Majestic Black-tailed cranes soar over the crisp white-caps of Japans Northern waters on this expansive screen painted by 20th century artist Okada Renseki (1904-1995). The artist has given the mysterious creatures a dramatic sense of movement, rising ever upward across the expanse of shimmering sea. Very rarely seen, the magnificent birds have long held a special place of reverence in the hearts of the Japanese people, reflected in many centuries of art...

Exceptional rendering of the character Moon by one of Zens most important 20th century leaders Yamada Mumon. The ink on paper image is framed in patterned copper silk and features black lacquer wooden rollers. Some faint staining, the scroll measures 17-1/2 x 59 inches (44 x 150 cm) and is in excellent condition, enclosed in a kiri-wood box...

A Beautiful Ode to Longevity by Watanabe Gashin, born 1944. Watanabe Gashin is a renowned calligrapher who has won many awards for his Japanese calligraphy. In this unique work, he spells out the joys of each decade, from the age of 60 to the age of 111. Frame: 36.5 x 18 inches, 93 x 46 cm; Calligraphy: 25 x 12 inches, 63.5 x 30.5 cm.

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...

Yuasa Koufuu is an accomplished Japanese calligrapher. She is the recipient of many honors and prizes in Japan. Her style is very graceful and reminiscent of the famed Edo Period master, Rosetsu. In this delightful piece, Yuasa Koufuu describes the beautiful scenery in a mountain river. Frame: 20 x 14 inches, 51 x 35.5 cm; Artwork: 13 x 9 inches, 33 x 23 cm.

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

Embossed limited edition etching by Japanese artist Mayumi Oda (1941-present) titled "Treasure Ship on the Great Lake", #11/30. It is signed at the bottom in pencil. The treasure ship is usually depicted with the Seven Lucky Gods aboard it, however Mayumi believed only in goddesses and thus created her treasure ship collection depicting only females riding aboard it. Mayumi is known as the 'Matisse of Japan'...

Etching by Japanese artist Mayumi Oda (1941-present) titled "Merlin", depicting a stretching black cat amidst a bed of flowers. Mayumi is known as the 'Matisse of Japan'. She was strongly influenced by French Impressionism, which in turn was inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e, thus she deemed the full cycle of "Japonisme". Signed in pencil, numbered 10/? circa 1982 Size: (artwork only) 6" height, 3" width (entire sheet) 15" height, 11" width

Japanese Hand Painted scroll of a warrior in a fighting stance with sword drawn, signed by the famous print maker Yoshitoshi Mori ((1898-1992). Unusual that this is a true painting and not a woodblock print. Very Collectable Size: (total) 49" H, 19" W, (painting only) 16.5" H, 12.25" W

The character “Hiraku” Open (or to Open) in bold scratchy strokes by the infamous nun Murase Myodo. Open you mind, open the path to enlightenment, the path is open to all, but like this calligraphy work is not easy, it is dry and thorny and the gate must be passed. Ink on paper in a silk border with wood rollers. It is 24-1/2 x 48-1/2 inches (62 x 123.5 cm) and is in excellent condition...

Japanese 4-panel byobu folding screen, with a shochikubai or "Three Friends of Winter" motif (plum, pine, and bamboo), the image of a pheasant seated upon a jagged rock formation, with a small singing bird on the twisting trunk of the plum tree. The image was taken directly from a commemorative stamp which is affixed to the corner of the frame.

20th century

Size: 65.6" L x 36" H

Japanese framed print signed by artist known as Ay-O 靉嘔(1931-present). His full name is Takao Iijim, a prominent member of the Fluxus artist movement since its beginning.

Fluxus is described "the most radical and experimental art movement of the sixties".

Ay-O represented Japan at the Venice Biennale in 1966 and at the São Paulo Biennale in 1971. He also built the famed "Tactile Rainbow" at the Osaka World's Fair in 1970...

14 images spanning two pages each are sandwiched between the silk binding of this two sided accordion album by Zen Priest Inaba Shinden enclosed in the original storage sleeve. The images span from Mount fuji to the Daruma to Zen Circles, each annotated with some verse or Buddhist anecdote. It is in excellent condition, the album (closed) measuring 8-1/4 x 12 inches (21 x 30 cm).
Inaba Shinden (1906-1986) was an important priest of the Rinzai sect of Japanese Buddhism...

A set of four fans (uchiwa) made of bamboo and washi (Japanese hand-made paper). Each has hand-painted pictures and signs such as three kabuki "kumadori" which is special makeup of the kabuki player and Otahuku. All have the same written seal marks, however the name of the artist is not clear. Two are painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) 20th century. In excellent condition. W:30.5cm H:35.5cm

Stunning Japanese 2 panel silver leaf screen with stylized ink calligraphy poem and signature.

Dates from 1950's

Dimensions: length 71" x height 29"

A woodblock print by the artist Karhu. The print is labeled "Negligance". The full narrative is "Fight the Enemy, Negligance". Clifton Karhu became one of the most successful contemporary Western artists working in Japanese woodblock style. Karhu lived permanently in Kyoto, Japan, where he was the head of the Kyoto branch of the renowned Japan Print Society. The print is signed and numbered 23/100. Date: 1976

Dimensions: 25.75" X 8.25"

Nokyojiku, hanging scroll with stamps and inscriptions (shuin) collected at temples visited at the Saigoku pilgrimage circuit. At each temple the pilgrim asks the custodian of the temple to stamp and inscribe his scroll. These scrolls are carried mostly by pilgrims who travel along the 88 holy sites of Shikoku, by pilgrims who complete a circuit of Kannon temples, and/or of Fudo Myo-o temples.

Hanging scroll with gold brocade mounting and gilded hardware, as used for Buddhist paintings...

PICTURE-STORY SHOW

Portable wooden stage for 'kamishibai' (Japanese picture-story show / ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamishibai), and "arranged" 15 pieces of child's drawings (that's why no written story at each of its backside, as originally nothing to do with this kamishibai stage). Showa period, 20th century, Japan. Stage: 29.5 x 37.5 x 8cm (11.61 x 14.76 x 3.14in), Drawing: 25.8 x 35.8cm (10.15 x 14.09in)...