This is a finely hand-carved netsuke in Kurogaki (Black Persimmon) wood of a Lotus Seed Pod, made as a Karakuri or 'trick' Netsuke in that the seeds rattle and peep out of the seed holes. Netsuke was carved by an unknown artist from the Iwami Province sometime during the Early 19th centuries. The carving exhibits similar material and carving characteristics of a netsuke (Photo #6) made by Seiyodo Gansui (1809-1848)...

This is a finely hand-carved netsuke in Kurogaki (Black Persimmon) wood of a large Seated Hotei with a wide Smile, by an unknown artist from the Iwami Province, carved sometime during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The carving exhibits similar material and carving characteristics of the region...

Hanging scroll. A dragon shoots upwards through the clouds. Its head clearly visible, pointing straight up, the tail faintly disappearing in the darkness of the sky. Black ink on silk. Very skillful use of many shades of black and gray. Signed and dated in the lower left: Bunka year of the dog (1814), Fuyu and artist’s red seal Rintai.
Japan

Image: H 52.5 x W 20 in. Mounting: H 81.5 x W 25 in. (lower roller 27.25 in. wide)

Mounting in excellent condition, painting too.

This is a Japanese antique indigo dye cotton asamai-shibori Charming & Rare design of edo. Very handy and thick handspun & natural indigo dye cotton. This is an indigo-dyed cotton squeezer made in Asamai during the Edo period. The pattern is a four-step change pattern. The "Hat" and "Umbrella" patterns that are familiar to the general public in Western civilization were adopted from the city. I think it caught the eye in the Asamai area of ​​Akita Prefecture...

Nichiren Buddhist shrine containing a sculpture of Kishimojin in demonic appearance, her hands folded in prayer. Kishimojin, or Kishibojin, or Kariteimo, is a complex deity. Originally, she was a demon who stole and killed other people’s children in order to feed her numerous own children. After Buddha Shakyamuni made her see how she made people suffer, she repented and devoted herself to protecting all children. Instead of the flesh of children, she fed her own children pomegranate henceforth...

Circular hand shrine, or zushi, in two halves. Inside, one half shows the bodhisattva Kokuzo carved in relief with a sword in the right (to cut through ignorance) and a wish-granting jewel in his left hand. He sits on a lotus base, placed on a rock. Details of the carving and the background painted in gold, black, red and malachite green. The other half shows a lotus pond, a rock and a cloudy sky painted in delicate lines of gold and silver, heightened with black...

Shrine with the very rare image of the death of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, called nehan-zu, and his entrance into the state or perfect peace, called nirvana or nehan. The Buddha lays stretched out on a rectangular lotus base, his head resting on his right arm. Although normally in nehan-zu one will see gathered around the bed 52 kinds of beings, human and animals mourning the Buddha, there are none present in this zushi. From the ceiling of the case hangs a curtain of sorts...

Old sake bottle of strong conical shape with a short neck and everted rim.
Underneath the beautiful milky feldspar glaze a cobalt bue and black sketch-like drawing of sprigs of bamboo. Bottom glazed brown, as is typical for this ware. Mingei.

Most likely Ofuke (or Ofukei) ware, made near Nagoya, Japan.
Edo period, circa 1800
H ca. 6 x diam at bottom ca. 5.5 in.

Ofukei has a historical relation to Seto ware...

This is Shonai Sasiko made in the Edo period. This is an item made by Sashiko craftsmen during the Edo period. And it is a very rare design sashiko. This is the work clothes that a wealthy merchant had as one of his daughter's wedding supplies. The front side is dark indigo dyeing. The back side is a blue color called hanada. There are almost no traces of use and it is in good condition. You can wear it and enjoy it...

Hand-sashiko is a hand-spun, moderately soft cotton cloth dyed with high-quality indigo dye. The good color of natural indigo dyeing and the stabbed with soft hand-spun cotton cloth make a beautiful change with moderate effort. It is the tranquility used by wealthy farmers in the Shonai region during the Edo period. This modified natural indigo dyeing has something in common with the dark blue comfort of Van Gogh's painting The Night Café...

An unusual Arita dish of typical scalloped rinka form decorated with a variant of the so-called “Sweet Pea” pattern...

Buddhist shrine with sculpture of the bodhisattva Myoken, deity of the Polar Star and of the Big Dipper.
He is dressed in Chinese garment, standing on the back of a kida (a beast that is half turtle, half dragon-snake), holding an enormous sword. Behind his back a nimbus with seven discs, representing the seven stars of the Big Dipper. To the left of the rock base the head of a snake pops out. (Probably a snake was wound ”around” the giant turtle and broke off. When the sword was repla...

Sturdy storage jar for tea leaves or other goods with horizontally ribbed surface, sloping shoulder with very short neck. Coarse but dense clay with small inclusions. Outside middle brown with cream-colored and yellow natural ash glaze. Mingei.
Japan, 18th/19th century.

Height 7.5 inches, width 6 inches at the neck. Ash glaze partially rubbed off at upper edge and at the body commensurate with holding and using, otherwise very good condition.

It is Japanese antique Tsutsugaki yogi cotton kimono textile dyed with natural indigo Edo Period (1830-1867). The big Uchiwa (japanese washi fan) and family crest are very impressive. A Cotton is a thick hand-spun item and wonderful hand-spun cotton with a warm feel. There are indigo fading in several places. There are repair marks in several places, but overall the condition is good. It is the largest size among Tsutsugaki textile items. Size: Length 183cm / 72inch Cuff to cuff...

This is a Japanese antique nature Safflower dyeing itajime shibori hanjyuban From the Edo period to the Meiji period.There is aged fading and very slight stains. There is no damage. The lining is cotton. Recommended for antique textile collections.Size:Length:75cm( 29.5") / Cuff to cuff, across the back: 124cm (48.8")

Very beautiful tsuba in sentoku inlaid with shakudo, gold and silver by Jo-I, first-rank artist from the end of the 18th century. The funny subject represents a man driving demons out of his house by throwing beans on the ground. Excellent work, perfect finish. No restoration or hidden defects. Original patinas. 67x58x4 mm

Exceptional fushi in shakudo inlaid with gold and sentoku ,recounting the legend of the warrior Hide Sato victorious over the giant Mokume. As a reward, the Dragon King Ryu-Jin presented him with a precious bell, an always hot cauldron and an inexhaustible sack of rice. We see these three objects carried by the servants of Ryu-Jin emerging from the waves. Exceptional quality.Important note that the gold parts are solid gold in pieces and not just gilded. 35x27mm. Sign. Good condition. I have...

Kozuka in sentoku inlaid with silver and gold butterflies. Length 95mm. Edo period.