The Mino region of Japan has been renowned for centuries for producing high-quality Shino, Oribe, Seto-guro, along with the style shown here, ki-Seto, or “yellow” Seto. The creator, Hori Ichiro, is one of the most acclaimed among Mino potters, tirelessly producing splendid works while continuing to use traditional methods passed down from other great potters before him...

The fine crackled feldspar glazing of this Hagi composition contrasts nicely with the red ferrous clay of the base and the wrought silver globe resting atop. Along the lower half can be seen a geometric windowed pattern giving this incense burner a sense of dimensionality.

Legendary potter Miwa Kyuwa (1885-1981) has been credited with reviving the Hagi tradition of pottery after the war...

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) dating from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 17th or 18th century and comes with a box that looks to have been furnished within the last 100 years. Over the long history of tea practice in Japan, at varying times, Korean-ware came into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics were brought over to Japan...

This extraordinary cha-ire (powdered tea container) displays an excellent glaze that appears to have only grown more intricate and rich with time. Contrasting against a reddish brown background are flows and pools of darker glaze along with lighter textured speckles...

Over 400 years ago the first Takatori potter known as “Hachizan” was brought to Japan by the powerful Kuroda clan and was tasked with establishing a kiln in the town of Fukuoka...

A beautiful example of modern Bizen-ware—with a thick feldspar glaze partially covering the clay body allowing the natural ash glaze underneath to show through in areas. This piece along with others by the same artist tend to push the bounds of what you usually see in Bizen pottery.

The craftsman who made this piece, Takahiro Ishii, was born in Tokyo, and, after studying ceramics for a number of years, he moved to Bizen to become a ceramics teacher and later opened his own kiln...

A black Raku ceremonial tea bowl displaying an excellent patina bestowed by time. The light colored clay peeks through in areas giving this piece a unique feel. Though the box is signed by the artist known as Rakuen, details on this particular potter seem to be lost to time...

An antique Japanese Ikebana basket made with split and large slatted bamboo and Wisteria branches for the handle and mouth. Its design is a flattened Ovid form that is almost purse-like in shape. The top of the basket is woven along the Wisteria mouth in a free-form style that undulated along the wavy movement of the mouth. The base is a raised twisted rope foot...

Antique Japanese large fruit basket. Wide and flat body woven with very fine, narrow sections of split bamboo. The handle is made of two bamboo branches, joined with intricate knot-work. Beautiful dark color and patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 15" high x 14 1/2" wide x 14 1/2" wide

A beautiful example of an antique Shigaraki Tsubo (storage jar) Vase displaying classic Shigaraki markings of red ochre, pale and natural ash glaze.

This eye-catching tsubo dates back to the the beginning of the 17th century, early Edo Period (1603-1868)...

Although reports vary, it is generally thought that Zeze-yaki had its heyday in the late Momoyama to early Edo period under the influence and patronage of legendary artists/ men of tea, Honami Koetsu and Kobori Enshu. It was also counted among the seven best kilns selected by Enshu Kobori (1579-1647), a tea master and military commander of that era. In the mid-1600s the tradition died out for a time after the destruction of the kiln by fire...

Antique Japanese tetsubin (pot for heating water for tea). Made of iron in round form and decorated with raised bats. The lid is made of bronze and signed on the underside.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/2" high (including handle) x 6" wide x 5" wide

The term “Raku” was once reserved for a style of pottery produced by a specific household in Kyoto that began over 450 years ago. Over the years, as it gained popularity, several branch kilns were established (Ōhi, Tamamizu) and a number of other lineages arose making pieces in the style of Raku, though they were not formally associated with the Raku household...

Splashed across a beautifully textured backdrop of shimmering black, the willow leaves painted in silver bring with them a sense of calm and contemplation...

A beautiful old Kyo-ware tea bowl slightly elongated on one end producing an interesting and unique effect. The collector who furnished the box labeled it as being by the legendary potter Ninsei (17th C.). Though the potter’s mark suggests this could be the case, there is no way to confirm for certain other than by its age and undeniably elegant craftsmanship...

A fantastic maki-e vase by greatest Heian Zohiko Nishimura Hikobei VIII in great condition. It was made around 1950. An alloyed copper inner tray is also included.

Hikobei VIII(1886~1965) delved heavily into laquerware technology, creating a vast array of well-known works from the end of the Meiji period through the early Showa period.

His works were featured in world expositions as well as in national industrial fairs, winning prizes along the way...

With a design reminiscent of mineral deposits on Martian rock, this bold and visually captivating tea bowl is the creation of one of Japan's more controversial and revolutionary-minded potters. 

Nakamura Kimpei (b. 1935) was born in Kanazawa but later—after a period of residency abroad— made his way to Tokyo where he established a kiln. As a thinker and ceramic artist, Nakamura concerned himself with the concepts of civilization, society, historical eras, and the interplay be...

Over 100 years old, this exquisite lacquered box set was crafted in the fourth year of Taisho (1915). On the underside of the lid are painted butterflies and the sides and top of the box set feature Chrysanthemum flowers in gold, sumi, and mother-of-pearl. Long considered an auspicious symbol of longevity and rejuvenation in Japan, when first introduced to the island nation during the Nara period (710 – 793 AC), the Japanese Royal Family was fascinated with the Chrysanthemum. Over time, it bec...