Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (2768)

Japanese antique large censer depicting the fisherman Urashima Taro from the fairy tale, Otogi Banashi. In the story, the fisherman discovers some children on the beach toying with a turtle. Urashima Taro buys the turtle from them and sets him free. The turtle grows in size and carries Urashima Taro down beneath the sea to the Dragon Palace (Ryugu-jo) where he is met and thanked by the Princess Otohime. After a few days, Urashima Taro decides to return to the world above the sea...

Japanese hardwood platform shelf for a tokonoma, a recessed art display area for a traditional tea ceremony room. Made with bold Keyaki (elm) hardwood with original dark lacquer finish. Original condition.

Dimensions: 54" L x 18" D x 9" H

Japanese large half section Mizuya, or kitchen buffet tansu, constructed of Hinoki wood frame and Sugi wood panels. The large pair of sliding doors open to the spacious interior with two removable shelves straight across. The sides of the chest have horizontal bracing slats for reinforcement.

Dimensions: 69 1/4" x 19 1/2" x 35 1/2" H

A fine Japanese hirado porcelain okimono of a recumbent horse. The horse has a whimsical expression. Its eyes are left unglazed with blackened pupils, its unglazed teeth exposed in a wide grin, the corners of the mouth and nostrils pierced through. Touches of cobalt blue underglaze accent the hooves and snout of the horse. The base is impressed with maker's cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/2" L x 4" W x 6" H

Japanese pair of finely cast bronze Nio Buddhist temple guardians. Dressed in traditional robes with auspicious motifs. Each figure stands on a four legged base with cartouche impression underneath.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 8" H

Japanese two section clothing tansu, constructed with natural finish Kiri (paulownia) wood. Original condition. The four drawers with classic design of round iron hand-forged locks and pair of warabite drawer pulls, iron corner hardware and side handles.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36 3/4" L x 16 1/2" D x 40 1/2" H

Japanese isho tansu, or clothing chest of drawers, constructed with Persimmon wood front drawers and a Sugi (cedar) frame and interior. The tansu holds four long drawers with metal pulls and round keyholes with floral plating. The sides of the piece are built with handles to carry and transport the tansu. Original condition with kanji inscription on backside of chest.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Japanese isho tansu, or clothing chest of drawers, constructed with Persimmon wood front drawers and a Sugi (cedar) frame and interior. The tansu holds four long drawers with metal pulls and round keyholes with floral plating. The sides of the piece are built with handles to carry and transport the tansu. Original condition with kanji inscription on backside of chest.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 33 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 34" H

Japanese hand-forged iron tsuba, used to protect a swordsman's hand from sliding up the blade during use as well as to provide balance. The front depicts two joyful festival performers, one holding a drum and the other holding a fan, the figures in relief with gilt accenting throughout. The backside of the tsuba shows a large mallet and mortar traditionally used for pounding rice into mochi.

Dimensions: 2 3/4" x 3"

Japanese hand-forged iron tsuba, used to protect a swordsman's hand from sliding up the blade during use as well as to provide balance. The openwork tsuba depicting two sages, their robes accented in gilt, one sage with a face of silver and the other with a face of copper. The front image is signed 'Soheishi Nyudo Soten' , the other side reads 'Goshu Hikone ju' (resides in Goshu-current Shiga prefecture).

Dimensions: 3 1/8" x 3 1/4"

Japanese tsuba, a sword fitting to protect a swordsman's hand from sliding up the blade during use as well as to provide balance. The tsuba depicts a scene of hunters, one on horseback and the other on foot wielding a staff, in pursuit of a leaping rabbit, in gilt and silver. The backside of the tsuba depicts a running fox in gilt and copper.

Dimensions: 2 1/2" x 2 1/8"

Japanese antique inro with one compartment, carved of wood and lacquered a very dark brown. On one side, a silvery bat flies through the air. On the other side, a fishing net hangs to dry on a fence. The fishing net is done in gold lacquer and the fence is made of shell inlay. The inside of the inro case is lacquered a deep red with gold edging.

