Japanese vase of convex shape, Totai decoration of a bird and a butterfly among leaves and berry bushes. The motif created by thin metal threads is filled in with colored lacquer and polished. The brown lacquer background is carved as to resemble tree bark (totai). This complicated technique for decoration on porcelain was in use in Japan in the 1920’s and 30’s.The base with old paper label, indistinct letters in blue and the word “Lacquer”. Height "7½/ 19,2 cm. Condition: Flakes aroun...

Japanese scroll painting depicting a scene from the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji). A nobleman and a young man sit on tatame mats and look out onto a garden setting. They are surrounded by painted byobu screens and clouds of gold mist. The painting is rendered in traditional Tosa School manner with flattened over head perspective and fine lined brushwork. Painted in mineral colors, sumi ink and gold leaf flecks on paper. Edo Period. Size of scroll: 47" high x 19 1/2" wide. Size of pain...

A Japanese palace scene painted by an unknown painter of the Tosa School, circa 17th century.

The Tosa School was founded in the Muromachi Period of the 15th century, and its painting was devoted to the aristocracy and its lifestyle.

Painted in pigments including silver leaf and black lacquer on paper. The fan is mounted on a paper backing sheet.

Approximately 49 cm. maximum length. 18.2 cm. width. Generally in good condition, wrinkled corners. A few extraneous m...

Japanese Wooden Tonkotsu, Tobacco container, with Kiseruzutsu, Pipe Holder, and carved nut Ojime, before 1900, Tobacco box - 3 1/2", 3 1/4", 1 1/2" high, pipe holder - 8 3/4" long, 1" wide, Nut Ojime - 3/8" diameter, top of the round wooden Tobacco Container and pipe is attached to the rope, all in one piece. Pile holder is natural carved wood, natural dark brown bark shows on the back. Maker's mark on the pipe. The condition is good.

Beautiful purple earthenware vase with blue glaze. It measures 10" tall. It comes with the original box. The base has a cartouche, the signature of the artist.

An antique Japanese full length tanegashima rifle with working original matchlock mechanism. Hand made of high figure burl keyaki hardwood with original translucent lacquer finish. The whole length of the hand forged iron barrel is inlaid with a swirling silver dragon in clouds and the crest of the noble Tokugawa clan with six character mark which reads: 松平三河守 Matsudaira Mikawa-no-kami. Matsudaira refers to the Matsudaira clan. Mikawa-no-kami is a title that was held by Tokugawa ...

Japanese "Tokugawa" Shogun Clan Mon polished Brass decoration, early 1900's, 2 1/2" diameter, 3/8" deep, with impressed raised design of 3 Hollyhock Crest, 3 small nail holes at the edge. The condition is good.

7 twisted gold pines shroud a seedling on the roiro ground of this fine togidashi suzuri bako writing box dated 1931 by Moriya Shotei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The writing box contains the original suzuri ink stone and water-dropper. Inside the lid is the large character Kotobuki (fortune) followed by an inscription reading 88 year old man Bajo Kasho. The piece is signed Design by Hakuho and dated the fifth month of 1931, the box dated the following year, 1932, titled 8 pine...

Japanese tabako-ire (tobacco pouch) decorated with an embroidered dragon chasing a flaming pearl. The dragon's body extends around the front and back of the pouch. The fierce head with open jaw is located on the front above the silver alloy dragon-form kanemono (clasp). An ivory accent adorns one of the two interior compartments. A circular ivory and repousse metal dragon kagamibuta netsuke is attached by 10 strands of metal chains secured by a dragon decorated squared silver guard. These h...

Japanese tobacco pouch and kiseruzutsu pipe case in carved red and black lacquer (tsuishu, tsuikoku) with Chinese sages in a rocky landscape. The pouch is delicately hand embroidered in brown tones with the finest silk thread depicting flowers (morning glories?) and leaves with vines. The pocket inside is made out of a Sarasa fabric (treasured cotton fabric by tea masters from Edo period - they were originally brought from India during 16 - 17 centuries ) which is lined with a soft leather. ...

A set of a tobacco container carved in the form of either two sages or eccentric spirits. The container is carved in the form where the figure is sitting inside a jar while the other is has the distinct eccentric smile seen in images in sages. The piece contains a signature which reads Nissho Age:20th century Size: The container: Height: 3.5" Diameter: 2.1" The figure: Length: 1.75" Width: 1.5" Height: 8"

Ivory okimono of a toad carrying an orchestra of five monkeys.
Four monkeys is playing instruments such as the shamisen (long-necked lute with three strings), the shime-daiko (small drum) and the flute. The fifth monkey is larger and is singing while holding a book in his left hand and plugging his ear with the other. They are wearing a jinbei, a summer outfit consisting of a short-sleeved jacket and shorts.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912), late 19th or early 20th century...

Japanese three-section kimono tansu made from kiri wood, its mid and bottom section has five long drawers with round metal lockplates that slide open to reveal a keyhole, and two warabite handles adorned with flora. The topmost section of the tansu has two smaller drawers with a single handle each, topped with two sliding panel doors, opening to a shelved interior and two more small drawers with adorable twin fish handle pulls. Size: 61.5" height, 45.5" width, 16" depth

Three-legged toad in bronze.

The three-legged toad, originating from Chinese mythology, is a Feng Shui symbol of prosperity and wealth.
Chan Chu, the three-legged toad, is mentioned by the poet Qu Yuan in The Songs of Chu. He compares the moon to a toad with a rounded body, whose three legs represent the three phases of the moon.
According to some authors, the toad on the moon is the beautiful Chang-e, transformed into an amphibian by Xiwangmu, the queen of the Western P...

The delicate ladies in waiting Japanese hina dolls for the Japanese Girl's Days in February. They are extremely beautiful with delicately detailed gofun (crushed shell with paste) faces and hands. The photos could not caputured it. Their face, hair, hands and costumes are superior to many other "Jyokan" dolls, obviously the work of first rated Kyoto made dolls. The standing dolls are 8 7/8" tall. One of the sleeves on the standing doll is soiled (enlargement 8). Circa Taisho to early Sho...

A Japanese sword "menuki" of 3 sparrows that was converted into an obidome during the Taisho period. The bronze color of the metal gives a naturalistic brown coloration to the birds--their beaks, eyes and feet are highlighted in gold. The fitted back is in 9 karat gold. Age: Menuki 18th century.

A large shinto shrine constructed in the style based on the Grand Shrine of Ise. This type of construction for small shrines is often used by the local residents in Ise. The shrine contains fine details in the woodwork and brass fittings fit for a deity. Age: 20th century. Size: height 23.75" width 19" length 36"

Japanese ceramic vase with a slender form, reddish brown base colors, areas with black, grey, yellow, and brown glaze and areas of texture. The artists' signature is incised into the bottom of the vase. Included is a wooden storage box with kanji. Size: 9" height, 4" width