A flawless and covered Japanese Mizusashi (cold water container/stoneware jug) for the tea ceremony from the early Edo period.

This antique Seto Mizusashi is designed with floral motives and Japanese poetry and comes with a dedicated tomobako wooden box.

Although the Japanese word for the tea ceremony, chanoyu, literally means “hot water for tea,” the practice involves much more than its name implies. Chanoyu is a ritualized, secular practice in which tea is consumed ...

Han-juban, short under kimono, made of hand-spun cotton and dyed with benibana (safflower). The dye technique is Beni-itajime which is board-clamp dye. The cloth is folded in some layers between two boards which are pattern carved and generally about 12 boards are used to dye about 22m length of cloth. Beni-itajime was mostly dyed in Kyoto until the end of Edo period but it was practiced in other places later. The lining is also hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. In excellent condition. ...

A wood plate used by a lacquer ware maker. It has layers of red and black urushi. It is used by a craftsperson of Aizu-nuri, from Aizu in Fukushima in Tohoku district. The first half of the 20th century. Diameter:16.4cm, H:4cm

A wood bowl used by a lacquer ware maker. It has layers of red and black urushi. It is used by a craftsperson of Aizu-nuri, from Aizu in Fukushima in Tohoku district. The first half of the 20th century. Diameter:15.8cm, H:6.5cm

KOKDU, Escorts of The Dead

Traditional Korean wooden funerary figures called ‘Kokdu’, late 20th century, approx. H 19 x 8.5 x 4.5cm (7.48 x 3.34 x 1.77in), H 19 x 9.5 x 9.5cm (7.48 x 3.74 x 3.74in), H 19 x 11 x 3.5cm (7.48 x 4.33 x 1.37in). Accompanied with such dolls with heartwarming faces, because don't make the dead men feel alon. Darkened overall and some damage and peelings due to aging as is. (ref. https://londonkoreanlinks.net/2012/07/07/korean-fune...

Mask made of kiri (Paulownia) wood, showing the wide-laughing and dimpled face of god of good fortune (shichifukujin), Daikoku. The base of his hat just sitting on the top of his head.

The broad grain of the wood was used to accentuate the round cheeks, nose and nostrils. The wood was formerly stained with a reddish-brown color, now almost completely worn off. Around the eyes there are remnants of a light-colored pigment.

There are two small holes in the top of the ears in which the ...

This extraordinary vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form. Fashioned after cylindrical Song Dynasty pieces that are thought to have been introduced in the 9th century from Syria, the handles are of Chinese origin and represent the mythical "Fenghuang" (Hōu in Japanese). This deity, typically depicted with the body of a bird with characteristics of a dragon, is believed to have originated in the sun and is thought to symbolize virtue, wisdom, and grace. Made ...

A wonderful translucent blue celadon vase done in the classic style of Song Dynasty Chinese pottery. This piece was made by one of the few great female Japanese potters of the previous century, Suwa Sozan II, daughter of Meiji Imperial Court Artist Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pottery design and painting under Touda Tokuji in 1873. From this point forwa...

Beautifully encapsulating the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi, this cast iron tea kettle has an elegance that far outshines more ornate versions of this ceremonial implement. Likely from Meiji, the craftsmanship is excellent, the overall proportions ideal, and the texture of the metal very pleasing. One-of-a-kind, this antique tea kettle is perfect for boiling water to be used in Sencha or for casual Matcha.

In fine antique condition, this piece is 16cm wide, stands 18c...

Here we have a beautiful scroll with a mounted letter penned by famed Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) who is known as one of the 4 great haiku poets of Japan along with the likes of Bashō, Buson, and Shiki. As one might expect, Kobayashi’s life was one of turbulence punctuated by several tragedies including the death of his mother at an early age and a lengthy legal battle with his step-mother over the family inheritance after the death of his father. Through it all Kobay...

Snowy landscape, in the foreground pine branches (?) bending under the snow, in the distance a mountain, black crows contrast with the ambient whiteness and grayness of this freezing winter. Watercolor on extremely fine silk canvas. Beautiful composition good mastery of the brush, unfortunately no signature. It's hard to say if it's a Japanese or Chinese creation, but usually on Japanese landscapes when a mountain is represented it's almost always Mount Fuji, which is not the case here. Old, pro...

Iron tsuba inlaid in nunomé zogan (damascened) of gold of different colors. Japanese work from the Edo period 18°-19° century, the artist's signature should give a precise date of creation. The scene finely cut in iron shows us a medieval fight on a bridge, perhaps that of Uji near Nara. The tsubas of the Soten school style are numerous but most often of low quality, the one presented here is superior, neat carving, well drawn subjects, great thickness giving volume to the characters (see the...

A Kangxi period very large baluster- shaped jar and cover, decorated in blue and white with the body showing 36 panels each enclosing a composition of butterflies amongst leafy peony sprays. The borders also reflect a floral image whilst the cover repeats the themes of the panels. This impressive example is of monumental size 57cm (22 and 1/2 inches) high and boasts a vibrant and even blue colour and meticulous painting . Important Note: There is an identical jar and cover in the Topkapi S...

Round chawan, bowl used in the tea ceremony, with straight sides and a foot with three incisions. The very fine clay has an incised décor of standing and flying cranes and three minogame, covered in a celadon green, translucent glaze with fine crackle.

Impressed seal next to foot: Akahadayama.

Akahada ware, Japan, prob. Meiji era, 1870s

H 2.8 x Diam. 4.25 in.

Two chips on the lip that were restored with silver over red lacquer which is now worn (one partially underglaz...

Chawan, or tea bowl, for use in the the tea ceremony. Fine gray stoneware turned out rather thin of almost round shape, with a ‘soul’ in the bottom, standing on a bamboo shaped foot, a swirl inside the foot. Opaque yellow glaze with fine crackle covers the ceramic. Over the yellow a white slip hakeme brush stroke on the outside and on the inside.

Seto region, Japan, 19th century

H 3 x W 5.25 x D 5 in.

Two unprofessionally, but lovingly repaired chips at the lip. One on ...

Elegant and very unusual shaped Japanese bamboo Flower Basket Ca. 1925. A series of fine butterfly knots line the bamboo on both sides and the handle. The weave is a delicate warp and weft with tiny knots embroidering the edges of the opening. H: 35cm by W: 34cm. excellent condition. No signature.

Pair of zelkova elm temple 'Baku' bad dream devourers. 22cm long by 12cm tall and 7cm deep. Extremely well carved and very good condition. Ca. 1890 late Meiji Period. Ask for shipping quote.

An antique Japanese bronze Mongoose pair standing beside three Peony blossoms as they protect the prosperity the flowers embody. Originally a cherished fragment from a bronze vase, it was professionally museum mounted to showcase its beauty and refinement.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions with stand: 12 1/2" Wide by 8" High by 5" Deep