A pair of a very well painted Kutani porcelain sake bottles painted in “Kenjo Imari” style painted with gilt karakusa to the neck with various marumon, a band of diaper to the shoulder, and further aka-e dama, and stylised karahasna-mon. to the body of the bottle. The vases are thinly potted and wreathing to the interior of the neck suggests that they were originally thrown in two parts...

Pair of antique Japanese Inari foxes hand carved out of granite. Each has traces of the original mineral pigment. Also called zenko, these good spirit kitsune (foxes) are specifically associated with the goddess, Inari.
Believed to be both messengers and guardians, kitsune served Inari in her role as goddess of agriculture, specifically rice. Part of the folklore surrounding the fox is it’s ability to shape shift into human form...

Pair of painted Japanese interior sliding panels. Depicting wild sparrows amongst the rice fields. Sparrows are regarded as symbols of personal prosperity, rich fruit crops. Stocks of flowing rich reach out. The fields are said to represent providence, creation, blessing, and joy.
Speckled gold throughout the the images radiating warm glow off the paper. A scene of serenity.
Signed by the painter: Kishi Ganku, 1749–1839. Signature: 雅楽助岸駒寫 Utanosuke Ganku...

A large pair of 19th c. (Edo p) votive Inari Fox images representing the god of fortune. They are 16.5 x 10 x 24 cm (6-1/2 x 4 x 9-1/2 inches). One holds the key to the treasure house in his mouth. One would have been standing over a Buddhist jewel, however that is now missing.
Inari Okami is the Japanese kami of foxes, of fertility, rice, tea and Sake, of agriculture and industry, of general prosperity and worldly success, and one of the principal kami of Shinto...

Pair of golden yellow silk fukusa or gift covers, with diamond pattern with water birds design in brocade weave, over which is embroidered in different hues of pink and in goldthread. The larger fukusa is decorated with a lobster carrying a treasure boat, holding several of the treasures. The smaller fukusa is decorated with a treasure boat, as well. Reverse decorated in brocade technique with a family crest in white silk. Japan, Taisho or Showa era, ca...

An exquisite pair of 19th century Sometsuke porcelain bottles decorated with butterflies among seasonal flowers. The winged creatures float effortlessly among the bamboo, Chinese bell flower, wild chrysanthemum and other seasonal flora. Each bottle is peaked by a simple rounded wooden bung, and they come enclosed in an age darkened wooden carrying box with hand forged iron handle. They are roughly 15 cm (6 inches) tall each and in excellent condition...

A decorative pair of Imari Beaker Vases made for export to the West brightly enamelled with traditional Japanese motifs. The main part of the vase is painted with a Crane symbolising longevity with the three friends of Winter, the shochikubai, the Pine, Bamboo and the Japanese Apricot (Prunus tree)...

A very unusual pair of moulded dishes in the form of three bamboo leaves, take, cobalt blue glazed with gilt and iron red Sparrows , Suzume, set against a woven ground in gold. A variant on the popular Sparrow and Bamboo pattern, “Takesuzume”...

This pair of vases was recovered from an estate in the Castroville/Watsonville area of California, over 20 years ago. This area is known as the Artichoke Capital of the world. When I recovered these vases they had been lamps and have since had the bottom drills hole restored. These vases are old but probably not Meiji era. They do have silver rims with scalloped wire trim at the edges of the enamel. The colors and shading are wonderful...

Pair Japanese Blue and White Porcelain Soba Noodle Cups, Showa period, early 1900's, 3 1/8" high, 2 5/8" diameter-top rim, with transfered blue design on white, signed on the bottom. The condition is good, some missed glaze spots on the rim.

Pair Japanese Brass/Bronze Hibachi, late 19th century Meiji, with high relief design of travelers in beautiful landscape setting, elephant handles on both sides, 8 3/4" high, 9 7/8" diameter on top rim, 12 1/2" diameter include handles. There are some wear and tear from usage with some minor dents but no major damages. Compacted ash on the bottom remain for both Hibachis.

Pair Japanese Bronze Candlesticks, with complete set of Utensils, 2 covered pots and 2 pairs of tweezers, Ca. 1920, 25 1/2" high, 10" diameter for base with open cut design around gallery trim, hanging hook for tweezers, some old waxes are still remain caused some green color of oxidation on the round base.

Pair Japanese carved and hand painted on heavy solid Ivory Mandarin Ducks(couple) with inlaid Mother of Pearl eyes, 3 3/8" high, 4 1/4" x 2" wide each, beautifully detailed carving and painted with water color on Ivory. These couple of Mandarin Ducks are made in Japan during 1950's and sold at Gump's in U.S., still retain the partially torn paper stickers "Made in Japan" on the bottom of the male duck...

Pair Japanese Cedar Wood Miso Merchant's Storage Tubs, or Barrels, Ca. 1940, 14 1/2" high include cover, 14" diameter top rim, heavy twisted Bamboo ropes wrapped around, lacquered chestnut color outside, Kanji writings for date and shop name on bottom for both barrels, inside is unfinished and shows beautiful aged old wood grains. The condition is good, no damages.

A set of shishi guardian carvings from high up on the front of a Buddhist temple, each cut from a single block of wood with fore-paws extended in a leaping motion and vicious snarls. Each is roughly 30 x 30 x 24 cm (12 x 12 x 9-1/2 cm tall and in overall excellent condition. These date from the Edo period.
Shishi guardians, also known as Komainu or "lion dogs," have a long history in Japanese art and culture; iconic figures often depicted in pairs and placed at the entrances of shrines...

Two matching Japanese chargers, done with the Imari pallet, and dating to the mid 19th Century. Decorations include a foo dog, dragons, and cranes among flowers and scrolls. Each dish measures about 12" in diameter and 1 3/4" high and is marked on the back. The condition is excellent/perfect with minor wear. The asking price includes shipping within the USA.

A pair of Japanese Imari porcelain dishes. A later example with Namban (or Nanban - Southern barbarian) subject "Black Ship" dishes. The decoration in the Imari palette depicting Portuguese figures and their famed trading ship, that between Japan and China. Good condition. Showa period, probably mid 20th century. Dimensions: Diameter about 10 inches, Height about 1 3/8 and 1/14 inches respectively.

Two very rare Ko-imari rice bowls from the Genroku period. C. 1690-1710. These are just gorgeous, the bottoms are painted in the chevron pattern, and various geometrical patterns of roundels with honey comb patterns throughout. Two dragons adorn either side of each cup and each surrounded with colors of iron red and green enamels with gold gilt accents. Each bowl and cover are in perfect condition with very little wear to the enamels, almost non-existant. They measure with lid on about 3 1/8" ...