An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Original wiped lacquer technique finish and hand made iron hardware. The lock knobs feature a Plum Blossom design and the design of the handles is a straight Gumbai. Sliding side by side doors open to a spacious area where once merchant books and records were stored.

A rare feature of this chest are the hidden compartments under the four bottom side by side drawers...

Ota Masamitsu (Ota Gako) (1892-1975)
Nakamura Tokizo III as Shizuka Gozen
No. 7 from the shin hanga series: Leading Figures of the Modern Stage in Their Most Famous Roles (Gendai Butai Geika).
Date: 1955.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Banchoro. Seal at bottom margin.
Printer: Miyake Koshodo. Seal at bottom margin.
Condition: Excellent.

Antique Japanese stoneware kame (wide mouthed bowl) from Shigaraki kiln. Made using the local sandy clay from the bed of Lake Biwa, Shigaraki ware is identified by the embedded granules of feldspar. Mineral and ash glaze is dribbled and spattered over the surface leaving long, uneven drips...

Antique Japanese jizai-kagi in the form of a whale. In a Japanese home, water in a kettle or pot is heated over an irori (sunken hearth). The jizai hook hangs from a strong ceiling beam. From this, a long device is suspended with a hook on the end that can be adjusted up or down by moving the jizai-kagi. Often these are carved in the form of a fish. This unusual jizai-kagi is carved of kayaki (zelkova elm) wood with traces of black lacquer and patina from hearth smoke...

Antique Japanese jizai-kagi in the form of a catfish. In a Japanese home, water in a kettle or pot is heated over an irori (sunken hearth). The jizai hook hangs from a strong ceiling beam. From this, a long device is suspended with a hook on the end that can be adjusted up or down by moving the jizai-kagi. This unusual jizai-kagi is carved of kayaki (zelkova elm) wood and has patination from hearth smoke. A portion of it's original iron chain is still attached...

Japanese antique pair of zenko, good spirit kitsune (foxes) specifically associated with the goddess, Inari. These figures are carved of wood and painted with gofun, a white paste made from oyster shells. Details are painted using black and red pigments. Gold lacquered hoshi no tama, resembling flames and symbolizing magical jewels that hold part of the kitsune's power, are held by each fox on the tip of it's tail...

Huge maku (curtain) made of many sake-bukuro which are recycled. It has many mending patches and stitches. The first half of the 20th century. 2m56cm x 128cm

Wood Sumikiri-bon with red urushi. Summikiri means a tray in the shape which four corners are cut. Four sides have painted in Negoro style which has partly black urushi. Used and some scratches and chips. Late 19th to early 20th century. 36.5cm x 36.5cm x 3.5cm

Antique Japanese mokugyo, fish bell, carved of keyaki (zelkova, elm) wood with traces of red and white lacquer. This wooden temple bell was used by Buddhist priest during religious ceremonies and chants. Laid on it's side on a pillow, the bell was struck to a rhythm to match the cadence of the chant. The carving on the bell is of two fish embracing a pearl, a symbol of unity. The fish themselves symbolize wakefulness, in this case to remind the chanters to focus on the sutra...

In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has an almost mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominence, both being endorsed by the major tea schools of Kyoto and both being favored by the Imperial household. The first in the line was an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (Yahē) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho)...

Very rare Edo Period (1603-1868) Japanese Antique Hohin Teapot for Sencha/Gyokuro with wonderful Wabi Sabi atmosphere Size Length 10.5cm Width 8.5cm Height 6cm Weight 190g Condition Overall good There are minor chips and lack of glaze Please see the photos for reference

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Japanese Raku Chawan with Amazing Glaze for Tea Ceremony Raku pottery is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremony since as early as the 16th century. Size Width 11.3cm Height 8.3cm Weight 340g + Box 260g Condition Overall good considering the age. Supplied with fabric bag shifuku and wooden box

Small silver vase with flared and hemmed neck. A finely chiseled snake is wrapped around the neck and an enameled chrysanthemum. The lower body is enamelled in polychromy by silver wire partitions. Under a round base there is a signature in a golden cartouche of Mitsu Shige. Period: Meiji. Height: 10cm (4")

The size of Box: 4 1/4" Square x 2 3/8", Medallion size: 2 5/8" Dia x 1/4" High dome shape. The size of Presentation Box: 9 7/8" Long x 7" Wide x 3 1/4" High. The title of work: Now and Then. The design depicted from Saru Suberi (Japanese name flower), English as Crape Myrtle flowers with such a delicately made by very thin/fine silver wires. This fine Japanese Cloisonne, Shippo Medallion was created by Fine Japanese Cloisonne Master Artist, Shinya Okamoto from Chiba Prefecture, Japan...

A vibrant double vase covered in signature naïve designs by Yamashita Moe enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Morinoyoru (Night in the forest). It is 12 x 24.5 x 27 cm (5 x 10 x 11 inches) and is in excellent condition. Her work is filled with joie de vie, and one cannot escape a smile when viewing it. Even the box is painted with a bright green silhouette of the vase, titled and signed in pink!
Yamashita Moe graduated the Kyoto Zokei University of Art in 2004...

Antique Japanese studio ware porcelain vase, carved all over with a raised design of a dragon in swirling clouds over churning waves...

Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks associated with the teachings of Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) would embark on a pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here. Made of asa (hemp).

Age: Me...

Antique Japanese textile decorated with a design of tea ceremony utensils. Small items such as a bamboo ladle for water (hishaku), a container of charcoal, cups, a tea whisk (chasen), a container for water (mizusashi), and other items surround a large central image of a portable iron tea kettle (kama) and brazier (furo). This design in done using a paste resist and indigo dye. A lovely blue color in four panels sewn together. 5 tabs at the top suggest it was used for a curtain similar to a...