Catalog (266)

Wonderful Art Deco-like Taisho Period c.1925 bronze ususbata flower vase. Thick bronze with bamboo in raised relief and very rare and unusual 3 ring tripod base. Used for tea ceremony. Ask for shipping quote. (H:10" ; W:8")

Stylish and very art deco Showa Period C.1930 bronze hanging lamp. The top has undulating waves in the cast and is attached to the body by rings. The the top lip of the main body has holes at intervals and the main body has almost what looks like kanji japanese characters with rice paper covering. We have never seen a bronze lantern in this style. H:37cm x W:24cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Fabulous almost art deco old Japanese medicine shop kanban or shop sign. Meiji Period C.1900.This sign was made for the Tayama Yakuho Medicine shop in Awakuni the Meiji Period name for present day Awajishima island near Shikoku. The Medicine, Keishintan, was for the stomach. We can translate all the writing on the sign by request. H:16" x W:34" Ask for shipping quote.

Exquisite dochu hand hammered copper flower vase from the famed Gyokusendo Foundry in Niigata Prefecture of Japan. Showa Period C.1960. Loveyl drip glaze in relief and in perfect condition. Has the Gyokusendo seal on the bottom and comes in the original paulownia signed wood box. H:25cm x diamete:21cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Best turtle/crane bronze candlestick we have ever seen. The relief work and detail is magnificent. Late Meiji Period C.1890 piece. The lotus at the top has a square insert which dates the piece to Meiji. H:45 x width:15cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Exquisite pair of lacquered wood temple lotus offering stands in lotus motif. The Lotus is the penultimate buddhist symbal of purity. The base is a lotus with lotus flowers on the stem and lotus cup at the top. Minor lacquer wear but in fabulous condition for its Meiji Period C.1890 age. 12" tall and 6" wide.

Regal free-flowing bamboo and rattan basket from one of the masters of bamaboo basket making, Sakaguchi Sounsai b. 1899-1967. Studied under Tanabe Chikuunsai I and was active in the Osaka and Kyoto region. Featured on page 90 of 'Masters of Bamboo by Melissa Rinne. Susudake (smoked farmhouse bamboo) is flattened and bent to create a bold statement of beauty and refinement. Bamboo vase inset. 9" tall by 10" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Beautiful Meiji Period C.1890 maki-e raised gold lacquer Tachibana citrus tree with silver inlay cherry blossoms floating around the Tachibana tree. Some of the Tachibana citrus fruit also have silver inlay. Lacquer on rest of mirror case is Nashiji or speckled gold lacquer. The pad the mirror rests on is hand dyed sarasa with natural vegitable dyes from India. On the back of the miror is " Made by Takashima Sagaminokami Mitsutada". 12" tall by 8" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Stunning C.1910 ceramic tsubo from the Aomri region in Northern Japan. Most likely used as a storage vessel. Rich, thick overglazes. Magnificent. 24cm tall by 20cm in diameter. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Superb example of the famed Takaoka bronze guild. C. 1920 Taisho Period. Written on the original paulownia wood box is 'Natsume-gata' (in the shape of the tea ceremony natsume tea container). Also written is 'Enji Kabin' (Murashido flower vase). The Takaoka red hanko or seal is on the wood lid. 10" tall by 6" in diameter. excellent condition.

Eye-catching Hirokazu Ichikawa art deco ceramic vase. B.1959 Ichikawa has won many prizes including the Kyoto Art Exhibition 4x, Asahi Pottery Exhibition twice and many more. With original box. 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.

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.

Gorgeous Taisho period Ca. 1920 gold lacquered dragon carving from a buddhist shrine. Carved intricately out of cypress and set in maroon frame. Great condition. 34" long x 10" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Elegant, fine celadon porcelain flower vase dated Meiji Period 33 (c.1900). The delicate mouth and wings have buddhist cloud motif, and the legs have a juxtaposition of fading colors. In the original paulownia box, the kanji characters read: Sieji Kabin Ikko (celadon porcelain flower vase); Meiji 33 Nen Hachi Gatsu Ganjitsu Ko (Purchased on aug. 1, 1900); Hori-shi Yogu(commissioned by Mr. Hori). Ask for shipping quote. H:19cm; W:12cm

Delightful 'Koi' celadon carp flower vase from the early 1950's. Two koi swimming with a free abandonment. The design and execution of the fish is immaculate. Lovely graceful lines and gentle feel. Perfect condition. H: 29cm x diameter:26cm. 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.

One of the finest examples of Kamakurabori carving techniques we have seen. The chrysanthemum in raised relief on the tray is fabulous and the many layers of lacquer have created a Meiji Period c.1900 masterpiece. Excellent condition. (14" x 9") (36cm x 23cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $55.