Ito Shinsui (aka. Shikuntei)(1898-1972)
Preparing Tea
Date: 1950s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7.375 inches (25 x 19 cm).
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's seal on verso
Signed Shikuntei Shinsuiga. Sealed Shinsui.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent color. Slight creasing and toning.

A pair of goldfish lantern made of washi (handmade paper) and bamboo strips which is the origin of Nepta (or Nebuta) used at Nepta festival in Hirosaki city in Aomori prefecture. The goldfish lantern made of paper and bamboo strips were used till around 1980s, but now it is replaced to one made of vinyl and wire. In good condition except for some brownish spots in the white parts. Large one: H:35cm W:34cm, Small one: H24cm W20cm

An antique Japanese merchant chest called Choba Tsukue made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Two drawers used for the storage of an inkstone and brushes as well as paper for writing transaction records and receipts. The drawer interiors have minor ink stains which is a testament to its usage and function.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 40" Wide by 13 1/4" High by 16 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware which includes the Warabite handles, the lock plates with auspicious symbols, and the pine and plum Atari handle back stops. The symbols on the locks feature the traveler's cape and hat, the lucky treasure bag and the lucky fortune mallet...

An antique Japanese Chobako (small merchant chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original and beautiful transparent Urushi lacquer finish showcases the underlying magnificent wood grain. Hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles on the 2 large drawers and the Hirute handle on the small security drawer. Minor sumi ink stains in the upper right drawer suggests that an inkstone and brushes were stored there for writing store records and receipts...

Koizumi Kishio
Lingering Snow at Five-storied Pagoda
No. 7 from the series, Views of Nikko National Park
Date: 1936.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.75 inches (25.6 x 19.6 cm).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Possibly faintly signed at lower right.
Condition: Excellent.

An antique 3 section stacking Isho Biraki Tansu (Kimono chest with removable storage trays) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Constructed using dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Original nickel plated hardware with Chrysanthemum designed lock plates and angled Warabite handles. The top section features sliding doors behind which are two small drawers to the right and a shelf to the left...

An antique Japanese rare Tanuki (badger dog) that originates from the famous kiln region of Shigaraki, Japan. It was made in an Oribe glaze and it is shown holding a sake bottle in its right hand and a burl wood walking staff in its left hand. It is artist signed on the back.

The Tanuki is a shape shifter turning into various objects or people causing it to get into mischief and often comical adventures...

Antique Japanese bush holder made of ceramic with highly raised scenes of fu-dogs, one glazed a buff color, the other blue. They stand with characteristic whimsical expressions on mossy rocks out of which bloom large peony flowers in white and pale pink. There are 5 holes in the top for brushes.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 3/4" high x 5 1/2" long x 2 5/8" wide

Japanese woodblock print of a sunset over houses. The sky is bright orange and yellow casting purple shadows on the tiled roof wall around a compound of rural houses. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 34 in series of 500. Has red oval seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 3/4" high x 18 1/8" wide

Japanese woodblock print of an alley between houses in old Japan. A small shinto shrine stands outside a wooden kura door. Executed in shades of grays and blues. A sense of depth is created by the light at the other end of the alley. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 23 in series of 500. Has oval red seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 1/2" high x 18 1/8" wide

Japanese woodblock print of a traditional store front with a red noren and large sign characters over a tile roof. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 453 in series of 500. Has the oval red seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 3/8" high x 18 3/8" wide

Chinese antique porcelain bowl. Decorated with colorful fruit on a blossoming vine visited by two large butterflies and a pair of bats. The inside of the bowl has a delicate central medallion of a flower surrounded by leaves. The underside is painted with Tongzhi Nian Zhi mark.

Age: Qing Dynasty, Tongzhi (1862-1874)

Dimensions: 2 3/4" high x 6 7/8" wide

A Beautiful bowl in crackled white set into a lattice like structure of raw porcelain pierced with a plethora of various sized holes by Kato Yoshiyasu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Haku-yu no wan (White Glazed Bowl). A singular drip of fissured glass forms a bead from the bulging line between the thick glaze and raw clay where the two parts of the bowl have been joined...

Japanese antique indigo dye shubori (Tie-dye)cotton child kimono.There is a light stain, but there is no damage and it is in good condition. size::Size:Length:68cm(26.7inch) / Cuff to cuff, across the back:70cm (27.5inch)

Ide Gakusui
Chrysanthemums
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Gakusui signature and seal lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Woodblock print is tipped along the top edge to original 7 x 4.5-inch blank card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Large and Heavy Bizen Pottery Winter Chawan (Tea Bowl) made by Isezaki Mitsuru (1934-2011). This powerful chawan is inspired by legendary Tadaima bowl of Momoyama period located in Miho museum near Kyoto:
https://turuta.jp/story/archives/6472

Isezaki Mitsuru was born in 1934 in the well-known family of Bizen potters. His younger brother Isezaki Jun (b.1936) is the Living National Treasure since 2004.
Mr...

Currently in its 5th generation, the Miura Chikusen line of potters has continued to produce high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki porcelains used in sencha for well over 150 years. The piece seen here is by the third generation potter and has the rare distinction of being endorsed by Sokuchusai, a former Head Tea Master of Omotesenke in Kyoto. Simple and elegant, a section of bamboo stands out in contrast to the white crackled porcelain glaze...