A Japanese inro made in lacquer with great craftsmanship and decorated with the image of six monkeys. The outer surface of the Inro is coated in gold lacquer which creates an elegant contrast with the metal monkeys. This Inro depicts a scene in the round, in which monkeys interact in an evocative natural environment...

The poem accompanying the artwork on this antique scroll reads: Fishing little trout—Precious drops of dew glisten—Flowing with the blossoms—The mountains and rivers of spring ( Rengetsu, age 78 )...

The last work by this important artist, a five piece stacking box decorated in iconic Dragonflies by Okada Yuji enclosed in a custom made wooden storage box. This piece was completed in 2022, shortly before he passed away. The dragonflies are performed in colored lacquer and gold powder with carved and polished Yellow and White Oyster-shell eyes. They fly over a swirling sea of Mother of Peral flakes. Inside is all Nashiji powdered gold...

Found in a small antique shop in central Kyoto, this piece immediately caught my eye and I knew I had to buy it. With no original box and a potting mark that could not be deciphered, this one remains a beautiful mystery. The style itself is very close to that of internationally renowned 8th generation Hagi potter Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953); so much so in fact that we decided to contact this artist to see if it was one of their pieces. They courteously replied back that it was not...

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this symmetrical and elegant flower vase. Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this vase embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze...

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creativity and the organic world...

Wood tray with urushi painted whose technique is free and irregular. It might be made not for sale, however, it is unique and interesting. The first half of the 20th century. In good condition except for a few minor chips on the rim. Diameter:30cm, H:4cm

Deep grooves scored by the artists fingers allow this cup to fit snugly into ones hand, a perfect fit by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sake-nomi. It is 8 x 7 x 6 cm and in perfect condition, directly from the artist.
Murakoshi Takuma is one of those enigmas who simply lives to work with clay. He does not seek to make a living through pottery, but through his primal approach has earned a following which keeps his work in high demand...

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Goldfish
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1926. This edition post-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe. Round 7mm publisher's seal at lower right.
Reference: S39.6 and cat. 171 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Removed from original window matte. Slightly toned.

What a pleasure to hold this deep precipitous vessel! Here the artist indicates it is for drinking shochu, a strong Japanese spirit, and one that he is quite familiar with as I can attest from our occasional outings together. It is as merry as the Takuma himself...

Murakoshi Takuma is a cherubic fellow who loves to share a cup. Therefore, he is quite good at making a guinomi you would not like to put down. This is a perfect example of that, a wide, shallow guinomi on a tall foot, undulating inside and out and covered in his tell-tale combination of Ash, Feldspar and Iron with occasional visions of untouched raw Shigaraki clay which he has poetically named Shunju or colors of the seasons...

Running out of words to praise the master of the sake cup. Here is another fantastic deep cup by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shunju Shochu-nomi. Ostensibly for the bold Japanese spirit, it would also be perfect for mugi-cha, bancha or other hot tea. It is 11 x 10 x 10 cm (4-1/4 x 4 x 4-1/4 inches) and is in perfect condition, directly from the artist.
Murakoshi Takuma is one of those enigmas who simply lives to work with clay...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and aged patina finish. Warabite style handles. Straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails were incorporated into its design. Five drawers with a hinged security door that behind hides two small drawers.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 29 1/4" Wide by 26 3/8" High by 15" Deep

An antique Japanese Sendai Tansu in a rare 2 section design made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with Urushi lacquer finish. Rounded Mokko style handles with Chrysanthemum lock plates surrounded by an arabesque leaf pattern. Four large drawers with a hinged security door that hides two small drawers.

Age: Meiji Era (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 46" Wide by 43 1/8" High by 17 3/8" Deep

"Sorihiki-happi"from Yusa in Yamagata prefecture which was worn for sleigh pulling. It has cloth with sashiko for reinforcement diagonally, from shoulder to one side of the body, and also both sides. It was worn when sorihiki pull down a sleigh with firewood from the mountain to the foot of the mountain. Yusa sashiko is one of Shonai sashiko in Yamagata prefecture. This happi has fine horizontal as well as vertical sashiko on whole ground cloth...

Round in shape in the spirit of a kobako, this rare box in 2 parts in fundame lacquer represents a butsudan (small portable temple) inside which there are, very finely carved, a Buddha on the lotus and 2 apsaras. On the lids lotus leaves seem to fly.

A large Flower vase made by the Ando Cloisonne Company at the turn of the 19th Century. The vase has a beautiful enameled scene of mountains and flying geese. Regrettably this marvelous work of art has been damaged. The vase is done in wired, wireless, and other cloisonne techniques for which the Ando Company is known for. This vase is of the highest quality for the art of cloisonne and is signed with the special mark of Jubei Ando. A vase with this mark was made for presentation, exhibit, or...

Hemp furoshiki with tsutsugaki tai (sea bream) and bamboo design, whose wefts and warps are hand plied. The family crest is Maruni-Katabami-Mon. Katabami is perennial plant, named oxalis. Hand-sewn but both hems are machine sewn. The sewing machine was already imported in late Edo period and probably it was used widely in Meiji period (1868∼1912). In good condition except for a few spots. Meiji period. Made in Kyushu. W:95cm, L:110cm