Catalog (262)

Exceptional tea ceremony ceramic sweets box from the Taisho Period C. 1925. Natural dyes used to achive the stunning art deco alternating striped look. We have it on a tansu and it fills the room. Sits on 3 delicate legs and the top has a glazed pull to open the lid. 5" wide x 3 1/2" deep x 2 1\2" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

We usually don't buy kimonos but this is a spectacular example of the highest level of yuzen kimono art. Late Meiji Period C.1900 yuzen hand painted chirimen silk girl's kimono. Chirimen silk being the top class of silk used for kimonos. All natural dyes bringing the chysanthemum and peony flowers to life, the wisteria and butterflies woven into a museum masterpiece of textile art. Excellent condition. Height: 45" x Width:41". Shipping included.

Very unusual and interesting bronze lantern with tripod cicada wings as legs. panels have auspicious bamboo and pines. Top has maple leafs. Great condition. C. 1940. Ask for shipping quote. 29" tall by 13" wide.

Brilliant folk art piece. A clay 'Fushimi Ningyo' sumo doll from the 1930s. Fushimi Ningyo dolls were sought after souvenirs by visitors to Kyoto. Fushimi Inari being one of the must see great shrines of southern Kyoto. The detail of the arms and fabulous facial expression make this a collector's piece. Excellent condition with normal age wear on the head and top knot. H: 11" x W:6 " . Ask for shipping quote.

Very rare Daruma scroll from Futo Sanjin better known as Kanokogi Takeshiro, (1874-1941). He was mainly a western style - painter, studied in France before returning to Kyoto to establish his own school. In his later years was a juror for the esteemed Bunten and Teiten Art expositions. This painting is all the more remarkable because this was a rare stab at the classic zenga ink paintings. This Daruma is a classic in itself. C.1920. Ask for shipping quote.

Very rare and unusual wood tiled village shrine from Dema - mura village in Mie Province. Dated the year of the tiger C.1818 the shrine houses gods and happiness. Signed on the back with the date and maker, Fujiwara Shokichi. Cypress wood with a bronze lock on the doors to the inner chamber. Remarkably good condition with minor wear on the back ridge of the roof. See Pictures. Ask for shipping rates.

Museum quality early Edo Period C.1690 buddhist temple dragon carving out of zelkova (keyaki). Just spectacular. 4ft. long and 2 feet tall. Excellent condition with minor age wear. See photos. Ask for shipping quote from California warehouse.

A pair of art deco bronze early Showa Period Ca. 1930 hanging lanterns. 27cm tall x 20cm in diameter each. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Lovely C.1935 half moon bamboo flower basket. Smoked bamboo `susudake` from an old minka farm house hearth roof. Rich patina strips of bamboo woven into the weave. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Superb Edo Period C.1860 bronze incense burner with silver repair on bottom. The incense burner rests on tripod legs with elephant head motif as well as two elephant handles with rings. The relief work on the rim is superb as well as the body relief. The best feature is the Edo Period repair with real silver on the bottom. Comes in original 'kiri' paulownia box. H:5" x Diameter: 9". Ask for shipping quote.

First of its kind we have seen with a carving on the table top. A kannon , goddess of mercy is riding a dragon carved into the top and lacquered. Exceptional. Copper metal fittings. Some wear as expected with this age c. 1850. Ask for shipping quote.

Unbelievable, rare Edo Period C.1860 large shop sign 'kanban' for liver medicine. It was believed if a little boy cried too much his liver needed some help. Fantastic thick hinoki wood carving ornamentation with layers of black lacquer. Stout legs and finely detailed buddhist clouds in bronze around the frame. Great condition. Great entrance way museum piece. H:140cm x W:90cm Ask for shipping quote from california warehouse. Piece disassembles.

Exceptional and rare thick earthenware ceramic ebisu and daikoku masks that have slots on the top of their heads for money. Holes on the back to hang but piggy banks would have to be broken to get out the money. Great expressions and beautifully made folk art. 11" high by 10" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Lovely almost art deco Edo Period ceramic bowl from a Kiln in Kyoto. Signed and known as Kiyomizu yaki from the famous pottery area of Kiyomizu in Kyoto. Comes in the original paulownia wood box. Antique fixes on lip in gold leaf. Beautiful condition. H:5" x diameter: 7". Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece with extraordinary history. This altar table was one of 4 pieces we acquired at auction from the private residence of the 14th and final Daimyo (Lord)of the Tokushima Han (clan) Hachisuka Mochiaki of Awa Province on Shikoku Island in central Japan in the Edo Period. He lived 1846-1918. Hachisuka Koroku, his great grandfather, was one of Hideyoshi's (the 2nd Shogun) top generals in early Edo Period and Hideyoshi awarded the Hachisuka the province of Tokushima in Awa (Shikoku) and they ruled it throughout the Edo Period until the Daimyo system was abolished in the Meiji Period in 1868. Quick to see the direction in which the wind was blowing, he pledged loyalty to the Imperial forces. In 1869, with the hanseki hokan (Abolition of the han system), he was appointed Governor of Tokushima Prefecture. In 1872, Hachisuka went to Great Britain and attended Oxford University. After returning to Japan, he was chief advisor to the Meiji Emperor. In 1882, Hachisuka was envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to France, and received the title of kōshaku (marquis) under the new kazoku peerage system. After returning to Japan, he served as a member of the House of Peers, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture, President of the House of Peers, Minister of Education, and Privy Councillor. He died in 1918, and his grave is located in Tokushima. The condition is excellent with minor lacquer wear on the top. The intricate carvings in gold gilt on wood are of: mythical kirin, turtle, cranes, peonies and vines all symbols of longevity and purity in Buddhism. H:51cm x W: 33cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Epic Edo Period Ca. 1860 keyaki wood (japanese elm) money box with hand forged, thick iron metal fittings. The stamp of the maker, "Shimizu" is branded on the inside. 13" long x 5 1/2" tall x 8" deep. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Ultimate iron doorknockers! Two halves of of an iron chryasanthemum, the imperial family creast, creating a full chrysanthemum with heavy iron knockers from the Edo Period, Ca. 1860. Underneath each iron ring is a kanji character: one is "Kotobuki" meaning 'long life' and the other "Fuku" meaning 'happiness.' The chrysanthem is attached to the wood by iron screws. The chrysanthem is 13" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

The epitomy of wabi-sabi is on display with this Edo Period Ca.1860 wood Kannon Bodhisattva carved out of cypress. In its original box, the lovely patina and equanimous, buddhist compassionate expression is a treasure. 38cm tall x 13cm wide x 8cm deep. Ask for shipping quote. great condition.