Taoism guardians known as the embodiment of Good Fortune (Fu), Prosperity (Lu), and Longevity (Shou) finely curved and kept in a Zushi, a miniature shrine decorated with gold leaf and handmade silver work. Circa 19th Century. The guardians are often kept as personal daily worship at household and decoration. Signed Shugetsu. The seal reads Hara. It is attributed to one of prominent doll make artists, first Hara Shugetsu. It is in fine condition.

Hara Shugetsu was born in Sakai in Osaka...

A beautiful Japanese hibachi or also known as a brazier. The frame of the hibachi and the drawers are done in kurogaki (black persimmon wood) and the panels are done in keyaki.

Age: Late Meiji/Early Taisho Period

Size: height 17.5" width 16.25" length 29.75"

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"

A fine Japanese lid rest or futaoki as it is known in the tea ceremony. The lid rest is done in a technique known as karakane or bronze and has been hammered. The tachizuru or motif of standing cranes is often seen in various tea accessories representing the rise of auspiciousness. The lid rest comes with a tomobako with the name of the lid rest and the artist, Seishu. Age: Late Showa Period Size: diameter 2.1" height 2.1"

Splendid Japanese incense container, also known as kogo, used for tea ceremony. The persimmon has a small lady bug sitting near the head of the persimmon. The incense container contains an inscription reading: Rakushisha, which is a small hut in the Sagano district of Kyoto. The hut was the summer home of Matsuo Basho's disciple, Mukai Kyorai. The hut was given the name when a hurricane blew all the persimmons off the trees planted in the estate...

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.

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.

This lovely Bizen ware is called Kogo / incense container used for Japanese tea ceremony. The shape is a seed of wisteria suitable for tea ceremony in autumn / winter. This is the work of a potter Yoshimoto Shuho. Shuho was born in 1938 in Okayama prefecture and studied pottery under Fujita Yoshiro. After Shuho became independent, he first produced Bizen ware for 10 years...

An album page in woodblock print technique probably from the "Ehon Matsu no Shirabe", showing a young beautiful lady standing near a small river. Condition: faded, creased, thin area, one worm hole, reverse with tapes. Dimension: 23.6 cm x 17.1 cm.

Kawase Hasui
The Shrine of Kasuga at Nara
Date: 1935
Size: Oban. 14.0 x 9.75 inches.
Publisher: Shimbishoin (for Japanese Government Railways)
Bears the oval Hasui seal
This print is as issued by the Railway on it's original display backing with string hanger. The original description tag is on the verso.
Condition: Light soiling and toning.
Very few of these survive...

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"

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Miyajima in the Rain
Date: 1941.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.75 x 11.0 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Doi watermark.
Carver: Harada: Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates an early post-war edition.
Reference: Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-066
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very good. Margins and margin corners toned.

Japanese Late Edo Period 19th Century Silver Rimpa Flower Screen, a fine masterpiece. Rimpa School represents the highest standard of decorative painting of all schools of Japanese painting. The flowers and other elements are raised by the use of Gofun (oyster shell lacquer). The flowers seem to jump from the silver field. This finely painted masterpiece features wonderful color on silver leaf...

Rare 18th Century Japanese Tea Ceremony Screen Painting of a Pine Tree. Exquisite painting on gold leaf. Set in a wood frame with a sumptuous silk brocade border. Featuring two poems on the back. The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. Frame: 26 x 19 inches, 66 x 48.25 cm; Painting: 21 x 13 inches, 52.25 x 33 cm.

Signed Late 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Noh Mask of the jealous female spirit, Hannya. One of the most famous of Noh Masks, sought after by serious collectors. One of the best examples we have offered. It is finely carved and painted, the expression is fantastic, and all the details and patina are wonderful. 10h x 6w inches, 25.5h x 15.5w cm.

Signed Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Ko-omote. This beautiful young woman is a very popular image in Japanese culture, and is sometimes used as an icon to represent Japan. A fine example of this type of mask rendered by a master carver, using cypress wood (Hinoki) and many layers of Gofun, crushed oyster shell lacquer. A very charming, hypnotic, well rendered image, with an Imperial purple tie . 8.25 inches (21cm) high x 5.25 inches (13.5) wide.

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look...

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look...