A large Namako Glazed Tea Bowl by Kashima Aya enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The technique is deceptively complex. In fact, the initial form is created, then a thin layer of ceramic is made separately, dried, then cracked, and the individual pieces are applied like mosaic to the prepared form. The space in between the tiles is then abraded, the tiles glazed with color and the space n between glazed with iron. Each piece requires a great amount of painstaking dedication to complete...

A fine 20th century studio lacquer charger. Persimmon orange-red lacquer with decoration of peony blossoms incised to an under layer of black lacquer in the Kamakura manner (and possibly from one of the ateliers in that town which can still be seen and visited when trekking up the main street to the temples.) Gilt lacquered rim. Black lacquer also singularly exposed inside the foot rim. Good condition with light wear. Diameter 15 1/2 inches (39.37 cm)

A large Kakiemon low bowl painted in underglaze blue with some light enamelling in yellow, green and iron red, somenishikide style made for the Japanese domestic market. The central reserve superbly painted in sansui landscape of mountainous cliffs overhanging a body of water with two small fishing boats. The cavetto of the bowl decorated with the shochikubai, the Three Friends of Winter. The reverse decorated with krakusa with chrysanthemum form blooms, symbols of longevity...

Kakemono (kakejiku), black ink (sumi-e) scroll painting on paper of a bamboo whose top is lost in the clouds evanescently. The power of the line, as traced by a single brushstroke, gives a strength synonymous with permanence in the face of the vagaries of time. Bamboo, a symbol of prosperity, is one of thte three auspicious plants, pine-bamboo-plum (shochikubai). Height approximately 2meter.

Make-up plays a vital roll in a Kabuki play because it is dark in the Kabuki Theater (especially in 17th century Edo period without light bulbs). It was sometimes exaggerated, along with their costumes, to let the audience know right away who they were and also their emotional stages. You might have seen the elaborate (very beautiful), flashy Kabuki costumes. They certainly were not daily wears...

Storage jar with beautiful dark brown glaze drippings from the neck and shoulder down, over a dark brown stone ware with countless inclusions. Around the neck engraved with cross pattern. Shape somewhat distorted. Height 11 inches, width 10 inches. Two short cracks at the rim, one small chip at the rim, glaze partly rubbed due to extensive usage. Overall condition good. Japan 18/19th century.

In the shape of an Oni mask with inlaid metal eyes and remains of polychromy. H. 9 cm. Excellent condition, age crack in the chin, very nice age wear and patina. Provenance: Collection of Hendrik Jan Karsten (1817-1908), a Dutch politician. There is a name label at the back of the netsuke. Very striking piece, comes with a museum quality stand.

This large and expressive sculpture is made, as expected, from joined segments, each separately carved. This technique is a diagnostic "telltale" which helps to date the piece. The figure sits in a devotional posture, leaning slightly forward with hands joined in a gesture of worship. Extensive remains of gesso and pigment. The piece measures 14-1/2" in height and is free of re-carving or repair. Kindly examine the photographs, as they are part of the description...

Oversized Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga woodblock print by Tadashi Nakayama (b. 1927) titled “Afternoon in Blue.” The print was executed in bold colors with gold and silver highlights set against a brilliant blue background. This vertical image is pencil-signed “T. Nakayama,” numbered 44/85, and dated 1982 in the bottom margin. The red Nakayama seal is on the back. Paper size: 42" x 27 7/8” (image: 35 3/8" x 23”)...

Large Japanese woodblock print by artist Mayumi Oda (1941-present) known for portraying male Buddhist deities as female. This print is titled "Victoria Invention, The Locomotive" Low numbered 6/30 in its series, and signed in pencil. Beautifully done. Size: 25.5" height, 19 3/4" width

Large Japanese woodblock print by renowned artist Hideo Hagiwara (1913-2007). Studied at the Tokyo school of Fine Arts, where he graduated at the Oil Painting Section in 1938. While still there he attended Un'ichi Hiratsuka's extracurricular woodblock printing course, and in the same year he became quality controller at the Takamizawa Woodblock Print Company. He was conscripted into the army in 1943. In 1945 he had lost his house, his atelier and nearly all his early works...

Antique Japanese Buddhist Womb of the World Mandala Scroll Painting. Dated early 18th century with temple in Kyoto. Central figure of Buddha immediately surrounded by eight immortal attendants. Rows of attendants repeating on surface of painting. Painted in mineral colors and gold ink on silk. Mounted as a scroll with a light blue silk border and copper ends.

Dimensions: 58 ½” x 84” overall, 50” x 54” painting only

Beautiful large Bamboo Ikebana, with two pots for separate flower arrangements. Appealing contrast lining of black lacquer, complimenting wonderfully the light shade of bamboo. Charming natural wear at the base of Ikebana, with circling rings. Circa 1930-1940. Dimensions: 31" High X 6" Diameter

The large vase with silver wire cloisonne on ceramic with "tree bark" textured surface. Decoration of butterflies and peonies, with the blooms depicted in enamel tones of sienna, umber and dark mica, and the stems and leaves in dark green - almost black. The body of the vase covered with a dark, warm brown lacquer on intentionally course texture like tree bark - which it emulates. The Kyoto, crackle glazed greyish porcelain body visible from the foot. Taisho era (1912 - 1926). Good condition...

DESCRIPTION: A large and fabulous Sumida Gawa tankard with an unglazed body, graceful handle, and figures of a man and small boy in very high relief. A thick, flowing flambe' glaze in blues and brown coats the mouth and runs down the body and handle in thick drips. Fine attention to detail has been paid to the handmade figures of a seated man with a cane facing a young boy, both supported by craggy rockwork ledges...

DESCRIPTION: A large and quite fantastic Sumida Gawa vase with ribbed body, four large figures in high relief, and wide flared mouth. A thick, traditional flambe' glaze in dark brown and white covers the mouth and neck, and flows down the shoulders...

DESCRIPTION: A large Japanese Sumida vase with three children in high relief playing on a bridge against the red ribbed body. The neck rim is covered in a rich, thick flambé glaze that runs down the shoulders onto the traditional, cold painted body. This vase is in excellent condition with no chips and very little rubbing. DIMENSIONS: 11 1/2' high (29.2 cm) x 4 3/4" diameter (12 cm).

ABOUT SUMIDA EARTHENWARE POTTERY: This charming and highly collectable studio pottery originates from...

This baluster form vase is quite large by Japanese standards at 14 inches (35 cm) tall and in perfect condition. Chrysanthemums decorate the sides in rich, dark blue. There is a slight yellow tinge to the white glaze. It is signed on the base Makuzu Kozan Sei. The name Kozan was granted by Prince Yasui-no-Miya in 1851 in honor of the tea ware produced during the later Edo for the imperial Court by the tenth generation head of the Kyoto pottery family Miyagawa Chozo. The Kozan kiln as we know...