An antique oke-bound wooden bucket has been lacquered mirror smooth black inside with a natural bark handle added to create a superb sumi-tori charcoal basket for use in the Japanese tea ceremony. The original cask-like body is worn at the rim to an incredible degree, and yet remains structurally sound. It may have indeed been a lacquer-workers bucket, or perhaps used by a paper-hanger, decades of being bumped by the brush naturally wearing down the edges...

white lines defining this tea bowl defy the superlative rendition of a bird snapping up an insect from a hibiscus by Ogata Gekko within. The bowl is 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) diameter, 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall and in fine condition. It comes wrapped in a silk bag and enclosed in a superb kiri-wood box.
Ogata Gekko (1859-1920) of Edo (now Tokyo) was born the son of merchant Nakagami Seijiro and was heir to a small fortune...

First we hear the clang of the hammer striking the bell, then the steadily approaching clop of his wooden shoes before the horrifying creature dressed in the robes of an itinerant priest appears; a ledger in one hand noting our sins. Hanging from a chord around his shoulders is an umbrella, testifying to his constant state of movement. A spectacular carving of an Oni-no-Nenbutsu praying Demon taken from burled cedar...

A set of three carvings of three different types of birds. One appears to be a falcon and another a magpie like species. Each bird has been carefully carved and painted making birds to look alive. Age: 20th century. Size: length 3.75" width 1.6" height 2.25"

Beautiful antique Japanese cha tansu (tea chest) made of beautiful burl keyaki (elm) wood all over with original lacquer finish. Drawers of various sizes with heavy iron hardware with hirute shaped handles, side handles and four locks. Two compartments with sliding panels. Middle compartment includes staggering shelves and two small drawers. This piece is originally from Shizuoka, Japan. Age: Taisho Period (1912 - 1925). Size: 28.5"H x 30.5"L x 13.5"D.

Beautiful Japanese small commemorative sake dish. Round shape on footed base and incised. The bottom of each dish is inscribed as the 12th, 13th, and 14th National Weaving Competition. The silver sake dishes were made by Yamazaki Shoten of Ginza. Each has its own tomobako with seal. Age: Taisho Period (1912-1925) Sizes: Small dish: 1" h x 3" diameter, approx. 50 grams. Medium dish: 1.125" h x 3.5" diameter, approx. 62.5 grams. Large dish: 1375" h x 4.125" diameter, approx. 85 grams.

A superb pair of hanging scrolls depicting a group of Japanese beauties set in two seasons, spring and summer. The scroll is mounted in fine damask silk in the san-dan style. Unusual high quality scroll ends with reticulated scrolling vine silver covers. The scroll comes with a box inscribed: Ukiyoe shichiken mitate, which roughly translates to An ukiyoe painting arranged in the seven sages style. Age: Taisho Period Size: Each height 88.5" width 40"

The size of Kogai: 6 3/4" Long x 9/16" Wide x 3/8" Thick. Beautiful Japanese Bekko(turtoise shell) Kogai, Hair Pin. It has both end carved with the design of Manryo(Ardisia crenata Sims), Japanese plant with red berry which is symbol of wealth. Ten thousand Ryo(10,000 Gold Edo Coin). The both end has carved open holes. Kogai is consisted with three layers to build the this thickness and carved out beautifully all sides...

A large Japanese bronze tripod censer decorated with various auspicious motifs. Dragons and phoenix-like birds are set within a wave pattern known as seigaiha. The feet of the vessel are shaped like scrolling clouds. A censer such as this would have been used for incense at a temple.

Age: Early 19th century

Size: diameter 29.25" height 16.5"

DESCRIPTION: A Japanese Sumida vase with round neck covered in a rich, thick flambé glaze running to the shoulders, with a high relief figure of a monkey balanced on a rocky ledge. In his right hand the monkey holds a peach (symbol of longevity) he has pulled from a green vase; these are all contrasted against the ribbed red body of the vase. Excellent condition with no chips; signed "Ryosai" on the base...

An unusual hira natsume decorated with motifs of a cicada, dragonfly, spider, snail, cricket, and frog. A few insects are closely associated with the various seasons. For example, the cicada and snail are summer insects, the dragonfly and cricket are autumn. In addition, the insects have allusions to zen and Japanese philosophies. Age: Taisho Period Size: diameter 3.25" height 2.25"

A fine and interesting bronze sculpture of a lady selling fish. The figure is holding a basket of fish with a humorous looking octopus wanting to jump out of the basket. Often during the Meiji period, figures from daily life such as sellers of various produce and products were created for the Euro-American market where the charm and simplicity appealed to collectors. The base contains a cartouche seal of the artist, Seikoku. Age: Late Meiji- Taisho Period Size: length 9" width 8" height 19.5"

A finely done red kutani dish decorated with a dragon flying among the clouds surrounded by scrolling waves and a peony like floral pattern. The bottom of the plate is decorated with dragons and clouds done in an archaic-like style design. The work contains an inscription reading, kutani. Age: Meiji-Showa Period Size: diameter 7.25" height 1.25"

Japanese antique bronze censor, decorated all over with archaic motifs and scrolling vines, stands on three legs with heads of horned mythical creatures, the base is covered with rolling waves, handles in the form of fu-dogs, lid is covered with clouds and topped with a fu-dog, rectangular cartouche on bottom, illegible. Taisho Period. Size: 24 1/2" high x 15 1/2" wide.

An erotic scene of a young couple in a fan-shaped cartouche, painted in ink and colors on silk. The paper folder labeled "August". Condition: bottom corners creased, folder with few tears. Dimension painting: 27.2 cm x 33.6 cm

A pair of superb cloisonne vases with fine decorations of cranes flying in the evening sky. Cranes are an auspicious motif in East Asia, often a symbol of longevity and fortune. Has original box. Age: early 20th century Size: Diameter: 2.5" Height: 7.25"

A painted lacquer panel decorated with carved bone, ivory and "composition" figures depicting a farmer and a boy in a mountain landscape...

Japanese lacquer box form the Meiji/Taisho period circa 19th century. Decorated with gold flowering clematis vines on dark brown lacquer interior with gold rim inset and shallow tray. Accented with gilt fittings with paulownia decoration and ring handles. Dimensions: 5 1/2'' X 6 1/2'' X 5"