Antique Japanese screen painting in 6 panels. Painted to resemble a samurai encampment space divider. The simple graphics of the curtain-like camp divider are painted in black and white and displays the kamon (crest) of the Takiyama Family. Narrow slits between the white and black sections of cloth were for the wind to pass through, preventing the curtain from becoming a sail. Thick striped rope securely ties the curtain to tall stakes in the ground...

Dramatic waves are combed into the clay surface of this large Toban Platter by Living National Treasure Suzuki Osamu (Kura) covered in glass-like copper green; unusually signed and dated on bottom 1957 and enclosed in an artist signed wooden box...

An unusual shorter length Japanese tanegashima (gun rifle) with working original matchlock mechanism. Made of hardwood with original dark lacquer finish. Iron barrel has a silver inlaid sasa mon (bamboo leaf crest). Elaborate brass work includes many chrysanthemum florets.

Comes with custom iron stand to aid in display. (In the group picture, this tanagashima is the second from the front.)

Age: Edo Period (c...

Japanese antique choba tansu (merchant's chest) with locking bars and safe box. Made with keyaki (zelkova) wood frame, hinoki (cryptomeria) wood drawer fronts, sugi (cypress) wood top and side panels. The upper portion has three large full-width drawers held into place with a locking bar. The lower portion has two medium sized drawers held in place with another matching locking bar. The lower right hand side has a safe box opened by a hinged door...

Small gold lacquer tray, magnificent example of kirikane and multiple lacquer technical and multiple lacquering techniques. Absolutely exceptional quality, very rarely encountered. Presence of small details in mother of pearl. I think it must have been part of a set, most probably inside a box? But it is possible that it was created alone. Perfect state of conservation. Difficult to date exactly, I would say around 1800. Dimensions 105x80mm.

A Blue Mist series box by Kondo Takahiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box with two shifuku and toreki. A precursor to his monolith forms, this is an excellent example of this important contemporary artist. It is 18 x 12 x 14.5 cm (7 x 5 x 6 inches) and in perfect condition.
Kondo Takahiro (b. 1958) was born the grandson of Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo. However, he graduated Hosei University not with a degree in sculpture or crafts, but in Literature...

This is a Edo Period Natural indigo Cotton Umakake Tsutsugaki antique textile.Impressive design of dynamic rabbits and waves. This is a cotton of good texture in the Edo period is used. This texture is characteristic of Edo cotton. Pictures of rabbits and waves are expressed quite stylishly. This is impressive Kyogen style picture of the Edo period Tsutsugaki.It has several small repairs. There are no noticeable stains. It is a very valuable Edo period textile...

Zushi, Buddhist shrine, containing a highly complex deity. On an eight-tiered lotus throne sits beautifully carved and decorated Dainichi Nyorai, his hands folded in his lap in meditation mudra. On his head he wears a cap in the shape of a lion head. He sits in front of a disc-shaped mandorla.

From the ceiling of the zushi hangs a drapery, decorated with of two phoenixes in fine gold on a lapis blue ground.

Wood with mineral colors, gofun, and fine decorations in gold...

Antique Japanese theatre mask of a mujina, which could mean either badger or raccoon-dog (tanuki). Both creatures are famous in Japanese folklore for their shapeshifting abilities. One of his most popular appearances is in the story of a mujina yokai (shape shifter) who becomes a kozō (little monk) and stands by empty roads at night. The other is of a tanuki who turns himself into a teapot. Mujina can also take the form of a faceless ghost...

Antique Japanese okimono carving of a little skeleton on top of a larger skull. Made of boxwood with a beautiful patina. Intricately carved to show every bone of the small skeleton and the teeth of the skull. The artist's humor is displayed in both style and subject matter.

Age: Edo Period (17th century)

Dimensions: 1 1/2" high

A wonderful example of an original Japanese Armored Safe chest. Constructed of hand selected and quartered sawn keyaki (zalkova hardwood) and hand forged iron hardware / fittings. Thick hinged door opens to reveal 4 individual drawers with secret compartment located under the largest (bottom) drawer. Internal drawers are made of original light kiri (paulownia) wood.

Age: Edo Period late 18th Century

Dimensions: 19" High x 15 3/4" Wide x 18 1/3" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Funa Hon Tansu (ship captain's document chest) made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova) in front and Keyaki frame. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Side carrying handles made of Kaki (Persimmon) wood.

Used in a ship captain's quarters to store valuable documents and books...

A striking work of lacquer art in unusual blue by the ever-challenging Okada Yuji dating from early in his career, circa 1975. The work is performed on a panel with built up mounds over which has been applied colored lacquer and gold foil. Down the center a zigzag line of mother of pearl is inlaid. To this design has been added extruded lacquer decoration bordered in burnished Suzu-ita metal overlay. The panel is 80.5 x 145 cm, about 2.5 cm thick, in excellent condition.
Okada Yuji was bor...

A Japanese inro made in lacquer with great craftsmanship and decorated with the image of six monkeys. The outer surface of the Inro is coated in gold lacquer which creates an elegant contrast with the metal monkeys. This Inro depicts a scene in the round, in which monkeys interact in an evocative natural environment. Some climb Matsu pine trees, while others rest gracefully on raised rocks. The wooden netsuke, depicting a monkey with a peach in its paws, contributes to the narrative of the...

Ivory netsuke depicting a dromedary with a long neck that bends backwards. The surface is distinguished by its shine and blonde patina, with color transitions ranging from yellow to lighter ivory. To the touch, the netsuke feels soft and smooth. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4 x 3.5 x 1.7 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Antique Kano school ink Landscape/suiboku sansui and fukurokuju; god of happiness, prosperity and long life that is said to originate from a Chinese hermit. Usually, he is depicted with a crane or turtle, which are symbols of longevity, and his trademark long head and white beard, but in this painting he is depicted wearing a huge traditional Chinese hand-woven bamboo hat. Painted with ink on silk. Signed Tsunenobu and sealed. It is also inscribed as it is a piece of Hogen Tsunenobu(Hogen (the ...

Startled to enlightenment, this is a large Edo period figure of a Rakan (Sanskrit: Arhat), a Buddhist saint kozutsucarved in the Yosegi-zaiku method of joined blocks of wood. Originally covered in polychrome colors, much has grayed and flaked away with time, a fitting aspect of the image. He has glass eyes which seem to burn violently with realization. The image is 43 x 36 x 51 cm (17 x 14 x 20 inches) and is in solid condition. The head is removable, slotted into the body at the collar. For ...

Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...