A dark forest rises in a field of white, as if still covered in frost or snow, over which is draped a poem brushed in the exquisite script of the poet-nun Otagaki Rengetsu, Itsu to naki, Tokiwa no sato ha, Hototogisu shinobu hatsune ni, Uzuki wo ya shiru?
With the first cry of the Cuckoo, in this village of Tokiwa
Will the people realize, Spring has arrived?
To the extreme left, the cuckoo flies off the page...

Kawase Hasui
Matsushima, Futagojima
Series: Collection of Scenic Views of Japan, Eastern Japan Edition
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1933.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo: Watanabe round, 6 mm seal at lower right indicating a lifetime printing (1946-57).
Artist's signature and seal lower left.
Reference: Hotei #306.
Condition: Back margin has tape residue. Two original drying pinholes in top margin.

Kawase Hasui
Shichirigahama, Soshu
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.375 x 10.375 inches.
Date: 1930.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo: Watanabe round, 6 mm seal at lower right indicating a lifetime printing (1946-57).
Artist's signature and seal lower right.
Reference: Hotei #200.
Condition: Excellent. Removed from original folder...

An antique Japanese Ikebana basket in a Cornucopia open flared mouth design tapering to a four post square base. Finely woven using a two tone caramel colored split bamboo with binding weaves forming frogs and turtles. Each post has inset caterpillar weave and the base has a cross slatted split bamboo that was signed by the artist. The handle is comprised of three delicate bamboo branches each of differing sizes representing a child, an adolescent, and an adult...

Antique Japanese small zushi, traveler's shrine which opens to reveal a seated figure of the goddess, Benzaiten. She is the guardian of the people of Japan and is considered the goddess of all things that flow: water, music, time, words, eloquence, and knowledge. In Japan, she is one of the 7 Gods of Fortune (or 7 Lucky Gods). In the Shinto religion, she is a kami (a divine being) and is often depicted with the likeness of kami Ugajin on top of her head...

18th Century Japanese Wood Tall Netsuke: Gama Sennin

18th Century, excellently hand-carved Boxwood Netsuke depicting a standing Gama, wearing the typical mugwort cape with wide sleeves, and a rope tied at his waist, holding a staff with his right hand, and carrying a three-legged toad (that possesses magical powers) on top of his left shoulder. Very interesting himotoshi that starts in the back of the Sennin and exits on the left side of his body (see photo #8)...

Currently in its 5th generation, the Miura Chikusen line of potters has continued to produce high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki porcelains used in sencha for well over 150 years. The piece seen here is by the third generation potter and has the rare distinction of being endorsed by Sokuchusai, a former Head Tea Master of Omotesenke in Kyoto. Simple and elegant, a section of bamboo stands out in contrast to the white crackled porcelain glaze...

An antique Japanese Yamagata Tansu made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles and the Urushi lacquer finish. Lock plates feature the family crest of the Paulownia. Four large drawers and one small drawer to the exterior. The hinged security door hides 2 small drawers where valuables were kept...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Aka Matsu (Red Pine) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Unusual counter Ryo Biraki design with door hinges in the center of the piece opens to a configuration of drawers and open cavities where store records and books were held. It has a low profile that was custom designed for the merchant for his specific needs...

An antique Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Hinged door when opened reveals 6 drawers of varying sizes. In particular is one small drawer with ink stains that stored the inkstone...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu in 3 stacking sections made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original bronze hardware. Top section features 2 sliding doors, a hinged door, and three drawers where fashion accessories were stored. The center section has two hinged doors that open to three full drawers while the bottom section features three more drawers for additional storage. Each section can be used separately in different rooms of a house...

An antique Japanese small tansu chest called Kotansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles. 5 drawers of varying sizes and a hinged door that hides 2 additional drawers where valuables were kept hidden for security. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails...

Kawase Hasui
Chuzenji, Utagahama
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.55 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
6mm Watanabe publisher's seal indicating printing between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #264.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Original drying pinhole in margin. Pencil note at back bottom margin. A margin crease.

An antique Japanese Yonezawa Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles and the round lock plates. Three large drawers provide spacious storage for organizing. Side handles provide for easy carrying of the chest. Originates from the Yonezawa region of Japan.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 26 1/2" Wide by 23" High by 13 1/4" Deep

A vintage Japanese Kamo Isho Tansu (Kimono storage chest) in 2 sections made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original metal hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the Plum blossom arabesque door lock plates. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors behind which lies two small drawers, a split level shelf and a pair of hinged doors that hide 4 removable Kimono trays. The lower section has 3 side by side drawers and 3 full width drawers.

The upper left drawer under th...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and wiped lacquer finish. Comprised of 4 large drawers and a hinged security door housing 2 small drawers where valuables were hidden. A trick secret box was hidden behind the bottom small drawer with access by removing the bottom large drawer and reaching behind the small drawer.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" Wide by 38 5/8" High by 17 7/8" Deep

Antique Japanese group of 3 bronze vases. The smallest is gourd shaped, the medium vase has an hourglass shape and the tallest vase has a long neck, a round base and a reddish finish.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 9 3/4" high, 11" high, and 12 1/4" high

An antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made of kiri (paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including stylized gumbai handles. Two sliding kiri wood panels framed in black lacquer over two large drawers for safe keeping of inventory. Iron drawer corners feature raised seed pods suggesting this chest originated in the Yonezawa region of Japan.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 30 1/2" high x 30 " wide x 15 1/8" deep