Takahashi Shotei
Morning Fog
Date: Early. Not known.
Size: Approximately 7.25 x 4.825 inches.
Shotei seal lower right.
Reference: S-126 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight crease lower left corner. Pencil note on back.
Note: Shotei.com notes that this print is probably pre-earthquake due to its rarity.

The mouth of this vessel by Kato Yasuhide is placed off center, dissonant to the linear decoration which causes a tension between the two. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Senmon Beni Hakusai Henko (Red and White Colored Odd Shaped Vessel with Line Decoration). It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall, 18.5 x 13.5 cm (7-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches) at the base and I excellent condition. Retaining the original Shifuu and Shiori...

Very large Japanese Meiji period Imari porcelain charger decorated in underglaze blue and overglaze polychrome enamels and gilt highlights with a background of rich brocade geometric forms. A scroll unrolls from the right to reveal the Gods of Good Fortune. At the left, moriage flowers in piled enamel rise behind a fence. A foliate form cartouche at the bottom holds the three friends of the garden (pine, prunus, and bamboo). Three blue and orange-red floral sprays encircle the back rim...

18” high Japanese Meiji period cloisonne vase featuring a pheasant and dove among maples leaves and flowers set against a pale blue background. The neck is decorated in a dense butterfly and floral pattern highlighted with goldstone. Blue counter enamel to the interior mouth and base. Copper substrate, base, and rims. Dates 1885-1895. 18" high. Good overall condition with some minor age discoloration to the background, a few fine old brown hairlines, and a few small blemishes (see images)...

A beautiful example of the iconic Zogan inlayed clay work of Takeuchi Shingo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The deep bowl swells in the midriff, closing at the rim to concentrate the aroma, with thin sides to allow the warmth to escape to the hands, a perfect bowl for winter tea. It is slightly elongated, 13 x 12 x 8.5 cm (5 x 4-3/4 x 3-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition...

Small Kagamibuta, the walrus tooth bowl, the shibuichi plate decorated with an eagle. Restoration on the bowl. Edo Japan (1603 - 1868). Late 19th century. Diameter : 3 cm

An antique Japanese display chest known as a Cha Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki. Used in Japan as an all purpose cabinet used to store tea serving accessories for guests as well as serving as a display chest where seasonal or special occasion accents can be shown for all to enjoy. Original bronze hardware. Two large sliding doors hide a large spacious storage area and 5 drawers are used for organizing and additional space. Beautiful curved top corners with dovetail joinery work...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting a full figure Heian beauty, Lady Shizuka-gozen, dressed in shirabyoshi (court dancer) costume appearing under a rolled screen, preparing to dance before Yoritomo. Published by Izumiya Ichibei circa 1840. Signed Kochoro Kuniyoshi ga. The publisher's seal is at the bottom of the image...

An antique Hon Kotansu (personal book storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Two hinged Biraki doors open to a split level shelf where books and other personal belongings were stored. Two side by side drawers below gave additional storage space for organizing. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nails were used in its construction.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 25" Wide by 19 3/4" High by 12 1/2" Deep

Meticulously crafted from carefully woven strips of bamboo, this traditional “chabako” would typically contain all of the basic utensils for conducting tea ceremony. As the same name is commonly used to describe wood boxes used to store and transport tea leaves, the piece below could also be described as a “chakago” to avoid confusion—though the former descriptor is much more commonly used...

Artistic and expressive Chawan, sculptural and with a multiple color glaze, made of Mino clay by Norio Ishii. It is in mint condition and comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box and a profile of the artist.

Norio Ishii was born 1963 in Okayama city, Japan and he graduated from OKAYAMA ASAHI High school in 1982 and from Art department of KOCHI University in 1986...

Fabulous Taisho Period c.1920 iron lantern. Repapered and electric source added. Very art deco. 10" tall by 9" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote from California.

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. 2 sliding doors with vertical slats opens to a shelf with 3 small drawers. 3 drawers below the doors for additional storage. All original hand forged iron hardware. Urushi lacquer frame and front outline with natural wood drawers and door panels. Originally used as a storage chest for books and small items...

A radical Tea bowl by Sakuchi Ensen enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hisshoku Nanban Chawan. This has everything, texture, color, size...

Deceptively simple and notoriously difficult to apply with the calligrapher’s brush in one fluid, arching stroke; the symbol of the ensō has long been associated with strength, elegance, and the simultaneous being and non-being of the universe. A closed ensō (such as the one featured here) is more closely associated with the idea of transcendent perfection, while an open ensō represents movement, fluidity, and attainment in the corporeal world. Though the monk who created this piece, Hasega...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original patina and bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles and the Chrysanthemum incised lock plates. A configuration of 3 large drawers and 2 smaller side by side drawers provides for organization and storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. It would work well as a side chest or a bedside nightstand.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dime...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware and Oxblood red Urushi lacquer finish. Drawer lock plates have an unusual stylized insect-like incised design with fine stimple work accents and handles in the Warabite style. True dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails were used in the making of this chest.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 5/8" Deep

Four volumes of sample books of mingei textiles which are all natural dye and handwoven from Aomori to Kagoshima prefecture. Some are designated as intangible national assets, however some haven't been woven anymore now, and some are reproduced. They include precious bast fibers such as fuji-fu (wisteria), shina-fu, kuzu-fu and so on. They also have natural dye textiles such as shikon-zome, akane-zome, indigo dye Arimatsu Narumi shibori, tsumugi and so on. Published in 1965, 3 volumes and a supp...