piece. Carved in Showa 29 (1954) he went into Ryozen-zan mountain in Shiga Prefecture and found the perfect wild mulberry wood for his final masterpiece. He states he put his whole spirit and soul into this piece. Signed and in excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Spectacular 'wagumi' japanese free flowing style bamboo flower basket with root handle. Undulating rim and mixed warp and weft weave. Unsigned. 55cm tall x 30cm in diameter. No breaks and sturdy handle attachments. Very good condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Lovely large art deco signed Shino ceramic vase from one of the masters Takeharu Kobayashi. Undulating waves of raised ridges creates a textured masterpiece. In a signed original box. Fired at the 'Chikurin Kiln. 40cm diameter x 35cm tall. Ca. 1980. Ask for shipping quote.

Stunning modern Kutani ceramic vase, Ca. 1980 from one of the contemporary masters of Kutani ware, Akira Sato. Born ca. 1946, he has won numerous prizes, including the first prize at the Kutani Yaki Craft Exhibition in 1985. With signed original box titled, "Iro Kaki" colorful flower vase. 18cm in diameter x 23cm tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Intricate bronze hanging lantern with curling legs, buddhist cloud diaper patterns and different panels with plum blossoms and bamboo - auspicious symbols of happiness and good fortune. Needs to be repapered but is in great condition. Ca. 1930. 24cm in diameter x 24cm tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Tranquil sitting Nyorai Zen Buddha on a tiered stand. Wood is hinoki or Japanese cypress. Beautifully lacquered with a gold gilt covering. The Buddha has a jeweled forehead and a swirling leaf backdrop. It sits on a lotus stand. The bottom of the stand is swirling Buddhist clouds. c.1885. (11" x 6") (28cm x 15cm). Ask for shipping quote quote.

Fabulous Early Showa Period Ca. 1930 'Rutsubo" ceramic crucible for melting bronzes. Repeated firings at extremely high temperatures to melt bronze alloys has produced the most remakable art deco glazes on the outside. Great condition. 33cm tall x 27cm in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Rare paulownia wood Meiji Period Ca. 1890 herbal apothecary chest, 'kusuri dansu'. Each drawer is labeled with various healing herbal names. Size is smaller than normal, 23" tall x 15"wide x 9' deep. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Elegant lacquered wood zen buddhist sutra book reading stand. Perfect for a kitchen recipe book. 60cm tall x 42cm wide x 27cm deep. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

If you have heard of Murakoshi Takuma, and his spectacular wood fired contemporary Shigaraki ware this would be the piece to have. Takuma's works have taken the japanese modern pottery world by storm and you can see why. Hand crushed feldspar glazes make it look like the gods and wind created this masterpiece. 40cm tall x 33cm in diameter. With signed box. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Wonderful Ca. 1930 Kyoto-yaki ceramic bowl signed by Nishigawa in a signed original box. Inscripted on the box is the word Nishiki-ga meaning patterned after the obis woven in the Nishiki weaving area of Kyoto. 13cm tall x 28cm in diameter. Great condition.

Reverberating Zen Temple Bell from a Buddhist Temple with lacquered stand with inscription on the bell reading, 'Showa 3' (ca.1929). Deep, sonorous sound. With red lacquered striker. Excellent condition. Stand and bell height: 67cm; bell: 24cm height and 37cm diameter.

Rare bronze mythical turtle koro or incense burner from the early Meiji Period Ca. 1880. In the form of one of Japan's most famous legends is this mythological giant turtle known as the 'Minogame' or straw raincoat turtle due to the tail resembling a farmers straw coat. The Minogame is regarded as a very auspicious creature in Japan representing long life and good fortune. Sitting on its back is a nest of bronze waves holding a Hoju sacred gem koro or incense burner. 43cm long x 25cm wide x 25cm tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Unusually large ca.1935 iron tea pot made for the hearth 'irori' in old japanese minka farmhouses. Stamped with the famed Nambu Iron Foundry in Tohoku Northern Japan, the inscription reads, 'Tetsubin Nambu Seido' iron teapot made at the Nambu Foundry. What makes this tea pot special besides the size is the 'arare' (hail) pattern of raised protrusions. Very art deco. 47cm tall x 43cm wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece. Inscripted on the bell are two dates: Kiei 4 (ca. 1851) and Meiji 28 (Ca. 1895) along with donor names. We are not sure why there are two dates. Also written,it is from Gyoshin-ji Temple in Omi no Kuni which is the Edo Period Ca. (1614-1868) name for present day Shiga Prefecture next to Kyoto. Also written is "prayers for peace donor group founded by Kuzan Gyoin, a monk. Excellent condition and sound. 21" tall x 12" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Brilliant Taisho Period ca. 1920 natural dye cotton futon cover for wedding celebration. Featuring Japan's 3 famous auspicious symbols for happines and longevity; cranes, trutle and pine. 4ft x 3 1/2ft. great condition with a little shredding on one edge. Ask for shipping quote.