Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho)...

Rare porcelain dish decorated in cobalt blue underglaze. In the center the prestigious mark VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) of the Dutch East India Company. The decoration of flowers and birds in cartridges inspired by the Chinese style of the late Ming.This dish was created for a member of the powerful company. Japan Genroku period end of 17th century. Perfect condition. Diameter: 35 and 35,5cm.

Extremely rare and probably unique porcelain and gilt copper ewer.The body of the object is a Japanese porcelain covered pot of the 2nd part of the 17th century around 1660 coming from Arita of the Kakiemon kilns but maybe from the Yambeta kiln. The pot was transformed in Europe into a teapot by the addition of a handle supporting a horse and a spout forming a dragon in gilded and embossed copper, the lid is formed by a swan. All these animals in relief are certainly in cast bronze...

17th century Karatsu ware Tea Bowl (Chawan) made in Kihara kiln in Kyushu region

Kihara kiln of Kyushu region was operating during the transition times between the decline of Karatsu tea ceremonial ware and the raise of Shoki-Imari ware (approx. 1624-1671)...

Perfume fountain in porcelain Imari kinrandé mounted in gilt bronze from the same set of porcelain. The cup and the bowl form the base, the pot covers the perfume container.
Blue under-cover decoration with gold highlights of interlacing lotus flowers. On each of the ceramic pieces, two four-lobed spaces and sides with floral motifs (pine, yellow and red lycoris, carnation, phlox moss, bamboo) and two foxes. Top of the pot with a chrysanthemum pattern...

An Arita porcelain whistle in the form of a reclining Chinese boy. Decorated in Kakiemon-type underglaze blue, green and iron-red enamels. Circa 1680 ~ 1700.

A similar whistle is illustrated in Christiaan J. A. Jorg’s ‘Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections.’

Approximately 7.4 cm long...

A bronze bell dated Kanbun 10 (1670) which would have been suspended in front of a Shinto shrine worship hall, and struck with a knotted rope to awaken the gods to listen to one’s prayers. Inscribed in the surface around dials of lotus flowers is: An auspicious day in the 7th month of Kanbun 10, followed by the names Honda Yasutoki Ko and Hiramoto Sukeyuki opposite a dedication to the god of water the Hachidairyu-jin followed by a place name near Awazu in modern day Shiga prefecture...

Early Edo Myochin Signed Nimai Do with Nanban influence featuring gilded kusazuri and sode laced with blue chord dated Genwa 3 (1620). There are rows of Prominent rivets all about with nobori-kiri crests on the top of the munaita. Comes with an old wrapping cloth dyed with the same crest. The Hon-kozane Kusazuri are removable, attached to two leather belts suspended from iron tongs about the waist. The takahimo shoulder straps are wrapped in leather...

An original Edo period kōsatsu public proclamation dated Tenwa I (1681) detailing the laws against Christianity, rewards for turning in a Christian to the authorities, as well as punishment for the offenders. Of cypress wood with sumi ink, and a hand-forged iron loop for suspension from a post or gate. The signboard has a shallow peaked “roof” to protect the calligraphy from the rain...

A very rare Japanese lacquer cabinet made for the Dutch export. The quality of this model is very good and surpasses the usual cabinets of this period. The landscape decorations are very finely and artistically painted, notably the trees whose foliage is swayed by the wind...

Extremely rare Sage jubako in wood covered with basketry applied with flowers and plants in lacquer, gesso, mother-of-pearl and pewter (or lead). The box is composed of several stacked parts. The interior is lacquered in red. In the top compartment there are two Chinese characters which are perhaps an artist's signature. Underneath one can see the weft of a strong lacquered fabric ensuring a good solidity...

Third son of the director of the Kano School of painting, Yasunobu was appointed head of the Kyoto branch at a young age after his father’s death. Meanwhile, his two older brothers went to Edo to take up prestigious positions painting for the Tokugawa Shogunate. In 1662 Yasunobu gained the honorific title of “Hogen,” and near the end of his life in his 70s he wrote a treatise on the art of painting that would server as a central doctrine for later generations of painters...

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time...

A large Japanese Ko-Tamba (Tanba) Vase/Tsubo decorated with a splashed and dripped deep-green glaze pooling towards the foot on a dark-brownish body.

It was made in the Momoyama Period 16th century or earlier. This impressive vase is a wonderful example of a so called Shiji-ko vase, which means 'vase with four ears'.

Great antique condition.

Tanbayaki has been produced in the village of Tachikui, Hyogo pref. for over 800 years. Although counted as one of the an...

Namban style chest with a semi-cylindrical lid made of black lacquered wood (urushi) with gold lacquer (maki-e) and inlaid with mother-of-pearl (raden).
Decorated with three main bands of floral motifs, middle surrounded by vertical bands of mother-of-pearl inlaid lozenges and framed by the hanashippô pattern (overlapping circles forming petals).
On the lied, acer (momiji) and plum tree flowers (ume). On the front side, branches of citrus tree tachibana (Citrus tachibana), vine le...

Splendid Kuro Raku Chawan by one of the most important potters of all time, the 3rd Raku Donyu also known as Nonko. It was made around 1650 and was named 'chidori' which means 'a thousand birds' or 'plover'.

It is in great antique condition and has one of the best and finest Kintsugi gold repair landscapes I have ever seen. You can still find the tong mark on the bowl - please look at picture number 9 and 4.

Born the eldest son of Jôkei. He is also known as Nonkô, later...

From our collection of Japanese Chawan with Christian Cross design: highly distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part around the foot ring.

In the style of Seto kuro bowls this Chawan was covered with a brown glaze. On one side the sign of a Christian (Maltese) cross was left unglazed and was covered with a transparent ash glaze. On the other...

Nanban means earthenware made in southern islands including Okinawa in Japan. Among them, vases like this piece has been liked to call "Oni-no-ude, Ogre's arm". Wild flowers would fit it very well. It's "Wabi Sabi" feeling. Size: 10.8cm(D) 28.0cm (H) Accessary: old wooden box