First we hear the clang of the hammer striking the bell, then the steadily approaching clop of his wooden shoes before the horrifying creature dressed in the robes of an itinerant priest appears; a ledger in one hand noting our sins. This is a very rare ceramic figurine by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nenbutsu Oni and bearing the seal of the imperial Art Academy. It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

Deluxe impression Edo period Japanese woodblock print depicting an actor portraying a man carrying a bucket in a scene from kabuki theater by Yoshitaki (1841-1899). Circa 1860. Exceptional color with lacquer highlights to the collar of the outer kimono. The background at the left side of the print contains fine calligraphy executed in silver. Chuban-sized print with margins evident on the top and right sides. Paper size: 9 7/8" x 7 1/8" (image measures 9 5/8" x 7")...

Delightful Kutani Porcelain Vase with Array of Insects. Bamboo gold design on a soft yellow ground featuring an array of insects. It is a rare and unique design on a wonderful classic shape. It displays beautifully from all sides. Height: 9.25 inches, 23.5 cm.

A wonderful large Edo Period Gosho Ningyo of Urashimataro. A delightful, playful rendering of this timeless theme. These type of Palace Dolls are usually smaller. This charming example is a unique, wonderful form from all angles. He is wearing an embroidered cap and bib and has a highly burnished finished gofun pigment. 12h x 11w inches, 30.h x 28w cm. Excellent Condition.

Occasionally as I’m browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to decipher the Chinese script and give it proper attribution through the course of my research. In this case, I was only able to make it half-way there...

This is a beautiful and unique cloisonne box. It has great workmanship and a beautiful rare deep purple ground color. It is not signed but was probably created by Hayashi or Kinuken. It is a little bigger than most boxes measuring 5 3/4 inches by 4 5/8 inches and 2 5/8 inches tall. Has a scratch on the underside shown in the images. This special box is from a spectacular Cloisonne collection and acquired almost 50 years ago.

DECORATIVE HORSE ROPE

Tied-up rope made of twisting white and organic indigo dyed cotton once used for ritual horse-decoration, early 20th century, Japan. Tied as seen: approx. 30 x 90 x D 18 cm (11.81 x 35.43 x 7.08 in), Untied: approx. 1000 cm (393.70in)...

A tiny figure sails on the placid lake depicted among exaggerated precipices of this early landscape by Shirakura Niho enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shunpu Taito. Ink & Light color on Silk, it is 59 x 130 cm (23-1/4 x 51 inches) and is in overall excellent condition.
Shirakura Kinichiro (Kinro, Niho or Jiho, Kanyu, 1896-1974) was born the first son of lawyer and scholar Shirakura Shigeichi in Shibata city, Niigata...

A dramatic ceramic sculpture (with a dramatic name) by Yamaguchi Mio currently starring in our garden display area titled Rinshi no Mori (Dead Forest) dating from before her time at the Ishoken Ceramic Facility in 2017. Unlike many of her more tightly bound growths, this one seems to be flaking off, like bark on a tree. It is 29 cm diameter, 66 cm tall and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist. It comes with a signed wooden placard...

This is an excellent and intricately carved very charming small netsuke, made by our own Pennsylvania native, David Carlin. He describes it as a "Small, finely detailed representation of the bottom half of a man seeming to be passing through a tombstone with "RIP" etched on it. Daisies are carved on the other side of the tombstone instead of the man's head, giving new meaning to the phrase.” . Netsuke is heavily polished...

This is an excellent and intricately carved very charming netsuke, made by our own Pennsylvania native, David Carlin. He describes it as a "Model of 3 elderly bearded gentlemen, each leaning on the back of the other with the first two carrying blind man's canes. The third holds a bottle into which "DC" is etched in a double square cartouche. Each dressed in a robe with a rope belt.”. Natural Himotoshi is formed by the first Blind Man's arms. Netsuke is heavily polished...

A proud Shino bowl licked by flame by legendary artist Hori Ichiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shino Chawan. Red tendrils leap up the deeply fissured white glaze. The bowl is hefty yet comfortable to hold, perfectly formed with slightly tapering sides and a wavy rim. It is 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) diameter, 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Hori Ichiro (b. 1952) graduated the Tajimi School of Industrial Design and apprenticed under Kato Kozo...

A vintage Japanese bamboo wall hanging featuring the famous monk Daruma with a proverb attributed to his wisdom...

This is a beautiful dark blue Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) made in Nishijin, Kyoto. The label states the name of Nishijin and the use of pure gold. The gown is woven with fans and Gosho (palace) flower carts which is one of the favorite motifs used for Japanese wedding gowns. They are remainders of the Heian period (794-1192) which was the last graceful era of the aristocrats. The gown is meticulously hand sewn to perfection as most Japanese kimonos are. The gold picks up and shines...

DANCING TANUKI

Japanese okimono made of natural wood that applies the form created by natural forces to its main body with the minimum human processing, is motif of traditional Shigaraki ware tanuki (raccoon dog) statue with characteristic big balls between legs, Showa period, 20th century, H 32.5 x W 16.5 x 18.5 cm (12.79 x 6.49 x 7.28in)


selected by hotoke




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Daimyo hikeshi shozoku: Samurai firefighter's wool jacket with a silk velvet collar; the crest and design are couched with gold leaf thread (wrapped around silk thread), chest protector and belt. Excellent, clean condition with some holes and damages in velvet collar. Late Edo period (1603-1868), 50" wide x 39" long, Chest protector, 25 1/4" long.

There were many fires during the Edo period (1603-1868). The town of Edo was crowded with houses quickly built after the first Tokugawa Sh...

A daimyo’s firefighting wool jacket with a Kiri-no-mon crest, chest protector baring the same crest. It has a silk liner decorated with old marble dye. Dated from late Edo period (1603-1868),

Japanese could not produce wool of their own during the Edo period. Totally depending on Nanban trading, wool was pretty rare and pricey commodity. The liner for this jacket is also unusual. This is our first and only antique marble dyed fabric ever. The technique of marble dye existed in...

A complex landscape wraps around and climbs up this exquisite porcelain vase by Daimaru Hokuho dating from the early to mid 20th century. It is 13 inches (33 cm) tall and in excellent condition. There is no box.
Hokuho would have been rated in the top 10 porcelain artist of Kyoto, along with Suwa Sozan, Ito Suiko, Ito Tozan, Miyanaga Tozan, Takahashi Dohachi, Seifu Yohei, Kiyomizu Rokubei, Miura Chikusen and Kiyomizu Zoroku, all artists active from the Meiji through the early Showa eras...