Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (98)

Japanese ko-sometsuke porcelain nagazara (tray form dish) with scalloped corners. With creative blue underglaze depiction of pine boughs and cones in and centered within double lined blue rectangle by the cavetto. The sides with decoration of a literati scroll with berried vines. A narrow key fret band adorns along the outside of the foot rim. A six character mark appears inside the rectangular foot rim. This strongly potted and decorated piece exhibits freedom of expression not bridled by repetitive production of established patterns. We believe it to be from a private kiln under the patronage of some feudal lord and showing independence of both cultivated patronage and accomplished production even if a bit more primitive than production from known, leading kilns. We feel it must be 18th century. Some traces of iron oxide dot the cobalt blue decoration. The unglazed foot burnt in places to a slight buff color. Condition is very good. A few small spots inside the tray rise above the glaze and are burnt brown so dating to the firing. Length 8 1/2 inches (21.59 cm). Width 4 1/2 inches (11.43 cm)

Japanese silver wire cloisonne vase. Green, aubergine, coral, violet, white, yellow, dark blue and black enamel decoration of bird and flowers all on a light blue enamel background. Two faint, tight hairlines (in the blue enamel background) issue each about a half inch from different petals of the topmost peony blossom decoration, otherwise good. Height 7 1/4 inches (18.42 cm)

Japanese Kamakura-Bori lacquer box on tray. The cover with bold, high-relief carving of bird in branch - the almost black surface rubbed to a soft, coral-red toned burnished finish. The softly irregular honeycomb textured ground with leathery texture continuing to the sides of the box bottom and into the rim of the tray with edges also rubbed to the underlying coral-red and burnished smooth. Signed under the tray. Surfaces with some distress from use including minor rubbing and scratching with very little lacquer loss. One smaller side of the cover had been detached and poorly glued back with the complication of some warping. This object presents a very promising conservation project. Tray length, 7 3/4 inches (19.7 cm)

This katana (69.09 cm [27.2 inches] cutting edge) was purchased in May, 2014. Signed Kashu Ju Kanewaka Tsukuru/Zo. It was left in the care of a second party subsequently invited into the investment. I hold title as the principal and also retain correspondence introduced with the purchase as well as a Shinsa document (images of tang [nakago] attached - note the three mekugi-ana [retaining holes] though ubu [not shortened].) I am offering $500 for the safe return of the katana and another $500 for information establishing the identity of the original source of one or more transactions that might have occurred after the second party was unable to account for the katana (the same week of May, 2014.) I will offer $200 for corroborated identity and contact information of any party now possessing the katana and resulting in successfully completed communication confirming same. Inscription on the other side of the tang gives a date consistent with Kanewaka I. But the shinsa dismisses the attribution and judges the katana and mei as Kanewaka III. The verso further includes a cutting test inscription (futatsu-do.) The Russo-Japanese war tsuka (hilt), if not also the later saya (scabbard), may have been subsequently stripped. The blade may appear different if polished but the nakago will remain constant. If this sword is offered to you, it is not offered with clear title. If you have purchased this sword, you do not have title to it and you cannot resell it. It is LOST or STOLEN property. Contact me immediately to return this sword to my possession.

A Bizen stoneware figural study of Daikokuten with attributes including full face, large earlobes, smile, hat, bag of rice and mallet. Impressed signature cartouche. Good condition. Height, about 7 1/2 inches (19.05 cm). Length about 8 inches (20.32 cm).

An unusual Bizen stoneware figural group depicting three sages with attributes in clouds in a stele formation. One with wheat and sword flanked by attendants, one also with wheat and sword and the other with a palm frond or banana leaf fan. The figures' attire and swords are Chinese in manner (as are many sages and deities in Japanese lore adopted from the Chinese.) It may be a less often seen interpretation of Daikoku considering the wheat and sword attributes and the attnedants (a common attendant of Daikoku being Ebisu.) Inscriptions on the back appear to relate to the figures. An impressed Bizen pottery mark in cartouche on the base. Good condition. Height, about 7 1/8 inches (18.1 cm)

A good, large murashido patinated bronze vase. Raised geese and irises decoration including some katakiribori details. The bottom may have been reversed when reattaching it at some later time. From inside the vase can be seen on the bottom a 16 petal chrysanthemum overlaid by Kashiwa (oak leaf) mon and on a bed of same - all in relief. We illustrate the interior bottom in one of our enlargement views (pardon the uncleaned state.) Reasonably good condition with light rubbing and minor, acceptable distress t the surface. In the hands of an experienced metalworker a light cleaning and some care should do wonders for this object. Just over 12 1/2 inches (32 cm)

Japanese polychrome enamel Arita porcelain dish. Decoration in blue underglaze and green, red, black, buff, aubergine and gold enamel of cranes among the three friends of winter (pine, bamboo and prunus) and Spring flowers. Stylized character in center, karakusa on verso. Good condition. 8 5/8 inches diameter

A kozuka with sea shell and seaweed decoration with gold and silver overlaid on shakudo (a pickled gold and copper alloy) nanako ('fish roe' textured ground.) The utility knife handle with filed gilt bronze sides and back. Slight bend and the nanako somewhat dented in places. Would present nicely enough with a sword fitted to hold a kozuka in the saya (scabbard.) Kogatana (utility blade) not included. Length, 3 3/4 inches.

A good pair of dragon menuki in nicely detailed patinated shakudo alloy and with gilt features. Late Edo period. Good condition but with glue adhering mostly to the back. Each little more than 1 5/8 inches (4.13 cm) long.

