P.O.R.
H of case ca. 4 inches.
Comes with original fitted kiri-wood storage box, inscribed with the receiver’s name (juyo), a Kyoto address, dated Taisho 13, 9th month, 17th day, Toyokawakaku and stamped with a red seal. Excellent condition.
Enpukuzan Toyokawa, Myogonji is a temple dedicated to the eleven headed Kannon and Dakiniten and the fox Inari. It was originally founded in 1441 by Tokai Gieki. Most of these temples were rebuilt in the Meiji era or even later, hence many of the products of these temples are from modern times. Worshipers traditionally are merchants.
$900.00
Japan, Taisho era, 1910s-1920s.
H ca. 18 inches.
One repaired crack from the bottom going up into his left shoulder, some scuffs and chips at edges, several tension cracks. All in all very good and stable condition.
The dance Sambaso originated in noh (kyogen) theater, as a prayer for prosperity (abundant rice harvest) at the beginning of the program. The dance was adapted for kabuki and bunraku, as well. It was performed at the opening of the new kabuki season, which coincides with the beginning of the new year, or at the opening of a new theater.
Inquire for Price
Signed on bottom: the 74 year old man, Tomoyuki.
Probably Taisho era (1912-1926) or early Showa at the latest.
H ca. 11 inches, W at bottom 10 ½ inches.
Few thin age/stress cracks, all in all fine condition.
Inquire for Price
Sculpted wood with dark staining, rubbed in places
Japan, Showa era, mid-20th century
H 7.25 x D 5.4 x W 3.25 in.
Very good condition
$1,000.00
Cryptomeria (sugi) wood, red and white cotton, paper
Japan, 20th century
H 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)
Excellent condition
$3,500.00
Brown patinated bronze with roughened surface.
Each fox signed on the bottom ‘Kozan’ in archaic script.
Japan, mid 20th century.
Height 10 and 10.1 inches (25.2 and 25.8 cm).
Comes with the original tomobako storage box; the cover inscribed on the outside ‘tsuki miru kitsune’ (foxes looking at the moon) and stamped ‘seido sei’ (made of bronze); the cover signed on the inside ‘Kozan saku’, and sealed ‘Kozan’.
A few tiny dents at the bottom edge of one of the foxes, otherwise excellent condition.
The signature Kozan belongs to the artist Sakai Kozan, who was active in Takaoka during the Showa period, from the mid to late 20th century. The Sakai bronze manufacture is still active today.
$425.00
2) Stoneware incense box or kogo in the shape of Daruma, wrapped in his reddish garment, his face peeing out of the garment, looking up. Cream colored and red glaze with some black accents over a whitish soft clay, the face left partially free, strong, but very fine crackle in the glaze. Raku stamp on the inside. Japan, Meiji period.
Height: ca. 1 ½ inches each.
Condition:
1) Outer edge of lower part with tiny frittings and chips, two tiny glaze chips along the lines of the crackle (hardly visible). Generally very good condition. 2) On the back tiny pieces of glaze missing between the crackle lines, otherwise excellent condition.
$800.00
Height 17 inches (43.2 cm), diameter at shoulder ca. 17 inches (43.2 cm).
Mint condition.
$600.00
H ca 7 in., W at foot 4 ¼ in.
Mint condition. The piece does not come with a box.
Nakazato Muan (1895-1985) inherited the artist name Taroemon XII, in 1927, following his father who was Taroemon XI. In 1928 he reconstructed the Ochawan kiln that had been used since feudal times. He studied old Karatsu ware, which had died a long time ago, in an attempt to revive it.
1955: Acknowledges as an Intangible Cultural Asset for Karatsu ware
1967: Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon
1969: Received the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure
1970: Received the Western Japan Culture Award
1976: Acknowledged as an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for Karatsu ware
In 1959 Taroemon XII retired and entered priesthood in Daitokuji in Kyoto, carrying the name Muan henceforth. His son took over the business under the name Taroemon XIII. Muan dedicated himself from there on to creating his original pottery.
