A pair of mounted panels painted with battle scenes from the Tales of Heike. One panel appears to take place during the battle at Dan no Ura. This painting of samurai contains the signature crest of the Heiki clan (the butterfly). The other panel is a portrait of the famous monk warrior, Benke, on horseback in the Shichi-henge form (where he carries many weapons)...

What a great Chawan! Cylinder shaped (hanzutsu) tea bowl thrown on a kick wheel. The little iron oxide bearing clay has been fully (except the footring and its surrounding) covered with a wood ash glaze which reacted with the iron oxide in the clay.

The thick and glossy glaze (guinomi-de) has a fine beautiful crazing...

The shape of the this tea bowl is known as “tsutsu” in Japanese and is regarded as being especially attractive. Tsutsu bowls are used mainly in the depths of winter to keep in the heat and prevent the tea from cooling too quickly. Though most tsutsu bowls are defined by their smooth, curved edges and contoured clay bodies, this piece is distinct in having more defined edges and straight sides...

Wonderful Kutani Guinomi (Sake cup) with typical wan shape, produced by one of the most famous contemporary artists of Kutani, Tokuda Yasokichi III (1933-2009).

The stone ware clay was covered with dark purple glaze, which turns to light blue towards the brim. His stamp (Masahiko) is inside the unglazed foot ring...

Antique Raku Chawan of rarest color, made by the 1st Choraku Ogawa, one of the most legendary potters of the 20th century. The Chawan is in great antique condition and comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box. No chips or repairs. Only natural inborn kiln cracks caused during firing.

Ogawa Choraku was the founder of the Choraku lineage of Raku potters...

Cotton Kurume kasuri futonji with bold kasuri with asagi (light blue). Kurume in Fukuoka Pref. in Kyushu has been one of the main product places of indigo dyed cotton kasuri since late Edo period (early 19th century). It is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. Late 19th to early 20th century. In excellent condition. 134cm x 150cm

Japanese hardwood tobacco ban (smoking box) or ladies vanity box with carrying handle. The lid is inlaid with shell and enamel coins and birds, with an animal and wire finial. The middle hardwood divider lifts away to allow access to the lowest sections with four compartment.

Circa 1920s

Dimensions: 8 1/4" x 6" x 8 1/2" High

Antique Japanese small porcelain Kakiemon ware dish. With enamel scene of a tiger chasing a flying bird, bamboo and scholar's rocks, accented in gilt. Slightly flared rim with the recessed foot left unglazed around the edges.

19th Century

Dimensions: 5 3/4" x 5 3/4" x 3/4" H

Japanese bronze vase with fine, inlay cranes in silver and copper. The vase form has a short mouth and dramatic tapered body to the platform foot. The reverse side of the vase has a commemorative inscription and the base with artist's cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 8" H

Japanese large, rectangular suiban, finely cast with stylized motifs of waves and flying birds in relief. Suiban are shallow trays meant to be filled with suiseki or viewing stones, sand, and bonsai. The rim of the suiban are flared with a cast apron of reishi mushrooms. The 4 feet of the dish are in the form of rolling waves. The underside is textured with artist signature and cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 21 1/4" L x 14" W x 5 1/2" H

Japanese half section Mizuya or kitchen buffet tansu. Constructed of Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood. The piece opens by two large front sliding panels to the large interior with 2 recessed shelves. The sides of the chest have horizontal bracing slats for reinforcement.

Dimensions: 69 1/4" L x 19 1/2" D x 32 1/4" H

Japanese Nabeshima ware porcelain dish, with blue and white pair of birds and a camellia branch. The dish stands on a high, deeply recessed foot with outer "comb" cobalt blue design around its edges.

Dimensions: 8" x 8" x 2 1/4" H

A nice patina silver belt and gilt gold buckle worn by Peranakan straits Chinese during their wedding ceremony

Height: 3.7 cm (1.4 in)
Width: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)

Japanese netsuke of entwined gourds; probably marine natural material; fine seal carved to the base; signed Shuzan; good condition

Japanese iron tea kettle, or tetsubin, all hand-cast iron with landscape scenes of oceanside cottages around the body. The handle is inlaid with two silver birds and held into place by a pair of iron chimera on each end. The bronze lid is signed underneath, and the backside of the iron body has a 4 character artist's cartouche.

Dimensions: 7" x 6" x 8" H (with handle up)

Japanese Nabeshima ware porcelain dish, with blue and white motif of a bird perched on a persimmon branch bearing fruit. The dish stands on a high, deeply recessed foot with outer "comb" cobalt blue design around its edges.

Dates from 18th/19th century Dimensions: 6" x 6" x 1 1/2" H

Urushi bowl made by Kizaki Tsukiho (1984~) who is an emerging urushi craftsman in Shiga Pref. He makes a wood bowl himself and paints urushi too, generally it is done by each craftsman. Texture is rather rough comparing with common urushi bowl but stronger. Contemporary. In excellent condition. Diameter:11.5cm H:8.3cm

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Benkei Bridge
Date: 1933. This edition early postwar.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi. Bears the Doi watermark.
Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-3.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tape marks in right margin. Light fading.