Tokunyu was born as the eldest son of seventh-generation master Chonyu. He succeeded his father at the age of 18, but was prone to illness, and when his father died, he passed the mantle on to his younger brother later known as Ryonyu.

As he was sickly from a young age, he was a Raku master only for nine years and the number of his remaining works is the fewest among all Raku generations.

Due to his youth, he didn't pursue his own unique developments, however, his tea bowls e...

Tambourine Karyobinga, depicted with butterfly wings. On the reverse an oval ring serves as a ring. It is likely that this is a scarf ring. It is certain that it is not an object that has been modified because it would have been impossible to weld without destroying the patinas. The ring and the base of the character are in shibuichi (alloy of copper silver and gold) the character is in shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) partially hot gilded with mercury tecnic (trousers, hand, top of the wings)...

Small Kagamibuta (button that acts as a netsuké in traditional Japanese clothing). However the size of this one is unusually too small. To my knowledge, there is no Kagamibuta of this size (32mm) usually the diameter of these exceeds 50mm. This is not the only particularity of this jewel, indeed the presence of glass paste is absolutely exceptional, there too, I do not know of any other netsuké, manju or kagamibuta created in this material. The very high quality of the metal plate allows us to...

Superb museum quality carved Chinese wood brise fan with deeply worked guard sticks and finely done inner sticks carved equally to both sides of lovely scenes. Larger than most brise fans, it also still has its original hand carved presentation box fitted in silk. Made in Canton, China for the export market, the fan and box dates circa 1870-1880. Condition is wonderful to both and a must have for the collector. Fan length 9.5" x fully opened 16.5" with case being 12.5" long x 2.5" x 2.5"

Chinese porcelain dish of the eggshell type. Decoration of wise men, in a garden, accompanied by their disciples. Some characters contemplate a scroll of paint, others are seated in front of what seems to be antiques. Some carry symbolic attributes such as Lingzhi mushrooms or knowledge plaquets. The drawings are finely executed, the porcelain is fine without defects.It is a creation of the best quality for this period. Excellent condition which is rare for such fine porcelain. On the reverse ap...

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century, however one of mending paper has letters "Taisho 4 (1916). Top:87cm x 32cm, Bottom:75cm x 32cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century. Top:82cm x 32cm, Bottom:82cm x 56cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century. 32cm x 81cm

This is an authentic example from the Qijia culture, dating to 2100-1600 BCE, of a well-known type of ritual axe, known as a "Yue." It measures 4" in length and 3-3/8" at its widest point (10cm X 8.5cm). The surface has a beautiful, smooth polish; the "blade" has a beveled edge and has been sharpened, although it shows no signs of actual use. The large hole has been conically drilled. The stone is a variegated mid-green with some darker inclusions. In all, a very beautiful piece. This piece has ...

This is a fragment from a Tibetan gilt copper mandorla, one of the side pieces that would have surrounded the central statue/figure. It measures 9-1/2" in height and is 3" at its widest point. The design, as the photos will show, is in four registers, with the Buddha uppermost. The workmanship is of excellent quality as, hopefully, the photos will confirm. There is a tiny split in the left edge so that the top panel could become detached if the piece were handled roughly. The piece is no later t...

This is a diminutive portrayal of a crowned Buddhist figure, most likely a Bodhisattva, dating to circa the 6th century AD, Northern Qi dynasty. Note that the nose and areas of the forehead are darker than the rest of the stone, indicating that they have been rubbed by the hands of worshippers over the centuries, creating a "sweat stain" darkening of the stone. The piece measures 1-1/2" in height and 1-3/4" front to back (depth) (4cm X 5cm), not including the stand (to which it has been permanen...

This is an authentic archaic Chinese nephrite jade sword fitting, typical of the style of the Han dynasty, which would have been attached to the pommel of a sword. The obverse features an animal, a tiger or a bear, in profile, while the reverse has a six-character inscription, now somewhat worn. The piece is drilled biconically from top to bottom for attachment. It measures 1-1/2" wide by 1-1/4" in height. Depth is approximately 1/2" (4cm X 3cm X 1mm). The jade is caramel colored with some dark...

Rare lacquered bronze fibula inlaid with yellow metal nails which seems to be gold because it does not oxidize. The construction of this jewel is special, in fact the bronze base was cast and then pierced with thousands of holes in which tiny nails were fixed, welded or perhaps simply forced in. Then the whole was covered with brown lacquer. This technique gives a solidity that has allowed this fibula to stand the test of time, indeed the lacquer split by retraction but it remained in place firm...

A rare and GENUINE SMALL BRONZE HANSA DUCK OPIUM WEIGHT, 18th Century, Burma. Natural formed smooth patina. Height: 2.5 cm. x Depth 2 cm. Weight: 31 gr.

A Genuine 18th Century HANSA BRONZE OPIUM WEIGHT, Burma. Height 6.5 cm. x Depth 4 cm. x Width 4 cm. Hexagon base: 4cm. Natural formed patina. Weight: 318 gr.

A beautifully preserved GENUINE BURMESE HANSA DUCK OPIUM WEIGHT, with engraved duck symbol of the period on the right/front side of the base. Late 18th Century, weight: 79 gr. Naturally formed dark shiny patina. Height 4 cm. x 3 cm. Depth x 2.5 cm. width of hexagon base.

Kogo, box to keep incense, in the shape of a reclining boar, head and nose turned up. Red-brown stoneware with gray and pink glazes, typical for Hagi ware. Inside bottom and cover covered in gray glaze over pink.

Seal impressed in bottom: Tobei.

Japan, Hagi ware, ca. 1981

H 2 x L 3.25 x D 1.1 in.p> Perfect condition.

Comes with the original wrapping cloth with seal of the artist and with original tomobako inscribed Hagi inoshishi (boar) kogo, and signed Tobei XII wit...

This Chinese Double handled Cloisonné cup has its original blown cobalt blue glass insert... Old red wax seal on bottom from the 70's by Chinese gov official as being between 100 and 200 years old and therefore allowed to be taken out of China... see pic at bottom pic...1.75 inches x high 3 inches diameter of cup and 5 inches across includes both handles