Historically important Japanese woodblock print triptych depicting the landing of foreigners of the “Five Treaty Nations” in Yokohama by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870). The print features soldiers and civilians from America, England, France, Russia, and The Netherlands grouped together with their respective flag and label. Two Chinese compradores, who facilitated trade, are in the foreground and western ships line the harbor in the background. The print is signed “Issen Yoshik...

Japanese Yokohama woodblock print triptych illustrating the interior of an American steamship by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870) published by Maruya Jinpachi in 1861. In this design, the artist utilizes the traditional Japanese convention of “roofless architecture” which allows the contents of the ship to be visible. Inside, westerners are seated at a long table having a dinner party. The assembled size is 14 5/8"V x 29 1/4"H (each panel is about 14 5/8"V x 10"H). Good overall c...

A fox sits wrapped up like the Daruma, a humorous image by long time head priest of Kenninji Temple Takeda Mokurai (1854-1930) in light ink on paper. The scroll has been fully remounted in dark forest border extended with beige and features black lacquered wooden rollers. It is 18 by 47-1/2 inches (45.5 x 120.5 cm) and in excellent condition. Mokurai began his training as a priest at the age of 7. Developing under a number of masters, he finally settled under Yuzen. During his younger years ...

An impressive Japanese Soto zen calligraphy by the noted calligrapher, Gesshu Soko (1617-1696). Gesshu was known for his research and interpretation on Dogen's work, Shobogenzo (The Treasury of the Dharma Eye). The calligraphy is a famous zen phrase which translate as: The moon reflected on the water while the breeze amidst the pines blow in this eternal evening. What is the cause or purpose on this pure twilight. The scroll comes with an inscribed box by Awakawa Koichi (1902-1977) who was known...

A published set of 10 Zen Scrolls by Jikihara Gyokusei and Shibayama Zenkei showing the 10 stages of enlightenment through the parable of the bull and the ox-herd. Ink on paper in blue silk border with wood rollers. Each scroll measures 44 x 188.5 cm and all are in fine condition but for a few tiny holes in the top of one border (see close-up). The scrolls were photographed in the order taken from the box, and are not necessarily in the correct order in the composite photos. This set of scro...

Large Japanese Zenga calligraphy scroll of the character 'KOTOBUKI', or long life, longevity. Bold, large brush strokes showing great intensity. Signed and sealed with three red seals by the artist. Small black kanji translates with the first 4 characters: 日光門主 Nikkō Monzu, who was a very high-ranking monk of imperial lineage at the temple, Rinnō-ji, in Nikkō. The seals used by monk show his rank and importance. The bottom left seal in red says: 日光山 輪王寺 門跡印 ...

Charming Japanese Zenga ink painting of Daruma seated inside a circular Enso symbol. Painted in sumi ink on handmade crinkle paper. Signed: Etsu. Size: 15" high x 11" wide

Japanese Zenga scroll painting of a staff by the Zen master Nakahara Nantenbō (Toju Zenchu) (1839–1925). Born into the Shioda samurai clan in Saga Prefecture, Nantenbō lost his mother when he was 7 years old and was sent to Yukoji monastery to study as a novice when he was 11 where he became a monk of the the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. From there he trained at many different centers, making a pilgrimage to visit twenty four leading Zen masters, earning an inka (certificate of enlighten...

Unusual Japanese Buddhist Zushi with dark, lacquered wood exterior and gilt interior. Enshrined in this portable altar is the statue of Buddha seated on a lotus. His two attendants are sitting on a dragon and fox. The double doors and roof top are decorated with scrolling gilt metal work.

Buddhist traveling altars and shrines create a sacred space of spiritual magnetism and are the product of dedicated craftsmanship. Traveling monks were required to have their own prayer tables and ot...

The simple black lacquered shrine with its original black lacquer, gilding and metalware. The finely carved Kannon with her original gilt metal crown. Japan, Edo, 18th century. H.17,6 cm. Excellent condition with expected age wear.

Japanese Genroku Period Imari Tokkuri sake bottle in 4-sided rectangular form. From the early 1700's. Blue on white porcelain base with red and gold overglaze enamels in a floral design. 10 1/2" tall by 4 1/4" by 4 1/4".

Quadrangular kobako box decorated with flowers in gold and blue lacquer with aogai inlay. Lid and sides in fundame lacquer, underside and interior in nashi-ji lacquer. Inside, a removable tray with gold fundame borders. Fitted with two gripping rings.

Provenance : Docteur Mène collection.

Doctor Édouard Mène (1833-18..?) was a doctor and vice-president of the Franco-Japanese Society. As great connoisseur of Japanese art, he began collecting Japanese objects such as a...

Round ivory kôgô box with shibayama technique, inlaid with gold and pewter or silver lacquer. Lake decoration in two cartouches on the side and the top of the kôgô, surrounded by rinceaux.

It could be the representation of views of Ômi, around Lake Biwa (present Shiga prefecture). The temple on the rocky mountain is probably the Ishiyama-dera, built around 762 A.D. in Ôtsu. It is part of the Kansai Kannon pilgrimage circuit. It is said that Murasaki Shikibu started to write Th...

Hanging bronze (銅掛斜生, dô kakenanaike) depicting a hawk, placed on a branch. The inside is hollow so a bouquet a flowers can be put inside and thus, serve as a vase.

The eagle is considered the king of birds. Its tail feathers are said to be the best feathers for an arrow. It is said that they were given to the imperial court and to the shrine of Ise (Mie prefecture), one of the most sacred places of Shinto.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
He...

Antique Japanese 2-section choba tansu (merchant's chest) from the Gifu area. Made of hinoki wood with extensive horizontal slats on the sides. The top section has sliding panels with horizontal slat over two small interior drawers. The bottom section has a long drawer over another sliding panel compartment also with horizontal slats. Below this is a series of 4 drawers of various sizes and, on the right, a small safe door covering two small interior drawers. Hardware includes round lock ...

Beautiful Okinawan uchikui which is a furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with cherry blossom design. The dye technique is tsutsugaki and bingata-zome which is traditional Okinawan dyeing technique adding colorful vegetable color or pigment. Uchikui is dyed with either tsutsugaki or katazome (stencil-resist-dye). Uchikui is used for not only wrapping but also covering gifts. This uchikui is two panels sewn together. Wefts are choma (ramie) and warps are cotton. Uchikui has same family crest in the last p...

Japanese mingei water wheel of hinoki wood. Constructed with iron nails, joinery, complete with 17 spokes and paddles with kanji characters. The central hub has an iron piston protruding for rotational function. The wheel comes with a contemporary custom steel mount which allows it to spin smoothly and silently.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" wide diameter x 9 1/8" deep (paddle)

Japanese open shelved cha tea chest wih with sliding, hinged, and drawer compartments. 4 staggered for display and ease of tea ware. Fine silver scrolling vine detail quietly frames the pieced. Original condition and finish. Age First quarter of the 20th Century

Dimensions: 42" w x 48"h x 13 1/2" deep