A humble crackled white bowl by Koie Ryoji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Chawan. Inside drops of spilled ink and a bit of blank canvas (raw earth) like a minimalist painting from the 1950s. It is 14.5 cm (5-5/8 inches) diameter, 8 cm (3-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

A Japanese bronze study of a prowling, growling, tiger with an open mouth, glass eyes and etched strips. There is a cast rectangular reserve on the tigers belly which says Seiya Sake(Sei ya made), which would indicate that the statue was made in the Genryusai Seiya Workshop. The tiger weighs about 5 pounds, measures about 13 1/2" long x 7 1/2" high, and dates to the late 19th Century. The condition is excellent. The tiger comes with a beautiful wooden stand as shown...

Antique Japanese ceramic bizen ware sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku, two of the most popular of the Lucky Gods. Diakoku, who is usually pictured standing on top of bales of rice, instead stands on top of a large ball. He is shown carrying a lucky mallet (Uchide no Kozuchi) and a bag of treasure which is thrown over his shoulder. He is the protector of agriculture, farmers, and rice merchants...

Antique Japanese taiko Buddhist temple drum. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood. Painted with mitsu domoe design, the three comma motif also used as a popular family crest. The design is painted in bold red, blue and green colors. Tightly stretched on both sides with bronze and iron hardware. Taiko (literally meaning "drum" in Japanese) first came about as a way to frighten away evil spirits and crop-threatening pests as well as to call the rain spirit to nourish the fields...

Ohno Bakufu
Brocade Carp (Higoi)
Series: Familiar Fishes of Japan (Dai Nihon gyorui gashu)
Size: Oban. Approximately 19.25 x 13.5 inches. Visible image: 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1938.
Edition: No. 260 (noted on back in pencil).
Publisher: Nishinomiya Shoin/Kyoto Hanga-in.
Artist's signature and seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print employing mica highlights.
Condition: Excellent color. Some foxing in the water...

Antique Japanese Oribe ware (Oribe-yaki) mizusashi (cold water container for replenishing the water in a tea kettle) for tea ceremony. This type of Oribe is called Ao-Oribe (green Oribe) as it prominently features a rich green copper-sulfate glaze. This is applied in generous dripping swaths of color over a white crackle glaze. It is further decorated with designs from nature using deft and quick brushwork in a black glaze...

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...

An antique Japanese Gyosho Bako (peddler's box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Original Urushi lacquer finish and bronze hand made hardware. Carrying handles through which a pole would be inserted with outer Japanese writing advertising the peddler. Straight Japanese dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. Four drawers of increasing heights from top to bottom.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 6" Wide by 13" High by 11" Deep

An antique Japanese bronze cast crow standing on a Momiji (Maple) wood Kadai (flat natural wood stand). Having just landed, it appears to be getting familiar with its surroundings. One can almost imagine its caw to stake out its territory. Fine feathers and claws show the detail that went into the casting of this piece.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10" Long by 8 3/8" High by 8" Wide

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. With six drawers total this chest was used to store letters, ephemeral, and small personal goods. Side handles were used to move the tansu from room to room...

An antique Japanese scholar's desk made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles. Full moon design to each leg. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 31 1/2" Wide by 14 1/2" High by 14 1/4" Deep

A double gourd shaped covered water jar by Tsukigata Nahiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oni-Shino Mizusashi and inside named Robai-ju (Robai is a type of early blossoming plum, Ju is ball). It is just under 7 inches (17.5 cm) diameter, 6 inches (15 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Tsukigata Nahiko (1923-2006) was not only an accomplished ceramic artist, but also a painter, calligrapher, sculptor and musician...

Kawase Hasui
Moonlit Night at Miyajima (Miyajima no Tsukiyo)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed lower right.
Date: 1947.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Red, round 6 mm publisher's seal at lower left, indicating a first edition (first state).
Reference: Hotei #497.
Condition: Print is fully adhered to backing board.

An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Four large drawers and two small drawers comprise this chest for versatile organizing and storage...

Flowers of the four seasons blossom in a cacophony of color over the entirety of this Kutani vase signed from the pre-eminent Kaburaki (Kaburagi) studio dating from the opening of the 20th century. The imagery is exquisitely performed with over-glaze enamels on a sheer white ground. The vase is large at 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall and is in excellent condition, with some wear to the gold rim. It comes enclosed in an old custom made kiri-wood box.
Kaburaki, along with Yoshidaya, were the pree...

An antique Hon Kotansu (personal book storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Two hinged Biraki doors open to a split level shelf where books and other personal belongings were stored. Two side by side drawers below gave additional storage space for organizing. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nails were used in its construction.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 25 1/2" Wide by 19 3/4" High by 12 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Daruma wooden mold used for making paper mâché dolls. Likely retired from duty and lacquered to preserve its years of production and service. The worn lacquer is a testament to its display and use that extended beyond its useful life and paid tribute to the former artisans that supported the craft. The bottom reveals the three holes used to connect the mold to a turning wheel for ease of applying the paper mache. Knife cuts and natural cracks from wear show how the mold w...

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Kotansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze and iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Locks feature a Chrysanthemum motif and the door handles display stylized clouds. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area and five drawers used for additional storage and organizing. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 23 7/8" Wid...