Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) with negoro lacquer finish (distressed red and black lacquer). Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. This chest has 10 drawers of various sizes and a compartment opened by sliding panels with one interior shelf. Extensive iron hardware includes round lock plates and warabite shaped drawer pulls. From the Matsumoto area of Japan.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 1/2" high x 31 1/2" wide x 14" deep

Japanese cloisonné bottle form lidded vase on a Satsuma earthenware substrate with "kidney bean" cloisons decorated on the body with three cartouches (a five-petal flower, a kidney bean, and a fan) all filled with leafy flowers and set against a blue ground. Alternating triangle forms, each holding a single flower, encircle the shoulder and mouth. The neck holds scattered flowers on a tan ground. The lid is decorated with a flowers. Meiji period (circa 1870s)...

his is a wonderful Japanese Cloisonne lidded bowl, done in the Plique A Jour style. Lidded bowls like this are very difficult to come across. The piece is fairly large in size measuring 4 7/8" across and is 3 1/2" tall. An array of colorful and bright flowers and leaves decorate this exquisite bowl both top and bottom. The enamel is very thick and the decorations appear to have layered over top of the translucent inner layer. . It stands on 3 enameled and silver feet...

A rare work by Sodeisha founding member Yamada Hikaru of a torn vessel engraved with enigmatic characters. It is 18 cm (7 inches) diameter, 26 cm (10 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Yamada Hikaru (1924-2001), was born into the family of layman potter and priest Yamada Tetsu, and raised in Gifu after the family home was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake...

The Choraku line of potters began when a student of Kichizaemon XI (Keinyu) and Kichizaemon XII (Konyu) opened an independent kiln in Kyoto in 1904. The line was officially given the name Choraku in 1906 by Choyuken, the head of a very influential tea ceremony association. Red Raku chawan are a favorite of tea enthusiasts and seem to have a face for every mood. In the right light they may appear like an amber sunset on the horizon. In another light, like lanterns moving through a misty field...

A trio of sculptural forms by Takano Moto-o dating from the formative years of modern Japanese crafts at the height of Sodeisha influence in the 1960s. These are being offered as a group for one price. One is distorted, like an apparition, or the world seen through an old pane of glass. The second is like a flute licking back; both in pure white. The third is a square basin with handles decorated with a geometric pattern...

A true Mashiko Chawan by greatest Shoji Hamada with a real beautiful Ameyu glaze, double boxed and originally signed and sealed by the artist.

This treasure was part of the exhibition "The artists who searched for Mingei".

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) was one of the leading potters of the Japanese Mingei (Folk Craft) movement...

Japanese Showa period monochrome green musen shippo wireless cloisonne vase decorated around the circumference with a band of flowers and scrolling foliage executed in layers of stacked enamel. Chrome rims. 8 1/2" high. Post World War II (circa 1945-1960s). Very good overall condition.

Pair Japanese Blue and White Porcelain Soba Noodle Cups, Showa period, early 1900's, 3 1/8" high, 2 5/8" diameter-top rim, with transfered blue design on white, signed on the bottom. The condition is good, some missed glaze spots on the rim.

Japanese Blue and White Soba Noodle Cup, Showa period, late 1800 to early 1900's, 2 3/4" high, 3" diameter-top rim, tapered top and transfered blue design of flying Phoenix Bird among scrolling vines and leaves, unglazed bottom. The condition is good, some sand spots while firing in the kiln.

Four(4) Japanese Imari Porcelain Soba Noodle Cups, Ca. late Edo to early Meiji period, mid 1800's, 2 5/8" high, 4" square-top rim, shaped square top rim with overglaze Comical figures on dark Red divided panels on four(4) sides, underglaze blue flying crane decoration on the bottom enclosed with blue decorative rim on top inside the cup. One(1) cup has one(1) glaze hairline about 1" long, barely visible, and some sand marks while firing in the kiln inside the cups.

A set of five yunomi by Suzuki Osamu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kao no Aru Yunomi. Each cup has a small face on one side, pale glaze covering all but that smiling fellow and the foote. Each cup is 3 inches (8 cm) tall and in fine condition...

A five prong vajra or dorje. Bronze, with fine reddish green patina. Japan, 18th century. Length: 13 cm. Very good condition.

Japanese "Silver 950" marked Jewelry Box with etched design of Imperial Carriage in front of etched design of Mt. Fuji background, mid Showa period, 8 1/2" wide, 5 3/4" deep, 3 1/2" high, original Key included, inside the hinged top lined with red velvet divided tray and red velvet lined on top of Rosewood on the bottom. Beautifully etched and very fine quality of detailed of Imperial Carriage resting on the flowering bushes and Mt...

Wonderful medium-sized crater bowl, thinly potted of black clay and with glossy black glaze pitted with craters for volcanic moon-like effect, Signed Lovera; James Lovera (American, 1920-2015) modernist potter. Teacher at San Jose State University. James Lovera exhibited at the Crocker Museum in Sacramento in 2006: "Craters of Fire: Ceramics by James Lovera". With original inventory tag.

Age: c. 1990s.

Size: 8.5" Diameter x 5.25" Height

Japanese Amida Buddha statue, gold gilt over wood with inlaid crystal third eye. Seated on a lotus throne atop a hexagonal base, carved with smoke and flowers. The left hand mudra showing Varada: a gesture for granting and fulfilling all wishing as well as bestowing mercy and charity. The raised right hand is cradling a golden ball representing enlightenment and everlasting knowledge...

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of machine woven cotton with hand-painting with motif of noble people. It has se-mamori (charm) with silk thread. The diagonal stitches to the left means it is boy's kimono ( to the right is girl's ). In old days, it is believed that evils come from back and a baby is vulnerable without seam in the back, so se-mamori is put. In good condition but a bit dusty from aging. Dry cleaning only. Late 19th to early 20th century. 62cm x 76cm

Kiyoshi Saito
Maiko
Date: ca. 1960.
Size: Oban. Approximately 17.25 x 11.5 inches.
Pencil signed and sealed by Saito.
Self-published by the artist.
Silver mica is used on the collar.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Back margins have adhesive residue.