Refined lacquer inro with three compartments expertly decorated in gold with numerous bamboo plants. This inro is enriched with dense nashiji lacquer dots and a detailed maki-è decoration that features an elegant pattern of bamboo plants in contrast to some stems and leaves of mother-of-pearl flakes inlaid on the surface...

Iron metal rod. Painted with ink on paper. Signed Seiki and sealed. It is a type of weapon, a thick iron rod with warts on it. In pictures of demons, it refers to the stick that demons are holding in their hands. In Japan, there is a saying, "Kanabo for demons". If you equip a strong demon with a powerful weapon, a metal rod, it will become even stronger. This is a parable about someone who is already strong and becomes even more powerful by having something added to them...

A quintessential 16th century design in worn gold covers all the dark surfaces of this lacquered wooden box dating from the Momoyama period. Here auspicious cranes and turtles, reported to live a thousand years, laze among pines. About the lid boaters enjoy leisure seas. Ichimonji checkerboard patterns rising diagonally up the sides alternate with garden trees, the ends decorated with wisteria and ivy. The box retains the original inner tray in festive red decorated with garden grasses...

A small wall hanging in Togidashi maki-e surrounded by a checkerboard pattern of polished Suzu-ita metal squares by Okada Yuji dating from the mid 1970s. The Togidashi technique requires the artist to create a design in Maki-e, then cover the design entirely in a layer of lacquer, polishing the lacquer through to reveal the image below. A labor intensive and time-consuming practice...

Like the layered hills of Kyoto at twilight, this vase is of Kanshitsu dry lacquer body with layers of colored Urushi by Okada Yuji enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 31 cm (just more than 12 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Okada Yuji was born in Kyoto in 1948 and graduated with honors from the Kyoto Hiyoshi-ga-oka High School Lacquer Course, Receiving top prize for his graduation project...

A 7 tiered pagoda like Tower in red and black lacquer by Okada Yuji exhibited at the 13th Nitten National exhibition in 1981 titled Hokuto no Shirushi (Guide to the North Star). It is made of wood cores around a metal box, each “wing” covered in alternating layers of red and black with sheet suzu metal edging. On top is an acrylic panel engraved with a target finder-like symbol (guiding us North). It is roughly 60 cm (2 feet) square, 38 cm (15 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

Black patinated, cast bronze sculpture of a monkey, seated with his arms around his knee.
Unsigned. Stamped in the flat bottom: Yamanaka & Co. Inc., and Made in Japan.

Japan, early Showa era, 1920s-1930s.

H 1.75 x D 1.6 in.

Two small casting flaws that were repaired at the time of production.

The stamp ‘Made in Japan’ was required for objects exported to the US and other western countries in the 1920s and 1930s. The stamp of Yamanaka & Co...

A wave like form seemingly cut from stone decorated with a river of black lacquer in which flows inlayed mother of pearl and Suzuita metal strips by Okada Yuji exhibited at the 32nd National Modern Crafts Exhibition in 1993. An exciting and striking work sure to inspire conversation. It is 43 x 55 cm. The height is dependent upon how it is displayed (we currently have one side elevated to flow like a waterfall)...

Thick hirame polished gold disks glimmer on the surface of this peach-shaped container by Okada Yuji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Toju. The peak is tinged pink, while a green leaves embedded with kiri-gane gold wrapping up the sides. A striking work of kanshitsu (dried lacquer art) from the pinnacle of the artists career. It is 7.5 cm (3 inches) tall, the same diameter and is in excellent condition...

Geometric designs in glimmering Raden (abalone shell) cross the surface of this intricate box by Okada Yuji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Youko. Inside gold nashiji glistens on the mirror black surface. It is 15 x 15 x 11 cm (6 x 6 x 4-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
Okada Yuji was born in Kyoto in 1948 and graduated with honors from the Kyoto Hiyoshi-ga-oka High School Lacquer Course, Receiving top prize for his graduation project...

This is a rare and tattered tunobukuro bag textile made from old hemp and rags from the Meiji period (1868-1911). This is the bag you put the sweetfish in after you catch them. It's been used a lot, so it's a little soft. It has been washed, so there is no smell. You can enjoy both sides. Size: Length: 140cm (55.1"), Width: 30cm (11.8").

Hiroshi Yoshida
Glittering Sea, from The Inland Sea Series
(Hikaru Umi, Setonaikaishu)
Date: 1926. Date of this edition not known.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print mounted as kakejiku scroll.
Signed and sealed in the image.
Size: Oban. Scroll: 45.5 inches 17.75 inches. Blue sheet: 20.5 x 15.75. Visible image: 14.5 x 9.75 inches.
Condition: Creasing from scrolling.
Note: Scroll mounting over the margins prevents us from confirming the presence or absence of...

Contemporary Tea Cup by Master Takeuchi Shingo A fine tea cup of sculptural shape with inlaid polychrome geometric patterns. H 9 x 8,5 cm ca. Signed at the bottom; artist’s information paper follow. Condition: Perfect.  Takeuchi Shingo was born in 1955 in Seto. Until 1979 studied at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramics Research Facility and than with one of the great master potter, Kato Shuntei II. In 1982 establishing his own kiln in Seto. He has been exhibited both at home and abroad and his...

A spectacular Shino Vase in deep Murasaki, and white by Tamaoki Yasuo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shino Tsubo. It is 14-3/4 inches (39 cm) tall, roughly 26 cm (10-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Tamaoki Yasuo was born in Tajimi in 1941, one of the homes of Mino ware. He began his path to professional ceramicist at the Tajimi Industrial High School, and a stint at the Gifu Ceramics Research institute, where he followed the footsteps of a number of ...

Rare Red Raku Summer Tea Bowl named "Yuki," crafted by Houshousai in 1861.

Dimensions:
Height: 6cm
Width: 16.5cm

Condition:
In excellent antique condition, with no signs of damage. Comes with the original wooden box from the period, bearing detailed notes about the artist.

Houshousai, a distinguished tea master from Kanazawa during the late Edo period, enjoyed close camaraderie with affluent merchants such as Choemon, Enemon, and Gohei. During the ...

Presenting an Excellent Nezumi Shino Chawan, meticulously crafted by the esteemed Kato Mitsuemon (b. 1937).

Specifications:

Height: 8.4cm
Width: 12.7cm

Condition:
This exceptional piece is in unused condition, attesting to the care and craftsmanship of the artist. It is accompanied by the artist's signed box, further adding to its provenance.

Mitsuemon Kato, hailed as a master of Mino ware, proudly carries the legacy as the second son of Kato ...

Introducing a Commemorative Takatori Tea Bowl, skillfully crafted by Takatori Hassen 13th (b. 1934) and used in the esteemed Tokugawa Art Museum Tea Ceremony of 1975. The potter's stamps are thoughtfully marked on the base.

Specifications:

Height: 7.5cm
Width: 12cm

Condition:
This remarkable piece is in excellent condition, a testament to the care and craftsmanship of the artist.

Accompanied by a signed box, providing insight into the signifi...

Presenting a Magnificent Oribe Chawan, expertly crafted by the esteemed Koie Ryoji (1938-2020).

Specifications:

Width: 15.9cm
Height: 10.5cm

Condition:
This exquisite piece is in excellent condition, a testament to the care and craftsmanship of the artist.

Comes complete with a signed wooden box, further attesting to its authenticity and value.