Sometime around the year 1600 the first Takatori kiln was constructed at the foot of Mt Takatori in Fukuoka. This tradition was based on styles created by Korean potters brought to the shores of Japan during its colonial expansionism of the late 16th century. A favorite of the Kuroda lords of the time, its production and use was closely guarded until later in the 19th century when the domain system was abolished, freeing it up to be more widely used...

Antique Japanese Yatsushiro Ware chawan (tea bowl) with gray and cream color Hakeme glaze. Magnificent deep tea bowl with gray white crackle glaze and indention for thumb. Evauation by TZ Shiota (#4) done in 1930's, a tea ware expert from San Francisco Bay Area...

A rare Arita nagazara, long dish, of pod shape, a symbol of fertility and fecundity, decorated entirely in underglaze blue with a border pattern of entwined Pine, Matsu, and Wisteria vine, Fuji, with Plum flower, ume-hana. The central reserve decorated with a pair of Dragons amongst lightning and clouds. The reverse decorated with further Dragons and precious objects cash, scrolls and flaming pearls. The foot of the dish decorated with a band of leiwen...

An Arita Blue and White Tea Bowl and Saucer. Decorated with a Sage and attendant visiting a Lady, two geese seemingly arguing below them. Arita, Japan C17/18thC. Diameter saucer; 11.6 cm. Condition; tea bowl perfect, some glaze crazing to the saucer

A Kakiemon Small Dish. Decorated with a bird on a prunus branch with rocks and water. Kakiemon Arita L17thC. Diameter; 11.3 cm. Condition; small double chip under the rim

What a rare and impressive Chawan, made during the mid Edo Period (1603-1868) - Seto-Karatsu Kutsu Chawan with a wonderful shape and a vivid Seto glaze, which which partly looks like the glaze of Chinese Song-Dynasty Tenmoku tea bowls. Really one of a kind.

It has no chips, cracks or repairs and comes with an old Japanese wooden box. The inside of the lid bares the appraisal of the first Mashimizu Zoroku 初代 真清水蔵六 (1822-1877)...

Rare antique Japanese Biraki Choba (merchant chest with hinged doors). The doors open to reveal 9 drawers of various sizes over a single large exterior drawer. Heavy iron hardware includes extensive cross bracing, large hinges, warabite drawer-pulls, a large round lock plate, a lock and 3 keys.
The lock plate has a large Minamoto Clan family crest-likely that of the Seiwa Genji clan...

Cast Bronze Candlestick. Edo Japan Lost wax cast bronze candlestick. Beautiful cast iron and scraper finish. Decoration of Buddhist lions in relief. The candle receptacle is made of 4 hammered bronze lotus petals, these petals, thin enough, have a flexibility allowing the candles to be held perfectly. The two removable handles have the shape of Buddhist lions. Excellent bronze patina. Japanese work from the beginning of the Edo period, difficult to date with accuracy, 18th century or before...

Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century, Korean potters heavily influenced the development of this form—helping to endow it with the earthy, simple, and natural qualities it is so appreciated for...

A very rare antique Japanese Choba Biraki Safe Tansu (merchant safety chest with hinged doors) made of old growth Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the main drawer lock plate of Pine trees with matching corners of monkeys reaching for peaches, the hexagonal hinged door lock representing the owner's family crest and Furui (old) Kakute handles. Hinged doors open to 7 drawers of varying sizes...

Very sophisticated and fine mid Edo Period Hirado Mizusashi for the Japanese Tea Ceremony with its original lid.

Hirado wares—alternately known as Mikawachi wares in some contexts—are known throughout Japan and also abroad for their high quality and fine craftsmanship and date back at least as far as the mid-18th century when they were produced exclusively for powerful lords and their families...

A rare antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and bottom rope pull rings. Horizontal wood slats on all four sides provide strength and age old beauty. Two large sliding doors open to a spacious storage area with a storage shelf. Below are two side by side drawers for additional organization and storage needs...

Very Rare and with rich provenance Red Raku Cylinder tea bowl named "Slender Horse" made by the first generation of Matsuo Ryu tea ceremony school Matsuo Rakushisai (1677-1752).
Supplied with two boxes signed by the 6th and 8th heads of Matsuo school, Gyosai (1820-1856) and Kyukosai (1872-1918).

The body has impressive curved lines from the mouth to the foot...

A Pair of Imari Beakers. Decorated in the typical palette on either side with a large vase of flowers. Japanese C1700-20. Height; 3 1/4" (8.3 cm). Condition; excellent, one beaker with shallow flake in the unglazed foot

Antique Japanese okimono carving of a little skeleton on top of a larger skull. Made of boxwood with a beautiful patina. Intricately carved to show every bone of the small skeleton and the teeth of the skull. The artist's humor is displayed in both style and subject matter.

Age: Edo Period (17th century)

Dimensions: 1 1/2" high

Two prints placed under glass, representing two young women, one feeding her little pet, a rat and the other practicing Ikebana, composing a bouquet of irises which will be presented in the vase placed next to her. The hairstyle is typical of women drawn by Suzuki Harunobu, but also by other artists of this period. As it would seem that the Chinese characters simply describe the scenes represented and not the name of the artist, only specialists will be able to know who it is. This is a small pr...

A beautifully crafted and remarkable example of Edo period Raku pottery. Iridescent reds rise like a deep space cloud from the meteoric surface of this 300 year old Kuro Raku Chawan.

This exceptionally well-crafted tea bowl has a very meditative presence and reveals its highlights of various shades of red through a classic black glaze when held up to the light.

Characterized by a complex glaze texture achieved through kiln firing in contrast to the simplicity of the form.<...

Black and gold lacquer suzuribako (writing set) in takamaki-e on a nashi-ji background representing two tigers near rocks, bamboos and plum blossoms in a night landscape. Inside of the lid with a lake landscape.

The interior of the suzuribako is composed with an inkstone, topped by a copper water bucket in the shape of a chrysanthemum on the left side, with a brush and a small knife. It includes in the right part a storage compartment.
Inscription under the inkstone "Inkstone ...