A kozuka with gilt and silvered bronze decoration of a general's baton and banner on dark patinated bronze nanako ('fish roe' textured ground.) The utility knife handle with shakudo (a pickled gold and copper alloy) back and sides. Surfaces showing wear and slight distress from use but in fairly good and serviceable condition. Could benefit from a light cleaning and oiling. Length, little more than 3 3/4 inches (9.53 cm)

An Ao-Kutani palette porcelain deep dish in the Yoshidaya manner. Hydrangeas decoration in polychrome enamels including white, light blue-green, and dark green, blue, blue-green and aubergine in black line, all on yellow ground, a chocolate brown enamel on the otherwise unglazed biscuit rim. The number and subtlety of hues but consistent for palette is pleasing. The back with enamels including dark green on black line decoration of clouds. Kutani mark in black under yellow glaze inside the foot ring which appears to have been glazed but with the enamel rubbed along high points to the porcelain body. A couple of kiln kisses to the cloud decoration area on the back. The so called Yoshidaya type of 19th century Ao-Kutani wares is named for a merchant who revived production of a particular palette of Ko-Kutani production (of the 17th and early 18th century) adjacent to the original kilns. The current example certainly appears to be 19th century and could possibly be from the Yoshidaya kiln. Later Ao-Kutani palette production is often ambitiously ascribed to the Yoshidaya kiln which, in fact, operated only briefly from the 1820s to the early 1830s. One 3/16 inch flake (mostly to the enamel) under the rim. Otherwise good condition considering expected scratching and rubbing of the enamel. Presents well. Diameter, 11 7/8 inches (30.16 cm)

The Katchushi style of this tsuba gives it an earlier look and feel. But it is probably an Edo period work (might expect more wear on the seppa-dai or more conspicuous tekkotsu on an older example.) The thin body nonetheless resilient. Strong, sparse, decorative file marks on the vertical add to character. Adept use of the file, thin plate and slight taper toward the rim could support argument a swordsmith may have made the tsuba. Genji style mon and two five petal blossoms in fine open work (some iron detailing missing from one of the blossoms, the other with one of the open worked petals interrupting the rim.) Smaller kozuka-ana and kogai-ana flanking the seppa-dai. The surface smooth to the touch despite some old, light pitting. Possible scant old lacquer adhering closely to the surface (difficult to discern with certainty as some hard wax appears to have been applied to the surface.) Simple sukashi tsuba are considered by many to be closest to Samurai taste. Fine open work and subtle attention to detail such as the file work add to appeal. Length, 3 9/32 inches (8.33 cm). Width, 3 1/16 inches (7.78 cm). Thickness, about 3/32 inch (0.238 cm)

A large Ao-Kutani palette porcelain plaque in the Yoshidaya manner. Two geese in garden landscape with palm tree, lotus among rockery and water in finely applied blue, green, aubergine, black and yellow enamels. A black key border with green overglaze enamel around the canted rim. The back not glazed except for a black enamel square Kutani kiln mark with overglaze green enamel and two character black enamel artist mark with overglaze green enamel in oval. Two points of the back recessed and pierced before firing to provide for suspension display of the plaque. The so called Yoshidaya type of 19th century Ao-Kutani wares is named for a merchant who revived production of a particular palette of Ko-Kutani production (of the 17th and early 18th century) adjacent to the original kilns. The current example certainly appears to be 19th century. Later 19th century Ao-Kutani palette production is often ambitiously ascribed to the Yoshidaya kiln which, in fact, operated only briefly from the 1820s to the early 1830s. We recently purchased this as Yoshidaya style Ao-Kutani appeals to us personally (as one might tell from our recently listed auction lots.) We offer it here while we are auctioning other Ao-Kutani wares. It came to us framed and we retain the frame (illustrated) to ship with the plaque. Light enamel loss in the scene not distracting from its appeal. More enamel loss evident along the rim which would be covered with the frame in place. Sparse and light small scratches and rubbing. Otherwise, good and presentable condition. Plaque dimensions (not including the frame) about 13 1/4 inches by about 12 inches (33.65 cm x 30.48 cm). Weight without frame 7.03 lbs (3.19 kg)

A fine little Hirado figural group depicting two karako playing with a Shishi-mai (lion dance) mask. Sharply modeled with incised details and sparse blue, aubergine and black underglaze decoration. The karako's eyes, the lion mask and the underside unglazed. The biscuit surface of the lion mask intentionally oxidized to an even, light buff tone. Good condition with only a few tiny "flea bite" surface flakes one must look closely for and not detracting (our close images depict them larger than life with commentary in the captions.) Length, 3 1/8 inches (7.94 cm). Height, 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm)

The Hirado figure of a monkey with moveable head and tonge. Portrayed as a Shinto priest with the addition of a fan used in performing the Manzai dance during New Year's festivities. Blue underglaze and iron oxide wash on the biscuit and over the glaze. Meiji period. Good condition. Height, 3 5/8 inches (9.21 cm)

Shigenobu (Hiroshige II) 1826-1869. The oban tate-e triptych depicts Minamoto no Yorimitsu, Sakata no Kintoki and Watanabe no Tsuna entering the mountain home of the demons. Circa 1851-1853. Shigenobu was a pupil of Ando Hiroshige and adopted his name to become the second generation after his master's passing in 1858. Condition of these prints are faded, wrinkles - some creased, margins trimmed and uneven, light wormage and pin holes, light foxing and soil. As challenged as the condition sounds, this dramatic and colorful triptych would frame and present nicely on a decorative basis and as a conversation piece. These prints may best ship (at buyer's expense) detached from the current backing and matting to reduce package size.

Two nicely matched Edo period mixed metal menuki. Each with decoration of a duck in water. Some difference in the detailing of the water and perhaps different duck species (though one could explain the lack of a crest and color on one because it was the female of a pair of mandarin wood ducks.) For the price, they would work quite well together on a tsuka (sword hilt.) Longer one, about 1 1/2 inches. Good condition.