A Japanese cloisonnè vase of unusual shape worked with ginbari technique using transparent enamel with floral motifs. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 15 x 10 cm Condition report: Good condition

Blue glaze fills in the embedded patterns in this Tokkuri by Living National Treasure Shimaoka Tatsuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gosu Zogan Jomon Tokkuri. The vibrant blue is a bit of a departure for this artist whose work is often sedate, relying on the texture and patterns of the Jomon rope design over dependence on colorful glazes. It is 15 cm (6 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

A vintage Japanese Geta Bako (chest for shoe storage) made of Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Two sliding doors hide a storage area separated by 2 removable wood shelves. Bottom drawers provide additional storage. The Geta Bako was traditionally used at the entrance to a Japanese home to allow family members to remove and store their shoes before entering the home. Age: Taisho/Showa Era (1920-1930) Dimensions: 22 1/2" wide x 38" high x 15 1/2" deep

An antique Japanese Zeni Bako (money safe) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Top cover is secured with an iron lock and serves a dual purpose. When closed, a slot is apparent for dropping coins into the box. When opened, the retrieval of the coins becomes convenient as well as keeping safe and storing paper money, IOUs, and financial bonds and certificates. A bottom drawer was often used to store writing paper, writing brushes and an inkstone...

Done in a style reminiscent of Japanese Mingei art, this striking yet functional folk-craft piece is the creation of Chikuunsai Tanabe III. Made entirely of traditional materials, the red lacquer is quite eye-catching and is sure to liven up any setting.

As the name suggests, Chikuunsai (1940-2014) is from a line of woodworkers—“Chiku” in this case meaning bamboo...

An antique Japanese Okidoko (display stand for a Tokonoma, a reception room) made of Kakinoki (Persimmon) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Originally it was used to showcase Ikebana flower arrangements, special porcelain vases, Japanese sculptures, or seasonal displays. It will work in a contemporary setting to elevate and display any myriad of items.

Age: Early Taisho (circa 1912-1920)

Dimensions: 47 1/2" Wide by 5" High by 16 1/2" Deep

A full 7 piece Steeped Tea Sencha Tea Set by Kiyomizu Rokubei enclosed in the original age darkened wooden box titled Seika Sansui Chaki. There are five cups, a teapot with lid, and a cooling dish. Each piece is decorated with a unique scene and poem, no two are alike. They show the mastery of brushwork this important potter, originally trained as a painter, possessed. The cups are 8 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter and all is in excellent condition...

Japanese Green Kutani Stoneware Dish, 8 1/4" diameter, 1 3/8" high, with very design of two(2) horses, one is white, other horse is gold, with attendant enjoying two(2) Birds singing on the tree branches in the Forest, surrounded with ornate intricate macramé design in Orange and green overglaze Border. Signed on the bottom "KUTANI" on top of the dark orange color inside the bottom rim, and black scrolling Vine design on top of the overglaze Green. The condition is good, no damages.

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Large upper drawer with two hinged doors that hides and secures 6 small drawers where valuables were kept. Side handles were used for carrying this tansu from place to place.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 15" Wide by 20 1/2" High by 12 1/4" Deep

Overlapping crescents in pale colors decorate the textured white clay of this tall vase by Kamoda Taro enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated 1989 and titled Kaku (With Corners). It is 12 x 15.5 x 32 cm (5 x 6 x 12-1/2 inches) and in excellent condition, hand signed on the base in a colorful cartouche.
Kamoda Taro was born in Mashiko the eldest son of legendary ceramic artist Kamoda Shoji...

A fisherman's work wear hand-woven of hemp for the weft and cotton yarn for the warp. Stripes are vegetable indigo dye and also natural color cotton yarn. It is from Tsushima in Nagasaki prefecture, an island located between Korean Peninsula and north Kyushu, and the textile is called Tsushima-asa. It had been woven till 1930s, but not woven since then, so it is precious, especially in this excellent condition one...

A breathtaking pair of 19th century (Meiji period) sake cups decorated with hawks stored in silk pouches and enclosed in a red lacquered period wood box. In the basin two hawks, one perched in a pine accented with inlayed mother of pearl, the other soaring high overhead, are depicted in minute detail in raised gold designs. Opposite waves crash over rocks speckled with solid gold lichen. The cups are 10.5 cm (4-1/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.

An antique Japanese Katana Sword box made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Front hinged door secures a long drawer that held a Katana for safe keeping. Of particular interest is the door stop on the lock plate featuring a stylized Fundo weight. This would suggest that the previous owner was in the profession responsible for coin exchange, weights and measures...

An interesting contemporary Hagi piece resting on a split-foot (wari-kodai) and a unique glaze patterning that somewhat resembles layers of flower petals. A creation of Morishige Tetsuyo, a native of the famous potting town of Hagi who later studied in Kyoto and eventually took up a position at the family kiln “Renkozan” with tutelage from both his father and grandfather. This particular piece is from a series he began in 2009 aptly named “Kaben” (The petal series)...

Kiyoshi Saito
Siamese Cat
Date: ca. 1940s-50s.
Paper size: Approximately 23.675 x 18 inches.
Image size: Approximately 19 x 14 inches.
Sealed but not signed.
Self-published by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Laid down to board. Light wrinkling.
Note: In the last image, I show this print paired with another cat (our Saito 025). These cats also appear together in another Saito design known as "Cats".

Antique Japanese tall ikebana basket made of wide and flat strips of split bamboo. The mouth and overall shape is an elongated square with a curved handle made of two pieces of bamboo woven together. The corners of the basket are reinforced with bamboo and knot work. The bamboo has a dark, rich finish...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish including the full moon lock plates and the Warabite style handles. 3 full width drawers with a 3/4 width drawer and small drawer at the bottom. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)Dimensions: 22 1/8" Wide by 22 1/2" High by 12" Deep