A pair of powerful Shishi guardian carvings dating from the later Edo period, 18th-19th century, in the Ah-Un expression (Exhaling and inhaling). Ah-Un has many allusions, it is the beginning and end of the alphabet, summarizing all in between, and is said to be inhaling good fortune, and exhaling bad. Glass eyes inset into very human faces. They are 10-1/2 inches (26.5 cm) tall, 9-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches (24 x 14 cm)...

Ohara Koson
Crow on Snowy Bough
Size: Approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches.
Date: ca. 1930s.
Unsigned as originally issued.
Publisher: Daikokuya (Matsuki Heikichi).
Reference: #48b on page 72 of Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Condition: Excellent. Never displayed.

Deluxe impression Edo period Japanese woodblock print depicting an actor portraying a man carrying a bucket in a scene from kabuki theater by Yoshitaki (1841-1899). Circa 1860. Exceptional color with lacquer highlights to the collar of the outer kimono. The background at the left side of the print contains fine calligraphy executed in silver. Chuban-sized print with margins evident on the top and right sides. Paper size: 9 7/8" x 7 1/8" (image measures 9 5/8" x 7")...

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Spring Evening
Date: Pre-1936. This is the more rare creped edition.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 12 x 5.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Shotei seal at right.
Reference: Shotei #M-12. Watanabe #212.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent color. Paper residue at top back margin.

Slightly distorted cylinder shaped (tsuzu) tea bowl with straight walls, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife around the foot ring.

The bowl was covered with black iron oxide glaze of the non glossy type (preferable!) and then covered with a black glaze in the style of a Seto-guro bowl...

This is a really fine piece of Japanese Golden Age cloisonne with a very pleasing form. This phoenix design and form are unique. We have only seen one other like this and it was the mate to this one that recently sold. Condition is excellent except for a superbly filled surface chip. The before and after images can be seen in the last images. The vase is large standing 12 inches tall.

Japanese gifu choba tansu made with Hinoki and Sugi wood and hand-forged iron hardware including Hirute drawer pulls and plating. The sliding panels with slats open to a spacious interior. The bottom of the chest holds two drawers recessed behind a locking bar, and a safe door with two small drawers inside. Original finish.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35" L x 16 1/2" D x 37 1/4" H

Antique Japanese bronze okimono, animated in a recumbent pose. The tanuki clothed in Buddhist monk robes, curled and withdrawn for rest. A strand of prayer beads is visible out from underneath his crossed front legs. The sculpture is skillfully cast with a bronze dark russet patina, essentiated by the chasing of the hair and the smooth surface of the folds...

Wood bowl (shikarinpah) with bird motif, made by Ainu craftsman in Hokkaido. All hand-carved and in excellent condition. 20th century. L:24cm W:10.5cm H:5cm

This is Japanese antique Edo Period (1800-1857)Hand drawn dyed of yuzen dye & Hand embroidery Excellent silk fukusa textile. Its design, Yuzen dyeing and embroidery techniques show the characteristics made in the Edo period. Although it has a slight stain, there is no damage, it is a very good condition. I will recommend this item to your collection. And it can be decorated easily on the wall. size: Length 52.5cm / 20.6inch width 46cm / 18.1inch

Japanese limited-edition copperplate etching and aquatint by Tanaka Ryohei (b. 1933) titled “Tree of Mandarin” dated ‘08. Pencil-signed, dated ’08, and numbered 20/100 in the lower margin. Paper size: 10 1/2” x 11 3/4” (image: 6 1/2” x 8”). Never framed. Excellent original condition.

Japanese limited-edition mezzotint depicting a traditional village in snow by Koichi Sakamoto (b. 1932) titled “Enduring Village No. 1.” The print is pencil-signed, titled in English and kanji, and numbered 68/100 in the lower margin. Dates circa 1982. The artist’s watermark is in the lower right margin. Paper size: 9” x 11” (plate about 5 1/2” x 6 1/2”). The white archival mat folder measures about 12 1/2” x 13 1/2.” Excellent overall condition...

A very large plate decorated with a kylin surrounded by panels of cranes among pine and prunus trees, separated by formal lotus flowers.

Just a tad under 41 cm diameter. No cracks, chips or restoration. Some light wear from use.

Stand not included.

Please study the photographs.

For new customers resident in China sadly I have to state that I am no longer prepared to accept payment by PayPal...

Iyashiku mo tsune areba
hisashi hisashikereba onozu kara yoi kaori wo harau
If you perservere (with proper living), the years will grant you success. This was a famous last line from a treatise written by revered Han Dynasty scholar Cui Yuan (Cui Ziyu, 78–143). These same words were famously written by Kukai (Kobodaishi 774-835) the founder of Shingon escoteric Buddhism in Japan...

A Japanese porcelain steep-sided dish depicting a traditional zashiki room or perhaps a temple interior. The plants seen through the windows are banana and cycad, both common in warmer climates as experienced in Kyushu or Okinawa. Arita 1730 - 1750. Two plates with similar central designs are found in ‘The Story of Imari’, Goro Shimura. ‘The Story of Imari, The Symbols and Mysteries of Antique Japanese Porcelain’, Ten Speed Press, Toronto. 2008. Items 61, 62...

A large glass vase of emerald green reflecting the ancient glass works found in the Shosoin Imperial repository by 20th century pioneering glass artist Iwata Toshichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Flecks of various colors and air permeate the glass, accentuating the fact he is duplicating the ancient glass works, long before techniques had been perfected and material purified...

Crimson petals seem to swirl about a vortex of yellow fading to white on the overall black glass surface of this plate by Nakashima Yasushi enclosed in the original signed wooden box and exhibited at the 19th Nihon Dento Kogeiten exhibition (catalog included). It is 14 x 16 inches (35.5 x 41.5 cm) and is in excellent condition. It is titled Anba Unmo Nami-Uchi Sara, Roran no Hana. (I believe he is using the first two characters as “ateji” meaning Amber Mica Waved Dish, Orchid Flowers). <...

A pool of green and gold veined with black and spotted with white on a morphic form by Kobayashi Mitsugi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 8 x 6 inches (20 x 15 x 4 cm) and in excellent condition. Kobayashi Mitsugi, born in Aichi, graduated the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts. He was awarded at the Nihon Gendai Kogei Ten (Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition) 1973 Kogeisho-Prize and 1980 Governor of Tokyo Prize as well as the Tokusen-Prize at the Nitten National...