Tokoname jars were made by piling coils of clay, smoothing the interior and exterior surfaces, and allowing the clay to dry before adding another section. The wide rim and mouth were then formed on a potter’s wheel and added to the top of the jar. The small base allowed the vessel to stand safely on a narrow step on the steep slope of a rising kiln floor; such kilns were built into the side of a hill and used wood for firing...

Serene 17th Century Japanese standing gold gilt Amida Buddha. Original gold gifting layered over beautifully hand carved gently wood. The buddha stands upon its original lotus base in which both feet sit and slot into the base. The golden rays rises from behind rising in all directions. Carved at a very high level with detail seen down to the smallest touch. In all, there are three removable section. Stunning natural patina that has age very well with Temple incense...

An early 20th century souvenir photo album entitled "The Ceremonies of a Japanese Marriage". with green woven silk boards and nineteen hand coloured photographs with explanatory text.

On the final page "Published by Tamamura, Photographer, Kobe, Japan" and in Japanese,"published in the 38th year of Meiji (1905). . ...

A rare antique Japanese very large size bronze Giboshi (bridge post finial). The upper section represents the sacred Hoju, a jewel that brings dreams into fruition. Also, its form symbolizes an onion which is thought to ward off evil spirits. It is of unknown Japanese origin but by its shear size, it would have been used in a Shinto Shrine building or a large footbridge.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 21" High x 12 1/2" Diameter

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Moon from a Harbor (Minato no tsuki)
Date: pre-1916.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15 x 6.75 inches.
Shotei double red square seal and title at upper left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-110 in Shotei catalog.
Note: Blocks destroyed in 1923 earthquake.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The faint mark at the far right corresponds to a mark on the back of the print.

Unique Japanese Bronze Usubata (used for Ikebana flower display). Gently sloped open bowl of the large water drop ready to receive a flower arrangement. droplet drops down and bursts out in a well modeled droplet base. Sturdy with original patina consistent with age.

Aft Deco Circa 1930's

Dimensions 12" Wide x 12" High

Japanese woodblock print triptych by Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III, (1786-1864) titled "Snow" from the series "Copied Pictures of an Edo Purple Eastern Capital" published by Sanoya Kihei between 1849-1850. The print illustrates a scene from Chapter 30 of Ryutei Tanehiko's 19th century novel "An Impostor Murasaki and a Rustic Genji (Inaka Genji)," which is loosely based on the 11th century novel "The Tale of Genji." Depicted is Mitsuuji, Lady Murasaki, and an attendant holding a brazier...

An incredible pair of Inari (Japanese fox's) made of pottery. Original patina consistent with age. No major damage.
No two Kitsune are exactly alike, and all of them are complex characters! Their high intelligence and boundless creativity make them hard to predict. Foxes and humans lived close together in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit, and serve as its messengers...

Japanese Bronze vase with round base flowing naturally in then up opening ever so gently to the rim. Two small matching rings attached as handles. May be used for a beautiful small flower display. Holds water with no leaking. Comes with original tomobako (box) made of 100% kiri wood and cotton ties...

Pair of beautifully hand carved dragon temple corbels. Each is made of solid keyaki hardwood and hand carved with great detail. Original pigment can be seen highlighted in red, gold and black tones. Each dragon is twisting and swirling both looking in different directions. These would have originally been mounted up high within a temple shrine...

Limited edition Japanese woodblock print by Clifton Karhu (1927-2007) titled "Winter Driveway." Pencil-signed and titled, dated '78, and numbered 19/100 in the bottom margin. Paper size: 12 1/8" x 11 7/8" (image: 9 7/8" x nearly 10"). The print was never framed and is in very good overall condition. There is possibly some faint discoloration to the paper from age. From a Tucson, Arizona collection.

An antique Japanese Kyodai (mirror stand) made of Toneriko (Tamo Ash) and Tochonoki (Horse Chestnut) woods. Original bronze fittings and finish. The bottom support panel features a relief hand carving of a flying crane, a sea turtle, a pine tree and bamboo, all good luck symbols representing longevity and strength...

A rarely encountered large format limited edition Japanese woodblock print titled Constellation No. 38" by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979). Pencil-signed "Joichi Hoshi" and dated '67 in the lower margin. The artist’s square seal is visible in the image above the signature. Pencil-titled in kanji at the left side of the bottom margin and numbered 2/50. Marked with the edition number 2/80. Paper: 30" x 24 1/4" (image: 28 5/8" x 22 5/8")...

An antique Japanese Shinto Shrine (also known as a Kamidana, Yashiro or Omiya) housing the deities Ebisu and Daikoku. The shrine was made from Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) while the deities were hand carved from Tsugenoki (Boxwood).

Ebisu is characterized by the lucky Sea Bream (Tai) fish that he holds under his arm. Sitting on a rocky shore, he looks to the water as a protector of fish, fisheries, seafood, fishermen, sea merchants and anything else that is related. Daik...

A classic Gu vase of exquisite white porcelain by Miura Chikusen enclosed in the original signed double-wood box. It is 13-1/4 inches) tall, 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) diameter at the rim and in excellent condition. This type of Sinophile work was very popular throughout the Meiji and Taisho periods, and Sencha steeped tea had a profound impact on Japanese culture at the time. For more on that see the book ‘Tea of the Sages: The Art of Sencha’ by Patricia Graham (1998).
Miura Chikusen I ...

Not quite the Easter Bunny, but perhaps close to an Easter Egg, the design on this vase is both classical and modern, reminiscent of Kenzan and his use of patterns and colors, surmounted by a sometsuke underglaze blue dragon among roiling cobalt clouds. The pot dates from the late 19th to early 20th century, classic Meiji period but for the unusually bright and cheerful rows of yellow, blue and green florals on red. The dragon blends with the clouds, with a single gold line delineating his bod...

A Japanese Arita Polychrome Dish. Decorated around the rim with a squirrel among vines growing on a trellis. E18thC. Diameter: 7 3/4" (19.6 cm). Condition: some light wear to enamels.

A pair of cotton tabi with sashiko and a pair of kokake. Tabi is made of hand-spun white cotton and has nice sashiko for strength. Soles are machine-woven. Kokake is also made of hand-spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo and has fine sashiko for also strength. Kokake has no soles and it is worn over zori (Japanese sandals) for warmth and waterproof in winter. Both are in excellent condition. The first half of the 20th century. Tabi L22.5cm, W10cm, H13cm Kokake L26cm, H14cm