Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Returning Home, Evening
Date: Pre-1936 (1920s or 1930s)
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. No. 508 in 1936 Watanabe catalogue.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
"Made in Japan" on verso.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7 inches.
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.
Condition: Excellent. Uncirculated.

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Fifteen-piece Japanese Satsuma earthenware tea set consisting of lidded teapot, lidded sugar vessel, lidded creamer, six cups and six saucers. The set is densely decorated with the Kannon, Rakan (Buddhist disciples), and dragon pattern in raised moriage enamels and gilt. “Great Japan Satsuma” mark to base. Meiji period (circa 1900)...

Japanese indigo ikat cotton coat, with neutral color sakiori (rag woven) cotton collar, its edges reinforced with white sashiko stitching.

Size: 35.25" L x 36" H

Ohara Koson
Monkey in a Tree
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1910-1923.
Publisher: Daikokuya
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: K41.21 and plate 30 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Excellent with very slight bend at lower left corner. Uncirculated.
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.

A very rare 19th century elaborate head dress (Kanmuri or crown) of gilded parts inset with glass surmounted by a phoenix flanked by two dragons for use in the Japanese Noh Theater. A golden phoenix takes flight from the peak, surrounded by sun, moon and flaming jewel from which are suspended extravagant chains of glass and coral beads and gilded ornaments. Made of brass, paper, wood and thin wire, the entire is covered in gold with the sun and moon in enamel and burning jewels in glass...

An excellent example of Japanese rustic charm that transcends its humble origins to embody a refined artistic work, this mizusashi, or fresh water pot used in tea ceremony, displays a beautiful natural ash glaze that includes dazzling ochres, browns, grays, and yellows splashed across the intentionally rough and contoured ceramic landscape.

Iga-ware pottery dates back to 7th and 8th century and—like so many other pottery styles in Japan—takes its name from the region where it wa...

This remarkable tea bowl is from the kilns of Yoshida Shuen (1940-1987)—an apprentice of Miwa Kyusetsu (1910-2012) who was awarded the status of Living National Treasure in 1983. It features a warm milky beige glaze with light umber accents and shows a bit of exposed clay on the kodai (foot) where the artists seal is located.

Hagi-yaki has a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery...

Beautiful and slightly distorted masterpiece Mizusashi (water jar for tea ceremony) of dark Seto yaki with black and brown glaze. Around 1900, Meiji Period. No chips, no cracks.

Size: 18 cm height x 13 cm diameter on top.

Shipping included

This antique Seto piece features a warm matte ash glaze with several patches of darker and lighter pigmentation. The molded clay shows striations that resemble textured wood grains—highlighted by a soft patina developed over many decades of use.

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style chawan—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time...

Finely cast bronze censer on four linked feet with very elegant flower décor on the body and fretwork on the rim, patinated in a rich brown. Bottom decorated in low relief with repeating, extremely fine fretwork of faces. Seal on bottom: Dai-Nihon Bunsei nen Seimin sei. Japan, Edo period, early 19th century.
H H 2-7/8 x diam. 6 ½ inches.
Excellent condition

Murata Seimin (1761-1837), bronze sculptor active in Edo, well-known for his fine casting of bronze vessels and animals.

This striking chawan is a fine example of “Oni Shino” (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the mid-50’s after countless failed experiments—which ultimately culminated in the discovery of this unique style of pottery—“Oni” translates roughly to demon or ogre...

Here in Kyoto our gallery is located along the Kamo River in a district known as Shobu-en Machi, which roughly translates as “Iris Town.” As you can imagine, the scene depicted in this painting of irises and cranes is one that can be commonly witnessed in our neighborhood in the spring (May) when these flowers are in full bloom...

Kawase Hasui
Evening Shower at Imai Bridge, 1932
This is a lifetime edition printed between 1946 and 1957.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the 6 mm seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent with a couple of scuffs at upper left corner. Uncirculated.
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.

Like the charred remains of an open book deep fingerprints still visible from the opening hands within, this is a fine example of the work of Avante Garde Akiyama Yo enclosed in the original wooden box dating from 2013. It is 6-1/2 x 5 inches (16/5 x 13 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Akiyama Yo was born in Yamaguchi, home of Hagi pottery) in 1953, but went to Kyoto to study at the Kyoto Municipal University of Arts in 1976...

A soft pallet of blurred pastels blend between gold risers on this elegant form by Yoshita Yukio enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Saishoku Kinsai Hanike and dating circa 2002. It is 11 inches (28 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Yoshita Yukio is the fourth generation head of the Kinsan Kiln in Kutani, specializing in Kinsai and Yuri-Kinsai wares. Unlike standard Kutani wares, he uses a pallet of soft, earthy or pastels with accents in gold to create a new appeal...

Fabulous Taisho Period bronze buddhist temple water bowl in the shape of a lotus. Great patina from years of use. Two handles and tripod feet. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote. 15" wide by 12" high.

Kawase Hasui
Ishizue, Niigata
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.25 x 7.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Date: 1934.
This edition 1930s.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Bears the oval Hasui seal.
Reference: Hotei #352.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.
Condition: Excellent. Uncirculated.

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 15th/ 16th century and comes with what may be the original box and a quite old silk pouch. The light creamy crackled glaze is smooth in the hand and fine hairline fractures radiating along the walls of the bowl show remnants of gold repairs from previous centuries...