Antique Japanese carved wooden figure of Shoki the Demon Queller, beautifully carved with billowing robe, covered in gold brocade obi fabric, this is an unusually exquisite version of the commonly smaller and plainer Kimekomi-ningyo. The movement of the drapery and intense facial expression with hand-painted eyes tell of the artistic skill used in the making of this doll. This doll is published in "Japanese Dolls by Allan Scott Pate page 97 plate 127"...

An antique Japanese two section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing) made of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top and bottom section has two large drawers. Hardware is made of iron and includes round lock plates and square drawer pulls.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 44" tall X 34.5" long X 16.5" wide

The artist who produced this piece, Wataru Motomura, prides himself in living a traditional life in the eastern hills of Kyoto—long known for its rich clay and idyllic pastoral lands. Though the form of this vessel appears innovative and modern, the techniques and materials used to produce it have been around for many hundreds of years...

A beautiful example of Shigaraki pottery—the result of techniques perfected over centuries by dedicated artisans residing in the provinces east of Kyoto. This piece, made by master potter Sugimoto Sadamitsu, achieves a kind of asymmetrical balance of both form and color, displaying classic Shigaraki markings of emerald green, red ochre, and pale ash.

Sugimoto (b. 1935) is one of the most important Shigaraki potters alive today and continues to create master works into his old age...

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
The Moon on Musashi Plain
No. 91 from the series "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon"
Date: Published April 1892.
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.375 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Seals in margin.
Carver: Yamamoto.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Left margin partially trimmed. Backed with paper...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware with Warabite style handles. Upper section includes a pair of sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers below. The bottom two sections each have full width drawers for clothes storage. Made using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese low Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware with Warabite style handles. 2 Sliding doors behind which a split level shelf allows for abundant storage. Side support slats provide strength and visual design. 4 side by side drawers below provide additional storage.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 43 1/2" Wide by 32" High by 15 3/4" Deep

Traditional Japanese art tends to be timeless and inspiring in form, however, occasionally lacking in diversity and innovation. That is why artists who can incorporate centuries of experiential knowledge and technique into producing new and interesting forms are oh so valued...

17th Century Japanese Standing Buddha. A rare and fine example from the early Edo Period. Carved of Poloma wood with a rich dark patina. Complete with Stand and Mandala. It has a spiritual presence and a beautiful face to contemplate. 15 inches, 38 cm tall. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

DESCRIPTION: A large and quite fantastic Sumida Gawa vase with ribbed body, four large figures in high relief, and wide flared mouth. A thick, traditional flambe' glaze in dark brown and white covers the mouth and neck, and flows down the shoulders. Fine attention to detail has been paid to the four large handmade figures, all characters from Japanese lore, standing on ledges against the ribbed body...

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) dating from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 16th/ 17th century and comes with a very old box which appears to have been furnished sometime in Edo. The light creamy crackled glaze is smooth in the hand and fine hairline fractures radiate along the sides of the bowl contrasting nicely with the gold repairs...

A large and stupendous glass vase with a wide mouth decorated with deep, green abstract bands on gold foil by glass artist Tabuchi Koseki (b. 1932). Mouth and bottom with darker bands of deep brownish colour. Signed in the bottom ‘Koseki.’ It comes with fully inscribed, signed and stamped storage box, kiri-tomobako. Japan, late Showa, ca. 1980. H 24 cm, W 24 cm. Condition: Excellent. 

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
Moon and Smoke (Fire)
No. 22 from the series "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon"
Date: 1886
Size: Oan. Approximately 14.75 x 10.25 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon
Carver: Yamamoto
Condition: Slight toning and fading.
- Rival fire brigade standard-bearers stand on opposite rooftops...

Height: 15 cm (6 in)
Width: 9 cm (3.7 in)

Fine Japanese Satsuma vase by Kinkozan; quality raised gilt work throughout; the finest millefleur decoration to the interior section with gilt floral filigree above and below; beautifully signed; good condition

An antique Japanese Tohoku Tansu made of beautiful Keyaki Burl root (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish and hand made iron fittings including stylized Kakute handles. The top and sides used a traditional wiped lacquer technique. Raised tea leaf style corners on the drawers which is a traditional design for this region of tansu. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. Used as a double drawer kimono storage chest...

A fabulous thin walled Bizen basin made for use as a fresh water container for the Japanese Tea Ceremony with black lacquered wooden lid enclosed in the original signed wooden box by Living National Treasure Yamamoto Toshu. This burnished style reminiscent of sangiri techniques is the signature work of this important Bizen artist. Here a plethora of colors vie for dominance on the ordinarily sedate brown clay. It is 22 cm diameter, 13 cm tall and in excellent condition...

Charles W. Bartlett
Pearl of the Orient (Taj Mahal, Agra), 2nd Proof
Date: 1923-25
Size: Large version. 15.125 x 11.125 inches; 38.4 x 28.1 cm.
Sealed CWB by Bartlett. Signed and titled in pencil.
Medium: Etching, engraving, drypoint printed in blue ink hand-colored with watercolor.
Toning in margins. Slight foxing on the front. Back has foxing and adhesive residue.
Note: For more on this artist, see Darrel Karl's excellent and expansive blog, Eastern Impressio...

Mountains rise majestically over meandering inlets on this vase by Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Yama Sometsuke Kabin (Vase with Mountain Design in Blue). It is 19 cm (7-3/4 inches) tall, 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter and in perfect condition. It comes with the original custom made cloth pouch and shiori. For more on this important artist see the recent edition of Arts of Asia Magazine (Spring 2021), A Seeing Eye: Modern Ceramics in Ja...