Ide Gakusui
Heron in Rain
Date: ca. 1950.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Artist's signature and seal lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Round, red 6mm seal lower left, which is consistent with a first edition (produced 1946-1957).
Embossing is featured on the snowy egret's body. Please see enlargement 2.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Adhered to board via contact sheet.

One of his most popular new forms, this starkly arching elevated dish is by Murakoshi Takuma is covered in white over shadows of iron with areas of thin green revealing the clay beneath, weeping giant droplets onto the swirling center. It is called a Geta-zara, named after the traditional elevated wooden sandals worn in Japan in previous eras...

The flattened surface of this elevated dish is scored by the artist fingers and covered in a smattering of green ash glaze by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titeld Hai-yu Yubi-mon Sara. It is 23 x 20 x 5 cm (10 x 8 x 2 inches) and in perfect condition, directly from the artist.
Murakoshi Takuma is one of those enigmas who simply lives to work with clay...

Lovely vintage reclining solid cast image of the Buddha lying on his deathbed about to enter Parinirvana, circa mid-20th century, from Japan or possibly Korea. He has serene expression and the multiple folds in his robe are particularly well done. L: 14.5cm/5.8in.

Rectangular black and gold lacquer kobako box decorated with pine trees in a mountain landscape in takamaki-e, kirigane and hiramaki-e lacquer. Background in nashi-ji lacquer. Surmounted pewter border. Fitted with two grip rings.

Japan – Edo period (1603-1868), 18th century
Width: 2.7 in (0.8 cm) – depth: 3.1 in (8.8 cm) – height: 1.2 in (3.2 cm)

Quadrangular kobako box decorated with flowers in gold and blue lacquer with aogai inlay. Lid and sides in fundame lacquer, underside and interior in nashi-ji lacquer. Inside, a removable tray with gold fundame borders. Fitted with two gripping rings.

Provenance : Docteur Mène collection.

Doctor Édouard Mène (1833-18..?) was a doctor and vice-president of the Franco-Japanese Society...

Small round hare in bronze with dark brown patina, standing on its four legs. In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are referred to by a single word: usagi. The animal is one of the twelve animals of the zodiac in Sino-Japanese astrology. It also plays a role in many folk tales and legends...

Round hare in bronze with a dark brown patina, standing on two legs.
In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are referred to by a single word: usagi. The animal is one of the twelve animals of the zodiac in Sino-Japanese astrology. It also plays a role in many folk tales and legends...

Suzuribako box (empty) in black lacquer. Gold maki-e decoration of a river bordered by peonies, one with red highlights. The edges of the lid are in gold lacquer. Nashi-ji interior.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 1.8 in (4.7 cm) – width : 8.3 in (21.3 cm) – dept: 10 in (25.5 cm)

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
A balcony scene with falling cherry blossoms
Date: 1920s.
Size: Oban. 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Faint matte line.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed as "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist...

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Two women walking on a spring night
Date: 1920s-1930s.
Size: Oban. 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo (label on back).
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist...

BOY

Only a head part of wood carving statue in such typically retro Japanese boy's hair style of Showa period, 20th century, approx. H 19.5 x W 20 x D 18.5 cm (7.67 x 7.87 x 7.28in)...

A set of five small dishes in the shape of an upturned roof tile covered in tri-colored glaze by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shunju Kawara-zara. Each is roughly 14 x 12 x 5 cm (5-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2 inches) and all are in excellent condition.
Murakoshi Takuma is one of those enigmas who simply lives to work with clay...

An elongated Kutsugata Chawan, the sloughing ash glaze interrupted by swaths of running iron, which turn to rivulets on the roughly textured outside, while forming a black pool in the center of the bowl. Surprisingly comfortable, it has a definite drinking point at one narrow end, the rich dark lagoon revealed as one tips up to take the last sip. It is 16 x 12 x 8 cm (6-1/4 x 5 x 2-1/4 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist...

Splashes of Jackson Pollock in iron and ash festoon the flaring form of this sake-cup by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sake-nomi. The base is thick, allowing the cup to be quite stable, while the narrow foot leads to a wide, flaring rim, which makes it both easy to hold, and perhaps far too easy to drink from. It I 9 x 8 x 5.5 cm (roughly 3-1/2 inches diameter, 2-1/4 inches tall) and in perfect condition, directly from the artist...

Not just for alcohol, this is perfect for winter tea, a beautifully formed deep cup covered in tri-colored glaze occasionally revealing the rough clay beneath by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shunju Shochu-nomi...

A really old Japanese lacquer wooden mizusashi for the tea ceremony, made of cherry wood with its original lacquered lid. It dates from the later Edo Period. Such wooden mizusashis are really rare. It is elegantly proportioned and has a black lacquered interior.

Mizusashi is a fresh water jar with a lid used in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony to fill the boiling kettle and rinse the tea bowls. The mizusashi, which is the first to enter the tea ceremony room and the last to le...

1900's Japanese Makuzu Kozan Studio Vase Jar with Iris Flowers in Grounds of Relief Waves

It is 9 inches (22.85 cm) tall by 8.3 inches (21 cm) wide. It is 2.6 Lb.

It is missing a lid and has glaze crazing, skip and excess glazes, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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