Late Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 2 1/8" high x 3" wide

Antique Japanese inro with three compartments, made of wood with gold lacquer and inlaid with gold flecks. One side is decorated with a pair of cranes and sprouting pines. The other side of the inro depicts an ancient turtle who carries, on his back, a large rock formation. Out of the rock sprouts a plum tree, a pine tree and bamboo - together called Sho chiku bai or "The Three Friends of Winter". The inside of each compartment is cover with dense nishji lacquer (fine gold flecks)...

The Japanese bronze maker is known for its high quality and attention to detail rendered in bronze, silver, and other precious materials. The exposure to the world's fair has showcased the Japanese skilled artisan in many different styles and categories. Naturalism and realism was the template to the Western taste during the Meiji period.

This is a fine example of a great horned owl in bronze depicted in naturalism. The okimono owl is perched on a gnarled branch preening itself...

Antique Japanese bronze okimono, animated in a recumbent pose. The tanuki clothed in Buddhist monk robes, curled and withdrawn for rest. A strand of prayer beads is visible out from underneath his crossed front legs. The sculpture is skillfully cast with a bronze dark russet patina, essentiated by the chasing of the hair and the smooth surface of the folds...

Japanese gifu choba tansu made with Hinoki and Sugi wood and hand-forged iron hardware including Hirute drawer pulls and plating. The sliding panels with slats open to a spacious interior. The bottom of the chest holds two drawers recessed behind a locking bar, and a safe door with two small drawers inside. Original finish.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35" L x 16 1/2" D x 37 1/4" H

Pair of Japanese damascene candlesticks, the body of each with dramatic imagery of serpentine dragons and fireballs. The foliate petal rims decorated with chrysanthemums and coiling vines, and the tripod feet with auspicious objects and flowers. Both candlesticks are signed "Kuma" in gilt pigment on the base.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/4" x 9" H

Antique Japanese small tansu chest made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The chest is configured with seven drawers of various sizes: 3 small drawers above 2 medium drawers above 2 large drawers. Black iron hardware includes 7 round lock plates, circular corner bracing and square drawer pulls.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23 1/4" high x 27" wide x 13" deep.

Antique Japanese Scroll Triptych, signed Sumiyoshi Hirosada (1793-1862) , 7th head of the Sumiyoshi line of painters. Three paintings: One painting is of two men meeting on a mountain path, pines and blossoming plum trees dot the hillside and the rooftops of a fishing village can be seen emerging through the mist. Another scroll depicts a lady seated at her writing table by her pavilion window. Outside, the moon shines above pine covered hills...

Japanese green studio crackle ware vase with applied silver floral motifs. With tomobako. The foot is signed Shofu Katei (1870-1928). Small wear losses.

Shofu Katei was born in 1870 in Seto, Japan. He later moved to Kyoto where has was adopted into the prestigious Shofu family kiln to create Japanese ceramics. In 1908, he set up the Shofu Ceramics Company, Ltd. and was awarded a Green Ribbon in 1915.

Dimensions: 5" W x 7 1/2" H (Tomobako 6 1/2" x 9" H)

An unusual vintage Japanese Choa tansu with Keyaki burl front hardwood panels. The chest is decorated with highly ornate floral motifs and filigree seen through the iron plating and hardware. Each drawer and compartment has a black lacquered interior. The tansu has side handles for transport. dates from Showa c1950

Dimensions: 21 1/2" x 13" x 31" H

Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) basket, hand-woven of bamboo and Wisteria branches. Of a rounded body with a small slightly raised foot.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" x 15" H

Unusual Japanese ikebana basket. This gourd form basket is constructed with hand-woven bamboo and Wisteria branch feet and exterior body.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23" L x 11" W x 18" H

Antique Japanese scrol painting of a landscape with boat. The water is very still and the moon is high over a mountain in the distance. A flock of geese swoops down from the sky on the right. On the far left, an outcropping of rocks partially obscures some rural houses. A willow tree drapes itself outward over the water. With signed tomobako. Signed Tan'yu and with the seal of his given name Moninobu. Certified by Eitoku, his grandfather...

