A swollen sail shape in graduations of color by Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kaze no Deban (Cue the Wind, or Wind in the Sails, if you like). It is 20 x 21 x 28 cm (8x 8-1/2 x 11 inches) and in excellent condition. It retains the original Shifuku and Shiori.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and graduated the Kyoto Municipal University of Art under Kiyomizu Kyubei and Kusube Yaichi...

Japanese antique small Buddhist zushi shrine in the form of a lotus blossom enclosing a tiny figure of Buddha Amitābha. Also known simply as Amida Buddha, he stands on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Amitābha (which means Infinite or Immeasurable light) is much loved for his gentle wisdom and his all accepting nature...

Antique Japanese ceramic bizen ware sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku, two of the most popular of the Lucky Gods. Diakoku, who is usually pictured standing on top of bales of rice, instead stands on top of a large ball. He is shown carrying a lucky mallet (Uchide no Kozuchi) and a bag of treasure which is thrown over his shoulder. He is the protector of agriculture, farmers, and rice merchants...

Japanese Antique woven fruit basket with bent bamboo handle. Woven of split bamboo with a wide and rounded hexagonal, squat form with low walls. The body of the basket is woven with two layers, a wider weave on the outside, and a layer of very thin strips of bamboo in a finer pattern on the inside. The handle and the rim of the basket are made of whole stocks of bent bamboo...

Antique Japanese carved wooden Kyōgen theatre mask of Zo-onna (middle-aged woman). Still beautiful, she is more serious than her younger counterparts. Her face is longer and narrower and she does not smile but her mouth is open, showing both rows of perfect teeth. Beautifully carved of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, signed on the inside.

The characters of the signature read 工藤則朝作 (作, saku, here means "work of _" / "made by _", and the name is 工藤則朝)...

Antique Japanese carved wood kyōgen theatre mask of the moon faced Otafuku. Her name was once Uzume and evolved into Okame which means "tortoise", a symbol of longevity. Otafuku or Okame is considered the goddess of mirth, a cheerful woman who's name means "abundant good fortune". A bringer of victory and success, she is good-natured, good-humored, good-hearted, generous, kind, serene, and patient...

Layers of color in an amorphic form like a jellyfish (or perhaps when smoiking like an underwater volcano) by Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Deisai Koki, Umi no Ho　（Colored Clay Incense Vessel, （Musical） Score of the Sea）．It is 21 x 19 x 10 cm (8 x 7-1/2 x 4 inches) and is in excellent condition...

Shoda Koho
Ohashi Bridge at Atako.
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series (No. 1253).
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7.25 inches.
Date: 1910-38.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Sealed by the artist. "Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Slight bend at upper right corner.

Silk meisen kimono with double kasuri apple and strawberry pattern on yellow ground. Kasuri pattern was dyed with stencil-resist-dye (katazome) for both weft and warp yarn (heiyo-kasuri). Generally in good condition but has some brownish stains and some in the lining too and the silk tape in the hem is a bit dirty. Mid 20th century. 126cm x 146cm

Cotton kimono with geometric pattern. The weaving technique is "Kobai-ori" which is woven with thick and thin yarn loosely so that it is translucent. In excellent condition. Mid 20th century. 142cm x 124cm

Occasionally while 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 place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research...

Dismountable miniature bow of Geïshas. Some prints show us Geïshas using such a bow. Excellent quality, nice shakudo, silver and gilded bronze mounts well chiseled. The wooden parts are finely carved like a violin bow. It is stored in a box with 3 drawers where 16 arrows are set, most of them with golden characters. The arrows are made of wood and bone spiral or tinted green, and are weighted by a steel tip, some parts are lacquered and gilded...

Kaoru Kawano
Camellia (G) (Tsubaki)
Date: 1950
Size: Double oban. 23.75 x 18 inches.
Edition: 46/200.
Self-carved by Kawano.
Sealed by the artist at lower right.
Signed, titled, and numbered at lower margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The thick paper has some thinner areas on the back from removal from backing. Slight toning line in margin.

Very nice example of Meiji Period (1868-1912) Nezumi Shino Ware Chawan for Tea Ceremony. Shino pottery is produced in today's Gifu prefecture since 16th century and it is distinguished by thick white glazes, red marks and the surface of small holes. Size Diameter 12cm Height 7cm Weight 375g Condition Overall good. No chips, no cracks.

Born in Okayama in 1914, Rokuro Nakamura is one of the greatest Bizen potters of modern times. He studied and made his first pottery together with LNT Toyo Kaneshige establishing his own Rokuro kiln in 1961. He has numerous awards including the Order of the Rising Sun, Green Paulownia Medal and Okayama Nichinichi Award...

Rare Antique Japanese Tokoname Teapot 260ml with Calligraphy, Collector Shudei Kyusu for Sencha Tea made about 100 years ago. Tokoname area in Aichi prefecture, well known for its excellent quality teapots, is one of the six oldest kilns established since 12 century. Antique Tokoname teapots are rare to be found on the market due to the high demand among teapot collectors worldwide Length 13.2cm Width 17cm Height 7.7cm Total Weight 190g Condition Used...

Rare Antique Japanese Shino bowl Chawan Old Shino Pottery for Tea Ceremony made during Meiji Period (1868-1912) Shino pottery is produced in today's Gifu prefecture since 16th century and it is distinguished by thick white glazes, red marks and the surface of small holes. Size Diameter 12.3cm Height 6.4cm Condition Overall good. No chips, no cracks. Supplied with wooden box

Rare antique Seto ware teabowl made by Japanese potter Kato Bakutai (1861-1943) decorated with elegant horse and the calligraphy describing the First Firing of the year. The mark of the potter is stamped at the bottom.

Kato Bakutai was a prominent potter who initially worked under Kato Shuntai (1802-1877) being responsible for revival of Seto ware techniques in Japan in the 19th century.
He is also known to work with a variety of traditional pottery styles including Shino, Tenmoku...