This is Shonai Sasiko made in the Edo period. This is an item made by Sashiko craftsmen during the Edo period. And it is a very rare design sashiko. This is the work clothes that a wealthy merchant had as one of his daughter's wedding supplies. The front side is dark indigo dyeing. The back side is a blue color called hanada. There are almost no traces of use and it is in good condition. You can wear it and enjoy it...

A jaw-dropping igneous chawan tea bowl by Inayoshi Osamu like a shimmering mineral deposit found deep inside some calcitic limestone cavern. When I asked him about the effects on the surface, he said that he could not wholly explain them, they were some mystery of the kiln, caused during the firing. The bowl is 13.8 x 13 x 9.5 cm (5-1/2 x 5 x 4 inches) and in excellent condition...

A pair of 19th century Japanese bronze vases with stylized dragon handles. Body with raised relief decoration depicting birds amidst a pond landscape. Raised on a ringed cut-out base. In very good condition, the vases measure 12" high, 6.5" wide at handles, and 5.75" diameter. Circa 1900

Antique Japanese low Todana tansu with one large drawer and a compartment opened with sliding panels. Mostly made of Sakuranoki (Cherry) wood, the sliders have horizontal slats over Keyaki (Zelkova) wood panels. As well, the side panels of the tansu are also made of Keyaki. The sides and back of the tansu are reinforced with sakura wood bracing. Hardware includes iron Warabite drawer pulls and lock on sliding panels...

Lacquered wood sake cup. Hira and Taka Maki-é gold powder decoration on a Kinji (gold powder) background depicting a procession. It seems that they are children in a cart.The roofing continues on the red lacquered back.Period 19th Edo or Meiji. Signature. Good condition except for a tiny chip on the edge visible on an enlarged photo. No restoration or repainting. D: 125mm H: 28mm

Very large inro with 6 cases, black lacquer (roiro) applied with mother-of-pearl (aogaï) decoration of deer in light relief and a crescent moon in white metal (pewter or silver) inlaid. Early Edo period around 1700. The solid lacquer resisted well to impacts and the wear of time but the applications of extremely fine mother-of-pearl sheets are much worn or worn as can be seen in the photos. 155mm

A Spectacular Bizen Tsubo dripping with ash glaze by Yukuyoshi Manabu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Yohen Tsubo (Kiln altered). The rim is covered in built up black ash, which grows more liquid as it enters the burning embers on the side, and is blasted around in rivulets to the back where it has created two shadows of raw earth where another pot was in close proximity. It is 23 cm (9 inches) diameter, 21.5 cm (8-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

A 16th to 17th century (Momoyama to early Edo period) candle-stick of vine or root set onto a hollow carved base and covered in black and red lacquer with a metal stud and drip pan. It is 11 inches (28 cm) tall and in overall fine condition, with wear typical of centuries of use.

Six matching pairs of sterling silver salts and pepper shakers, artistically done in the form of the koi (carp or goldfish). The container for the salt is also silver, and the finely ground pepper loads into a threaded hole at the base and comes out of the holes in the mouth and eyes. Each fish measures about 3 1/2" long, and is marked "sterling". The 12 pieces weigh a total of about 11 ounces...

A very unusual domed box shaped vase by Morino Taimei decorated with green dots and purple numbers on a rich textured blue enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iro-e Tabimakura (Colorful Travel Pillow). It is 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) square, 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) tall excluding the handles, and is in excellent condition, as can be seen there is a water stain in the upper right corner of the box lid...

An incense burner in white porcelain clay by Morino Taimei (Hiroaki) with silver lid of overlapping butterflies signed Sozo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hakuji Koro. It is 3-3/4 inches (9.5 cm) diameter, and in excellent condition. Koro by this artist are extremely rare...

A beautiful example of Ohi inspired Raku-ware; the body of this stylish tea vessel is a mix of a dark black gradating to charcoal grey with undertones of reddish maroon. A hasami-no-ato mark can be seen where the tongs were used to remove this piece from the kiln, and the potters mark can be seen near the foot of the bowl. Simple and refined, perfect for collectors and practitioners of tea alike.

Born into a generational line of tea-ware potters from Kanazawa, Fumiaki Kaihatsu (b...

A complete set of the twelve animals of the zodiac by Miyashita Zenji, each enclosed in the original signed wooden box retaining the original Shifuku and Shiori. Sizes vary from 8 up to 16 cm (3 to 6 inches) and all are in excellent condition.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and graduated the Kyoto Municipal University of Art under Kiyomizu Kyubei and Kusube Yaichi...

Antique Japanese carved wood kyōgen theatre mask of the moon faced Otafuku. Her name was once Uzume and evolved into Okame which means "tortoise", a symbol of longevity. Otafuku or Okame is considered the goddess of mirth, a cheerful woman who's name means "abundant good fortune"...

Antique Japanese carved wooden Kyōgen theatre mask of Zo-onna (middle-aged woman). Still beautiful, she is more serious than her younger counterparts. Her face is longer and narrower and she does not smile but her mouth is open, showing both rows of perfect teeth. Beautifully carved of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, signed on the inside.

The characters of the signature read 工藤則朝作 (作, saku, here means "work of _" / "made by _", and the name is 工藤則朝). 工藤 i...

Antique Japanese low tansu with a mix of sliding doors and pull out drawers. Quartered sawn keyaki hardwood front with beautiful natural graining. Original finish with warm red lacquer tones. Hand forged iron hardware pulls. Dark black lacquer top and sides.

Age: Meiji period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 45" long x 16" deep x 23" high

Antique Japanese tetsubin (kettle for heating water for tea) made of cast iron and decorated with a dragon in swirling clouds. The highly raised design depicts a dragon curling itself around the body of the pot. The clouds over hang in a ledge above the base. There is a large raised cartouche on the back underneath this ridge. The lid is made of bronze.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 9 1/2" high including handle x 7 1/4" wide including spout