Japanese okimono boxwood carving of Ashinaga and Tenaga. Old Japanese folklore tells that Tenaga (with his very long arms) would climb onto the back of Ashinaga (with his very long legs) and would work to catch fish together. Dates from Taisho Period c1920.

Dimensions: 2 1/4" x 8" H

Here is a fine example of a scholarly pursuit of finding the accoutrement for the use of calligraphy. A Japanese bronze tsuteke water dropper, in the form of an old sage or "Sennin" riding on the back of a turtle with its flowing hair-like tails. The turtle is lifting its head so that the angle would allow to pour water from its mouth. The hole is located on the back top of the turtle's shell, allowing for water to flow in...

Japanese set of 7 blue and white porcelain condiment cups. Each cup is formed with dramatic four lobed foliate rim, eggshell thin body with cobalt blue under enamel scene of Mt. Fuji and flower medallions. The foot of each cup is recessed and incised with lines in a circular order. Dates from the 19th century.

Dimensions: 3" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/4" H

Antique Japanese small tansu chest made of kiri (paulownia) wood. It has six drawers of various sizes and a compartment with a small shelf covered by two sliding panels. Hardware is made of iron and includes warabite shaped drawer pulls, round lock plates, corner bracing and side handles.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 18 1/2" high x 23 1/4" wide x 11 1/4" deep.

Japanese painting of a Yang Guifei, the Tang Dynasty beauty. She stands and gazes at a blossoming branch of peony flowers, ornately patterned robes drape over her folded arms, painted in light ink and mineral colors on silk. By the artist Genki.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Total size: 70" high x 26" wide (28 1/4) wide including ends). Size of artwork: 44" high x 19 1/4" wide.

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with Keyaki (elm) burl front hardwood and hand-forged iron hardware and plating. The merchant's chest holds two drawers over a sliding pair of panel doors with open compartment inside. Below this are seven small and two large drawers, each with "warabite" shaped pulls and decorative iron corner hardware. The original finish compliments the dramatic, natural burl grain...

Antique Japanese tall cha tansu with an open shelf for the display of seasonal and personal decor. The 2 sets of Keyaki (Zelkova)) burl wood front sliding panels and the beautiful wood grained Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria from Akita prefecture) sliding panels below highlight this attractive chest with Hinoki (Cypress) wood making up the frame and balance.

Most likely custom built and commissioned by a wealthy family making this an unusual and unique chest. Previous owner also requested to h...

A massive Japanese solid Keyaki (elm) hardwood Kannon Biraki merchant's chest. Decorated with hand-forged iron plating, the motifs seen throughout the piece's hardware include the image of Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune, proudly holding up a freshly caught fish, a large Mokko (melon) shaped lock on the front pair of doors, with flowers and pine trees adorning the drawer below in the form of its lock and handle plates. Inside the chest are six more drawers, with a secret compartmen...

Antique Japanese pair of bronze candle sticks, with archaic Chinese style motifs, cartouche mark on bottom.

Taisho Period (circa 1920's).

Dimensions: 10 3/4" high

Japanese two section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sado Island area. Original dark reddish lacquer finish. With hand-forged iron hardware, decorative plating incised with motifs of cranes and turtles with many tails, both symbols of longevity. The lower unit holds a corner safe box with two small drawers concealed inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41" L x 16" D x 41" H

Japanese iron tetsubin, or tea kettle, with finely cast decoration of a bird seated on lifelike branches with berries in high relief. The handled and lid are made from bronze with a flower and orb shaped finial. The side of the tetsubin is signed with 4 character artist's mark.

Dimensions: 7" x 6 1/2" x 10" H

Japanese tetsubin or tea pot, typically constructed from iron with a large handle to be hung over a fire pit. The tea pot has a bronze lid with a flower shaped finial. Its body is covered in small protruding studs, incised rings around its widest point, and its foot has old patina.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 9" x 8" x 9 1/2" H

Japanese Shino ware ceramic chawan or tea ceremony bowl. Shino ware is easily identified by thick white glazes, red scorch marks, and a texture of small holes. One side of the bowl has dark brown underglaze design of flowers while the opposite side has flecks and lines, along the dramatic ribbed edges of the body. The foot of the bowl is formed flattened and is left bare without any glaze.

