19th Century, very fine hand-carved netsuke depiction of a Naturalistic Human Skull (See photo #11 for comparison with actual Human Skull), with seven natural material teeth in the upper jaw, and fine parietal lines covering the cranium. Attributed to Tomochika, because of its close likeness to a spectacular netsuke of the same subject auctioned by Lempertz Auction House (photo #9), that rivals the skulls made by Sukenao (Photo #10)...

A Japanese Butsudan, or Buddhist shrine for in-home use. The exterior of the shrine is lacquered in red with black lacquer and gold gilt pigments. The gilt hardware of the butsudan are highly ornate with motifs of chrysanthemums, lotuses, vines, and dharmachakra wheels. The lower area of the shrine features two pull-out platforms and hidden drawers...

This is an outstanding Japanese cloisonne enamel Teapot or Sake Pot. The workmanship, quality, gilded wires and glow to the enamel show very much like the work from Namikawa Yasuyuki. The enamels and gilding are fabulous. It has a unique fine shape and measures 6" across to the spout. body is a high gloss black ground as well as the lid. These are decorated with various colorful gold wire kites and scrolls. Delicate gilded leaves are scattered about...

A spectacular square vase of undulating misty mountain forms in colored clay by important ceramic artist Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The colors break from rich dark blue through the green spectrum to yellow and black. It is signed on bottom. The vase measures 29 x 22 x 28 cm tall (11-1/2 x 8-1/2 x 11 inches) and is in excellent condition. Included is the original box cover written by Zenji...

"Yacchimatta!" the lost soul seems to say as he slaps himself on the head, a sake cup and Tokkuri wine flask in front of him. Ink on dark paper with patterned dark cloth boarder with wide gray piping and featuring bone rollers. The skeleton and or skull have long been featured in Japanese art, both secular and Buddhist. It is used as a symbol of impermanence and as a Zen teaching tool...

This is an awesome Eisho Era Signed and Date Long Wakisashi (Almost Katana length) Sword in Shirasaya fitting, made by SADAHIRO 貞弘 (1505 -1521) Eisho, Muromachi Period, Iwami Province, Japan. SADAHIRO 貞弘, as listed in page 99 of the Index of Japanese Swordsmiths by Markus Sesko, and shown as SA 23 in "Japanese Swordsmiths by W. M. Hawley...

Kawase Hasui
Evening in Beppu
Souvenirs of Travel, third series.
Date: 1929.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. A first edition with the Watanabe A seal in the right margin.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15 x 10.25 inches.
Hasui signature and seal at lower left.
Reference: Hotei No. 143.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The back has two spots of foxing. Tone line in margins.

Ohara Hoson (Koson)
A Nest of Swallows
Reference: An uncatalogued design.
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.75 x 10.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1930. First and only edition.
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai. Publisher's seal in right margin. Carver (Maeda) and printer (Komatsu) seals in left margin.
Koson's "Hoson" signature and seal at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight fading. Light creasing through artist's seal and lower margins.

An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Kasane (stacking) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original natural Urushi lacquer finish. Hand forged iron hardware with lock plates that feature a quarter moon with a butterfly and Chrysanthemum knobs, Warabite handles with upper Pine tree and lower Plum Blossom Atari, and side handles on both sections. Constructed using Japanese straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Multiple drawers of 8 exposed and 4 hidden behind the lower sliding doors. The upper sliding doors hides a spacious storage area where the merchant kept his store records and books. All original hand forged iron hardware with construction using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails. Natural darkening surrounding the metalwork where the original patina had built-up...

An antique Japanese 2 section Kyoto Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and HInoki (Cypress) woods. The upper and lower sections feature sliding doors behind which removable shelves allow for split level storage with 5 drawers for organizing small items. The small hinged door to the upper right features a secret sliding locking panel that opens and closes the door. Side horizontal ribs for additional strength and visual design. Mortise and tenon Japanese joinery was used in its construction...

An antique Japanese Sakata Bo Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original natural Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware. Locking bar secures three Kimono drawers. The main lock features a stylized Chrysanthemum with leaves design. A hinged security door hides two small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and wooden nails. Very thick wood case construction and thick iron fittings that is a testament to its Edo Per...

An antique Japanese Mikuni Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. 5 drawers allow for spacious clothes storage with a hinged security door hiding 2 small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery and hardened wood nails. Side ribs add strength, support and a visual design element to the piece.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)<...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Made in 2 stacking sections, the upper part features 2 sets of sliding doors with four drawers below and the bottom part has a pair of sliding doors with a removable split level shelf. All original bronze hardware including the Marui style handles. Center doors have intact copper wire mesh screen used to prevent flying pests from entering. Built with slide slats for strength and visual...

A large antique Japanese Buddhist altar table decorated with black and gold lacquer on wood. Divided into three visual sections, each one held a Buddhist item such as a Sutra, an incense burner, a temple bell, a Mokugyo, etc. Inscription on the back appears to read "Dedicated by Tokuto Eizo."

The fire is still alive on this striking Shigaraki Tsubo by Furutani Taketoshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen-yu Yohen Tsubo. Yohen, literally translated Kiln-altered, is a word for the unexpected results, or fortuitous accidents of firing. In this case, they are likely speaking of the unusual coloration of the running ash wrapping around the blackened surface. Kiln effects are what this family is known for, and this does not disappoint. It is 27.5 x 27.5...

Antique Japanese pair of jingasa, hats worn by samurai or foot soldiers. Lacquered black and marked with the mon (family crest) of the Ogasawara clan. The Ogasawara were descended from Seiwa Genji. They acted as shugo, governing Shinamo Provence during the Sengoku Period (1185-1600). This pair of hats dates to the Edo Period (1608-1867) when the Ogasawara were daimyo (feudal lords) of territories on Kyushu.
The underside of each jingasa has gold leaf and remnants of padding.
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Edo Period (circa 1820) Japanese Musha Ningyo of Ushiwaka- maru, a brave boy who grew up to be the great warrior Minamoto Yoshitsune. This is a wonderful, rare early example with ail of his original accessories. He is wearing sumptuous brocades and lacquered armor and has a wonderful bearing and just a great face. 13.25 inches, (33.5cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.