Signifying strength and resilience, bamboo—together with pine and plum (sho chiku bai)—is an auspicious symbols running through the heart of Japanese art and culture. The young bamboo depicted here—sprouting from a patch of rocks—were composed by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Rengetsu was born into a Samurai family but was soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family...

Ohara Koson
Cawing Crow
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 17 x 11.5 inches.
Date: 1930s. This edition post-1950.
Reference: K5.15 and page 140 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: the Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland)
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku
Condition: Excellent. Full original margins.

Little distorted half cylinder shaped (tsutsugata) tea bowl made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay.

The expertly thrown body is covered with the typical, glossy black iron oxide glaze inside and outside.

The window is decorated with three concentric squares and twigs in iron oxide glaze has then covered with a clear ash and feldspar glaze. This is a typical Momoyama design...

Ohara Koson
Cormorants at Coast
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 17.25 x 11.25 inches.
Date: 1930s. This edition ca. 1960.
Reference: K3.3 and page 141 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: the Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland)
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku
Condition: Excellent. Full original margins.

Ohara Koson
Owl and Moon
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 8.5 inches.
Date: 1930s. This edition post 1950.
Reference: K20.6 and page 97 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: the Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland)
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku
Condition: Excellent. Full original margins. Never framed.

Rare Antique Japanese two section isho tansu (clothing chest) from Sado Island. Beautiful burl keyaki (elm) wood front with original lacquer finish, interior all kiri (paulownia) wood, four large drawers with three smaller drawers on the right, safe box in lower right hand corner with three small interior drawers also with keyaki fronts and iron hardware. One drawer has a secret compartment...

Original Antique Japanese gyosho bako (merchant's chest) made from kiri (paulownia) wood with a red lacquer finish. Its front features two doors on iron hinges, with iron fan shaped corner hardware and locks. Many drawers of varying size and handle styles sit within. The sides of the box have iron rings for a merchant to attach straps and carry. Original condition and glowing finish. Wonderful piece. Edo age (1615-1868) Size: 34" height, 11.75" width, 22" depth

This is Noragi used in the Shonai, Yamagata district for the Meiji period. As for this, cotton is used for the warp. And cotton thread and Koyori-Paper colored into a weft with a natural indigo plant are used. It is the item which this is called Denti, and a bride brings in the case of a wedding ceremony. This has a hole of 7cm x 9cm (2.7 "x 3.5") to a back. This has some stains, but does not stand out. Size 70cm x 60cm (27.5 "x 23.6")

This piece features a warm golden glaze with several patches of lighter pigmentation. The inside of the bowl is especially inviting and shows a magnificent patina developed over many decades of use and what appears to be a partly faded stencil of a pinecone. The foot is well-shaped, well-grounded, and clearly displays the unglazed rich clay...

Antique Japanese door with beautiful painting of two beautiful geisha. One holds a black and gold lacquer tray while the other kneels beside her. Flecks of gold accent the space surrounding the painting. The backside of the door has a monochromatic painting of waterside scenery. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 71" height, 37" width, 1.25" depth

Antique Japanese door with a beautiful painting of a playful looking geisha holding the folds of her robes and carrying a maple branch in her hand. Her robe is navy blue with a turquoise obi, with intricate auspicious symbols accented by red. A low hanging maple branch with fall colored leaves and mushrooms hangs above her head. Splashes of gold flecking surround her. The opposite side of the door has been painted with a wonderful scene of boats and mountains...

This is Shounai-Obi used in Shounai for Edo period. This is woven in cotton and Koyori. This is considerably thick. As for this, cotton is dyed with a natural indigo plant. This has slight gradation in a stripe. This has a bunch of beautiful cotton at the both ends. This has a few stains, but does not stand out. There is no damage. Size 350cm x 20.5cm (137.7 "x 8")

Original Antique Japanese sword tansu made from kiri (paulownia) wood with a brown lacquer finish. The front features four long drawers and one small drawer with iron locks and handles. Original finish.

Mid Edo age (1603-1868)

Size: 42" L X 12" D X 14" H

Very Unusual Antique Japanese large safe box made all of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, door has elaborate six drop-in hinges (when door is unlocked it can be lifted completely off), other hardware inlcludes heavy iron cross and corner bracing, heavy side handles, and warabite shaped drawer pulls on the two interior drawers, the outside of the box is finished with it's original reddish orange translucent lacquer finish. Edo Period (circa 1850's) Size: 41 1/2" high (42" high including ...

This is Shirushi-Hanten used in Kyoto for Edo period. This is dyed with a natural indigo plant. As for this, cotton is spun by hand. And this has good texture. As for this, a pattern is dyed in Tsutsugaki. This has the stain such as the image. There is no damage. Size 85cm x 136.5cm (33.4 "x 53.7")

Raised, undulating ridges on a field of cobalt blue highlighted with white slip and bronze flecks around the rim, this piece conjures images of the deep and stormy sea or possibly of the vast swirling cosmos...

Antique Japanese full size two section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing), made of kiri (paulownia) wood with original deep reddish brown translucent lacquer finish with wonderful patina especially around the iron work. This chest has four large drawers and a small safe box in the lower right hand corner with two interior drawers finished to match the front of the chest. Iron work includes warabite shaped drawer pulls and large lock plates...

An unusual Japanese keyaki tansu/ Toranku with a deep original red lacquer finish. This sturdy trunk has a top locking lid opening to an upper storage compartment. Flat top allows items to be placed on the top aswell. The bottom of the trunk has a large single drawer with interesting diamond style decorative hardware, and flower shaped handle mounts. Size: 19" height, 35" width, 19.5" depth