Circa 19th Century

Dimensions: 6" x 5" x 3" H

Japanese ceramic oribe enamel chawan, or tea ceremony bowl. The bowl is squared with thick "dripping" oribe green/blue glaze down around its mouth. The foot is flat and recessed.

Circa Early 19th Century

Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 3 3/4" H

Japanese porcelain Kutani ware stand or brush rest, in the classic Yoshidaya enamel colors of green, yellow, purple and dark blue. Of a squared form, with hollowed interior and pierced melon shape sides. The top surface is detailed with image of a monk riding a tiger through the bamboo forest, leaping over a river. The sides are detailed with blue and yellow enamel ground with geometric patterns. The piece stands on four short feet.

Dimensions: 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 1 1/2" H

A whimsical Japanese Hirado ware porcelain fu dog holding a reticulated xi qui ball under its paw. The precious face of the dog is hand detailed with shapely nose, fangs, whiskers, and tiny carved eyes. The dog has cobalt blue enamel swirl accents to its fur.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 5" x 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" H

Japanese pair of hardwood pulleys, carved out of Keyaki (elm) wood with hand-forged iron hooks and hardware. Two wooden wheels on the inside are built to support a rope. Each pulley is branded with a signature on both sides.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 7" x 14" (each)

Charming Japanese kanban (shop sign) hand carved from solid carved Keyaki hardwood with gold gilt lettering. Carved with the image of a snarling bulldog in red lacquer and beige pigments. Shop sign for Bulldog sauce shop.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36" L x 1" D x 23" H

Unusual Japanese gyosho bako tansu (merchant's chest). With original red lacquer finish, this large piece holds three very deep drawers, each with squared kakute iron pulls on stylized pine tree mounts. The top drawer features a large central lock with flying crane motif, while the lower drawers feature chrysanthemum locks. The sides of the tansu also have two handles for traveling.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22" W x 27" D x 39" H

Japanese two section tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) wood with natural finish front drawers, and original black lacquered frame. The piece has pine tree shaped hand-forged iron lock plates, with warabite iron pulls. The locks are incised chrysanthemums and the corner hardware is fan iron plating. The piece holds a side lock box with a large decorative iron chrysanthemum plating and keyhole. Inside the box are two small drawers with triangular plates and round pulls. From the Sakata region.
...

Japanese Imari ware porcelain charger with the image of a large koi fish in blue cobalt underglaze, with red and blue ground of scrolls, plum blossoms, the plate with fluted foliate petal edges, the underside with blue floral motifs and bands. The underside has a blue marking.

Circa 1800s

Dimensions: 14" x 2 3/4" H

Japanese pair of Fukugawa Imari ware porcelain bottle neck vases. With imagery of blue and gilt enamel phoenixes against a ground of red cherry blossoms, blue waves, floral medallions and gilt outlines. The long slightly fluted neck with medallions on a gilt design ground and gilt rim, tapered to a rounded body with short tapered foot, blue lotus petals and double ring above the foot, each vase signed with a Fukugawa mark signifying the pieces date from 1900 - 1920.

Dimensions: 5" x ...

Pair of Japanese Kutani tall porcelain bottle vases, with elongated bodies slightly tapering to the short neck and gilt rim, decorated with red enamel landscape scene and gilt clouds over white crackle ground. Each vase signed with 2 character mark.

Circa 1900

Dimensions: 3" x 9 1/2" H

Japanese 2 panel byobu screen painting on silk, of a male and female deer resting below a maple tree. Each panel is bordered in gold leaf and signed "Kagayama Hakuho" with a red chop.

Kagayama Hakuho (1880-?) was born in the Okayama Prefecture Japan. His studies continued under Takeuchi Seiho in Kyoto, and later moved to Kobe for his work. Works by Hakuho have been displayed at the Kyoto City University of Art.

