A Mounted Antique Japanese jingasa, samurai's hat. Lacquered a deep brown color with a pattern of armor pieces cross stitched together and decorated with gold double agehonocho (swallowtail butterfly) crest of the Taira clan (also called Heike clan)...

An antique Japanese 2 panel Byobu screen of a mounted Kimono from a Noh play. Embroidered picture of flying Phoenix birds with Paulownia and scrolling vines they use to build a nest. The Kimono is that of a young female character of high aristocratic nobility wearing it as a surcoat in summer. The double Paulownia would represent a marriage as its theme. It is shown hanging on a Tazuna rope. The background is a silver leaf with a vermillion lacquer frame...

Antique Chinese large porcelain vase. Decorated all over with a basket texture and a pair of dragons with a flaming pearl and cloud-like mist. The body of the vase is glazed a celadon green while the dragons remain a very pale bluish white. The dragons represent the endless cycle of transformation and the flaming wish-granting pearl is one of the Eight Treasures and represents pure intention.

Age: Republic Period (1912-1949)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" high x 13" wide

An antique Japanese Chobako (small merchant chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original and beautiful transparent Urushi lacquer finish showcases the underlying magnificent wood grain. Hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles on the 2 large drawers and the Hirute handle on the small security drawer. Minor sumi ink stains in the upper right drawer suggests that an inkstone and brushes were stored there for writing store records and receipts...

Torii Kotondo
Combing Hair (Kamisuki). From the Twelve Aspects of Women Series.
Dated: 1929 (numbered first edition)
Edition: 119 of 300 (Numbered by hand on verso as part of embossed stamp.
Paper size: 18.25 x 11.75 inches.
Publisher: Kawaguchi (sealed at right margin).
Carver: Ito. Printer: Komatsu...

An antique Japanese Sendai Bo Tansu (locking bar chest from the Sendai region) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Kakute handles and Urushi lacquer finish. Safe door hides 3 small drawers where valuables were stored. The main lock plate features a key pattern with a flowing vine arabesque with the smaller plates decorated with Paulownia...

An early 19th C. Japanese two section cannon biraki clothing chest. Made of 100% solid kiri wood (all from one tree). Hand forged iron hardware. Top section has pair of hinged locking doors. Securing pair of interior drawers. Bottom section seven drawers in total teaching ranging in size (volume). Small hinged safe contains three small drawers...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware. The locks feature the double Chrysanthemum knobs with the upper bronze plate featuring coins, a wisdom scroll, a treasure bag and 3 Hoju sacred jewels. A treasure mallet swivels to hide the key hole...

An antique Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. Lock plates feature the original owner's family crest with fine stimple work decorating the design. Matching handle Atari (backstops) design to the lock plates. Leaf style corners on the drawers.

Two large drawers for spacious storage and sliding doors behind which the compartment where merchant books and records were kept...

An antique Samurai ammunition box made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with beautiful aged patina acquired over more than a century and a half of time. Family crest of the original owner as seen on the top of the piece. Hinged lid opens to the storage area below.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" Wide by 6" High by 11 1/2 Deep

An antique Japanese Sakata Kotansu (Japanese personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. 5 Drawers with 3 drawers secured by a locking bar. Hinged door behind which lie 3 small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using thick wood with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and wiped Urushi lacquer finish. A top full width drawer with two sets of sliding doors. The upper set has a spacious area where the merchant stored his business books and records. The lower set has two small drawers behind the doors and another area for more storage. Perfect for a side chest or a large nightstand.

Age: Edo Period (1800-18...

We are proud to offer you a really rare antique piece of art and one of a kind: wonderful Echizen Chawan from the Momoyama Era (安土桃山時代 Azuchi Momoyama jidai; 1573–1603) without any crack, damage or repair.

There is no similar item on the antique market.

Echizen ware (called Echizen yaki in Japanese) is a type of pottery produced in the town of Echizen, Fukui prefecture. This traditional handicraft comes from one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan which along w...

A Japanese porcelain koi dragon resting on the enameled base to simulate bronze with an open mouth and a sphere on the tongue. Entirely in glazed white porcelain with gold decorations on the fins, tail and long whiskers. Legend has it that a Koi carp leaping from the depths of the river attracted the attention of local demons, who stepped up the waterfall out of mischief. After a hundred years of jumping, a Koi finally reached the top of the waterfall. The gods recognized the Koi for its p...

An antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (ship captain's safe) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Large security door lifts out to reveal two large drawers where ship valuables were stored and kept safe from pirates and thieves. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Mokko style handles and the Pine and Bamboo incised lock plate.

An antique Japanese large Taiko drum made of lacquered hardwood and leather with hand forged iron nails and holding rings. It would make a great side table adding an optional round glass top. When struck, it carries a thunderous sound that would reverberate in any room.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 30" Diameter by 28 1/2" Long

An antique Japanese 2 section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and Urushi lacquer finish. Upper section has two sets of sliding doors with two side by side drawers below. Bottom section has a pair of sliding doors, a lift-out door and six drawers of varying sizes. The sides have horizontal slats for added strength and support as well as visual design.

Age: Meiji Per...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Kozu, Osaka
Souvenirs of Travels, Third Series.
Date: 1924.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.50 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe C seal at right margin, indicating printing between 1929 and 1942.
Reference: Hotei #118.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Lovely mauve horizon. Barely perceptible matte toning at left edge of image.
This design is on the cover of "Dreams and Diversions: Essays on Ja...