Ohara Koson
Two birds on thin twigs with red berries
Size: Approximately 16.8 x 11.8 cm. 6.625 x 4.625 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Koson signature and seal at lower left.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 436).
Reference: K35.18 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Slight wave in paper around original publisher's label at back.
An early and rarely seen design.

Sparrow on Hortensia (Blue Hydrangea) (aka. A Songbird Among Hydrangea)
Size: Kotanzaku. Approximately 19.4 x 9.6 cm. 7.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 106).
Kono Bairei seal at lower left. Bairei died in 1895, which, curiously, was before Matsumoto was in business. Matsumoto has also issued this print with a proper Koson seal. Please see an example in our last photo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent...

A 17th century Japanese porcelain plate plate for the domestic market. Arita 1670 - 1690. A goose on a promontory next to a crashing wave.

d = 19.4 cm...

Aoki Seiko (b. 1880)
Flying Cuckoo
Size: Approximately 9.75 x 4.625 inches. 24.8 x 11.8 cm.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. Cat. #360 tag on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight creasing where publisher's original tag is attached to back. Small dash mark indentation under bird.
- Rarely seen.

An Arita small dish in ai-Kutani style decorated with a bird beneath a tree, all within a dog-tooth border. The plain back with an apocryphal four-character Ming Wanli reign mark. Circa 1700.

Approximately 16.9 cm diameter...

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Evening Glow at Sakawa Bridge - Chirimen (creped version)
Date: Pre-1936.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 11.5 x 5.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-9 in Shotei catalog.
Condition: Small spot above mountain. Pinhole at lower right corner...

Shoda Koho
Black Cat at Night
Date: 1930s.
Size: Tanzaku 13.25 x 3.125 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku (stamp on verso)
Artist's seal at lower right.
Reference: No. 1602
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Ohara Koson
Siberian Blue Robin (Nightingale)
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1912.
Koson signature and seal at lower left.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Reference: K26.3 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Note: This print is very rare. We've noticed another example in the Rijks Museum collection.
Condition: A conservator has repaired tears at three corners...

Decorated with a carp diving in waterweed executed in typically thick and strongly hued enamels. The back similarly decorated with oysters and weed, the centre with a large Kutani mark.

The Yoshidaya kiln was a short-lived venture, situated in Yamashiro, intended to revive earlier Kutani-style wares. The founding investor was Toyota Denuemon IV (aka Sekio, lived 1751-1827), a businessman who used the professional name Yoshidaya...

Daruma standing tall, wrapped tightly in his garment, the tips of his feet just peeping out. The bottom section of his garment is flapping in the wind. This pose is associated with the episode in which Daruma travels to China, crossing the river Yangzi, while standing on a reed.
The figure was molded in a cast in two halves (front and back) and joined before firing...

Japanese mitsugiri-ban format vertical shin hanga woodblock print by Takahashi Shotei, also known as Hiroaki (1871 - 1945) depicting a female figure holding a lantern and walking through blossoms at night. This image is one of three variant designs titled “Spring Evening” published by Watanabe circa 1936. The title “Yayoi” is in black at the lower right and there is faint unreadable evidence of a red artist’s seal below it...

Kawase Hasui
Vermillion-lacquered Temple Gate in Snow
Date: 1930s.
Size: Approximately 6.125 x 4.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Hasui seal at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei Hp-48.
Condition: Excellent.

Dry lacquer Noh mask depicting the character of Kokushiki-Jo and designed to represent divine blessings. Inscription at the back of the mask. Japan, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.4 cm. Some chips around the rim, partly flaked lacquer, otherwise good condition. NOTE: This mask is used exclusively in "Okina", an ancient dance ritual said to be close to the roots of Noh. Okina is viewed as sacred and therefore accorded a different status from other items in the Noh repertoire...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Maiko Sea Shore
Date: 1936.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 7.75 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten.
Printer: Yokoi. Carver: Harada. This combination of seals indicates an early postwar edition.
Reference: TK-DH-23 in Koitsu catalogue.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back has one tape remnant at top right and a small foxing spot. Slight fading.

Kawase Hasui
Kiso River (catalog title: Mt. Fuji with Sailboat)
Date: 1930s.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.875 x 5.375 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's oval seal at lower left.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-1.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Great Buddha, Kamakura (Hase Daibutsu)
Date: 1930s.
Size: 5.875 x 3.75 inches.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
Reference: Hotei Hp-53
Condition: Back of print has paper residue at top.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Inari Shrine at Oji - Peddler and Woman
Size: Approximately 14.875 x 6.75 inches.
Date: 1924-30.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Shotei catalog #M-26. Ota-ku 2005 Catalog #:198.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back has paper and adhesive residue. A few foxing spots. Faint crease near top.

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Goldfish
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1926. This edition post-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe. Round 7mm publisher's seal at lower right.
Reference: S39.6 and cat. 171 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Removed from original window matte. Slightly toned.