Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (327)

A engaging contemporary Japanese print done by the noted artist, Saito Kiyoshi (1907-1997) The print is potraying a view of Horyuji, the world's oldest wooden structure and a UNESCO site. The view is possibly the walls of the sub-temple complexes that stand in front of the main temple. Age: Late Showa (c. 1950s) Size: height 23.5" width 1.5" length 20.5"

A fine Japanese lid rest or futaoki as it is known in the tea ceremony. The lid rest is done in a technique known as karakane or bronze and has been hammered. The tachizuru or motif of standing cranes is often seen in various tea accessories representing the rise of auspiciousness. The lid rest comes with a tomobako with the name of the lid rest and the artist, Seishu. Age: Late Showa Period Size: diameter 2.1" height 2.1"

Splendid Japanese incense container, also known as kogo, used for tea ceremony. The persimmon has a small lady bug sitting near the head of the persimmon. The incense container contains an inscription reading: Rakushisha, which is a small hut in the Sagano district of Kyoto. The hut was the summer home of Matsuo Basho's disciple, Mukai Kyorai. The hut was given the name when a hurricane blew all the persimmons off the trees planted in the estate...

Simple yet elegant sobriquet seal utilizing a Chinese stone similar to chicken blood stone. The seal contains an inscription which translates as: The seal was carved on an auspicious day in December of 1958 (for) Fujiwara Gyokuun. The carved bottom of the seal contains a three character text reading: Kingensen, or The well where gold can be found. Size: height 1.75" width 0.5" length 1.25"

Beautiful antique Japanese imari porcelain charger decorated with motif of chrysanthemums, butterflies and other floral patterns in green, blue, red, and gold. Well painted in the kinrande style. Age: Taisho / Showa Period (c.1930). Size: 18" diameter.

A large shinto shrine constructed in the style based on the Grand Shrine of Ise. This type of construction for small shrines is often used by the local residents in Ise. The shrine contains fine details in the woodwork and brass fittings fit for a deity. Age: 20th century. Size: height 23.75" width 19" length 36"

Wooden five storied pagoda done in the style just as the actual structures appear including the wooden joints and key architectural elements that are conjoined together to create the structure. Fine worksmanship is done with the balustrades, roof, and the are under the roof known as the mune in Japanese. Age: 20th century Size: height 84" width 16" length 16.25"

Japanese woodblock print by the artist Amano Kazumi. The print depicts a lively scene of a banquet in the entertainment district with geishas and other performers. Some geishas dance while others serve sake while the men eat, drink and enjoy. The print is signed and dated 1957. Total size in frame: 19" high x 47" wide. Size of image: 12" high x 41" wide.

Amano Kazumi was born in Takaoka City, Tôyama Prefecture...

Pair of Japanese keyaki wood carving of the fortune gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. Ebisu and Daikoku are both known in Japan as the gods of fortune and finance. Both have been worshipped together by businesses in Japan. The work contains a signature on the back, Atsushi. Age: 20th century.Size: length: 6.5" Width: 5.5" Height 17.5"

A young woman dressed in a white robe with red hakama pants is holding a folding fan and is posed to do a dance. This dress is often known as Shirabyoshi where these were sacred dances offered to the gods. The shirabyoshi figure evokes the Heian and Kamakura aesthetic and the legends contemporary to the era that portray the Shirabyoshi. Work is signed and sealed by an artist named Nanko. Age: Early 20th century. Size: height 74.25" width 22.5

Vintage summer hitoe kimono made of a silk and hemp(asa) weave. It has a beautiful print pattern of orange blossoms and paulowni blossoms in blue/green, yellow, and silver. It would have been worn over the juban, the under robe, which would have been white to bring out the colors of the robe. It measures 61" long 51" wide. Showa period, 1950-1970.

A round studio ware vase done on a black base glaze with white covering areas of the vase with a bit swirled with black. The vase contains a signature that appears to read: Kotaro. Age: Late 20th century. Size: height 6.5" diameter 7"

Japanese cloisonne small vase with blooming roses. There is a fully bloomed red rose and a small budding red rose. Along the base, there is a blooming white rose with pink edged petals. The body of the vase is a cool white. Taisho period, early 20th century. It measures 1.75" base diameter, 4" widest, 5" tall. Good condition.

A traditional oribe ware handled dish decorated with geometric patterns and the signature green glaze that oribe wares are known for. The green glaze used for oribe is thought be difficult to produce and only the most skilled potters can produce the green color by knowing the temperature and timing when fired. The dish was produced by the Gensui kiln in Seto city Aichi prefecture. The studio specializes in producing oribe wares. Age: Showa Period. Size: height 10" diameter 14.5"

A large Japanese gourd flower container with a section of the gourd cut out to place a small container to decorate flowers inside. A rattan handle is attached on the top of the gourd. Hisago is a type of gourd often used for various purposes in Japanese culture. The gourd embodies the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi. Age: 20th century. Size: height 18" diameter 17.5"

A wooden sculpture carved from a single block of wood of kannon or kwan yin. The work takes inspiration from the 6th century image at Horyuji temple in Ikaruga, Nara. Jimbo Yutaka (1923~) is known throughout Japan for his wooden sculptures and has done numerous exhibitions. The work comes with a tomobako with the inscription of the title of the work and the artist's signature and seals. The work also contains a signature by the artist. Age: Late Showa Period (1970-1980)...

A Mashiko ware tea bowl (chawan) by Hamada Shoji. The bowl is glazed in a style known as kaki yu or persimmon color glaze which is often seen in Mashiko wares. Hamada Shoji along with Yanagi Muneyoshi and Barnard Leech were part of the mingei movement in the late 20th century. The movement emphasized the simple minimalist beauty found in daily objects made by unknown artists. Thus, Shoji never signed his works, where he too wanted people to simply appreciate his ceramics, not his notoriety...

A pair of Japanese Hina dolls decorated with traditional Japanese gold or kinran and non-gold or donsu brocades. The dolls are used in March for Hina Matsuri (also known in a different name as Momo no Sekku). The dolls were created by Ando Keiho, a living treasure, is known for specializing in Hina Dolls. Keiho is based in Kyoto where the tradition of the Hina Dolls originated. Age: 20th century...