A square bottle vase by one of the most sought after and influential of all Japanese ceramic artists, Kawai Kanjiro (b. 1890), enclosed in the original kiri box signed by the master, which we have had authenticated at the Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum (now endorsed on the top by his daughter, Kyoha). The pale crackle glazed vase dates circa 1935, and is decorated with flower like dabs of rust and cobalt typical of this period, with dark iron fading out from the square mouth and base. As would ...

Japanese woodblock print quadriptych (four panels) by Osaka actor Yoshitaki (1841-1899) dating circa 1860's. Each panel features an actor standing against an embossed, checkered background. The black ink signature of the artist is in the lower section of each panel. Each chuban sized sheet measures 9 1/2"V x 6 7/8"H. Excellent color with extensive gauffrage and lacquered highlights. The panels are trimmed and Japanese mulberry paper album backed. There is some wrinkling of the paper and ol...

Serving plate. Over a grayish brown stoneware a geometrical design in blue, brown and green glazes, partly with fine crackle. Unsigned, but clay, color and design remind one of Mashiko ware. Diameter 10 ¼ inches, height 2 inches. Japan, 2nd half 20th century. Slight traces of usage (tiny scratches and water stains), otherwise very good condition.

Chinese cabinet made of jumu (elm) wood with tapering A-line design, deep translucent red lacquer finish, two drawers at bottom, 2 removable shelves inside, 74" high x 39 1/2" wide x 21" deep.

A gentleman standing in courtly robes takes advantage of a warm spring night to get in some reading. Standing on the balcony he puts light to a hanging lantern, illuminating cherry blossoms wrapped in evenings misty veil beyond the rail. This is an excellent example of Meiji period Yamato-e signed Saiho which has been fully re-mounted in quality patterned brocade, and retaining the original bone rollers. The watercolor and pigment on silk scroll measures 18-1/4 by 76-1/2 inches (51.5 x 194 cm...

Extraordinary 19th century (Qing Dynasty) Chinese Manchu style silk robe embroidered in polychrome and gilt metallic threads with 8 visible 5-clawed dragons, plus one hidden dragon on the inside flap, depicted in full-face and profile poses against a blue ground. Each dragon is chasing a flaming pearl (symbolizing the Buddhist notion of enlightenment) and is surrounded by clouds and various auspicious symbols. An embroidered panel surrounding the neckline is filled with additional dragons runn...

Qing Dynasty Chinese Manchu style summer silk gauze robe decorated in copper colored metallic threads with a brocade pattern featuring 8 visible 5-clawed dragons, plus one hidden dragon on the inside flap, depicted in full-face and profile poses against a blue ground. Each dragon is chasing a flaming pearl (symbolizing the Buddhist notion of enlightenment) and is surrounded by clouds and various auspicious symbols. The dragon's eyes are accented in black and white. An embroidered panel surrou...

A very unusual unglazed small tea pot decorated with various nuts and seeds all in three dimensional relief, featuring a mushroom shaped lid dating from the later 19th to early 20th century. Known as Banko in Japan, the kilns which produced these items were also responsible for the Sumidagawa pottery so popular in the west. This piece has 8 seeds about the shoulder, including peanut, pumpkin and sunflower. The spout is in the shape of traditional Japanese sweets rolled in a leaf, and the body...

Storage jar with beautiful dark brown glaze drippings from the neck and shoulder down, over a dark brown stone ware with countless inclusions. Around the neck engraved with cross pattern. Shape somewhat distorted. Height 11 inches, width 10 inches. Two short cracks at the rim, one small chip at the rim, glaze partly rubbed due to extensive usage. Overall condition good. Japan 18/19th century.

There is incredible detail in all aspects of this huge bronze sculpture of a jacketed monkey and his elder handler resting on a bronze base signed Shojun (also read Katsunori), dating from the mid 20th century (1935-1965). Taking a break between performances, the aged man pulls out his pipe and tobacco pouch, his wizened countenance seeming as if speaking some soothing words to the creature, perhaps otsukare-sama. A chain runs from his wrist to a collar around the animals neck. It is signed o...

This is a superb Bunraku puppet of the historical figure Minamoto Yoshitsune, one of the lead characters from the Tale of the Heikei and legendary fighter in Japan. The doll is incredibly mobile. Head moving up and down, his eyes open and close and move left to right. His eyebrows can be raised and lowered, and mouth opened or closed, all from toggles inside his kimono on the extended neck piece. The puppet is in perfect condition and stands 43 inches to the top of his topknot, complete with ...

Small jar. Slender body with short, cylindrical neck and wide mouth. On the shoulder four lugs. Upper two third of the body covered in a dull brown speckled glaze. Thailand, Sukhothai, 14-16th century.
Height 11½ inches.
One small chip underneath rim, missing areas (mouth and shoulder) in glaze, generally in very good condition.

Travel shrine, or zushi, with sitting figure of Kukai, carved in wood. The founder of the Shingon sect sits on a low pedestal, his shoes put underneath. In his left hand he holds the rosary, in the right he formerly held a vajra. Figure carved in plain wood, the pedestal decorated in gold and the typical red, white, green and blue. The inside of the doors decorated with lotus flowers in dull gold lacquer on shining gold lacquer. On the curtain above a decoration of manji and garlands in the same...

The character Take (bamboo) is struck with six brisk strokes of dark ink on this Chagake tea scroll signed Mitsuhiro (Karasuma Mitsuhiro, 1578-1638) and dated 1631. The calligraphy is exquisite. Mitsuhiro was born the son of Karasuma Mitsunobu (1543-1606) and, like his auspicious father, was a well known poet and songwriter accomplished in calligraphy. The paper is, as might be expected, repaired in several places and has marks and yellowing consistent with age, however is still supple and ea...

An absolutely breathtaking set of two carved and gilded three tiered wooden stands in the form of blossoming lotus enclosed in the original kiri-wood box dating from the Meiji period. They stand 14 inches (35.5 cm) to the top flower, with each red-lacquered tier over three inches ((8 cm) in diameter. 13 individual fronds rise up to blossoms and leaves, each exquisitely carved and covered in gold lacquer over black. Despite the delicate appearance the stands are very stable. A truly unique se...

A surreal ink on cloth landscape by Kyoto artist Nakanishi Koseki (1807-1884) bordered in rich blue patterned silk and featuring radical flaring rosewood rollers. Soft ink tones and heavy washes of gray clash with the brisk strokes and jagged lines of the painting, creating a vivacious scene. The stamps on this match those on the next listing, a second scroll by Koseki. This scroll measures 19-3/4 by 76 inches (50.5 x 194 cm). There is one hard crease crossing the scroll above the large lowe...

An absolutely stunning large Chinese carving of a Buddhist Rakan (Arhat or Arahat), the emaciated figure wrapped in billowing robes with a hand scroll clutched in his bony right fist. The detail in the hairs around his face is incredible. The holy figure is chiseled from Ryuganki (dragons eye wood) and comes enclosed in a box dated 1922, likely the year it came to Japan, and is signed by the then owner. The Rakan is one who has broken the chain of re-birth and overcome the three poisons of de...

The size of Plate: 7 1/4" Dia x 1 1/8". Pretty Japanese Ko Imari Plate. The plate has blue underglaze design with red, gold design in the center. There is two design around with total three windows and three strip decoration. One with Crane and Pine tree with gold karakusa design. Other stripe design with red Karakusa and green geometric design. All of design are done with very good detail work. The condiiton of plate very good, no chip, no crack and no hairline. The some of gold has wear on pin...