A rare and beautiful kiri (paulownia) wood tansu from the Matsumoto region of Japan. The tone and texture of the wood grain pairs nicely with the elaborate iron hardware. Its drawers pull open with sturdy iron "mokko" melon style handles with large incised backplates. Two drawers towards the bottom of the piece secure into place with a short locking bar. The drawer interiors are been lined with old rice paper. All original finish and hardware and in excellent condition...

A large Japanese framed print by renown artist Mayumi Oda, born 1941. Mayumi is most well known for her depictions of male Buddhist deities presented as women. This silkscreen print is titled "Daikoku", normally a male, the god of good luck and fortune. The title, number 22/40, and Mayumi's signature are done in pencil along the bottom margin. The print itself is tastefully framed behind special UV blocking glass. Circa 1984...

The Japanese matchlock was introduced to the Japanese by the Portuguese during the Sengoku period. Originally called teppo, it was known as the name tanegashima where its origins was founded.
The tanegashima rifle where used by the samurai class and their foot solders (ashiguru) and within a few years of the introduction of the munition it completely altered Japanese warfare. This long rifle gun has an octagonal russet iron barrel with a flat sighting plain on top and a bore of 3/4”...

Unusual Japanese two-section choba tansu (merchant's chest), made with Kiri (paulownia) front hardwood, Sugi (cedar) sides, and two large Keyaki (elm) sliding door panels with a roomy, shelved interior space. Each drawer opens with hirute style iron handles and a simple squared lock. Its sides are reinforced with horizontal slats.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 47.5" L x 16" W x 64" H

Japanese antique single section isho tansu (clothing chest) made with dramatic keyaki (elm) wood burl on the front and sugi (cryptomeria) frame. The tansu is has a beautiful translucent light color lacquer finish on the front. The sides and top are lacquered a more opaque deep reddish brown. Two small drawers line the top portion of the chest. Under this, are three large drawers. The right hand side of the chest has two more small drawers; one above and one below the safe box door...

This is an amazing small cloisonne vase. It is only 5 inches tall but has as much fine work as a great 12 inch vase. The rims are silver. It is not signed but the enamel colors and wire designs in the flowers appear to be the work Hayashi. Condition is excellent.

Small Japanese antique jewelry box, decorated all over with scenes of tiny chrysanthemums made of gold and silver mixed metal inlay on a gold lacquer (kinji) ground. The tiny safe box door is hinged and opens to reveal a scene of a golden bird on a blossoming plum branch near a fence. This scene spans both the interior of the door and three tiny interior drawers. The blossoms are made of gold and silver lacquer and the ground is a lovely dense and fine nishiji (gold flecks)...

Japanese 6-Panel byobu folding screen, with painting of a flowering wheat field under the full moon. The screen's paper hinges are done in gold gofun paper. Excellent condition, very presentable well suited for the times. The screen bears elements related to the Shijo School, hand-signed signature, with two red chops, attributed to Shiokawa Bunrin (1808-1877).

Taisho Period (Early 20th Century)

Dimensions: 150" L x 68" H

Japanese 20th century silver vase with peony and vine design by metal artist, KAWAMURA SEIJI. KAWAMURA SEIJI was born in 1902 in Beppu City. He lived until 1995. He participated in many exhibitions such as the BUNTEN in 1936. Signed Seiji on bottom. 4 The vase comes with TOMOBAKO, or original artist signed wooden storage box.

One of the finest, most daring, and well-crafted works I have seen by this legendary artist who is known for his non-conformist and bold style. Suzuki Goro has outdone himself with this Rose Oribe ceremonial tea bowl. Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615)...

The Japanese bronze maker is known for its high quality and attention to detail rendered in bronze, silver, and other precious materials. The exposure to the world's fair has showcased the Japanese skilled artisan in many different styles and categories. Naturalism and realism was the template to the Western taste during the Meiji period.

This is a fine example of a great horned owl in bronze depicted in naturalism. The okimono owl is perched on a gnarled branch preening itself...

This is a great Japanese cloisonne vase. It is not signed but it was created by one of the master artists from the Meiji Era. Years ago this vase was acquired from the Avo Krikorian Collection. It stands 6 1/4 inches tall. Condition is excellent.

A rare and unusual Japanese Keyaki burl choba tansu with original dark red translucent lacquer finish. The front of the chest has two hinged doors with hand forged iron fan lock plate, with two drawers below. When the chest is opened, it reveals a spacious interior with a large open compartment, a long top drawer and three smaller all burl wood drawers along the side.

Early Meiji period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 25 1/2 x 15 x 25 3/4 h

An exceptional antique Japanese bowwood carved netsuke - the Yama Inu - a dog resting his paw on his masters scull. Protecting him in even past the point of death. Superstition related to the okuri(yama) inu are extremely old, and are found in all parts of Japan.
The meaning of the dog also speaks about patience, reliability, and obedience. It focuses on protection, guardianship, and service. The dog spirit animal is a noble animal...

An elegant antique Hangai Tansu made of solid quartered sawn keyaki wood with hand forged square iron handles and elaborate key. Hangai is a clothing chest used on ships. It has a single drop-fit door. Keyaki wood has a beautiful wavy natural grain, a bright and calm color and strength. This Tansu comes with a key that unlocks the chest with 2 side locks to uncover two large drawers.

Date: Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 32.5" long X 18.5" tall X 16.25" wide

I have seen a lot of work over the last quarter century by Kawai Kanjiro, and among it all, this is an absolute stunner...

Before styles such as Raku, Hagi, Karatsu, etc came into fashion for use in the tearoom in early Edo, it was commonplace in cultured society to use tea-ware imported from China. In fact, some pottery styles uniquely Japanese (such as Shino) are thought to have been born out of unsuccessful attempts to emulate these extremely high-quality and refined ceramics. The number of such pieces imported was so great that today it is not uncommon for Chinese collectors to visit Japan in search of authentic...

Japanese Buddhist reliquary made of gilt bronze and crystal in a miniature lotus lantern or stupa form. The sarira, or human pearls, are delicately displayed in the central portion of the reliquary through a crystal cylinder. Two types of sarira are divided between two levels, with three smaller yellowish churira on top (originating from the liver) and two larger, whitish sharira (originating from the head) on the lower shelf. These human pearls are the crystalline traces left behind in t...