An antique Japanese Kotansu for traveling administrators made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Unusual dual opening drawer allowed two administrators on each side of the tansu to access the same drawers and supplies. Family crest on the door.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 16 3/8" Wide by 23 3/8" High by 20 3/8" Deep

Sculpture - Inari. Symbolized by a pair of Japanese fox - Shinto kami. The foxes are represented seated on pedestals and take their place in a sort of painted wooden temple entrance door. Japan late Edo (1603-1868) 19th century. Dimensions of the wooden shelter: 24 cm x 25 cm. Dimensions of foxes: 14 cm x 6.5 cm. Inari is one of the main kami of Shintoism, mainly associated with agriculture, revered to protect the rice fields and provide an abundant harvest, a symbol of fertility...

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Date: April 10, 1959.
Seated Figure. Here titled by the artist, "At Columbus" (コランバスに於て). Also signed by the artist and dedicated in pencil in Japanese at the top right, "to Ms. Ryuko Sato".
Munakata's famous 1959 United States lecture tour took him through Ohio. On the tour, he was known to carve one-off woodblock prints on the spot at gatherings and present them to hosts or guests, as once described on the Antiques Roadshow...

A blue tailed lizard, symbol of summer, crawls up the gnarled root, tiny ants, a tempting snack just above. This is a piece from the Shiun studio designed by Okada Yuji, the decoration performed in built up Iro-urushi colored lacquer. It is 45 cm (18 inches) long and in excellent condition, enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seasonal Visitors...

A Japanese lacquer inro depicting two fish swimming in their natural habitat. The outer surface of the ring is covered in lacquer with brown nuances, which offers an elegant contrast with the mother-of-pearl. This inro depicts a mother-of-pearl sole on one side. On the opposite side there is a black catfish, made of lacquer. The fish swim among the underwater plants, embellished with golden leaves and mother-of-pearl in relief. The wooden netsuke depicts a sole...

Reaching for his hat, the boatman leans out arms extended toward the prow, protected from the elements under a woven reed roof. This beautiful incense burner comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 24 x 8 x 10 cm (9-1/2 x 3-1/4 x 4 inches) and is in excellent condition...

Okimono expertly carved from a single block of ivory depicting a hunter in the company of an Onagadori rooster. A child stands at the hunter's feet while he strokes the rooster's feathers. This okimono features the Yukiharu 之晴 signature in relief under the base within a rectangular reserve in red lacquer. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 29 x 7.5 x 6 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Antique Japanese bronze temple bell known as a “bonsho”, with a handle of opposing dragon heads called Ryuzu protecting a sacred Buddhist jewel called Hoju...

Very beautiful and rare large porcelain bowl with polychrome enamels with very finely made decorations of birds, florals and mountains, Fuji... The quality of production is remarkable and characteristic of Kyoto pieces where the decorations are made by the greatest craftsmen Satsuma vases in particular are the most sought after. This large cup has an unidentifiable stamp under the base. Diameter: 27,5cm height: 19cm.

A Satsuma bowl decorated with a striking landscape that evokes the beauty and serenity of the Japanese hills, with a gently flowing river surrounded by trees and mountains. The bowl is signed Kinkozan under the base, inside a rectangular reserve and impressed into the ceramic. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 4.5 x 11 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Satsuma vase, with slender neck and terminal part adorned in pure gold decorated with a garden of chrysanthemums, made with enamel and gold in relief. Different varieties of chrysanthemums are depicted, with precision and detail, which differ in the shape, color and size of the petals, creating a fascinating visual effect. Signed under the base Kinkozan in gold on a framed black background and signature imprinted in the ceramic. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dim...

An antique Japanese Sakata Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulowani) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Main lock plates feature stylized Chrysanthemums and their leaves. Five drawers for spacious storage and a hinged security door that hides two small drawers where valuables were kept...

Unusual Antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (Captain's ship safe), made of very heavy solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with lovely dovetail joints used in its construction. Original deep red-orange and black lacquer finish, iron hardware, Sakata area of Japan, Edo Period. Stunning original condition. Size: 10 1/2" high x 22 1/2" wide x 13" deep.

Antique Japanese tansu with locking bar over three drawers, one large bottom drawer with chrysanthemum lock, safe compartment with two small interior drawers and one secret compartment, opaque black lacquer finish on front, sides and top are a deep red translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware with scrolling design and mon on locking bar, Sakata area, early Meiji Period (late 19th century). Size: 36" high x 35" wide x 17 1/2" deep.

Japanese 2 section choba tansu from Makuni, kiri (paulownia) wood, very beautiful deep red translucent lacquer finish, top section has pair of sliding panels to a compartment with one shelf, below this is a row of three small drawers, bottom section has series of 5 drawers all locked in place by an unusually long locking bar (bo), a safe box in the lower right hand corner contains 2 small interior drawers. Wonderful heavy iron hardware including hirute shaped drawer pulls...

Japanese Cannon Buroki from the Nagata area in Japan. Edo Age (Circa 1850's). Beautiful original finish on the inside and out. Wonderful condition with deep radiant warm finish. Locking main hinged doors. Dimensions: 38 1/2" High X 33 1/2" Long X 16" Deep

This is a profusely decorated ultra fine Japanese cloisonne vase. It is in perfect condition and panel vases like this one do not come any better. The quality matches many early Hayashi vases. he rims are silver. It stands 6 inches tall and is signed Ota Kichisaburo. A few years ago we had a similar pair signed by Shibata that were of the same quality. See the last image.

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) with interesting features such as semi circle corner hardware, cross plating over sliding doors, squared locks, and mokko (melon) style handles. Several areas of the tansu feature the same symbol burned into the wood. Very attractive, Meiji period piece. (1868-1912) Size: 34" H, 32.25" W, 15.5" D