A rare okimono from the Kairakuen Kiln of the Tokugawa branch family dating from the early to mid 19th century. The box label attributes these to Eiraku (presumably Hozen, who was tasked with helping to further the ceramic production of the kiln). The rooster is roughly 7 inches tall the same in length (18 cm). Dating from the later Edo period, they come in an old wooden box with a cloth cover and are in excellent condition...

One of three vessels by avant garde potter Kumakura Junkichi enclosed respectively in their original signed wooden boxes. First an industrial shaped box in green measuring 7 x 5-1/2 x 6-1/2 inches. Second a bowl in namako glaze, 9 inches (23 cm) diameter. Last a Tsubo in green measuring 6-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 8-1/4 inches (16 x 11 x 21 cm). All are in excellent condition...

Large and only slightly distorted full cylinder shaped Tsutsu (hight is bigger than diameter) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of reddish, unrefined Mino clay with clearly visible finger marks on the wall.

The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife around the regular food ring. In the style of Seto-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a black glaze.

On three sides a round space was spared from black glaze...

Slightly distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part around the foot ring.

In the style of Ao-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a green copper oxide glaze...

Silhouettes shadow the lower half of this rough hewn vessel by the important artist Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Manyo Shino Renzan Tsubo. The sides have been torn away, leaving jagged edges, the top thick crackled white dusted with some coloring from the flames, the bottom a series of misty mountains much like the landscape in early morning surrounding the city of Toki, where the artist has been firing pottery for over 40 years...

Katana-bukuro made of hand-spun cotton with komon, tiny pattern which is katazome (stencil-resist-dyeing). It has tsuta-mon (ivy) family crest. All hand-sewn. In good condition but has much color faded parts. 19th century. 16cm x 86cm

Japanese Cedar, Cyprus wood two(2) section Tansu, Ca. Meiji period 1890's, 42" high, 35 1/2" wide, 16 1/2" deep, 2 graduated size long drawers above 2 long drawers in lower section, total 4 long drawers. Old red lacquer on black iron back plates are still visible. Small hole on the lower left side of bottom frame. The condition is original as found condition.

A wonderful image in mat-gray clay of the lucky figure Hotei (Putai) wrapped in robes dating from the mid to later 19th century (Bakumatsu era) when Ao-Bizen enjoyed a revival. Expressive figuring, it is 6-1/2 inches (16.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition, enclosed in an age blackened wooden box.

There are only few opportunities to find antique Chosen Karatsu chawans - collectors know of what I'm talking about. Here is the second one of our collection:

Chosen Karatsu chawan from the Edo Period. The grandiose embellishment of color creates a sublime sense of tension between the dark glazed and color infusion...

Antique Japanese gusoku bitsu (carrying box for samurai armor). Constructed of Kiri (paulownia) wood with original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame, its edges reinforced with hand-forged iron plates and locks. The back has shoulder straps, made of leather and braided reeds, on iron rings for carrying. A kanji inscription between the leather straps gives the previous owner's name.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 31" H x 17" x 14 1/2"

A charming pair of Japanese porcelain satsuma vases. The panels on each vase tell a story of ghosts and demons escaping from a woven basket. One vase shows a scene of court performers in a traditional lion dance, used to repel evil spirits. In another panel is a scene of kneeling courtesans with worrisome expression and a shrine maiden attempting to purify the area. The final panel shows a golden box, with a large clawed oni forcing the lid shut to trap the evil spirits within...

Unusual Japanese okimono of an ant with lifelike rendering made out of leather hide. Mounted on custom metal base for display.

Dimensions: 16.25" H x 4.5" W x 6" D (on base)

Ohara Koson
Cawing Crow
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 16.5 x 10.5 inches.
Date: Early 20th century.
Reference: K5.15 and page 140 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: the Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Publisher: Believed to be the earlier Daikokuya version alluded to in the catalog...

The great artist Choraku III made a lot of fantastic chawans - for me this is SURELY HIS BEST: a mysterious Aka Raku Chawan with Buddhist symbols in white slip, which are drawn on the outside of the bowl, slightly deformed and perfectly balanced, definitely one of a kind!

With every turn of the bowl, a new face is shown, offering many opportunities for contemplative experiences...

Japanese temple carving depicting a dragon (Ryu) and a tiger (Tora), with background of bamboo forest and blossoming plum branches. The dragon is a sacred creature representing great power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy. The imagery of the dragon fighting the tiger is symbolic of the opposing forces of yin and yang.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" H x 16" x 2 1/2"

Cyrus leRoy Baldridge (1889-1977)
Peking, 1925
Edition: Numbered 83
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. 6mm seal.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Signed in pencil: "C. LeRoy Baldridge".
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) dating from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 17th or 18th century and comes with a box that looks to have been furnished within the last 100 years. Over the long history of tea practice in Japan, at varying times, Korean-ware came into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics were brought over to Japan...

A Fine Large Japanese Imari Bowl, Meiji, 19th Century.

A fine and substantial Arita Imari rinka bowl. Six panels, inside and out, are alternatively decorated with ho-o birds and flowers.

The centre of the bowl depicts the shochikubai, the three friends of winter. A suggestion of breaking waves can also be observed to the left of the screens.

Approximately 24.5 cm diameter...