A small circular table likely made as a stand for an incense burner or suiban basin dating from the Muromachi era (late 14th to 16th century ) covered in black lacquer over which has been applied vermillion in the style known as Negoro. About the center a ring of wood grain is typical of the era. It is supported by three curling feet extending from a billowing diaper. The lacquer, originally black, has oxidized to a mellow chocolate color beneath...

Also known as "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life,” here in this pre-Edo Buddhist painting we see Amida and his two assistant bodhisattvas, Seishi on the left (associated with wisdom and strength), and Kannon on the right (associated with compassion and mercy), descending from the Western Pure Land to welcome newly deceased believers into the realm of paradise...

Wet swirls of color, lavender and thin blue fringed with yellow decorated this odd shaped slab-ware vase by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled Murasaki no Hi (Purple Days). This is a work in unusual style by one of our favorite female artists. It is 22x 8.5 x 19.5 cm (9 x 3-1/4 x 8 inches) and is in excellent condition enclosed in a box annotated by her brother Naoki.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima...

Fresh out of the oven, here is a delicious treat to start the new year right, a crusty dancing form by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Mimitsuki Hana-ire. Not only does the vase itself feel alive with movement, but the encrustations of ash and glossy molten ash glaze seem to be still in formation, as if it is still settling in the kiln. It is 26 cm (10 inches) tall and in perfect condition...

Munga Ningyo of a Samurai in Court Attire by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Late Edo Period. Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

A Japanese articulated wood Karashishi mask in dark patina, himotoshi on the back next to the signature. Signed Munenaga. Edo period 19th century Sizes: 4 x 3 x 2 cm Condition report: Very Good condition

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Title: Nakisakebi from the Dream Carp Series originally published in 1940. This edition 1989.
Size: Approximately 13.5 x 12.25 inches
Published by Munakata Studio. Issued in Yaskawa calendar.
Medium: Japanese lithograph.
Condition: Excellent. Full margins on all sides (not shown).

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Date: April 10, 1959.
Seated Figure. Here titled by the artist, "At Columbus" (コランバスに於て). Also signed by the artist and dedicated in pencil in Japanese at the top right, "to Ms. Ryuko Sato".
Munakata's famous 1959 United States lecture tour took him through Ohio. On the tour, he was known to carve one-off woodblock prints on the spot at gatherings and present them to hosts or guests, as once described on the Antiques Roadshow...

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Titled in Japanese: Flower(s) of Vienna, the great Leo Sirota ウィーンノハナ　レオシロタ大人
Dated: April 11, 1965.
Leo Sirota (1885-1965) was one of the world's most famous pianists. Munakata was his friend and produced this print shortly after Sirota's death.
Edition: Not known. A color version of this design exists.
Signed: "Shiko" in Japanese; "Munakata" in English.
Sheet size: 16 x 10.75 inches...

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Title: Zakkei Sanbou.
Size: Approximately 13.50 x 12.25 inches.
Publisher: Published by Munakata Studio. Issued in Yaskawa calendar.
Date of this edition: 1998.
Note: We believe that the title translates as temple in the weeds.
Medium: Japanese lithograph.
Condition: Excellent. Slight ripple. Full margins on all sides (not shown).

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Title: Taishi. Originally published in 1955. This edition 1985.
Size: Approximately 18.5 x 8.0 inches
Published by Munakata Studio. Issued in Yaskawa calendar.
Medium: Japanese lithograph.
Condition: Excellent. Slight wrinkle at corner. Full margins on all sides (not shown).

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Title: Onhina.
Date of this edition: 1998.
Size: Approximately 13.25 x 12.25 inches.
Published by Munakata Studio. Issued in Yaskawa calendar.
Medium: Japanese lithograph.
Condition: Excellent. Slight ripple. Full margins on all sides (not shown).

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
New York, Riverside.
Date of this edition: 1983.
Size: Approximately 15.25 x 12.0 inches.
Published by Munakata Studio. Issued in Yaskawa calendar.
Medium: Japanese lithograph.
Condition: Excellent. Full margins on all sides (not shown).

Exceptional example of a very old Japanese bronze. This type of lacquered bronze of the best quality is extremely rare. We only know a handful. This is the Mule of Toba in cast bronze, lacquered in red and cream. The animal is represented lowering its head. His rider, Toba has disappeared. Note the elegance of the movement, the strength but also the humor that emerges from this sculpture, this is the unique work of a great sculptor...

A very beautiful and attractive vase covered with a red, mottled glaze in the shape of a squat bottle with flat but slightly curving sides. Signed Eizo,* a disciple of Kawai Kanjiro. The piece is signed with the artist’s impressed seal in the bottom. Original, inscribed and signed box. H 21,5 x 20 x 12 cm. ca...

Mukoyama Fumiya enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Zogan Yusai Fusha-mon Tsubo (Color Inlayed Wind Mill Pattern Tsubo). It is 25 cm (10 inches) diameter, 22 cm (8-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition. Mukoyama Fumiya was born in Tokyo in 1960, graduating the Kyoto Ceramic Research institute before apprenticing in Hagi under 15th generation Sakakura Shinbei in 1984. He spent time in Shiga before settling in Mashiko in 1990, establishing his own kiln in 1993...

MUDRA OF ESOTERIC BUDDHISM

10 pieces of the practitioner’s manuscript of various hand-signs called ‘tein’ (also ‘inso’, ‘ketsuin’) as the mudra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudra) of ‘mikkyo’ (Japanese Esoteric Buddhism), as the symbolic or ritual gesture or pose performed with the hands and fingers for marking each secret of various buddhas, bodhisattvas, deities, etc. Early 20th century. approx. 31 x 26cm (12.20 x 10.23in) each. Some expected...