An antique Shigaraki jar created and fired in this famous kiln region of Japan that was heavily potted. The skin shows the characteristic pock marks and imbedded fieldspar with a natural ash glaze. Originally used for tea storage, it has become a fine example of Japanese Wabisabi or understated elegance as well as an epitome of Mingei folk art.

Age: Edo Era (1750-1800)

Dimensions: 15 3/4" High by 13 1/4" Diameter

An antique Japanese temple carving of a flying dragon protecting a sacred Hoju while flying through the tumultuous clouds. Hand carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Beautiful three dimensional high relief detail.

Age: Edo Period, circa pre 1850s)

Dimensions: 53 1/4" Wide by 26 1/4" High by 5 1/2" Deep

A rare antique Japanese large Kannon Biraki Tansu made entirely of thick Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails, this specially commissioned tansu was custom designed and made for a bride's dowry. Its purpose was for storing the bride's wedding kimono and accoutrements after the ceremony ...

Mountains rise majestically over meandering inlets on this vase by Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Yama Sometsuke Kabin (Vase with Mountain Design in Blue). It is 19 cm (7-3/4 inches) tall, 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter and in perfect condition. It comes with the original custom made cloth pouch and shiori...

BEAR FAMILY

Vintage Japanese wood carving bear okimono of exquisite composition, with chiseled Japanese letters of "Commemoration. Trip to Hokkaido. 1962 9.12". approx. 33 x 13 x H 39cm (12.99 x 5.11 x 15.35in)...

Antique Japanese large bronze vase with double coils on each side. This design is reminiscent of Chinese Han dynasty blackware pottery amphora with the same motif. Dramatic scale and clean lines.

Age: Taisho Period, Deco Era circa 1920's/30's

Dimensions: 12" high x 18" wide x 12" wide

No discussion on 20th century Kyoto ceramics can skip over the importance of the Kyoto Shi Tojiki Shiken-sho ceramics research facility at which all the luminaries studied and laid the foundation for a number of the early Living National Treasures...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Multiple drawers of 8 exposed and 4 hidden behind the lower sliding doors. The upper sliding doors hides a spacious storage area where the merchant kept his store records and books. All original hand forged iron hardware with construction using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails. Natural darkening surrounding the metalwork where the original patina had built-up...

An antique Japanese large bronze shrine vase cast in a loss wax technique. Depicting waves of a rough ocean with sea spray floating in the air, the female turtle carries a hatchling on its back while facing downward with its mouth open to expel evil spirits. The male turtle is jumping above the waves with its mouth closed to retain the good spirits. All three turtles have their wisps of sea algae growing from their shells as a symbol of the parents old age and the hatchling's life beginning...

Rare example of Edo Period (1603-1868) White Shino Ware Tea Bowl (Chawan).
The potter's mark is carved at the base.

Shino pottery is produced in today's Gifu prefecture since 16th century and it is distinguished by thick white glazes, red marks and the surface of small holes.

Size
2.925in. (7.5cm.) high;
5.07in. (13cm.) diameter;
405g weight.

Condition
There are chips and cracks due to age...

Edo Period (1603-1868) Japanese Red Raku Teabowl (Chawan) for tea ceremony.

Raku pottery is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremony since as early as the 16th century.

Size
2.34in. (6cm.) high;
5.07in. (13cm.) diameter;
365g weight.

Condition
There are old repairs at the rim with gold and red lacquer. Please see the photos for details. No cracks.

A delicate sake cup (hai) by Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Outside is covered in festive red while inside the character Kotobuki (Fortune) is housed in a double ring in blue. Signed in the foot ring, it is 5 cm (2 inches) diameter and in perfect condition. For more on this artist see the recent edition of Arts of Asia Magazine (Spring 2021), A Seeing Eye: Modern Ceramics in Japan During the First Half of the 20th Century by John Wright...

An antique Japanese Byobu screen in 2 panels depicting a Cherry Blossom tree with Bamboo and a full moon on a spring evening. Artist signed and painted in a Sumi-e technique over Gofun paper, he has sprinklings of gold specks to give the illusion of the last tidbits of sunlight fading into an evening moon. The frame was finished in a Negoro Urushi lacquer.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 68 3/4" High by 70 3/4" Wide

A rare antique Japanese temple carving of a mythical sea turtle swimming among the rough ocean waves. Hand carved from one solid piece of Kuwanoki (Mulberry) wood, its three dimensional deep relief was carved on both sides. With large wisps of sea algae trailing on the back of its shell, the Kame (turtle) is a Japanese symbol of longevity signifying 10,000 years of long life. Fine detail and craftsmanship are evident especially in the claws, the scales and its head...

A rare antique Japanese Choba Kotansu (merchant small chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Removable hinge doors behind which hides a removable horizontal bar that securely latches the left door in place. Spacious storage behind the doors where the merchant kept his store books and records. Two upper drawers were used to keep money and valuables. Beautiful original calligraphy on the sides and back of the tansu...

A pair of antique Japanese Baku corbels hand caraved from solid Keyaki wood. Rare flaming mane design adds a dragon-like fear to wore off evil spirits. Used under the eaves of Japanese temples and shrines, they devour dreams and nightmares as they protect against evil. The open mouth Baku expels all evil while the closed mouth Baku retains the good spirit.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)

Dimensions: Approximately 25" Long by 16" High by 10 1/2" Wide

While Kitaoji Rosanjin can be arguably called the most eccentric figure in Japanese art world in 20 century, Ando Minoru (1927-2015), 安藤實 is another name that comes to a mind. A painter, ceramist and calligrapher, he is widely recognized in Japan but almost unknown in the West.

Ando Minoru held his first painting exhibition at the Kokugakai of Ryuzaburo Umehara in 1957. In 1965, he worked under the guidance of Sakuzo Hineno, a well-known ceramist in Kyoto.
In 1967, Ando ...

An antique Japanese single section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. 2 sliding doors designed with individually cut vertical slats (as opposed to a solid board carved to look like slats). Side horizontal ribs add visual strength and structural support to the chest. Contemporary uses include using it as a sideboard or a spacious bathroom counter (space permitting).

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 70 1/4" Wide by 32 1/2" Hi...