This is a superb Bunraku puppet of the historical figure Minamoto Yoshitsune, one of the lead characters from the Tale of the Heikei and legendary fighter in Japan. The doll is incredibly mobile. Head moving up and down, his eyes open and close and move left to right. His eyebrows can be raised and lowered, and mouth opened or closed, all from toggles inside his kimono on the extended neck piece...

Travel shrine, or zushi, with sitting figure of Kukai, carved in wood. The founder of the Shingon sect sits on a low pedestal, his shoes put underneath. In his left hand he holds the rosary, in the right he formerly held a vajra. Figure carved in plain wood, the pedestal decorated in gold and the typical red, white, green and blue. The inside of the doors decorated with lotus flowers in dull gold lacquer on shining gold lacquer...

The character Take (bamboo) is struck with six brisk strokes of dark ink on this Chagake tea scroll signed Mitsuhiro (Karasuma Mitsuhiro, 1578-1638) and dated 1631. The calligraphy is exquisite. Mitsuhiro was born the son of Karasuma Mitsunobu (1543-1606) and, like his auspicious father, was a well known poet and songwriter accomplished in calligraphy...

An absolutely breathtaking set of two carved and gilded three tiered wooden stands in the form of blossoming lotus enclosed in the original kiri-wood box dating from the Meiji period. They stand 14 inches (35.5 cm) to the top flower, with each red-lacquered tier over three inches ((8 cm) in diameter. 13 individual fronds rise up to blossoms and leaves, each exquisitely carved and covered in gold lacquer over black. Despite the delicate appearance the stands are very stable...

A surreal ink on cloth landscape by Kyoto artist Nakanishi Koseki (1807-1884) bordered in rich blue patterned silk and featuring radical flaring rosewood rollers. Soft ink tones and heavy washes of gray clash with the brisk strokes and jagged lines of the painting, creating a vivacious scene. The stamps on this match those on the next listing, a second scroll by Koseki. This scroll measures 19-3/4 by 76 inches (50.5 x 194 cm)...

The size of Plate: 7 1/4" Dia x 1 1/8". Pretty Japanese Ko Imari Plate. The plate has blue underglaze design with red, gold design in the center. There is two design around with total three windows and three strip decoration. One with Crane and Pine tree with gold karakusa design. Other stripe design with red Karakusa and green geometric design. All of design are done with very good detail work. The condiiton of plate very good, no chip, no crack and no hairline...

Half portrait of Daruma in bold strokes of gray and black. Lower right signature Isshin hitsu and two seals. Black and gray ink on paper. Painted area 36 ½ x 8 ½ inches. Toned, some horizontal creases, repaired missing area at lower middle. Celluloid scroll ends.

Feel free to ask for more pictures.

Ebisu sits on a rock, a bamboo stalk in the hand, as if holding a fishing rod, a giant red carp stuck under his arm. Daikoku stands on rice bales and holds his hammer in the hand. Around them a split daikon and the coat and hat of invisibility. On the lower right two seals: Kachutei Ninsei (or Jinsei). Ink and colors on paper (black outlines are hand painted, NOT printed). Painted area 11 ¾ x 18 1/8 inches...

The deity Shomen Kongo standing on a demon in front of a flaming halo. In front of him a rooster and a chicken and a monkey with a gohei. Ink and colors on paper. Painted area 25 x 11 inches. Several horizontal creases due to rolling, several small missing areas, all backed and partly retouched. New mounting in Chinese style. Overall stable condition.

Feel free to ask for additional photos.

The size of Bowl: 8 3/4" Dia x 4"High. Japanese Ko Imari Porcelain Deep Bowl. The bowl has very good enamel works surface as well as on the backside. Surface has the design of Eagle with Pine tree, clouds and bamboo grass. Inside rim area with blue underglaze and chrysanthemum design. Outside has a lots of enamel work with Peony flower and clouds. Very good works of blue underglaze design around foot rim. The condition of bowl is excellent, no chip, no crack and no hairline...

The size of Bowl: 7 1/2" Dia x 3 3/8"High. Japanese Ko Imari Porcelain Bowl. The bowl has very good enamel works surface as well as on the backside. Surface side has the design of Eagle with Pine tree, clouds and bamboo grass. Insid rim area with blue underglaze and chrysanthemum design. Outside has a lots of enamel work with Peony flower and clouds. Very good works of blue underglaze design around foot rim. The condition of bowl is excellent, no chip, no crack and no hairline. Some wear on the ...

A pair of brightly colored Mandarin ducks nestle down under cover of dried lotus in this

Glass ball on a wooden stand of finely carved and undercut work. The base has been carved in the shape of high foaming waves in which fishes are swimming, and that carry the jewel of the tides. The waves inlaid with little pieces of mother-of-pearl and gold lacquer. Ryujin, the Dragon King, held this jewel to rule the tides. Overall height 7 ¼ inches. Japan, Meiji period. Ball in near-perfect condition (one tiny, shallow scratch), the stand with some repairs and some missing tips on the waves....

An incredible amount of work went in to the burl-like lacquer finish of this early 20th century three-drawered calligraphy box. All surfaces excepting the bottom are covered in the unusual mottled finish known as wakasa, made by spattering on layers of various colored lacquers which are then rubbed down to a smooth, marbleized finish. Just when one thinks the artist has finished, the process is repeated. This small piece of furniture is the finest example of this technique we have come across...

Pine boughs laden with snow shelter a pair of foraging raven in a spectacular scene reminiscent of paintings of the Kyoto school masters which decorates this Meiji period cloisonn$B!&(Bvase. The unusually tall tapered form swells at a tight shoulder to close about the wide neck wrapped with a band of darkly patinated silver. Silver wire defining the color is so thin as to be almost invisible. On the copper colored base drift three blue and white snowflake dials, the color matching that insi...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Kunisada II (1823-1880) depicting the actors Seki Sanjuro III and Ichikawa Danzo in the role of old barefoot monks holding fans. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo 9/1862. The cartouches at the upper left and upper right bear the names of the actors. The signature of the artist, publisher's seal and censor's seal are located at the lower right. Measures 14" x 9 3/8". This print is the center panel from a triptych which can be found in its complete form on th...

A superbly detailed story Ranma carving, likely from an altar, in which five figures reside among golden maple and cherry blossoms. On the left a colorful figure dips water from the cascading blue waters of a steep fall, a man in priests robes behind him. Three other gentlemen in white robes watch from close at hand, a bundle of sticks, perhaps for making tea, perched in the foreground. Each figure is meticulously carved and painted, the entire scene gilded in gold. The carving comes enclose...

An incredibly detailed mid to late 19th century Izushi-yaki Hakuji (white porcelain) image of a samurai and his lover enjoying a moment together; the robes, accessories and musculature being extremely well shaped. The pair are made of solid white clay, sculpted in the style and with the attention to detail typical of Hirado ware however the glaze is more textured than work expected of that region, indicative of Izushi. There are several chips: the mans left foot, tobacco pouch and right finger...