Pair of ancient paintings on paper, with polychrome colours and gold. The first painting represents a noble lady, in formal attire, sittings on an elevated platform. Two characters are painted at the back. This painting is partly folded, the paper is stained due to age and has suffered three insect attacks. The second painting represents a noble man in formal attire and sitting on an elevated platform. Two characters are painted at the back...

Araki Nobuyoshi, silver gelatine print, untitled, Signed on the back and dated ’09. Measurements: 27 x. 40 cm. Perfect condition. Nobuyoshi Araki (b. May 25, 1940) is a well known photographer and one of the most prolific Japanese artist, primarily known for his photographies that blend eroticism and bondage. His works are in Museums and private collections. Inquire for price.

This masterful rendition of an idilic landscape done in the Nanga style of Chinese painting is spread across three canvases titled 1) “Arashiyama” (A district nestled at the foot of Kyoto’s eastern mountain range), 2) “Kyomizu-dera” (One of Kyoto’s most iconic temples located in the western foothills), and 3) “Tatsuta” (An area west of Kyoto on the edge of Lake Biwa, known for its expansive fields of lotus flowers)...

ASAKUSA OPERA HOUSE 1941

Old Japanese oil painting on wooden board, with a scarce Tokyo's street scene with an external appearance of Asakusa Opera-kan Theater once existed until the prewar time (closed in 1944). Signed as 'Asakusa Opera-kan by Iino Keijiro, 1941' on the backside (signed as '40 at front side). 33.1 x 23.9 x 0.5 cm (13.03 x 9.40 x 0.19in)...

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...

This scroll is an excellent example of the early Showa era style of Shirakura Niho centering around 1930 enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Teishu Sotai. The painting features two persons in a boat contemplating a precipitous waterfall which extends up through the clouds. The phrase Teishu Sotai in old Japanese translates to "meeting of moored boats" in English...

AT THE BEACH 1972

Vintage Japanese oil painting on canvas by Shirane Mitsuo (1926-2002), 1972. Attached with metal frame (74.3 x 62.1 x 3.8 cm (29.25 x 24.44 x 1.49in))...

The size of Scroll: 56" Long x 25 3/4" Wide without scroll end. Painting size 17 1/4"Long x 20"Wide. The scroll was painted on paper. The beautiful Sansui, Landscape by Artist name. Gendo. The subject of painting with Country house with man working in his yard. Very nice brush strokes. The scroll has beautiful brocade works around. The dating of scroll from 1960-70's. The condition of scroll excellent. No stains. The scroll was painted by Gendo which is signed and chop sealed lower left...

Antique Two panel Japanese byobu screen depicting the first frost at waters edge. Japanese herons and mandarin ducks contently rest and foliage with a light dusting of snow screen depicted on the late white plumb blossom tree. Three ducks rest and warm themselves beneath the near barren tree. A pair of Japanese herons are seem amoungst the water with sprouted bamboo and flowering water lilly. In Japan the white heron is known to be able to move between three elements air, earth and water...

A collaboration piece between the famed poet/ nun of the late Edo period Rengetsu and her younger protege Tessai, this scroll depicts a frightened cricket making his way to the top of a stalk of grass on a windy day. Set in the fall season, the viewer can imagine a message of frailty, loneliness, and possibly the feeling of trepidation that accompanies the turning of the seasons towards the colder months...

Autumn in the Mountains by Shirakura Niho Pigment on silk in a fine brocade border extended with beige and featuring ivory rollers enclosed in the original signed double wood box (nijubako). It is 26 x 56 inches (66 x 143 cm) and is in excellent condition. This is signed with his later art name Kanyu. We can see in the style as well, here he has adopted a very western watercolor approach, that this is one of his post-war works...

This poetry and artwork, done by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century—Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875), tells the story of a personal moment of joy and contemplation upon returning home one autumn evening accompanied by the brilliant moon above.

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Rengetsu was a lady in waiting at Kameoka castle where she was trained in the arts and courtly gr...

A superbly rendered image of a golden-eyed monkey with prehensile tail curling upward in a fine mounting of golden striped brocade by Ota Issai. The scroll is 34 x 59 inches (86 x 150 cm) and is in excellent condition, completely remounted using quality materials without overpainting. Ota Issai (1892-1979) was born in Nishio city, Aichi prefecture near modern day Nagoya. He graduated the Kyoto E-ga Senmon Gakko (future Kyoto U of A) where he studied under Kawai Gyokudo, specializing in anim...

Japanese sumi on paper—this piece by well-known Meiji/ Taisho artist Tomita Keisen depicts a lone banana tree. Deceptively simple in style, each brush stroke made with sweeping yet calculated motions to evoke nostalgia for sultry summer days and tropical climes. Traditionally in Japan the leaves of the banana tree are used as a wrap for cooking or for carrying food for a picnic—adding to the imagery of lazy summer afternoons spent with friends, family, or perhaps lovers out in nature.
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Long a symbol of longevity, good luck, and support in many parts of Asia; in Japan the turtle has the added symbolism of being one of the cardinal protectors of Heian, the ancient capital city of Kyoto. This rendition of a turtle basking on a sunny riverbank was done by one of the most renowned and loved Waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Re...

BEAUTIFUL WOMAN AFTER A BATH

Japanese woman worn see-through yukata after taking a bath hand-drawn on silk by a painter named Seiho, mounted on hanging scroll, titled as 'Beautiful woman after a bath', attached with a certificated original wooden box (as seen in the last photo). Early-mid 20th century. Total: 49.3 x 175 cm (19.40 x 68.89in), Picture: 33 x 111 cm (12.99 x 43.70in). Aged deterioration as is, including some stains as seen.


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This tranquil winter scene showing a group of birds taking shelter in the snowy boughs of a tree was done by well-known Edo painter, poet, and tea ceremony devotee—Baiitsu Yamamoto.

A native of Nagoya, a bustling Japanese center for shipping and trade in Late Edo, Baiitsu was heavily influenced by works of Chinese art, especially the naturalistic landscapes that made their way into Japan through this port city. Over time he came to paint almost exclusively birds in various landsc...

Seated in meditation with open and compassionate heart, this bodhisattva is on a spiritual journey, postponing his own salvation in order to remain on earth to help others achieve enlightenment. In contrast to some images of the Japanese Bodhisattva (Bosatsu), often depicted as austere and inward looking, here, Kimura depicts the Bodhisattva as playful, carefree, and decidedly ornate. The inverted image of white contrast dye on black silk also makes for a striking composition.

A mas...