A pair of spectacular Mino Yaki Porcelain vases from the studio of famed artisan Kato Gosuke decorated with clusters of grapes under drying late summer leaves. It is 32.5 cm tall, 21 cm diameter and both are in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden collectors box titled Mino Yaki Kabin Ittsui, Kato Gosuke Saku (Pair of Mino Yaki Vases by Kato Gosuke). Each bears a signature in overglaze on the base, along with two impressed seals. The square seal reads Kato Gosuke...

A fine seji, celadon, and sometsuke style dish. In the early eighteenth century it would appear that this style of decoration was the preserve of the Nabeshima kiln. However in the Kyoho era during the Shogunates economy drive this style of porcelain was largely replaced with sometsuke patterns...

Collection of 10 pages of Arabic and Farsi calligraphy. Ink, colours and gold on paper. Largest 18cm tall. Undated, estimated to be 17th century to 19th century. Provenance: Sotheby's London 1987

EXCAVATED YAMAJAWAN 2pc.

Layered Japanese proto-pottery bowls stuck to each other in the kiln-firing, so-called 'Yamajawan' (Yama-Chawan / lit. 'Mountain tea bowl'), circa Kamakura-Muromachi period (1185-1573), approx. 15 x 15 x H 6cm (5.90 x 5.90 x 2.36in)...

BECKONING RACOON DOG

Auspicious Japanese wood carving racoon dog with beckoning hand, like 'Maneki-neko' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maneki-neko), Taisho-Showa period, early 20th century, approx. H 10.5cm (4.13in). Seems to be carved by skillful sculptor because of its remarkable round carving technique toward to such hardwood...

A pair of Arita, probably the Higuchi kiln at Nangawara, Celadon square form mukuzuke, decorated with alternating panels of Immortals and a Landscape, probably an evocation of Penglai (Horai-san) the Isle of the Immortals all painted in a combination of kinsai gilding combined with iron red and green enamels. Gilding to the rims, kin-beni. The mukuzuke measure approximately 10.5cm diagonally and stand 7cm high...

LARGE BAG

Light yellow bag made of washi Japanese paper used to contain silkworm cocoon balls so-called 'Mayubukuro' (lit. 'Cocoon bag'), Prewar time, early 20th century, Okayama, Japan, approx. 153 x 77cm (60.23 x 30.31in)...

Bright blue brushstrokes dance over the pale glazed surface of this sake server by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled Shuchu. It has been dipped several times in different colored glazes, with what appears to be a wash of ink wavering like a ghost around the rim and spout. This is a bridge between two of her styles, and unusual work which will make a nice conversation starter as you share a drink...

Rare maedate (frontal element of the Japanese helmet) representing a Ho-oh (phoenix). The bird is in cut, embossed and chiseled copper. Red oxide patina, gilding and silvering. Metal maedates are very rare and almost always made of iron. The most common, without much interest, are made of wood. This one is an exceptional model in terms of material, quality, interesting subject matter and the shape elegantly occupies the allocated space...

Kihei Sasajima
Shitenno Jikokuten (one of the Four Heavenly Guardians)
Date: ca. 1960s.
Publisher: Yoneda Minoru (impressed colorless seal at lower margin).
Date: 6.5 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Toning in margin. Margin trimming.

Kihei Sasajima
The Buddhist Goddess Kisshouten
Date: ca. 1960s.
Publisher: Yoneda Minoru (impressed colorless seal at lower margin).
Date: 7 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Margin trimming.

An unusual dish of mokkogata “melon” form decorated with a central motif of Tojin, Chinese or possibly Korean or Manchu figures in a Temple landscape with Hexagonal panels depicting Chinese boys playing, “karako kigi-zu” set against a ground of tama, pearls, and fronds. The boys are equipped with various items including fans and drumsticks to beat the partially obscured drum or gong...

A masterpiece of dark grey covered in thick brushstrokes of slip by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled CUBE. Through the slip and into the surface has been scratched windows of lace and fishnet designs. Inside is rolling waves or fish scales. One side difers, with no decoration on the white slip inside, the surface divided into 4 separate cubes outside. It is 22 cm (9 inches) on all sides, and in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden box signed by her brother Naoki...

A deep bowl of textured clay covered in black glaze with an abstract of dribbled silver in the center by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled Hai (Sake cup). It is 8.2 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden box annotated by her nephew.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima...

Gold and silver steel cigarette case...

Bright green leaves on scratchy black branches decorate this deep vessel by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled simply Utsuwa (Receptacle). This is a lovely piece, expressing the joy of spring colors. It is like all of her works, misshapen, nothing perfect in nature. It is 24 x 20 x 16.5 cm and in excellent condition enclosed in a wooden box annotated by her brother.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima. Yoko came to Kyoto where she initially studied painti...

Han-haba (half width) obi for casual kimono. Wefts are silk yarn and warps are also black silk yarn. It has softer texture and thinner than sakiori obi. In excellent condition. 20th century. W:15.5cm x 2m92cm

Baby's cotton kimono with Sekka-shibori, one kind of board-clamp dye. It has cotton lining. Handsewn but the belt is sewn by machine. Generally in good condition but some light stains in the cotton white lining and upper front. The first half of the 20th century. 59cm x 47cm