An awe-inspiring masterpiece, this tea bowl by Kakurezaki showcases his unparalleled skill and artistic vision. Crafted with meticulous precision, the bowl seamlessly blends traditional Japanese ceramic techniques with a contemporary touch. The angled sides of the bowl's form invites the hand to explore it, while its carefully crafted texture offers a tactile experience that connects the user with the raw beauty of the clay...

A rare Seto Heishi (also read Heiji) bottle dating from the Kamakura period (1192-1333) wrapped in a custom made silk pouch with age darkened Kiri-wood box. Streaks of an unusual blue shidare glaze are visible on one side, Unlike the vast majority of Heishi bottles, this piece is no unearthed or excavated but has been passed down from generation to generation (as evidenced by the lack of inclusions or calcification)...

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this “shimokabura” or radish-bulb-shaped sake flask (tokkuri). Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this tokkuri embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze and distinctive markings achieved through specialized firing techniques...

Hard porcelain vase covered with a crackle glaze. Decor of two facing dragons enamelled in an exceptionally bright electric blue, their eyes enamelled in yellow. Two friezes enamelled in green and a frieze of stylized flowers molded in relief on a celadon background. The style and quality of the drawings, enamels and technique suggest a creation by Makuzu Kozan...

Japanese tonkotsu, traditional box used to contain tobacco powder, aromas or medicines, made in root and decorated with mother-of-pearl floral applications. Floral applications made of mother of pearl are applied to the surface of the box, creating a contrast with the color of the root. In addition, a butterfly is also present on the tonkotsu. The netsuke ryusa manju, carved, is decorated with floral details while the ojime is in green stone. Period: Edo 19th cent. Dimensions: 7,5...

Sagemono complete with four-compartment lacquer inro decorated in gold and turtle taka-maki-e depicting Raijin and Fujin. Relief decoration with finely engraved turtle depicting Rajin, god of thunder, and Fujin, god of wind. The figure of Raijin is recognized as the god of thunder and lightning, he is represented as a demon, an Oni, with drums. The figure of Raijin is often associated with another deity, also connected to meteorological events, namely Fujin, the God of Wind. The inte...

This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese motifs.. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced...

This is truly a museum worthy piece from the great satsuma artist, Seikozan. It is probably our all time favorite example from this artist. This vase is the mate to another one we sold. Likely months of work went into this vase and it's literally smothered with intricate enamels and gold work. The vase stands 9 1/2 inches tall. This vase appears to be nearly perfect but it has had a rim chip repair.

Hiroshi Yoshida
Glittering Sea, from The Inland Sea Series
(Hikaru Umi, Setonaikaishu)
Date: 1926. Date of this edition not known.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print mounted as kakejiku scroll.
Signed and sealed in the image.
Size: Oban. Scroll: 45.5 inches 17.75 inches. Blue sheet: 20.5 x 15.75...

A Taisho period Lacquer writing box of superb quality decorated with a design of a stone lantern under broad leaves enclosed in an age darkened kiri-wood box. The scene is performed with Thick slices of shell and lead inlay on black Ro-iro ground with Taka-maki-e and Hira-maki-e designs. Inside is finished in Kin-gin (gold and silver) Nashiji...

An intriguing architectural sculpture by lacquer artist Okada Yuji exhibited at the 25th Gendai Kogeiten National Contemporary Crafts Exhibition in 1984. The wooden structure is edged with strips of pewter, the sculpted wings covered in red and black lacquer surrounding a field straight off the deep ocean floor or some alien landscape. The center is made of shitaji, a combination of powders and lacquer, carved and covered in Suzu-fun metalic dust...

An antique Japanese Sendai Tansu in a rare 2 section design made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with Urushi lacquer finish. Rounded Mokko style handles with Chrysanthemum lock plates surrounded by an arabesque leaf pattern. Four large drawers with a hinged security door that hides two small drawers.

Age: Meiji Era (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 46" Wide by 43 1/8" High by 17 3/8" Deep

Japanese lacquer inro depicting a dragon partially hidden among clouds lacquered in relief. The outer surface is covered in lacquer with dark brown nuances, which offers an elegant contrast with the dragon's shimmering mother-of-pearl. Looking at the inside of the box you can see that there are two compartments. The ojime is made of glass with parallel horizontal blue lines while the netsuke in lacquered wood and metal depicts an archaic design that could depict the Tama (the sacred Bud...

A beautiful set of three hanging scroll painting depicted bird and flower in Autumn and Spring, and one of the seven lucky gods "Fukurokujyu", who bestows good fortune, wealth, and longevity. Signed and sealed. The signature reads tosa no kami(official court rank) Tosa no kami (a governor of Tosa Province)) fujiwara mitsusada.

Fujiwara Mitsusada (1738-1806) also known as Tosa Mitsusada was born as the second son of Tosa Mitsuyoshi. In 1754 he was retained as a court painter...

This is a beautiful complex wire and wireless Japanese cloisonne vase. Though it is not signed, it was made by Gonda Hirosuke during the Meiji Era, circa 1910. All pieces like this we ever seen signed have been signed Gonda. Very few of these wireless fish vases were made by Gonda. The vase is in excellent condition and has silver rims. It was created before Japan began stamping rims with the "jun gin' silver mark in the early 1900's. It stands 7 inches tall and is 7 inches wide.

A radical Bizen Mizusashi with two lacquered wooden lids enclosed in a black lacquered wooden box with gold lacquer writing titled Samidare which is in turn enclosed in a kiri-wood storage box by the same title compartmentalized to allow the lids to be stored safely. Samidare is a poetic reading for Rain of the Fifth Month (June in the traditional calendar). It has a seal of overlapping rings impressed into the earth of the base, and dates from the Edo period...

Pair of painted Japanese interior sliding panels. Depicting wild sparrows amongst the rice fields. Sparrows are regarded as symbols of personal prosperity, rich fruit crops. Stocks of flowing rich reach out...

Kodansu in ivory in the shape of an elephant, resting on four feet, enriched by refined inlay applications in the sophisticated Shibayama technique. The upper opening, facilitated by a bronze grip, reveals its interior. It bears the signature, engraved on the side. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 6 x 26 x 4.2 cm. State of conservation: Very good