Small scroll painting of the eccentric Zen priest Ikkyu Sojun dancing on top of the head of a skeleton, who is playing the shamisen. In his hands he holds his staff topped with a skull.
Scene from the story of the Hell Courtesan, as described by Santo Kyoden, the equivalent of memento mori.
Signed and sealed at lower right by the artist.
Ink, mineral colors and gofun on silk...

Oversized hanging scroll, portraying a beautiful young noble woman in travel dress, looking down and holding a large head. While her orange kimono is decorated with cherry blossoms, her overcoat is decorated with maple leaves in autumn colors. Signed: Tojo. Red seal: Seizan. Ink, mineral colors and gofun on silk. Japan, Taisho era, 1920s.

Image 74 x 32 inches
Mounting 90 x 40 inches. Wooden scroll ends.

Some minor cracks and losses to gofun, otherwise fine condition

This is a beautiful pair of mixed metal decorated bronze vases. They are highly detailed and stand just 5 inches. Both vases are signed Miyabe Atsuyoshi. One vase has a lightly bent rim otherwise the condition of the pair is excellent.

This is an exquisite decorated iron Koro signed Nihonkoku Kyoto ni sumu Komai sei. The condition is excellent and actually better than the images show. A glue/cloth residue was left on the underside and side of the base.This is easy to remove.The piece stands 4 1/8 inches tall and is 3 1/8 inches wide. The delicate lid appears to be silver.

18th Century, Japanese finely hand-carved boxwood Netsuke depicting one of the scenes from the Ten Oxen parables; The Return on Ox-back. The character on this parable is shown playing a flute while sitting on the back of an Ox. Chimney himotoshi that starts on the bottom of the irregular platform where the Ox stands, and continues through any of the spaces made by the legs of the animal. Rich patina, lustrous surface. Unsigned...

This is a finely carved boxwood netsuke depicting the Skeleton of the Buddhist Priest Danka beating on a Mokugyo, or Buddhist Temple Drum. Very nice detail and wonderful symmetry all throughout, rich patina. It sports a chimney himotoshi that begins on the bottom of the mokugyo, and continues around the spine of the skeleton. This is an unsigned and larger version of this popular Japanese legend...

Small Japanese antique jewelry box, decorated all over with scenes of tiny chrysanthemums made of gold and silver mixed metal inlay on a gold lacquer (kinji) ground. The tiny safe box door is hinged and opens to reveal a scene of a golden bird on a blossoming plum branch near a fence. This scene spans both the interior of the door and three tiny interior drawers. The blossoms are made of gold and silver lacquer and the ground is a lovely dense and fine nishiji (gold flecks)...

Antique Japanese sword tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) hardwood, all original finish. The piece holds two large drawers and two small corner drawers, accented with heavy iron handles, lock plates, and corner hardware. The sides of the piece feature long iron fittings for carrying.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 45.5" L x 15.5" D x 16" H

Antique Japanese ikebana basket, all hand-woven with sections of bamboo. The body is a cylindrical shape, narrowing towards the bottom four short feet. The handle is made with natural Wisteria branches. The interior holds two small wooden containers to hold beautiful arrangements of flowers.

Dimensions: 7" L x 6.5" D x 17.75" H

This peach-shaped kogo (incense box) is made of fine kinuta celadon from one of the great masters of the Meiji era—Suwa Sozan. A classic design, the peach is said to represent long-life for mortals and immortality for the gods in asian folklore. According to legend, the moon goddess—a powerful alchemist—can make an elixir from peaches that grow in the garden of the western paradise with miraculous revitalizing properties...

Ohara Hoson (Koson)
Monkey surrounded by four young, carrying a persimmon
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.75 x 10.75 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai. Publisher's seal in right margin...

Boro asa noragi (field wear) made of hand-plied asa (hemp). It has indigo dyed cotton cloth in the buttom and some mending patches. The first half of the 20th century. 63cm x 90cm

Japanese antique apothecary (medicine) chest for a merchant of herbs. Made of 100% hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with 35 drawers of various sizes. Hand forged Iron hardware includes hirute and ring shaped drawer pulls. From the Kansai Area.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 28 1/2" high x 35 3/4" wide x 11 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese zenibako, or money box, made of heavy Keyaki (elm) wood. The piece uses a funnel top lid for collecting temple offerings, secured with a very large iron front lock. Original condition. With mortis and tenon joinery.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10.75" W x 17" D x 12.5" H

Funazaki Kojiro (b. 1900)
Eboshi Rock in Kaiba Island
From the collection, "One Hundred New Views of Japan"
Size: Approximately 11.75 x 8.75 inches.
Date: 1940.
Limited edition of 150.
Block bears the Kojiro signature and title.
Publisher: Nihon Hanga Kyokai (Japan Print Association)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Trimmed margins.

Japanese woven suiban. This low, shallow container is used for ikebana flower arranging. Rectangular in form, this suiban is raised on low feet. A grain or leaf-like design is woven into all sides and the corners have intricate knot work. An oval shaped metal container sits perfectly inside for holding water.

Taisho Period

Dimensions: 4 1/2" high x 19 1/2" long x 12" wide

Beautiful Japanese carved Noh theater mask of Zo-onna (beautiful woman). Carved out of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood and painted with seashell and natural pigments. This mask is masterfully carved and painted with subtle detail like her very slight smile and the small dimple just above her chin. The mask is signed and has it's original tomobako (also with the same signature).

Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Size: 8 1/4" long x 5 1/4" wide

Unusual Japanese small gyosho bako (merchant's box) made with Kiri (Paulownia) wood in all original finish. The box holds four drawers, with decorative black iron plating and handles. The top 3 drawer interiors have been lacquered in black while the bottom drawer has also been lacquered in red. With original keys included.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 16" L x 9.5" W x 10.5" H