Contemporary Japanese limited edition etching titled “Secretary” by Ryoko Hirone depicting a secretary seated before a glass window in an office building observing lively scenes in adjacent offices. Pencil-signed, titled, and numbered 3/30 in the lower margin. Paper size 13 3/4" x 9 3/4" (image: 9 1/2" x 7 5/8"). Very good overall condition with some very faint foxing spots evident within the large margins. The tip of one corner is wrinkled...

Contemporary Japanese limited edition etching titled “Twilight” by Ryoko Hirone depicting a woman drinking a cup of tea observing a scene outside her window with a coyote and rabbit among leafless trees. Pencil-signed, titled, and numbered 7/30 in the lower margin. Paper size: 9 5/8" x 13 7/8" (image: 7 1/2" x 6 3/4"). Very good overall condition. An exhibit of mezzotints and etchings by Ryoko Hirone was held in Japan at Gallery Saoh & Tomos in 2003...

A sculptural Green form by Yamazaki Akira (Yamazaki Koyo II, b. 1927) enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kujaku-yu Tori-tsubo (Peacock Glazed Bird Shaped Vase). The vase is 11 x 6 x 6 inches (28 x 15 x 14 cm) and in fine condition, signed on the base Akira...

A deep Choho-zara rectangular dish decorated with morning glories in dark rust and red over yellow with a black rim, a striking combination by Kyoto female artist Takagi Hoko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Created from a heavy slab, the sides were raised and carved with wave patterns covered in white with a raw base chiseled out in long horizontal strokes...

Five Sake Cups by the ;legendary Okabe Mineo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seto-Te Hai. The cups hav a very intimate feel, tiny, just enough room for a shot, each in a different style of Mino ware: Shino, E- Shino, Ki-Seto, Nezumi Shino, and Ao-Oribe. Each cup is 4.5 cm (1-3/4 inches) diameter and all are in excellent condition. It even includes the artists biography from the time, still early in his career, likely 1950s...

Reminiscent of the Rolling Stones album cover, a wild sculpture by important contemporary sculptor Hayami Shiro. The bean shaped object is 15 cm (6 inches) diameter, 32 cm (12-1/2 inches) long and in excellent condition. It is signed on the base and appears to be dated 1999. Typical of this artist, it comes in a cardboard box
Hayami Shiro (b. 1927) was born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1927, and graduated the Tokushima Industrial University in 1949...

A striking black and orange striped vase in simplified ovoid form by Mukunoki Eizo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kokusai Tsubo. This was purchased at a Mitsukoshi Exhibition. It is 8 inches (20 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Mukunoki Eizo Born in Shimane, and graduated the prefectural ceramics research facility before he apprenticed under Kawai Kanjiro in 1958. He would stay with Kanjiro until the masters death in 1966...

A sculptural Green form by Yamazaki Akira (Yamazaki Koyo II, b. 1927), one of several enigmatic works we have acquired by this artist dating from the 1970s to early 80s. With the right lighting we can see a pattern of large black spots under the glaze on the bottom half of the body reminding me of the flintstones. The vase is 17 x 7-1/2 x 10 inches (43 x 19 x 25 cm) tall and in fine condition, signed on the base Akira. There is no box...

An interesting modern, abstract koro. The compressed sphere with elliptical, off centered opening. A warm, brown temmoku glaze with darker brown glaze dripping from the top and stopping in controlled fashion above a well - continuing to form the unglazed foot in ogee fashion. An artist seal (three or four stylized Kanji characters within an oval) is impressed into the concave base near the foot rim. Very good condition. Some burnt on kiln residue on the foot goes to 'wabi'...

A beautifully shaped green vessel by Miyashita Zenju enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It stands 10 inches (25.5 cm) tall, 8-1/2 inches (22 cm) diameter and is in fine condition.
Zenju (1901-1968) studied pottery in Japan, Korea and China, and is held in the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art as well as the Kyoto National Museum. Work by the artist was exhibited pre-war at the Bunten and Nitten National Exhibitions as well as the 1939 and 1940 World Exposition. Post war he put his...

