SHRINE AND MONKEY

Well-matched assortment of a naturally soot-colored wooden zushi (household shinto altar) with such blackened depth and a votive seated stone monkey sculpture in the ‘gassho’ praying pose with folded hands in such mountain-like well-abstracted silhouette due to aging.

Shrine: H 29.7 x W 19.3 x D 13.5cm (11.69 x 7.59 x 5.31in), Edo period, 19th century, Japan
Monkey: H 10.7 x W 8.4 x D 7.4cm (4.21 x 3.30 x 2.91in), Meiji period...

Nishimura Hodo
Hirosaki Castle in the Spring
Date: 1933.
Size: Oban. 15.625 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Stamp in left margin and label on back.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Edition: First and only.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Upper portion toned where not covered by former matte.
Note: RARE - The only other example we could locate is in the Honolulu Museum.

Japanese ink and color on silk genre painting with gilt highlights depicting the emperor and empress seated on a raised mat with tied curtains above revealing blossoming trees in the background. Five musicians from the imperial orchestra are performing below them on a taiko drum, a smaller kakko drum, pipes (sho), a flute (oteki), and the fife (fue). 19th century...

In the style of the floral school (rimpa) the decoration represents white and red chrysanthemum (kiku) flowers, treated in gofun, near a fence, on a background of white clouds and gold and silver dust. Period: Meiji. Late 19th century. Dimensions: 367 x H 172 cm.

Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956)
Noh Actor Shigeyama in Green Costume
Date: 1935-36.
Size: Approximately 19.5 x 13.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed "Elizabeth Keith" in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Notch in lower margin. Tape residue at left, bottom left, and top back margins.

An antique Todana Tansu (storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the decorative sliding door pulls. A Keyaki (Zelkova) freeze borders the base with a hand carved rope design. Side slats for strength and support on each side. Trapezoid Keyaki door runners to prevent wear to doors when slid...

An antique Japanese Kotansu for traveling administrators made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Unusual dual opening drawer allowed two administrators on each side of the tansu to access the same drawers and supplies. Family crest on the door.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 16 3/8" Wide by 23 3/8" High by 20 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the double action lock plates and the Warabite handles. Bronze decorative mounts feature lucky Japanese symbols including the treasure mallet, the treasure bag, a traveling cape and a traveler's hat...

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Spring Evening
Date: Pre-1936.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 14.75 x 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Shotei seal at right.
Reference: Shotei #M-12. Watanabe #212.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has paper residue.

Inro with 4 compartments in black lacquered wood. Decor of a mountain lake landscape executed in gold and silver powder. Mosaic details of small squares of gold. The worn parts reveal the red lacquer which was used to execute the reliefs. Japanese work from the 18th century or before. No signing. Good general condition for a tercentenary lacquer. Multiple small damages all visible on photos. No repainted areas, no restoration. Quality lacquer, solid. 82x52mm.

TRAY WITH GROOVE

Low-rimmed wooden tray designed well-balanced circular groove in practical and withered condition. Showa period, mid 20th century, Japan. D 34.4-33.5cm (13.54-13.18in), H 2.4cm (0.94in). Very slight uneven bottom as no fatal...

Arita hard porcelain dish. The decoration is painted with stylized flowers in underglaze cobalt blue and enamelled with medallions. The edge is coated with a thick chocolate brown enamel, typical. Japanese work from the end of the 17th century or the beginning of the 18th. It is a rare artistic model. Below a mark drawn in blue and traces of pernettes. Good condition. Some enamel skids. Diameter 195mm.

Wonderful pair of horse prints by Japanese artist Urushibara Mokuchu 1888-1953). These Zen style horses are beautifully designed and printed with calligraphic line work similar to traditional sumi ink paintings. A classic Japanese subject rendered in bold black, crisp white, and soft tones of grey. Pencil signatures at lower right, red seal on both. Undated, estimated to be circa 1940's. Both under glass in period frames

TRAY OF RYOKAN

Large wooden tray actually used at old 'ryokan' (Japanese‐style hotel), Showa period, early-mid 20th century, D 35.6-34.8cm (14.01-13.70in), H 5.8cm (2.28in). Aesthetic grain expression and calm comfort for use. Expected some fine scratches due to aging with use. *Only a tray is available to purchase, as the other stuff (cups) of usage example are not attached...

A Japanese wood netsuke depicting a group of mushrooms with a caterpillar on the dome of the highest. Himotoshi is under the base. Edo period 19th century Sizes: 3,5 x 3,8 x 3,7 cm. Condition report: Good condition

A Japanese boxwood netsuke of a coiled snake around a lotus. The pistils are completely articulated pistils. The himotoshi is formed by the stem of the lotus. Edo period 19th century Sizes: 5 x 3,5 x 3,6 cm. Condition report: Good condition

Hard porcelain dish, painted in cobalt blue under glassure. Decor typical of the second half of the 18th century. Japanese work, Arita kilns. Below are drawn 6 Chinese characters, apocryphal mark of Emperor Ming Tchenghoa. The shibata collection of the Porcelain Museum in Arita hosts a dish with a similar decoration. Good condition. Diameter: 215mm

Arita fine porcelain tea bowl, decorated with dragons and stylized flowers, painted in underglaze cobalt blue. Japanese work from the early 18th century, perhaps a little earlier. Good enamel quality, pretty deep blue, excellent firing. Well drawn. This type of bowl is rare. Below are 6 Chinese characters that we have not translated.The top edge is coated with brown iron oxide pigment. Good condition. Height: 95mm. We have a second.