$600.00
Seal impressed in bottom/underside: Juzan. Refers to the Oribe potter Mizuno Juzan.
Mino ware, Oribe style, Japan. Showa era, 1950s
H 3 x W 4.25 in.
Perfect condition
There are at least two generations of Mizuno potters going by the name Juzan. The seal most likely belongs to the second generation Juzan, who lived lived 1908-1978.
$1,500.00
No potter’s mark, but the bowl has strong resemblances to works by Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966). The foot, the underglaze slip-trail decoration, the clay and the glazes are all pointing to the master. No storage box.
Japan, first half 20th century
H 3.6 x Diam. 4.25 in.
Mint condition
$230.00
Potter’s mark on the bottom (looks like a smiley face), which is the signature mark of Kato Sakusuke IV.
Seto, Japan, 1970s or a little later
H 6.5 x diam 4.5 in.
Mint condition
Comes with the original wooden storage box, inscribed Ko Seto gama (seal in upper right); Kiseto, kabin (flower vase in yellow Seto; and signed Sakusuke saku and with the artist’s seal
Kato Sakusuke IV (1909-1996) was the 25th in line from Kato Kagemasa, the founder of Seto ware.
He graduated from the Kyoto Vocational School for Industrial Crafts in 1932, and trained in Kyoto for three more years. After returning to Seto and began making pottery under the guidance of his father. He inherited the title of Sakusuke IV in 1944.
He studied the traditional techniques of Oribe, Kuro-Oribe, Ki-Seto, and Ofuke, creating masterful and traditional ceramic/ceremonial works. In 1984 he was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of the Prefecture of Aichi.
$250.00
Bizen ware. Impressed seal mark in bottom.
Japan, Showa era, ca. 1970s
H 8.1 in.; diam. 5.4 in.
Excellent condition
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Length ca. 13 ½ x D ca. 9 inches.
Mint condition
$350.00
Although bottom and cover clearly match, they do not make an airtight close line, but leave a couple of gaps. Few very short firing cracks.
Shino ware, Japan. Showa era, mid-20th century.
H 1.25 in.; W 2.25 in.
One tiny chip on a rim, otherwise excellent condition
$245.00
The overall shape is an irregular cylinder which turns into a plum blossom when seen from the top, with three clusters of stamen. Ash glaze inside the lower part of the box.
Small, shallow impressed seal in the shape of ‘i-no-me’ (boar’s eye, more or less heart-shaped).
The foot has been shaped to show the shame boar’s eye as to mark the kiln
Most likely Shigaraki ware, possibly Iga ware.
Japan, Showa era, 1970s-80s
H 2.1 x W 2 in.
Excellent condition
$300.00
Soft hollow cast earthenware or plaster, painted in vibrant cold-applied colors and sprinkled gold flakes.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 5 in.
Colors somewhat smudged, especially the blue. Some black smudges in the white face, affecting her left eye. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
$300.00
Hand modeled, soft hollow earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 5 in.
Colors somewhat smudged and chafed; frittings at the bottom edge. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
$300.00
Soft molded earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold and silver.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 4 in.
Colors and metal pigments chipping, otherwise good condition. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
Rare subject matter
$1,200.00
Signature in the bottom: Masahide.
Japan, first half of to mid-20th century.
H 3.25 x W 8.75 x D 2.1 in.
Short splinter on the base, otherwise very good condition
The monkeys are macaques, which are indigenous to Japan. The Three Wise Monkeys were probably introduced in Japan through Tendai-Buddhism, which came from China in the 8th century. They were popularized by the carving over a door of the Toshogu shrine in Nikko, constructed in the 17th century.
The name Masahide is connected to wood carving. Several carvers by that name have been identified. However, the signature cannot be assigned to anyone in particular.
$1,700.00
Bronze with brown patina.
One goose signed Sou for Saegusa Soutaro
Japan, Showa era, ca. 1950s.
Geese (and full moon) are a symbol of the fall
H 12 ¾ and 6 ½ inches
Excellent condition
Saegusa Soutaro (1911-2006) was a well known artist. During his working career he specialized in oil painting and large scale public sculpture. It was after his retirement in 1986 that he started to focus on animal sculpture. For another piece by the same maker, see item no. 10994, a leopard.
$800.00
Cast bronze with yellowish brown and darker brown patinas.
Apocrychal seal on bottom: Da Ming Xuande
China, early-mid 20th century
H 5.25 x W 4.75 inches
Fine condition, soot on inside
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Comes with the original fitted tomobako signed and with inscription on the outside of the cover:
Nakagawa Joeki tsukuru and seal Joeki; Bronze handwarmer with [design of] gourds and vines …
H ca. 12 in. diameter ca. 8 ½ in.
Few scuffs consistent with usage, leather a bit dry and brittle.
Nakagawa Joeki X (1880-1940) was famous for excellent metal work in beautiful art deco style. He came from a family of armor makers, going back to the 16th century. His son, Joeki XI (b. 1920), is the current head of the Nakagawa family.
Although the handwarmer itself is not signed, the craftsmanship and the storage box identify the master