The creator of this exceptional tea bowl is Koto Kenshi, a native of the town of Hagi in Yamaguchi prefecture who has been producing many fine works since opening his studio in 1970. This piece features a milky ashen glaze with a portion of the foot of the tea bowl exposed, displaying the reddish coarse clay beneath.

Hagi-yaki has a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery...

An excellent example of Japanese minimalist aesthetic that transcends its humble origins, this mizusashi, or fresh water pot used in tea ceremony, displays a classic Hagi glaze contrasting nicely with a lacquered wood cover. It separates itself from most pieces of this type by the addition of a pouring spout, which is quite unusual for this type of tea-ware implement.

Hagi-yaki has a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery...

This remarkable tea bowl is from the kilns of Yoshida Shuen (1940-1987)—an apprentice of Miwa Kyusetsu (1910-2012) who was awarded the status of Living National Treasure in 1983. It features a warm crackled glazing with a portion of the foot of the tea bowl exposed, displaying the reddish coarse clay that this piece is fashioned from.

Hagi-yaki has a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery...

This extraordinary cha-ire (powdered tea container) displays an excellent glaze that appears to have only grown more intricate and rich with time. Contrasting against a reddish brown background are flows and pools of darker glaze along with lighter textured speckles...

Japanese bronze usubata, used for ikebana flower arrangements. With tripod cabriole legs. The interior of the usubata shows verdigris patina from age. The casting is very heavy and shows simple elegance.

Dimensions: 9" w x 4 1/2" h

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print triptych titled “Pine,” Plum,” and “Bamboo” from the “Friendly Garden Series” commissioned by the Franklin Mint and published by the Yoshida Family Studio in 1980. Each of the three prints is pencil-signed in kanji at the lower right margin and black ink signed and titled at the lower left image. The artist’s red seal is below the black ink signature...

Japanese two section mizuya (kitchen tansu for storage). Constructed of Hinoki (cypress) wood frame with Sugi (cedar) wood, original dark finish. The top section holds a compartment behind pair of sliding panels with Keyaki (zelkova) wood details, open work carving and wire for ventilation. Next to this is a larger compartment with sliding panels with vertical iron studded slats and Keyaki hardwood insert...

An Arita abalone (Mother of Pearl) shaped dish painted in somenishikide style with a stylised landscape of Mountainous Islands, a shoreline with rocky outcrops with various trees including Pine, flowers and grasses with a rather peculiar and precarious structure in the foreground seemingly lacking several posts in its construction. The reverse decorated with landscape vignettes to the reverse and a six character mark for the Chinese Emperor Qianlong...

A fine large straight sided Japanese Ko Imari cup, inoguchi, or hogs mouth beaker; sometimes referred to as “soba choko”, a cup for “soba” buckwheat noodles. It is decorated primarily in underglaze blue with a leaping Chinese Lion or karashishi in a landscape of rocks and Tree Peonies, botan, a classic subject in Japanese art known as “Botan-ni-Shishi”, which combines the auspicious qualities of the King of Beasts and King of Flowers...

An oak leaf shaped moulded dish of six-sun size in “Ko Sometsuke” style decorated in underglaze blue with three seated figures sitting around a low table with a typical Chinese style landscape of mountainous islets in a costal setting with a Ting, small pavilion in the foreground. The reverse decorated with prunus blossom sprigs and a seal for the Kameyama kiln in the centre of the foot-ring. Dating late Edo, Tenpo era...

Rare Japanese four drawer gyosho bako, or peddler's chest, constructed of Sugi (cedar) wood, with iron hardware and mounts, iron rings on the sides for carrying. The chest is trapezoidal in shape and tapers towards the top of the chest. Original finish and condition. With key included. Exhibited at the Palo Alto Cultural center

19th century Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" w x 12 1/2" d x 26 1/4" h

Unusual Japanese single section isho tansu from the Sendai region, made of solid Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood with burl front panels. The iron hardware and mounts have floral motifs throughout. The corner plates have scalloped edges, the drawer pulls are mokko (melon) shaped with chrysanthemums mounts, the round lock plates are incised with Kiri leaf mon and two are outlined with scrolling vine motifs. The safe door opens to reveal three inner drawers for small valuables...

Kawase Hasui
Katada in Ohmi
Date: 1930s.
Size: Approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing) from Yonezawa Area. Drawer fronts are made of kiri (paulownia) wood, frame is made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. 4 large drawers and 2 small drawers. Iron hardware includes round lockplates with butterfly mon (family crests) of the Taira Clan.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 1/2" high x 35 1/2" wide x 15 3/4" deep.

A Japanese copper writing box used for paper and writing supplies. The lid is engraved with grape leaves and grape clusters. The border is nail studded. The interior is beige velvet.

Date: Taisho c1920

Dimensions: 11" X 9.25" X 2.75"

Antique Japanese rare plique-a-jour cloisonne vase. This is a very early plique and in perfect condition. Intricate enamel design of a blossoming tree and a blue bird flying through a light blue sky with little clouds. The design is made with fine silver wire and enamel. Plique-a-jour is made when the inside metal armature has been etched away until the enamel is held in place by the wires only. The effect is a beautiful jewel-like translucency...

A Nihon Matsu tansu with hinoki (cypress) wood drawers. The round lock plates on each drawer feature a bird and bamboo leaf motif. There are 4 large drawers with spacious interiors and on the right lower side is a safe box door with key with two interior drawers.

Date: Meiji c1900

Dimensions: 51" X 45" X 17.5"