Buddhist shrine containing the deity Uga Benzaiten surrounded by Fifteen Children (Jugodoji), all sitting and standing on a rock formation. In the foreground are the ox and the horse, a boat laden with rice bales and the snake god Ugajin. Hidden between the jugodoji is the tiny figure of Amida Buddha.

In this shrine Benten appears in her eight-armed martial form holding various weapons (wheel, bow, spear, sword, club, lock, and arrow) and the wish granting jewel (all of them missing)...

Takahashi Shotei
Moon Under a Bridge at Hakozaki
Size: Approximately 7.5 x 5.25 inches.
Shotei's Rakutei seal at left.
Date: pre-1936.
Reference: S-49 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Wear on bridge wall. Back has a a few foxing spots and pencil note.

Takahashi Shotei
Drawing up seawater under moonlight.
The figures are engaged in saltmaking, likely at Suma Beach
Date: pre-1936.
Size: Approximately 7.5 x 5.25 inches.
Shotei's Rakutei seal at left.
Reference: S-50 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil notes on back.

Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Riverside at Furukawa
Series: Famous Views of the Eastern Capital
Date: Pre-1923.
Size: 10 x 5 inches.
Shotei seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: S-81 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Two small pieces of tape at back margin. Left margin has spot.
- The blocks for this rare print were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

An unusual Arita wall-vase, kakehana, circa 1750. The seed-shaped hollow body is moulded with trailing vines supporting a dragonfly. The painter has used two different greens, aubergine, yellow and black. The unglazed back is pierced for suspension. It is probable that this kakehana was made for the home market.

In 52 years of business I have found only two of these unusual vases, this one I kept for my collection.

Approximately 16.7cm long...

A Japanese Porcelain food bowl and cover, 19th century.

The delicate porcelain bowl decorated with breaking waves, autumnal maple leaves and chrysanthemum flowers. Within the foot-rim is a coloured ‘clove’ mark. The lid, of similar design, sports a splendid flowerhead knop.

Approximately 15.2 cm diameter. Generally in good state but with some stained crazing. The rim of the bowl has small flakes filled with white...

An antique Japanese Kaidan Tansu (stair chest) in 2 sections made of Hinoki (Cypress), Aka Matsu (Red Pine) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Hirute handles. 7 steps with an added riser at the top. Each step is a short 5" long with a 10 1/4" riser and a left to right incline. 4 drawers with a hinged door for spacious storage...

Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. This one is made of asa (hemp) and both warp and weft are hand-plied...

Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. It is made of hemp and weft of is hand-plied but warp is machine-spun...

Sadamitsu Sugimoto, a great master of the ceramic art scene in Japan, was led by Tachibana Daiki the great Zen teacher and has been producing a lot of masterpieces through over 40 years .He has been studying the world of “wabi, sabi, and yugen” as his life's theme. This piece is made of white raku, like as a miniature of white raku chawan. Size: 6.8cm(D) 5.5cm(H) Accessory: wooden box signed by potter

Sadamitsu Sugimoto, a great master of the ceramic art scene in Japan, was led by Tachibana Daiki the great Zen teacher and has been producing a lot of masterpieces through over 40 years .He has been studying the world of “wabi, sabi, and yugen” as his life's theme. This piece has reduced oribe glaze, it also could be used as a vase. Size: 11.4cm(B) 10.3cm (L) 16.1cm(H) Accessary: wooden box signed by potter

Nanban means earthenware made in southern islands including Okinawa in Japan. Among them, vases like this piece has been liked to call "Oni-no-ude, Ogre's arm". Wild flowers would fit it very well. It's "Wabi Sabi" feeling. Size: 10.8cm(D) 28.0cm (H) Accessary: old wooden box

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Magpie and Magnolia
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1931. This edition 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower left.
Shoson signature and seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: S5.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. Point-sized mark at bottom edge...

An antique Japanese Ko Choba Tansu (small merchant chest) made of Sakuranoki (Cherry Wood) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria). All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. The front hinged door hides 7 drawers of varying sizes.

Originally used by a merchant to keep valuables and store records and documents...

An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made of 100% quartered sawn Keyaki (Zelkova) hardwood and Suginoki interior (Cryptomeria) woods. All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. 5 large drawers with a hinged security door that hides 2 small drawers where valuable were kept hidden...

Cotton kimono with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern butterfly crest and dancer. It is made from cloth for tenugui (towel). It has rather thick texture and in good condition except for some dirty line in the neck. The first half of the 20th century. 118cm x 131cm

Kawase Hasui
Moonlit Night at Miyajima (Miyajima no Tsukiyo)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed lower right.
Date: 1947.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Red, round 6 mm publisher's seal at lower left, indicating a first edition (first state).
Reference: Hotei #497.
Condition: Print is fully adhered to backing board.

An antique Ryobiraki Choba Tansu (merchant chest with double doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Behind the doors are 7 drawers with 2 shelves for merchant books and records. The bottom shelf has a coin slot where coins were dropped into the drawer below. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

This chest would make a beautiful side table or accent piece in an...