The warrior’s armor and helmet, samurai sword, spears, banners and paper carps (later cloth) in the sky are all tools used to showcase boy’s day in Japan. This tradition started early Edo period (1603-1868) by samurai families wishing their son’s good health and studies to be honorable samurai.

This set is made in Kyoto, Japan and is called “Kyo-armor”. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years...

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Cherry Blossoms by the Gate
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1951. Pencil-signed first edition.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Excellent. Upper left margin corner bend.
Notes: I've included photos of Toshi Yoshida's vintage envelope and the collector's notes of the previous owner, both of which accompanied this group of Yoshida prints. The collector's notes will be included.

A Japanese Kutani Moriage decorated figure of Hotei, one of the "Seven Gods of Good Luck" and also known as the "Happy God". He always carries the cloth bag that never empties, a walking stick to support the heavy bag, and the Chinese wish giving fan. He is also the patron saint of barkeepers. This Hotei is very large measuring about 17" tall x 10" wide, he weighs about 12 pounds, and he has the Kutani nine valleys mark on the base. We are dating this Hotei as Circa 1950...

HOLES AND GEARS

Set of a reeling machine's bangboard and gears made of wood. Showa period, mid 20th century, Japan. Board: 26.5 x 16cm (10.43 x 6.29in), Large gear: D 12cm (4.72in), Small gear: D 5cm (1.96in)...

Ito Yuhan
Tsukuda Jima
Date: 1930s.
The verso is stamped "Made in Occupied Japan," dating this edition between 1947-1952.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.0 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. Seal at left margin.
Artist's signature at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very good with inky area at upper right corner and one dot in left sky.

LACQUERER'S WHEEL

Wheel for lacquering used by Japanese lacquer craftsman as a handmade professional tool made of wood, iron, and *cloth (*coating the top plate, though looks like wood), from Aizu area, Showa period, mid 20th century, approx...

HONEYCOMB ROOSTER

Rooster of Japanese honeycomb paper craft called 'Denguri' (lit. Somersault) in Japanese for its acting as "fliping it over", Showa period, pre-1960s, approx...

A spectacular Mizusashi fresh water container by Bizen Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo enclosed in a wooden box annotated by his son Kaneshige Kosuke titled Bizen Yahazuguchi Mizusashi. A fabulous range of colors plays across the surface, all natural kiln effects resulting from heat, cold, clay content and placement. The receptacle is 18 cm (7 inches) diameter, 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) tall and comes with a custom made black lacquer wooden lid...

A fabulous vase in the form of a rice pestle by Bizen Living National Treasure Kaneshige Toyo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Kine-gata Hanaire (Vase in the Shape of a Pestle). A fabulous range of colors plays across the surface, all natural kiln effects resulting from heat, cold, clay content and placement. The vase is 26 cm (10 inches) tall and in excellent condition. It comes with a custom made black lacquered wooden outer box to protect the original box...

Kaoru Kawano
Camellia (G) (Tsubaki)
Date: 1950
Size: Double oban. 23.75 x 18 inches.
Edition: 46/200.
Self-carved by Kawano.
Sealed by the artist at lower right.
Signed, titled, and numbered at lower margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The thick paper has some thinner areas on the back from removal from backing. Slight toning line in margin.

Cotton kimono with geometric pattern. The weaving technique is "Kobai-ori" which is woven with thick and thin yarn loosely so that it is translucent. In excellent condition. Mid 20th century. 142cm x 124cm

Paul Jacoulet
La Gerbe D'Anthurium, Angur, Mer du Sud (The Spray of Anthurium Flowers, Angur, South Seas)
Date: July 15, 1951.
Fewer than 150 impressions made. This example has no edition seal visible. Jacoulet's fancy PJ seal is covering another seal on the back.
Size: 18.625 x 14 inches.
Ivy seal. Carver: Maeda. Printer: Honda.
Reference: No. 118 in The Prints of Paul Jacoulet by Richard Miles.
Condition: Excellent color. Light creasing in margins...

Shoda Koho
Ueno Park
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 8.0 inches.
Date: 1930s. Printed 1938-1960.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. #1248 in Hasegawa catalog.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Eijiro Kobayashi
A High Bridge by Night.
A design influenced by James Whistler and Hiroshige.
Series: Hasegawa Night Scenes.
Date: 1910. This edition 1938-1960.
Eijiro seal at lower left.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 8.0 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku. No. 1241 in Hasegawa catalog. Nishinomiya stamp in left margin.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso...

OH MY GOD

Incomplete remains of the face of a monk who is crying when Buddha died, originated from 'Nehan-zu' (Nirvana painting). Pottery. Showa period, early-mid 20th century, Japan. approx...

Horses dash past in a fervent black mass both carved into and built up onto the paddled surface of this large vessel ballooning open from a narrow base by Nakazato Tarouemon XIII enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Inside the box is written Tataki Tsubo (Paddled Vessel), Kurabe Uma (Horse Race), exhibited Autumn 1958 at the Tokyo Mitsukoshi Sports Theme Art Exhibition; Ochawangama, Nakazato Tadao (given name of Nakazato Tarouemon XIII) followed by the artists seal. An excellent exampl...

Massive Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Ware Tsukubai Jar made 70-80 years ago. Shigaraki ware belongs to one of the Six Old Kilns in Japan and originates from Koga town in Shiga Prefecture.
Among the unique features of Shigaraki pottery there are colour shades and patterns of red, brown and pink obtained by the firing due to the fire-resistant coarse soil as well as the dark tones of burnt by natural glaze. This rusty glaze on the scorched portions of Shigaraki ware is highly appreciated.