Dimensions: 69 1/2" W x 68" H

A collection of twelve samurai arrows, or yajiri, mounted on a custom built museum display stand.

Dimensions: 8 3/4" x 3" x 16" H (overall)

A collection of samurai arrows, or yajiri, mounted on a custom built museum display stand.

Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 1 1/4" x 9 3/4" H (overall)

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a flying goose, sumi ink on paper. With calligraphy signature and red chop. This scroll has the original two tomobako (storage boxes).

Early Edo Period Circa 1600's

Dimensions: 22" x 48 1/2" H (entire scroll) 15 1/4" x 11 1/2" H (artwork only)

24" x 3 1/2" x 3 1/4" (red lacquer tomobako)

Museum grade very large Japanese Ginbari enamel vase. Ginbari is a technique using a foil design made with an embossing plate. The vase has a robin's egg blue enamel ground comprised of small flowers, with Wisteria branches bearing pastel green and purple flowers, small birds perched and flying through the tree branches. The elongated vase has a slightly tapered form with short, fluted foot and neck. The edges of the lip and the top of the foot are decorated in red and blue enamel of wire spiral...

A Japanese Butsudan, or Buddhist shrine for in-home use. The exterior of the shrine is lacquered in red with black lacquer and gold gilt pigments. The gilt hardware of the butsudan are highly ornate with motifs of chrysanthemums, lotuses, vines, and dharmachakra wheels. The lower area of the shrine features two pull-out platforms and hidden drawers. Above are several black lacquered platforms with gold gilt nashiji lacquer panels, carved gilt panels of floral motifs, with miniature temple ranma ...

Japanese zenibako (money safe box) made with Keyaki (zelkova) burl wood in original red lacquer finish. The zenibako is fitted with brass hardware including side handles in a mokko (melon) motif. The hinged lid has a large front lock plate with matching key, and a calligraphy inscription on the underside. The interior of the zenibako holds two open compartments.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 20 1/2" x 12" x 7 3/4" H

Japanese two section tansu made with Kiri (paulownia) wood. The chest's four front drawers feature large, round Kiri wood mon (family crest) motif lock plates , while the Warabite style drawer pulls have small pierced plates below them in the style of a crane mon. The bottom section holds a small corner safe door with two small drawers inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 40 1/2" x 17 1/4" x 42" H

Japanese two section clothing tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) wood. Decorated with classic round iron locks and handles. The lower section holds a corner safe box.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37" x 16 1/2" x 43 1/4" H

A Japanese single section Sendai tansu, constructed of Keyaki (elm) front panels and Sugi (cedar) sides, with original light finish and black lacquered frame. The drawers of this chest have large, decorative, hand-forged iron lock plates with floral motifs and mokko (melon) handles. The side of the chest has a safe door with 3 small Keyaki burl front drawers inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 46 3/4" x 19 1/4" x 35" H

An unusual Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) constructed of Kiri (paulownia) wood with natural finish. This unusual piece contains a top compartment behind sliding panels as well as another below it, the lower compartment containing two shelves and a set of 3 small drawers with decorative locking plates, opened by kan (ring) pulls. The middle inner drawer contains a secret hidden compartment. All in original condition.

Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions : 33" x 18...

Japanese pair of 2 panel byobu screens, with hand-painted scenes of small flying birds, a pond with foliage, a blossoming plum tree branch with gold flecks.Applied gold clouds and pigment on silk. enclosed in a black lacquered frame dating circa 1930.
Yamashita Chikusai (1885-1973) was born in Kyoto and studied under the important turn of the century master Yamamoto Shunkyo (1871-1933) from the age of fifteen, becoming one of his highest ranking pupils. He regularly exhibited at the Bun...

Japanese small choba tansu, constructed of Kiri (paulownia) and Sugi (cypress) natural finish wood. With hand-forged iron hardware and plates. The choba has hirute handles, with foliate edge motif lock plates, small pair of sliding middle doors with slats, and a corner bottom safe box with two small drawers inside.

Late Edo / Early Meiji Period (circa 1850's)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" x 14" x 24" H