Ishiwata Koitsu (aka. Yoshimi) (1897-1987)
Water Wheel in Snow
Date: 1930s. Early postwar edition.
Print size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher:Watanabe Shozaburo.
Koitsu's "Yoshimi" signature at lower right.
Medium: Woodblock print attached top edge only to a holiday card from Japanese and US representatives.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A rarely encountered Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Fishing Boat" by Ishiwata Koitsu (1897-1987) dated in the left margin December of Showa 10 (1935). The artist's black ink signature and red circular seal are at the lower left corner of the image. This is a first edition impression bearing the Kato Junji publisher's seal in the right margin. Paper size: 10 7/8" x 15 1/2" (image size: 9 3/8" x 14 3/16"). Very good overall condition...

Ishiwata Koitsu
Twilight at Imamiya Street, Choshi
Date: 1932.
This edition 1946-1957.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe red 6 mm seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Lighter area in lower foreground. Foxing in margin and at a few spots on the back that do not show through.

Rustic round platter with wide rim, called ishizara in Japanese, used in kitchens and commoners’ households. Pale yellow glaze that typically leaves the foot free, turning a pale pink and then dark in the center. The plate is slightly warped, as is common with ishizara.
Nine spurmarks in the center.

Mingei

Seto ware, Japan, Edo period, 1800-1850

H 2-2.25 x diam. 12 in...

A rare Meiji Period Isho Ningyo depicting the Tale of the Tongue Cut Sparrow. This pair is brilliantly crafted and attributed to the famous Ningyo artist Mauari, a National Treasure in Japan. His work is highly prized there. 9.5 inches, 24cm tall. Excellent Condition.

A wonderful kabuki Isho Ningyo of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX performing as the lion dancer in the performance of Shukyo Kagami Jishi in March 1893 at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo. He wears the traditional flowing red wig. Beautiful details abound here with handsome, sumptuous brocade. The pose and high quality of this dramatic masterpiece indicates it was done by an important Ningyo master. Height: 17 inches, 43 cm.

Japanese Isho Ningyo of a Noh Actor, Meiji Period, late 19th Century. Height: 13.75 inches, 35 cm.

A 19th Century Isho Ningyo set of two Geisha entertainers, one a Koto Player, the other the highest ranking Orian singing. They are of the finest quality. They have beautifully carved faces and hands, and wear gorgeous, sumptuous brocades with fantastic embroidery. The Orian has fine embroidery of a carp ascending a waterfall, a crane, and turtles on waves. The Koto Player has embroidery of cherry blossoms and patterns of gold threads. The Koto is made of paloma wood, teak, and ivory...

Very rare Isomaru Kasuya (1764 - 1848) Red Raku Tea Bowl (Chawan) nail-carved with his poetry.

Isomaru Kasuya is a Japanese poet of late Edo period.
Born as the eldest son in the poor fisherman's family in Irago Village, Atsumi District , Mikawa Province (currently Irago Town , Tahara City , Aichi Prefecture ). He lost his father at the age of 31, and his mother was ill for a long time who could not read or write after the age of 30...

A petaled vase in snow s\white porcelain with silver blossoming from the rim by Itaya Narumi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 12.5 cm (5 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, from the artist this year. Itaya Narumi was born in Gifu in 1991, and graduated the Toki City Ceramics Research Facility in 2015. She has participated in several exhibitions since, with an emphasis on natural forms and tactile senses.

What treasure or pleasure awaits inside this silver lined cup by Itaya Narumi, only for the bearer to know. The inside of the cup is lined with smooth silver glaze, while the glistening quite outside has been carved away, every divot and ridge a tactile pleasure. It comes enclosed in a wooden box titled simply: Hai (sake cup). It is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, from the artist this year...

The size of Kutani Dog: 7" High x 4 1/4" Wide x 5" Deep.
This is beautiful and adorable Japanese Kutani Dog
from 1970's to 1980's about 50 years old
vintage Okimono. It has flowers, butterfly and ribbon on neck design.
The Dog is made from crackle glazing semi porcelain body.
Bottom of Dog Okimono has some kind stain. It has four felt circles,
preventing scratch when placing on the wooden top.
The condition of dog excellent...

With short neck and ovoid body, this beautiful Japanese copper ‘do-chu' vase is marked 'Hisayoshi' on the side. The brilliant rich color of this type of ware is achieved by adding smoked straw during firing and often deepens over time...

A peacock stands among abstract patterns, drying fish, birds and geometrics on this large dish by Ito Hokuto with Shiori and Shifuku enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Yusai Iro-e Kin Gin Sai Hakkaku Zara (Silver, Gold and Colored Glaze 8-Sided Dish). It is 42 cm (16-1/2 inches) across and in excellent condition.
Ito Hokuto was born in the Nakano ward of Tokyo in 1961, and grew up in a prolific time which defined modern Japan and Japanese pop culture...

Ito Jakuchu
Flying Bird and Flower
Date: 1930s or earlier.
Size: 4.25 x 3 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin corner thinning or chips.

Silver glistens inside the near matt core of this fabulous chawan by JCS Gold Award winner Ito Keiji enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 12 cm (5 inches) diameter, 9.5 cm (just less than 4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Ito Keiji was born in 1935, and has spent his life challenging the accepted concepts of traditional ceramics. He was awarded at the 1981 Faenza International Ceramics Exhibition...

Camellia blossom on this flattened form by Ito Motohiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nunome Tsubaki Mon Kabin (Cloth Texture Vase with Camellia Design). It is 10 inches (26 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
The artist is a famous Kasama potter, best known for his nunome pattern and exceptional designs. Motohiko was born in Fukuoka prefecture, 1939, and graduated the Tokyo University of Art in 1964, then moved on to advanced courses there, finishing in 1966...

The most unique work I have ever seen from innovative artist Ito Motohiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nunome Tsubaki-mon Kabin (Cloth Textured Vase with Camellia Design). Sensual sans eroticism, it is a frank and appreciative look at the beauty of the feminine form. This is from my personal collection, and I am torn with the idea of parting with it. The vase is 9 x 6-1/2 x 14-1/2 inches (23 x 16.5 x 37 cm) and is in excellent condition, retaining the original wrapping ...