A masterpiece by Otani Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Hai-Kaburi Tsubo (Ash blanketed Jar). Breathtaking, it appears straight from the inferno. With so much going on, the thick textured embers almost purple in color, encrustations covering the surface with a blast of molten ocher glaze on one side rivulets of color dripping down. It would wow the crowds in any museum exhibition and is the best piece I have ever owned by this legendary potter...

UNIDENTIFIED MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL

Unprocessed Japanese natural gnarl like a dog or dinosaur or UMA. Staring at you with sharp eye. Not stand on its own...

A truly one of a kind sculpture of three stacking pottery objects in oxidized color by rising star Hashimoto Tomonari. The only work like this the artist has yet produced, it is 82 cm (32 inches) tall and all in excellent condition, directly from the artist this year. We have many photos of the individual pieces from all angles if you would like to see them. Please inquire...

We continue our presentation of Ohi chawan (Ohi tea bowls) with yet another sublime vessel, a true eye-catcher made at the end of the Meiji Period around 1910. It's a unique Ohi Chawan which seems to be a kuro Raku bowl, but it isn't. With its sophisticated shape and its mesmerizing play of predator pattern inside its outstanding.

Ohi ware is indeed closely related to Raku; the first Ohi potter was the son of Raku III, Donyu, and apprenticed to the fourth Raku master, Ichinyu...

Unique old Japanese yogi (kimono-shaped futon bed cover) from Kaga, a weeping willow tree with a butterfly family crest, 57" x 72", Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Kaga, located in today's Kanazawa prefecture area, was known as "Kaga One-million Koku", the wealthiest domain next to the Tokugawa Shogun family during the Edo period (1603-1868). Each domain was assessed its wealth measured by "koku." Most samurai received stipends in koku...

A unique Japanese artistic creation of a Geisha Looking in a Mirror. She is set inside of a glass enclosed presentation box The two sides are beveled glass creating an arresting design of multiple images. From the front she catches her reflection in the mirror. This is the only image we see of her face. She is so interesting in her creative style. Height: 12.5 inches, 32 cm.

Unique carved wood vessel for use in Tea Ceremony for flower arrangement, ikebana. Very smoothly polished and lacquered in the inside; standing on three small “feet”. It has a wonderful smooth patina all-over. L. 26 cm x 17 cm. Meiji-Taisho. Condition: great!

A Unique contemporary Japanese pottery vase. Unusual handcrafted design with flowing lines. Branch like pattering that wraps around the piece. Signed on the bottom. Comes with original signed kiri wood box. Perfect Condition. Dimensions: 8" High X 9 1/2" Wide

This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaze covers the curves and contours of the bowl, contrasting dramatically between the foot and the clay body. Hagi-ware such as this is part of a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery...

A cylinder has been removed from this cylindrical vase, quite a striking shape by Furutani Taketoshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen-yu Ohen Ichirin Hanaire. The hollow created has filled with a heavy deposit of ash with fingers of color reaching out from the dark interior wrapping around the vessel to the red eyelets. The top too is heavily coated in glistening molten ash in grays and greens, olives and ochers...

A singular orb covered in green glass which flows out to create its own base by Hashimoto Tomonari. Again, a one of a kind work by this rising star, it is 22.5 cm diameter, and in excellent condition directly from the artist. It comes with a signed wooden placard.
Hashimoto Tomonari was born the son of a sculptor and has felt comfortable with the processes of creation since childhood...

Mint and large Oni-Hagi masterpiece chawan with notched foot by star potter Seigan Yamane. This extraordinary tea bowl is covered by wonderful different shades of white, green and red glaze. In my opinion it is the one of the most aesthetic chawans that he made. The seal of the artist is stamped on the bottom.

Note: This is a special work by him. He made only one piece with this design.

Seigan Yamane was born in 1952, and started making Hagi ware in 1987...

A Unique Japanese Contemporary Bamboo Sculpture made of strips of lacquered madake bamboo in red and black. The artist is using an irregular, open work plaiting technique creating a kind of large, irregular egg shape with a narrow opening on the top . Made by Mori Tomoe, from Beppu, Oita prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Unsigned, but a paper is provided with the name maker and the artwork title: “ Reasons 2”. It comes with a carton box...

During the Edo period, the daimyo (Feudal lords) from each region was required to live in Edo (today’s Tokyo) every other year...

Unique antique Japanese doll set of warrior dolls (musha ningyo) for the Japanese Boy's Day. 17 3/4 inches tall empress Jingo with her faithful minister, Takenouchi no Sukune, 12 inches tall holding prince Ojin (Oh-jin), the future 15th Japanese emperor who later became known as "The God of War".

Boy's Day in Japan was traditionally held among Samurai and aristocrat families in the Edo period. Samurai's armor along with their helmets were displayed and the nobori banners and spears ...

A unique hand split bamboo basket in the shape of a natural double gourd. Wild gnarled wisteria forms a steady base while branching up and around the backside of the double gourd.

Early Meiji Period C. 1870's

14" long X 11" deep X 24" high

These are very unique Japanese zuishin dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The dolls are commonly called Daijin minister dolls but they are actually figures of the Toneri, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185). The clothing of the dolls is rich and elaborate just like Kabuki actors on stage. At first, we thought these may be Takeda ningyo (Takeda theater dolls) from the same period (older Takeda dolls - late Edo to early Meiji) but the embroideries on t...

Japanese antique folk hina dolls, zuishin, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185). They are often called Daijin minister dolls. The dolls used to belong to the Hina festival (Matsuri) for Girl’s Day. The size of the dolls are 10" tall to the tips of the arrows.