Japanese Antique small and charming censer. The lid is pierced for incense smoke and the finial handle is in the form of a mouse. The round-form body of the censer has three small handles and is decorated with raised medallion reserves each with a different animal: rabbit, ox and tiger.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/2" high x 3 1/4" wide

Puppies and Banana
Artist: Unidentified. This print is also known to have the unread artist's seal in our enlargement #3.
Size: Approximately 14.4 x 9.0 cm. 5.675 x 3.5 inches
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 416).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
An early and rarely seen design.

An antique Japanese Daruma wooden mold used for making paper mâché dolls. Likely retired from duty and lacquered to preserve its years of production and service. The worn lacquer is a testament to its display and use that extended beyond its useful life and paid tribute to the former artisans that supported the craft. The bottom reveals the three holes used to connect the mold to a turning wheel for ease of applying the paper mache...

A Japanese large bronze vase depicting flying swallows in the bamboo forest with gold eyes and dark brown lacquer patina. Marked under the base. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 42 x 20 x 20 cm Condition report: Good condition – very minor rubbing on the patina

Antique Japanese pair of hanging lotus candle holders, each made of bronze and attached in two sections. The upper section is a large inverted lotus leaf with smaller leaves and lotus buds around it's base. From out of the large lotus leaf is a hook. The lower section attaches to the hook with a ring. The candle itself would sit on the small lotus flower platform with smaller leaves and flowers.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 25" high x 8 1/4" wide

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu (Tea Chest) made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood and hand lacquered with hand applied Mother of Pearl inlay. The central theme is longevity as the landscape design captures the Pine tree throughout the chest. Foliated accents highlight the front outline and sides...

This is a japanese antique Boro Cotton woven tabi socks (Japanese socks with split toe). It is a rare socks from the time when cotton was precious. Size:Length:21cm (8.26inch)

A Japanese large wood and lacquer head of Fudō-Myō-ō. Fudō Myō-ō is the central deity in all Myō-ō groupings, and in artwork is positioned in the center...

A Japanese silvered bronze jewelry box with engraved chrysanthemums supported by two oni. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 7 x 13 x 6 cm. Condition report: Good condition

Daruma, the patriarch of Japanese Zen standing upright wrapped in long flowing monastic robes. Tokyo School technique. Meiji period 19th century Sizes: 31 x 12 x 11 cm. Condition report: Good condition – wooden opening under the base

Ohara Koson
Eagle watching small bird (Eagle with outspread wings)
This example has a Matsumoto Print Works tag on the back (#105). The ca. 1910 Matsumoto catalog lists the print as "Eagle on a Tree."
Size: Ko-tanzaku. Approximately 7.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-1923.
Koson seal at lower right.
References: Matsumoto #105...

Peacock in cast bronze and partially gilded shakudo in 2 shades of gold. Japanese work in the style of Miyao around 1900. No signature. Hardwood and boxwood plinth.Good condition, no welding and original patina. Very slight wear, insignificant for a century-old object. The body of the peacock is raven wing black which suggests that it is in shakudo which represented a significant additional cost, the shakudo alloy being obtained by adding gold to copper. Total height about 16cm.

Biho Takahashi (Yoshikuni) (1873-)
Butterflies and Blooming Mustard
Date: 1900-1910.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Left and right edges bumped and slightly toned.

Biho Takahashi (Yoshikuni) (1873-)
Bee and Pink Hollyhock
Date: 1900-1910.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Chipped corner and light creasing.

An antique Japanese Ikebana bamboo basket designed as a baluster shaped vase. Large bamboo slats interwoven with other delineated free form smaller slats. The mouth opening has some decorative bamboo rope matching the all rope footed base. Three slats at the base forms a star shape while the body is strong with a wide sweeping design.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 14" Wide by 14" Deep by 18 1/2" High

An antique Japanese Kanban signboard of a Sake (rice wine) brewery maker. Hand carved out of a hardwood and finished in a gold gilt with black lacquer in the back. 2 stylized opposing birds and an arrow hitting a bullseye target decorate this sign that was made to depict a celebratory sake cask.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 24" Wide by 25" High by 4 1/4" Deep

Circa 1900 Japanese ivory netsuke of a Kappa creature on the back of a catfish. According to Japanese folklore kappa were the size of a small child, but with the strength of many men and lived in streams, ponds, and rivers. Hand carved and artist signed, please note this kappa's facial and eye details. He also features a dish type indentation on the top of his head for holding water when on land. Measures 2.75 inches long

Shin-Bijutsukai Japanese Design Magazine, vol. 28
Compiled by artist Furuya Korin (1875–1910).
A monthly magazine (1902-06) featuring the work of talented design artists.
First published 1905...