A modern, openwork bamboo flower basket, Hanakago, by Chikuhosai, made with the hexagonal plating technique called “kikko sugashi ami” using very thin strips of madake bamboo. Made in an elongated gourd-shape with a tall handle. Signed on the bottom “ CHIKUHOSAI ZO “ (made by Chikuhosai). It comes with the original, lacquered bamboo insert for flowers. From 1960-70’s. Measurement: H. 53,5 cm Ø 16 cm.

A modern, elegant openwork flower basket, Hanakago, by Tanabe Chikuunsai II (1910-2000). *Material: Madake bamboo, rattan, lacquer. Hexagonal shape at the base. The weaving is made employing bamboo split in extremely thin strips. *Signed Chikuunsai zō (made by Chikuunsai) It comes with the original lacquered bamboo water receptacle Otoshi and Tomobako storage box inscribed and signed by the artist. * From the 60’s. ***Tanabe Chikuunsai II ( Ichichikusai ) (1910-2000), was son of Tanabe...

The glaze on this sculpted form by The Bear of Echizen Kumano Kuroemon (also Kurouemon) is covered in the most fantastic crustations of glaze. Thick white over scarred red over shatterd black on an unconventional shape the artist has titled marukawara (round tile). It has Tomo everything, Artists history, wrapping cloth, with his ubiquitous calligraphy all over the signed box. The piece is 29 x 17 x 8 cm (11-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 3 inches) and is in perfect condition.
A ceramic madman, oil pain...

This piece is almost identical to the work submitted by the artist to the 7th Nihon Dento Kogei Ten in 1983 (featured as item number 116 in the catalog for that year) and indeed, shares the title Hi-iro In-mon Tsubo (Flame-Colored Stamp-Patterned Tsubo). It measures 34 cm (13-1/2 inches) diameter, 29.5 cm (12 inches) tall and is in excellent condition.
Kanzaki Muneaki (b 1949) is the fourth generation head of the traditional Mokusen Kiln in Koga, Shigaraki. His works have been exhibited...

A very unusual modern Japanese pottery vase. Exaggerated chatter decoration spiraling from the foot to the shoulder, the tacky clay lifted to a very coarse texture before firing. The neck to rim, also spiraling up the vase, finished smoothly. Apparently in the tradition of the stoneware tile work kilns of Bizen and Tokoname. Studio artist marks in impressed cartouches on the foot. Excellent condition. Height, 8 inches.

Yuteki black slips down over the pourous, crackled white of this bold work by Taniguchi Ryozo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 8-1/2 inches (21.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition. The box is darkened with age.
Ryozo (1926-1996) studied initially under Kiyomizu Rokubei VI. He was first accepted into the Japan Academy of Arts exhibition in 1948, and subsequently into the Nitten National exhibition in 1951 and exhibited there often after, receiving many prizes inclu...

An interesting modern water dropper (suiteki ) for ink painting of sculptured form with a rough Bizen feel to it. The maker name Shozo impressed on the bottom and inscribed tomobako storage box. Water droppers are part of a scholar’s painting tools. Size: H 7 x 8 x 8 cm circa. Perfect condition. -------Saito Shozo Born 1952 in Ashio, Tochigi Prefecture, Kanto region. He studied ceramics at the Prefectural Ceramics Center of Mashiko, He built his own kiln in Ashio Town.

Mokkogate samurai sword guard (tsuba) made of shibuishi with gold inserts, with katakiri decor representing on one side a monk sitting and holding a brush and surrounded by clouds and on the other side a dragon emerging from clouds. The tsuba is signed. Japan, Edo Period, 18th/19th century. Diameter: 6.7 cm. the tsuba is offered in its original box. Very good condition. Provenance: Old Canadian collection. Auction sale Tajan, in Paris, December 14th 2015.