Catalog (430)

Naruko-kei Kokeshi by Tsugawara Wahei, born Sept. 13, 1945. Wood, Height 7". Although this is a typical Naruko stle kokeshi, the words "Kaizen Damashii" (Group Spirit) have been written over the normal decorative patterns. Also written is "Mogami Denki Kabushiki Kaisha" (Mogami Electric Company, Inc.) This was probably commissioned and given out to company employees at a corporate solidarity event or campaign. Probably dates from the 1980's.

Clifton Karhu Woodblock Print. Matted & Framed. "Snow at Tango Cho", 1980. Print #9 of edition of 100. Print Image Size: H.10.375" x W.26.75". Frame Size: H.16.125" x W.32.75" Print and framing in excellent condition. Low print number of edition. A lovely view of snow covered, terraced fields along a rocky sea coast. Karhu masterfully uses varying hues of indigo to capture the subtleties of the scene; mist shrouded mountains in the background, and reflections of water and snow on the terraced...

Mashiko Yaki Oozara (Large Plates), Dia. 12.25" (31.5cm); Vintage production, purchased in 1965. These plates feature patterns from the four seasons: Ume (Plum) for Spring, Shobu (Iris) for Summer, Nekoyanagi (Pussywillow) for Autumn, and Kiku (Chrysanthemum) for Winter. These types of plates were made using molds and then hand-painted as stock items sold in Mashiko in the 1960's & '70s. They are sturdy in form and design, and were seen in many a home and restaurant in Mashiko, Tokyo, and elsewh...

Mashiko ware Vase by local potter Outsuka Sadao. Impressed Inlay Patterning. H. 12.75" x Body Dia. 6.5". Stamped at foot "Sada". Purchased in 1965. Good condition, holds water - tested. Condition notes: you can see in enlargement #2 that the vase has a lean/list to one side. Also, there is a "kamakizu" (kiln scar) of a small rock burst on the body. These are imperfections that may make the piece more attractive to some, and less attractive to others. There are several branches of the Outsuka f...

Mashiko ware lidded jar by local potter Oushima Shou. H. 14.5" x Body Dia. 10.5". Purchased in 1965. Mottled light green Irabo-type glaze with some color changes on body. There are some chip repairs on the inside of the lid done in lacquer and synthetic gold (see detail photo.) The post-war years in Mashiko saw a growth in decorative pottery such as this. Previosuly a traditional pottery town making strictly utilitarian wares since 1853, it was put on the map worldwide when potter Shoji Hamada ...

Mashiko ware black glaze pitcher. H. 10" x Body Dia. 6". Small chip on rim repaired in lacquer & synthetic gold. Purchased in 1965. Mashiko wares from Tochigi Prefecture have gained a worldwide reputation since potter Shoji Hamada settled there in 1923. It's been said that such handles as the one seen on this piece, and not typically Japanese, were introduced by Hamada and by Bernard Leach into Mashiko and other pottery Japanese pottery towns. This is a fine example of such a western form produc...

Chikubushima Moon - Tsunemasa (Chikubushima no Tsuki - Tsunemasa). Printed: 3.1886. Engraver: Yamamoto. Signature: Yoshitoshi. Seal: Taiso. Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Format: Oban tate-e. H. 12.75 x W. 8.75". Condition: Very Good impression and colors. Retains albimbacking. No condition issues to note. This print is also set in the battle between the Taira and the Minamoto clans. One of the Taira leaders, Taira no Tsunemasa was a notable warrior and a fine musician, a combin...

The Moon of Yamaki Mansion - Kagekado (Yamaki Yakata no Tsuki - Kagekado). Printed: 3.1886. Engraver: Enkatsu. Signature: Yoshitoshi. Seal: Taiso. Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Format: Oban tate-e. H.12.75 x W. 8.75". Condition: Good Impression and colors. Some soiling, including an ink spot (from original printing?) on the lower portion of print. Slight margin trimming. "Karazuri" embossing on Kagekado's clothing and cartouche. Faux woodgrain on panel behind Kagekado. Katou Ka...

Gravemarker Moon (Sotouba no tsuki). Printed: 3.1886 Engraver: Yamamoto Signature & Seal: Yositoshi Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Condition: Very Good colors and impression, full margins. "karazuri" embossing on Ono no Komachi's robes. Format: Oban tate-e: H.13 x W. 8.75". Ono no Komachi was a famous beauty and poetess of the 9th century. Episodes from her life became the basis of a set of seven Noh plays, the last group called Sotouba Komachi, “Gravemarker Komachi.” Here, seat...

