Mitsuhiro Unno (1939-1979)
Valley of Utsu - A set of five miniature Japanese woodblock prints.
Date: 1966.
Each woodblock print is 2.25 x 2 inches.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Set includes woodblock-printed title sheet, colophon, and list of subjects.

MITSUMATA

Matured Japanese mingei folk wooden tool for weaving 'zori' straw sandals called 'mitsumata' (lit. 'trident'). Showa period, early 20th century. approx...

A tripod koro with custom silver lid and rosewood stand by Miura Chikusen II enclosed in a wooden box dated early Autumn 1920 signed by Ume, the mother of the second generation head of the family who died young that year. The white porcelain is roughly 15 cm (6 inches) tall on the stand, 10 cm (4 inches) diameter. This type of Sinophile work was very popular throughout the Meiji and Taisho periods, and Sencha steeped tea had a profound impact on Japanese culture at the time...

Pure quiet and calm is embodied in this white Hagi crystal by important female artist Miwa Hanako enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 10-1/2 inches (27 cm) tall 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Miwa Hanako was born the grand daughter of Living National Treasure Miwa Kyusetsu XI, daughter of Kyusetsu XII who has sought to incorporate sculpture into the realm of traditional Hagi ware. She was raised surrounded in the world of Hagi-ware...

A kozuka with sea shell and seaweed decoration with gold and silver overlaid on shakudo (a pickled gold and copper alloy) nanako ('fish roe' textured ground.) The utility knife handle with filed gilt bronze sides and back. Slight bend and the nanako somewhat dented in places. Would present nicely enough with a sword fitted to hold a kozuka in the saya (scabbard.) Kogatana (utility blade) not included. Length, 3 3/4 inches.

Pair of solid cast mixed metal buttons representing different means of Japanese locomotion from the late 19th century. They are made of silver and shakudo inlaid with gold sentoku and silver. Some small details are in solid gold (dresses, petals, barriers) others are in gilded copper. The silver faces and hands are a bit worn as shown in the pictures. Real little jewels. Very nice quality work...

A dramatic growth of porcelain mixed with tinged iron clay by Yamaguchi Mio dating from 2023, one of her first ventures into white. It is 13.5 x 13 x 12 cm (roughly 5 inches diameter) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist. It comes with a signed wooden box, which will be ordered upon sale.
Yamaguchi Mio was born in Aichi prefecture in 1992, and graduated advanced studies at the Aichi University of Education in 2017...

The Shishimai dance tradition is common throughout east Asia. A single, or sometimes a pair of dancers, don the costume and parade through the street biting people, especially children, on the head. This is believed to ward off misfortune and evil spirits, and make a child overcome fear. An incense burner by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan in the shape of a shrouded Lion Dancer in vibrant colors enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ninsei-I Shishimai Gata Koro...

Red ivy clings to the pale crackled glaze of this tsubo by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozen enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Below glistening black glaze covers the bottom, in a style well known for this artist. It is 24.5 (just less than 10 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

A set of five dishes with twin fish design based on Song dynasty examples from the 13th century Longquan kilns in Southern China by Miyanaga Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Inside the box is a dedication by the important turn of the century artist, scholar and sinophile Tomioka Tessai. Each is 13.5 cm diameter, 4 cm tall (5-1/4 x 1-5/8 inches) and all are in excellent condition.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics...

A trumpeting Chinese form by Miyanaga Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kiji Kodo Gata Kabin (Yellow Porcelain Vase in the Shape of Ancient bronze) and retaining the original Rosewood base. It is 12-1/2 inches (31 cm) tall plus the base, and in excellent condition.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture, and graduated from the (now) Tokyo University of Art...

A large tsubo in gold and white slip by Miyashita Hideko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Haku-a Kaki Rin to Shite Yo. The title speaks of standing up alone, and the artist told me it was a piece she created when she came to terms with the grief of her husband passing away and had decided to make a fresh go of life. The form was influenced by ancient Chinese maternal sculptures, thus the forward, broad stance...

A complete set of the twelve animals of the zodiac by Miyashita Zenji, each enclosed in the original signed wooden box retaining the original Shifuku and Shiori...

Sunrise colors grow gradually lighter toward the top of this odd shaped vessel culminating in brilliant pink by Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Saidei Kaki. It is 31 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and graduated the Kyoto Municipal University of Art under Kiyomizu Kyubei and Kusube Yaichi. Starting with the most difficult, he worked from Celadon, which relies ...

A feminie curve defines this shapely vase by Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Deisai Sanka Kaki - Sawayaka Kaze (Colored Clay Scattered Flower Vase - Gentle Breeze). The colored clays are of course, his most famous forte, and here he has added a rim of golden "flower blossoms" on black. The vessel is 29 cm (11-1/2 inches) tall, 10.5 x 23 cm (4 x 9 inches) at the base.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and grad...

Jagged bands of color like the climbing mountains surrounding Kyoto rise up the sides of this majestic work by Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box exhibited at the 5th Kyoto Modern Ceramic Artists Exhibition in 1985. It is 14 x 17 x 37.5 cm (5-1/2 x 7 x 15 inches) and in excellent condition. It is a reasonably early work in this saidei oeuvre of the artist.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and graduated the Kyoto Muni...

A spectacular square vase of undulating misty mountain forms in colored clay by important ceramic artist Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The colors break from rich dark blue through the green spectrum to yellow and black. It is signed on bottom. The vase measures 29 x 22 x 28 cm tall (11-1/2 x 8-1/2 x 11 inches) and is in excellent condition. Included is the original box cover written by Zenji.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Mi...

A tall covered box of coiled clay by Kyoto Legend Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ransaihako. The box has been created with spaghetti like strands of pure white clay compressed together and splashed with a waterfall of blue glaze. A rare and interesting work by this artist, it is 12.5 x 12.5 x 27 cm (5 x 5 x 11 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and graduated the Kyoto ...