$400.00
$225.00
H ca. 1-1/4 x L 2-1/2 inches
Fine condition
Paper collection label with no. 106. From a private FL collection of incense boxes, water droppers and other antiques
$325.00
The figure was molded in a cast in two halves (front and back) and joined before firing. A hole in the back functions as a vent and prevents the statue from exploding while fired in the kiln.
Stoneware with some gomma. Details are beautifully worked.
Small seal impressed in the back: Bizen … [illegible].
H 10.25 inches
Japan, Bizen/Inbe, mid 20th century
Crack along the vertical joint in the right side, from which three very thin horizontal cracks spring (two towards the front, one towards the back). Despite that, stable and sturdy condition. Molding flaw in the ear that is not considered a damage.
Please ask for pictures for a detailed report on the damages
Gomma (sesame seed) is created by the ash of the pinewood with which the kiln is fired. It lands on the object and melts due to the high temperature. Gomma cannot be steered, it occurs spontaneously. It occurs more profusely near where the fire is. The ashes blow into the kiln flowing on the flames. The further away from the fire, the less ash remains floating through the air.
Inquire for Price
H ca. 24 in.
Excellent condition.
$315.00
Signature in bottom: Jinsai.
Shigaraki ware, Japan, mid-20th century, before 1977, when Jinsai changed his name.
H 5 - 5-1/4 inches, diam 3-1/4 inches
Fine condition
Ogawa Jinsai was born in 1914 as the eldest son of the Ogawa Tokusai III, a master of Shigaraki ware. The family was founded in the late Edo period. The founder was a master at replicating ancient Iga warea and was invited by the Todo clan in Iga to make such warea. In 1977 Jinsai took over the family business and became head of the family, changing his name to Tokusai IV. He made tea and sake wares, firing in a traditional cellar kiln. He passed away late Showa/early Heisei era.
$200.00
H 2 x diam. 4-1/2 in.
Minimal traces of usage, fine condition.
$300.00
Inside the surface is covered in plain black lacquer, the cover signed in makie gold lacquer: Tairei.
Japan, Showa era, 1950s
1.25 x 4.3 x 2.7 in.
Few traces of usage on the inside of the box, overall in excellent condition
From the collection of Ed and Julie Lewis, Chicago
Takai Tairei (1880-1971) was trained in the workshop of the Imperial Artist Ikeda Taishin. He lived in the Aoyama ward of Tokyo. In his young years he made inro and pipe cases in the Zeshin/Taishin style. Later on, he produced boxes and trays with lacquer decorations directly applied on the wooden objects (kiji makie), such as the one presented here. After World War II, Tairei made his living by manufacturing lacquered jewelry: obi pins, brooches and rings, while continuing making kiji makie objects. His brother-in-law was the famous lacquer artist Akatsuka Jitoku, who was married with his elder sister Takai Kei (1877-1946).
$450.00
Inside of the cover signed with red lacquer seal: Tairei; bottom of box stamped seal of the wood worker who made the box: ‘To’ inside a double gourd.
Comes with the original wooden storage box. Outside of cover inscribed: Shijimi, kiri kobako (Clam shell, small box in Paulownia wood). Signed inside of cover: Tairei saku and seal Tairei.
Japan, Showa era, 1950s
H 1.25 x 3.3 x 2.75 in.
Excellent condition
From the collection of Ed and Julie Lewis, Chicago
Takai Tairei (1880-1971) was trained in the workshop of the Imperial Artist Ikeda Taishin. He lived in the Aoyama ward of Tokyo. In his young years he made inro and pipe cases in the Zeshin/Taishin style. Later on, he produced boxes and trays with lacquer decorations directly applied on the wooden objects (kiji makie), such as the one presented here. After World War II, Tairei made his living by manufacturing lacquered jewelry: obi pins, brooches and rings, while continuing making kiji makie objects. His brother-in-law was the famous lacquer artist Akatsuka Jitoku, who was married with his elder sister Takai Kei (1877-1946).
Please enquire
Japan, Showa era, 1930-1940s.
Small silk laundry? tag with the digit 3 written on it.
H 12.75 in. x L 13 ft.
Minimal traces of usage, excellent condition
More images available upon request