An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with auspicious Paulownia leaf lock plates and Warabite handles. The original finish was done in a wiped Urushi lacquer technique for both the drawer fronts and the tansu body.

It was used in a wealthy Japanese home to store personal effects, ephemera, writing tools, and other miscellaneous sundries...

A master work by one of the top artisans of the late 20th century—the result of techniques perfected over centuries by dedicated craftsmen residing in districts in and around Kyoto. This black Raku-style tea bowl produced by Sugimoto Sadamitsu beautifully exemplifies the essence of "wabi-cha" or the philosophy of finding beauty and deep philosophic meaning in rustic simplicity.

Sugimoto (b...

Master of a very difficult technique from the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) known in Japanese as Neriage, the potter who created this elegant vase uses extreme precision to combine sheets of differing types of clay, culminating in a unique visual effect. While many of his pieces are ringed with swirls of colors, this one is more modern and subdued...

Antique Japanese bronze vase with incised design. A vertical row of diamond shaped reserves with plum or cherry blossom and bamboo motif. Unusual overall form with wide mouth. Signed on the bottom and coated on the inside to hold water for flower arrangements. Comes with signed tomobako...

A sheer cascade of silver mist drops into the darkness beyond a golden outcrop harboring an ancient pine laden with blossoming wisteria vines. Togidashi, taka-maki-e and kirigane, this is a breathtaking box dating from the 19th to opening of the 20th century. Inside is elegantly decorated with drifting clouds of golden mist. Overall in excellent condition, enclosed in a period wooden box. It is 23 x 21.5 x 4.3 cm (9 x 8-1/2 x 1-3/4 inches).

Bronze vase with a dark brown patina in the shape of a trunk.
It bears a three characters signature underneath : 京翁斎 « made by an old man in Kyôto”.

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Height : 22 cm-Diameter : 14 cm

Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and with all of the trappings that let you know they were cared for by a devoted cha-jin can be quite challenging. Here we see all three. The shape of this tea bowl is exquisite and something I have not seen before in a Mino piece...

Small painting of the 11-headed Kannon standing on a lotus dais, flanked by Bishamonten and Fudo Myoo.
In the front two red colored Nio are guarding the deities.
Inscription on the central base reads: Ichijoten (name of the temple hall), junsan koichi hongu.
The inscription on the bottom reads: Kazusa Shibayama Tenozan Kanon kyoji.
Rollers cut off and framed in mounting.

Black ink and colors on paper...

A rare antique Japanese Omikuji Tansu (temple fortune telling chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Original Urushi lacquer over a Bengara stain. Hand made and hand forged iron hardware. Japanese straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nail construction.

Used in a Shinto Shrine or Buddhist Temple to store paper fortunes for visitors and worshippers...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Aka Matsu (Red Pine) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original wiped Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware. 3 drawers with 2 sliding doors that hide a spacious storage area behind. Horizontal ribs on the doors and side of the tansu for strength and visual design...

A Mounted Antique Japanese jingasa, samurai's hat. Lacquered a deep brown color with a pattern of armor pieces cross stitched together and decorated with gold double agehonocho (swallowtail butterfly) crest of the Taira clan (also called Heike clan)...

An antique Japanese 2 panel Byobu screen of a mounted Kimono from a Noh play. Embroidered picture of flying Phoenix birds with Paulownia and scrolling vines they use to build a nest. The Kimono is that of a young female character of high aristocratic nobility wearing it as a surcoat in summer. The double Paulownia would represent a marriage as its theme. It is shown hanging on a Tazuna rope. The background is a silver leaf with a vermillion lacquer frame...

Antique Chinese large porcelain vase. Decorated all over with a basket texture and a pair of dragons with a flaming pearl and cloud-like mist. The body of the vase is glazed a celadon green while the dragons remain a very pale bluish white. The dragons represent the endless cycle of transformation and the flaming wish-granting pearl is one of the Eight Treasures and represents pure intention.

Age: Republic Period (1912-1949)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" high x 13" wide

An antique Japanese Chobako (small merchant chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods...

Torii Kotondo
Combing Hair (Kamisuki). From the Twelve Aspects of Women Series.
Dated: 1929 (numbered first edition)
Edition: 119 of 300 (Numbered by hand on verso as part of embossed stamp.
Paper size: 18.25 x 11.75 inches.
Publisher: Kawaguchi (sealed at right margin).
Carver: Ito. Printer: Komatsu. Seals at left margin.
Artist's signature and seal.
Embossed title at bottom margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tone line near ima...

An antique Japanese Sendai Bo Tansu (locking bar chest from the Sendai region) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Kakute handles and Urushi lacquer finish. Safe door hides 3 small drawers where valuables were stored. The main lock plate features a key pattern with a flowing vine arabesque with the smaller plates decorated with Paulownia. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden n...

An early 19th C. Japanese two section cannon biraki clothing chest. Made of 100% solid kiri wood (all from one tree). Hand forged iron hardware. Top section has pair of hinged locking doors. Securing pair of interior drawers. Bottom section seven drawers in total teaching ranging in size (volume). Small hinged safe contains three small drawers. Overall in great condition with warm natural tones and finish.

Late Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 39" wide x 49" high x...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware. The locks feature the double Chrysanthemum knobs with the upper bronze plate featuring coins, a wisdom scroll, a treasure bag and 3 Hoju sacred jewels. A treasure mallet swivels to hide the key hole. The Warabite handles each have an upper pine tree and bottom plum blossom motif Atari stopper that protects the...