A variety of saya lacquer-style samples enclosed in a set of stacking boxes titled Nuri-Hon. Thirty samples covering inlays, various techniques such as nejiri, powdered shell, byakudan, wakasa, and tsugaru techniques. Each sample is roughly 3-1/2 inches (9 cm) lng, the boxes 7-1/2 x 4 x 1 inches (19 x 10 x 2 cm). Very rare and overall in fine condition, dating from the later Edo...

Japanese carved wooden NETSUKE. Beautifully carved wood figure of FUKUROKUJU resting against his money bag. Unsigned. 1 1/4" length, 1 3/8" width by 1 1/16" tall.

From our Japanese Collection, a very fine and early Gosu Blue satsuma vase, late Edo Period circa 1840-1860, signed Gyozan. There are four separate gilt-framed panels: Two depict shi-shi, one depicts scholar's table objects, and one depicts a flowering plant. Each panel is surmounted by birds in flight on the upper shoulder, probably phoenix...

Japanese late 19th century sleeve from a stage costume. The sleeve has design hand embroidered on front and back. The front has a large pearl with 3 dragon claws showing around the edge. There are also plum blossoms, bamboo leaves and stylized clouds. The reverse has the 3 friends, bamboo, plum and pine with cloud designs. There is also a fabric handle for the piece. This type of sleeve was not actually worn, but held against the body during a performance...

Japanese Satsuma cup and saucer finely decorated in overglaze enamels and heavy gilt highlights with alternating reserves featuring various activities of the noble classes and Buddhist arhats. The inner rim is decorated with a hanging lantern motif and the interior bottom with Buddhist arhats. The base of each piece bears a gold rectangular Satsuma mark and circular Satsuma family crest. Saucer: 4 7/8” diameter; cup: 2 1/2” diameter x 2 3/8” high. Meiji period (late 19th 20th century)...

From our Japanese Collection, a superb Kinkozan satsuma vase of tapered ovoid form, Meiji Period 1868-1912, most likely 1880-1890, depicting a finely painted bijin on one panel along with finely painted roosters and flying birds in a garden setting on the other panel. Both main panels are separated by reserves of elaborate gilt work set against a rich cobalt blue ground. Kinkozan signature and impressed mark on the bottom...

Japanese Satsuma foliate form bowl decorated in overglaze pigments and gilt highlights with a large bird in a cherry tree at the foreground set against a landscape scene with beauties in a pavilion at the right and a waterfall at the left. The exterior features three flying female mythological figures. The base bears a gold on black square “Satsuma Hotoda” mark and circular Satsuma family crest. 4 1/4” diameter x 1 3/4” high. Meiji period (late 19th century)...

Japanese sagemono (hanging object) tobacco pipe set consisting of a wood kiserutsuzu (pipe holder), kiseru (pipe), and wood tonkotsu (tobacco box) in the form of a humorous yawning Daruma with arms overhead grasping the two cords with his fists. The cords hold an ojime (sliding bead), which is attached to the pipe holder. Daruma’s body is kiri (pawlonia) wood and his eyes are inlaid with mother of pearl. His face lifts and functions as a cover for the tobacco box...

Japanese keyaki bar tansu with original finish, kiri leaf shaped lock on top drawer, bar opens with one key. Dimensions: 24.25" High x 29.5" Long x 20.75" Deep

Beautiful and unusual Japanese antique kuruma tansu (storage chest on wheels), made all of heavy keyaki (elm) wood with iron hardware, front has sliding panels with horizontal slats, sides and back all have wooden bracing, interior left side has 4 drawers of different sizes with iron hardware, right side interior has hidden compartment that opens to reveal 2 secret boxes.

Late Edo Period

Size: 36 1/4" high x 38" wide x 23" deep.

Rare and beautiful Japanese antique kura tansu (storage chest), all keyaki (elm) wood front and framing, iron hardware, top portion has 3 drawers and lower portion has sliding panels with horizontal slats, bottom right interior has two small drawers also made of keyaki wood, deep brown translucent lacquer finish with wonderful patina, Edo Period. Size: 41 3/4" high x 38 3/4" wide x 21 1/4"deep.

Beautiful Japanese antique storage tansu with locking bar, made with all keyaki (elm) wood front and frame, iron hardware, top portion has three drawers covered by a vertical locking bar, bottom portion has sliding panels with horizontal slats, bottom right side opens to reveal two small interior drawers, deep red translucent lacquer finish, Edo Period. Size: 41" high x 38" wide x 19 1/2" deep.

Perhaps the best dragon carving we have ever owned, here is a solid Keyaki carving taken from the interior of a temple with glass eyes glaring fiercely out at anyone who threatens the sanctity of Buddhism. Flames leap from the body blown by fierce winds as it rises from the Churning ocean. The carving practically roils out from the wood panel, fully in three dimensions. It is 78 x 26 x 10 cm (31 x 10 x 4 inches)...

Unusual Japanese antique gyosho bako (peddler's box), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood, iron hardware including loops for rope so that peddler could carry box on his back, 4 drawers and a safe box, three interior drawers, Meiji Period. Size: 35 1/4" high x 11" wide x 16 1/4" deep.

From our Japanese Collection, a truly superb satsuma vase, Meiji period (1868-1912), of robust globular form, depicting seven separate circular reserves of figures set against a most unusual and very appealing variegated ground that morphs from emerald green, to celadon, to cream, and finally to brown, all heavily overlaid with a rich brocade of chrysanthemum heads and other floral and geometric motifs executed in gilt...

Japanese antique isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area, made with all keyaki (elm) wood front with dramatic grain and translucent lacquer finish, elaborate thick iron hardware including moko shaped drawer pulls and ornate raised scrolling vine lock plates with unusual mon of a pair of sumo fans, large drawer on top, three drawers of the same width but that get gradually deeper as they go down, two smaller drawers and a safebox on the right side, safebox also has ornate iron work ...

Beautiful large flat keyaki root wood stand with over 6 natural holes of root on surface, beautiful graining and sculptural presence, top edge carved at perimeter with incised line and raised surface on edging. Size: 40"L 25"W 5/8" H

Japanese four prong Vajra or diamond thunderbolt form Chisakuin Temple, bronze with worn gilt, Edo age (over 200 years old). Very powerful ritual tool representing firmness of spirit and spiritual power. Worn gilt on one side, all over relief, double sided with lotus flower in center, trident prongs emerging from the four cardinal directions. Size: 6 1/8" long