Japanese Taisho to early Showa period Satsuma earthenware charger finely decorated in polychrome enamel and gilt with a single large foliate form cartouche set against a black background that extends to cover the back walls. The cartouche features a landscape scene with temples set among high mountain peaks. A bridge over water holds a single figure. The decoration is set against a cream colored finely crackled glaze background. Koshida workshop mark to the base...

Massive Japanese Arita porcelain punch bowl decorated in underglaze blue with four alternating dragon and phoenix panels surrounded by a dense background of floral and geometric forms set against a white ground. The center features a treasure ship among kiri (pawlonia) crests, flaming pearls, and patterned balls. The outer wall holds four floral sprays set between bands at the rim and foot. A double foot ring base dates the bowl to circa 1870 (early Meiji period). 20 1/4" diameter x 7 1/4" high...

A beautiful Caribbean blue bottle by Karatsu Legend Inoue Toya enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The color is quite unusual in his oeuvre, as is the paddled sloping shape. It is 24 cm (9-1/2 inches) tall, 12.5 cm (5 inches) diameter at the base and is in excellent condition.
Inoue Toya (1942-2013), graduated the prestigious Nihon Daigaku in 1966, having spent his student years excavating ancient Karatsu shards and researching their techniques...

A Hirado porcelain monkey from Japan 19th century. He holds in his hand a peach glazed in iron brown and cobalt blue. Rare model, we know a similar monkey that is housed in Lacma (Los Angeles county museum of art). Our monkey must be older because there are important differences in quality, such as the expression of the face, the folds of the dress, the delicacy of the ear and the curve of the limbs. Perfect condition. Height 15cm.

Ash fills the embedded patterns on this Kiln-altered Tsutsu-gata bowl by Living National Treasure Shimaoka Tatsuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Yohen Zogan Jomon Wan. Crisp black charring and the various depths of ash are a bit of a departure for this artist whose work is often sedate, relying on the texture and patterns of the Jomon rope design over dependence on colorful glazes. It is 11 cm (4-1/2 inches) diameter, 10 cm (4 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

A fabulous baluster form vase by the first generation Kato Keizan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gaoji Ryumimi Chokoku Kabin(Ivory Porcelain Dragon Ear Carved Vase). Low on the flaring neck two dragons form handles, and the body of the vessel as carved with archaic symbols reflecting continental taste popular from the Meiji through Taisho to early Showa period. It is 33 cm (13 inches) tall 19.5 cm (7-3/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

Horses dash past in a fervent black mass both carved into and built up onto the paddled surface of this large vessel ballooning open from a narrow base by Nakazato Tarouemon XIII enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Inside the box is written Tataki Tsubo (Paddled Vessel), Kurabe Uma (Horse Race), exhibited Autumn 1958 at the Tokyo Mitsukoshi Sports Theme Art Exhibition; Ochawangama, Nakazato Tadao (given name of Nakazato Tarouemon XIII) followed by the artists seal...

This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar over red clay signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom of the mind to envision and to create...

One of only five Imperial Court Artists of Meiji, ceramic pieces by Kōzan are highly prized by collectors and are ever more difficult to find on the market these days. Here we have a fantastic example of a guardian shishi from the Kōzan kiln crafted in fine celadon...

OH MY GOD

Incomplete remains of the face of a monk who is crying when Buddha died, originated from 'Nehan-zu' (Nirvana painting). Pottery. Showa period, early-mid 20th century, Japan. approx...

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted nearly seven decades. The pieces shown here then would be from an earlier period and are evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the ones he is most well-known for...

A faceted gourd shape of twisting lobes in soft green celadon by Sodeisha legend Suzuki Osamu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is roughly 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Suzuki Osamu (1926-2001) was, along with Kumakura Junkichi, Hikaru Yamada and Yagi Kazuo, one of the founding members of Sodeisha. He studied pottery at the Daini Kogyo Gakko in Kyoto. In 1948 he helped to establish Sodeisha...

A complete set of 12 Tokkuri sake flasks by Imaizumi Imaemon XII enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Each is uniquely decorated with a delicately rendered image of one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. With a diverse enough crowd, each person could drink from their own sign. Each piece is in perfect condition. They are all identical in height and shape. roughly 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Imaizumi Imaemon XII (1897-1975) was born the second son...

Antique Japanese Kutani ware porcelain figure of a Pekingese dog sitting with right front paw raised, long fur flowing around him. A brightly painted collar around his neck. Painted details on his face and paws.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6 3/4" high x 7" long x 4 1/2" wide

A black Porcelain vessel from the Divergence series which the artist says “can be used to serve sake or tea” titled Kuro Jiki Tsugiguchi (Black porcelain pourer). It is 9 x 15 x 6 cm (3-1/2 x 6 x 2-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition, from the artist late last year. Matsumura Jun was born in Chiba Prefecture on the outskirts of Tokyo in 1986. He graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2010, and graduated the Tajimi Municipal Ceramics Research Facility in 2015, then went on ...

Five serene white concave disks set on unique bases by Kato Yoshiyasu enclosed in the original signed and compartmentalized wooden box titled Asobi Kodai Hai, Gokyaku Soroi (Playful Foot Five Sake Cup Set). Each cup is roughly 8 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter, and all are in excellent condition, from the artist this year. This set was assembled by the artist specifically for our gallery, and is the only boxed set like it in the world.
Kato Yoshiyasu was born in Aichi prefecture in 1985, and...

A heavily encrusted glossy sake flask by Tanimoto Kei compliments a Guinomi displaying a rustic matte finish by his son Tanimoto Takeshi enclosed in the original signed wooden boxes titled Iga Tokkuri and Iga Guinomi respectively. Bīdoro glaze (a type of natural wood ash glaze formed by firing, named from vidro, the Portuguese word for glass) coalesces into a yellow crystal rivulet on one side of the Tokkuri, opposite is a shadow of gray ash. The Cup on the other hand, bears heavy scorch mar...

Created by Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Bizen pieces like the one seen here originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and have a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Known for employing a natural-ash glazing techniques that require extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures, constant attention is required to ensure good results. Here Isezaki can be seen pushing the bounds of tradition Bizen orthodoxies in interesting and creative wa...