The golden orb shines out like the light of Buddhism from between the dark clouds on this exquisite 19th century image by Wada Gozan, priest of Jinko-in Temple. Ink and gold-pigment on silk in a patterned silk border with wood rollers in a period kiri-wood box titled Tsuki no ga Yokomono Ippuku (1 wide painting of moon) Wada Gozan koto (of Wada Gozan), annotated by Kuten. It is 25 x 48-1/2 inches (63.5 x 123.5 cm) and is in overall fine condition, with a minor wrinkle in the lower border...

Exquisitely painted cherry blossoms (sakura) and willow branches (yanagi) on a background of jet-black traditional lacquer.

The craftsman, Wakashima Takao (b. 1935) was born in the north of Japan in the picturesque town of Wajima. The lacquer technique particular to this region (Wajima-nuri) is rather unique in its use of an undercoating incorporating special compounds that make it exceptionally durable over time...

An antique Japanese bronze platter of mixed metals with silver. The image is of a masked swordsman. Bugaku court dance and music is the Japanese traditional dance that has been performed to select elites mostly in the Japanese imperial court, for over twelve hundred years. The dance is marked by its slow, precise and regal movements. The dancers wear intricate traditional Buddhist costumes which usually include striking masks. Gagaku is the court music that goes beside the Bugaku court dance...

An antique small tansu of kiri wood from the Taisho period. Sliding doors behind which books and small objects were stored. Lower drawers were used to store documents, photos, ephemera, receipts, etc.

Original bronze hardware...

The colors seen in this ceramic piece are not often encountered in the world of Japanese tea-ware pottery—a field dominated mainly by styles such as Raku, Hagi, and other traditions with relatively conservative and predictable color schemes. The aquamarine blue is rather striking, reminiscent of coral encountered in the pristine waters of tropical and remote destinations...

1st edition Japanese woodblock print by Natori Shunsen (1886-1960) depicting the actor Nakamura Ganjiro in the role of Sakata Tojuro from the series "Creative Prints, Collection of Portraits by Shunsen" (1925-1931). This image was known to have been published by Watanabe in 1925 in an edition limited to 150 impressions. The black recangular "Watanabe-ko" seal is at the right side and the red ovoid "Natori" approval seal is at the lower left...

Finely detailed Satsuma jar with 4 male figures comprising 2 scenes. One scene depicts Shoki with a nobleman, the other a Samurai teacher with his student. An exceptional piece and what we were not able to capture in the photos is the depth and richness of the translucent glazes. Wood stand and lid were added later and are included. Measures on stand with lid 9.5". Jar alone measures 7.5" high x 6" diameter. Jar dates about 1875.

Mountain tea bowls (yama-jawan) are commonly excavated from the hillsides of Japan and many date to the 12th century or earlier. They tend to be crude in construction but with a fascinating ruggedness that allows then to endure, often much better than contemporary ceramics, despite being buried in the earth for hundreds of years. Highly prized when found completely intact or with minor cracks, there is a sort of folklore and mystique that has built up around these objects...

This is a beautiful Japanese porcelain teapot. It has been Meticulously hand painted and the quality is similar to that found with Hirado, Makuzu Kozan or the best Fukagawa pieces. It meaures 8 inches across and is 7 inches tall. Condition is excellent.

the silhouette of birds flit through the branches of the forest which rises up in white trunks on the verdant green of this flower receptacle by Yamaguchi Yoshihiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kasai Ju-in Mon Hanaike. The pebble textured surface is very unusual for Kutani ware, and bridges the glitzy world of porcelain and the more matte world of ceramics...

An impressive pair of large red lacquer boxes beautifully decorated with hydrangea flowers and leaves. Both with "Made in Japan" paper labels and insurance identification/inventory labels. In very good condition with some minor wear, each measures 9 inches high, 12.5" diameter. Dates Showa, mid-century.

A large original color woodblock print by the Japanese sosaku hanga artist Junichiro Sekino (1914-1988). Showing a pond with a temple or house in Japan at night. Lavishly printed with mica and using the woodblock grain to create the shimmering and rippling water in the pond. Titled, numbered 166/200, signed and dated "57" in English, as well signed and titled in Japanese within the margin in pencil...

A bottle form of rough red clay blasted with a profusion of colors running in rivulets over the heavily tactile surface by Nakagawa Jinenbo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Chossen Karatsu Tokkuri. It is 5 inches (12 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Nakagawa Jinenbo (1953-2011) was always fascinated with Karatsu ware, and studied under the great Inoue Toya from the age of 24...

A rarely encountered large format limited edition Japanese woodblock print titled Constellation No. 38" by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979). Pencil-signed "Joichi Hoshi" and dated '67 in the lower margin. The artist’s square seal is visible in the image above the signature. Pencil-titled in kanji at the left side of the bottom margin and numbered 2/50. Marked with the edition number 2/80. Paper: 30" x 24 1/4" (image: 28 5/8" x 22 5/8")...

Every facet is unique on this natural torn shape by Kishimoto Kennin enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Hanaike ‘Honoka’ or Fire Flower. It is much like a flower in clay, rising up from the bulb, the flowers placed into it the extension of the stalk. It is 32.5 cm (12-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kishimoto Kennin has been working with clay since the 1950s, devouring styles along the way. Shino, Seto, Oribe, Iga and Celadon, all very different approa...

An antique Japanese porcelain hibachi (brazier) with a hand painted blue and white sometsuke design of a landscape scene and an indoor garden design. Key fret pattern along the base with a background of Chrysanthemum blossoms and a repeating eight window floral design along the top. Unusual mushroom style pedestal shape.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 18" Diameter x 12" High

A fabulous porcelain sake set by Minami Ayako from her legendary Yukifusuma (Blanket of Snow) series featuring a brilliant flower peering out from a drift of white, each enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Here both a sake cup and Kataguchi pouring vessel, the cup is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter. The Kataguchi is 15 x 11 x 9.5 cm (6 inches long) and both are in new condition.
Minami Ayako was born the daughter of Kutani artist Minami Shigmasa in Ishikawa prefecture, 1984. Whil...

A white pidgeon perches on a discarded or fallen roof tile decorated with calligraphy by Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 9 inches (23 cm) tall and in excellent condition. I believe this is likely by the second generation.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture, and graduated from the (now) Tokyo University of Art. While a government employee, he represented Japan at Arts Expos...