Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and with all of the trappings that let you know they were cared for by a devoted cha-jin can be quite challenging. Here we see all three. The shape of this tea bowl is exquisite and something I have not seen before in a Mino piece. The lacquer box, while not the original was undoubtedly custom made for this tea bowl and looks to be 100 - 200...

This is a rare and large wireless cloisonne vase. It is not signed but because of the Iris flowers and water plants we believe it was made by Gonda. In fact we once had a signed Gonda piece with Koi and almost identical water plants. A beautiful large vase that looks perfect but upon very close inspection, a line deep in the enamel can be seen in bright light. I show it on the last image. This vase 18 1/2 inches tall, heavy and stoutly made.

Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with sashiko which is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. It has the sashiko owner's name. The first half of the 20th century. In excellent condition. 124cm x 124cm

This is a Edo Period Child kimono of Hemp Indigo dyeing Kasuri Echigo-jyofu. Chinese phoenix, butterfly, cherry tree.It is a very beautiful indigo dyed linen. It is in very good condition with no stains or damage. Size:length99cm ( 35.8inch) / Width:99cm (38.9inch)

Kuro-Raku Chawan by the 11th generation Keinyu Kichizaemon (1817-1902) enclosed in its originally signed and sealed wooden box.

This Raku chawan is particularly endowed with a structural power deriving from simple composition of features of a bowl - another reminiscence of the earlier generations of this unique family of artists.

Apart from being expertly formed and bestowed with symbolic imagery, this piece has the added distinction of being created by Raku XI Keinyu, the...

Kawase Hasui
Pagoda in Snow
Date: 1930s.
Size: 6 x 4 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-58
Condition: Excellent.

Ohno Bakufu
Brocade Carp (Higoi)
Series: Familiar Fishes of Japan (Dai Nihon gyorui gashu)
Size: Oban. Approximately 19.25 x 13.5 inches. Visible image: 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1938.
Edition: No. 260 (noted on back in pencil).
Publisher: Nishinomiya Shoin/Kyoto Hanga-in.
Artist's signature and seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print employing mica highlights.
Condition: Excellent color. Some foxing in the water. Print is sealed inside m...

Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (206 BC - AD 8)

This impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in a variety of coloured pigments. Most known Han soldiers are painted in only red, black & white pigments; this figure is exceptional with traces of green and blue pigments also. The figure stands alert and originally would have held ...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier

This fine and impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery and is particularly "heavily-potted". It has been "cold painted" in a variety of coloured pigments. Most known Han soldiers are painted in only red, black & white pigments; this figure is exceptional with traces of green and blue pigments also. The figure stands aler...

A pierced fragment of an antique Tibetan or Nepalese torana, worked in copper repousse with remains of gilding and colors. Showing a caparisoned elephant with a snow lion on his back, lifting a deity riding on the mythical beast "sharabha". Condition: wear to gilding, slightly warped. Dimension: 36.5 cm high x 15 cm widw x 2.5 cm deep.

Chinese Song Dynasty Incised Celadon Porcelain Bowl

This porcelain bowl was made in the 12th - 13th Century during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is fairly "heavily-potted" and coated in a transparent pale celadon glaze, save for the foot that remains unglazed. The inner surface is decorated with incised floral patterns. It is most likely a product of the Anqi kilns in Fujian Province.

Diameter 17.25 cm. There are minor chips to the rim edge and a crack to the w...

Chinese 17th Century Dehua / Blanc de Chine Porcelain Lion-Mask Censer

This censer was made in the 17th century (c. 1650 - 1700) at the famous Dehua kilns in Fujian province. It is "heavily-potted", the outer surface and inner mouth coated in an ivory-coloured glaze. The inner surface and base remain unglazed.

Diameter 15 cm. There are a couple of firing fissures to the thickly-cut foot, no doubt caused during firing due to the thickness of the clay. There is a small filled chip to the r...

Five serene white concave disks set on unique bases by Kato Yoshiyasu enclosed in the original signed and compartmentalized wooden box titled Asobi Kodai Hai, Gokyaku Soroi (Playful Foot Five Sake Cup Set). Each cup is roughly 8 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter, and all are in excellent condition, from the artist this year. This set was assembled by the artist specifically for our gallery, and is the only boxed set like it in the world.
Kato Yoshiyasu was born in Aichi prefecture in 1985, and...

The benign figure of Monju Bosatsu bearing the sword of knowledge and a sutra astride a fierce Shishi lion exquisitely painted by Takagi Shunrin in 1920. The compassionate being appears in royal regalia and white robes seated on a lotus shaped saddle upon the fierce creatures back. Pigment on silk in the original silk mounting with large ivory rollers enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated Spring of Taisho 9 (1920). The Rollers will be changed if exporting. It is quite large at 87 x ...

Single section Mizuya (kitchen buffet tansu) with a pair of sliding panels opening to an open space with a single shelf inside. Set of 5 pull out drawers with beautifully finished quartered sawn keyaki drawers. Hand forged iron hardware. Natural blond finish with fine carpentry details. Overall in very good condition. Ready to go! Age: Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Dimensions: 71" long x 34 high x 20 1/4" deep

Unusual pair of black lacquer small traveling hinged boxes. Each box is the same size with three individually sized drawers located behind the hinged front door. All original hand forged iron hardware. Side handles swivel up allowing insert of a hardwood pole for ease of carrying them about.

Age: Early Meiji period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 7 3/4" wide x 12 1/2" deep x 11" high Each

Antique Japanese Kyushu Choba Tansu (merchant chest made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with a combination of slider and drawer layout. Beautiful original warm lacquer finish. Overall in very good condition.
Merchant chests were proudly owned by shopkeepers and served a dual purpose. The obvious one is a chest to store the business records, books, valuables, and office supplies. The less obvious one was using it as a form of a...