Suzaku Gate Moon - Hakuga Sammi (Suzakumon no tsuki - Hakuga Sammi). Printed: 1st day. 2nd month. 1886 Engraver: Yamamoto Signature: Yoshitoshi. Seal: Yoshitoshi no in. Publisher: Akiyama Buemon Condition: Very Good colors & impression, full margins, "karazuri" embossing on cartouche & Hakuga's hakama (pantaloons). H. 13 x W. 8.75". Minamoto no Hiromasa (918-980,) was also known as Hakuga Sammi. He was the grandson of Emperor Daigo, and a famous musician, equally proficient on ...

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Subject: “Kyoudou Risshiki” (Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition)*, The Young Wife, Ukita, Guarding her husband, Lord Tomita Nobutaka Anozu no Shiru who is mounted on horseback. Signature: “taiso Yoshitoshi”. Artist’s Seal: Taiso. Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi. Date: Meiji 35* (1902), 8th month (August,) 5th day. Format: oban tate-e, H.12.5 x W.8.25". Condition: Very good colors and impression, album backing retained, no holes or tears, o...

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Subject: Musha-e (Warrior print); “Yoshitoshi Musha Burui” (Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors): kurou [9th son] hangan Minamoto Yoshitsune and Musashibou Benkei under a cherry tree )#15 in this series of 33. Signature: “Yoshitoshi hitsu” (from the brush of Yoshitoshi). Artist’s Seal: Taiso. Engraver: Horikou Muneoka. Publisher: Tsunajima Kanekichi. Date: 1886. Format: oban tate-e, H.13 x W. 8.75". Condition: Very good colors with good i...

Kamakurabori, the lacquerware of Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture, is appreciated all over Japan. This set of pre-war "chataku" tea cup coasters is a fine example of this craft. They measure 15cm(6") in diameter, with a height of 2.5cm(1"). Plenty of references are available on this craft that has its origins in producing lacquered wood carving for the numerous Buddhist temples of Kamakura during the 11th & 12th centuries.

Kokeshi, wooden folk doll of NE Japan. H. 6.25". This is an example of Zao-kei (Zao Onsen [Hot Spring]) of Yamagata Prefecture. The artisan is Kobayashi Chuujiro, who made this piece in his 60's, ca. 1990. For more information on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please visit our weblog, which is accessible via our Trocadero homepage.

A storehouse (kura) lantern(andon) from late 19th century Japan, made of wooden base, and metal wire body, and hanging hook. Interior paper is a later addition. I have found a long Japanese medicine bottle that fits perfectly inside the lantern, making it suitable for flower arranging. H.17cm(6.7") x Dia.8cm(3").

Early 20th C. back pad from North Eastern Japan (Tohoku region, most likely Yamagata Prefecture.) In the local dialect, of the Echigo & Shonai Regions (current day Niigata & southern Yamagata Prefectures), these are referred to as "Bandori." Other areas call these back cushions "se-na-ate." This particular example is a "Koro [round[ Bandori" and is made from woven straw and encased in a marvelous webbing of "yamabudo" (mountain grape vine.) Coarse hemp rope also creates a striking design in fron...

Miharu Nigyou papier-mache rooster. Height: 6". From the artisan studio of Hashimoto Hiroji in Miharu-machi (town), Fukushima Prefecture. In the Asian zodiac, the rooster corresponds with the current year 2005, in a 12-year cycle. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture. They say the town’s name “mi’ (3) “haru” (spring) comes from the fact that the three famous blossoms of spring; plum peach, and cherry, bloom here in profusion. This co...

Hariko Ningyo (papier-mache folk doll). Height: 3". From Miyagi Prefecture, City of Sendai, this folk toy is an example of the tradition "Sendai Hariko". It is a rooster, one of the 12 animals of the Asian zodiac, and corresponds to the current year, 2005. It was made at the artisan studio of Takahashi Hashime, a long-time craftsman in Sendai. For more information on the history of papier-mache dolls in the Tohoku (NE Japan) region, please see the catalogue listing for Miharu Ningyo of Fukushima...