Antique Japanese woodblock triptych print of a large samurai battle scene by the artist, Yoshitora Utagawa. Active during the late 19th century, Yoshitora Utagawa was best known for his dynamic battle scenes as well as prints of samurai, firemen, kabuki actors, beautiful women and foreigners. He was born in Edo but the exact year of his birth and death are unknown. He studied with the great print artist, Kuniyoshi Utagawa but later left his school and changed his name to Mosai. This sam...

Large natsume in black lacquer covered with gold powder (maki-e). Gold and silver snowflakes decoration in togidashi maki-e on nashi-ji background. The interior is made of dense nashi-ji lacquer.

The natsume is a tea box intended to contain matcha tea for the preparation of the tea ceremony. It is named for its resemblance to the natsume fruit, i.e. the jujube (also called the Chinese date). It is round, short and has a flat lid. It is often made of lacquer. The natsume is used for ...

Bronze sculpture of a giraffe beetle (Prosopocoilus girafa). The top of the abdomen is raised, revealing a perfume burner. The lucanus, in Japanese kuwagata mushi, is highly valued for its playfulness and aesthetic value.
Insects (mushi) have a very important place in Japanese culture. Insect hunting is a popular pastime, especially among children. Using nets and cages, they catch cicadas, beetles and other insects to observe them. Mushi can indeed be seen as familiar animals, playing a ro...

Okimono in bronze of a frog.
Seal of the founder or of his factory on its belly, not identified.

The frog (kaeru) is associated with luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the frog to return each year to the pond of its birth. A gong in the shape of a frog can thus sometimes be used as a door hammer or to protect a house.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Height: 1.4 in. ...

Ivory netsuke representing a bamboo shoot (takenoko).

Netsuke constitute the major part of Japanese ivory of great quality. Since the Japanese costume (kimono) had no pockets, the objects were passed under the belt and the netsuke, held by a cord, was used to hold them.

From imaginary animals to natural and domestic elements, the subjects represented in netsuke are varied. The netsuke could represent elements of daily life. Netsuke carvers supplied for posterity ...

A nahi-ji and maki-e decorated wood lacquered lidded sake pourer (Hisage). The interior is in red lacquer. It is equipped of a sheath for the spout. Tokugawa and Daigo mons (emblems) are represented on the lid, the extremity of the sheath, the handle and the two sides of the pourer.

Sakes pourers (Hisage) are traditional pitchers intended for sake (“rice beer”) service. Contrary to the tokkuri, a ceramic bottle also destined to the sake se...

Fine iron jizai of a butterfly with articulated wings.

The butterfly (choho) in Japan is perceived as "the soul of the living and the dead", the spirits of the dead taking the form of a butterfly on their journey to the other world. The butterfly spreading its wings is a symbol of femininity. It can also symbolize joy and longevity. This last motif is taken up by the samurai, seeing in its twirling figure a motive of good omen allowing them to reach immortality. The...

Antique Japanese tea bowl made by Sen Sosa VI, Kakukakusai Genso (1678-1730) who was the 6th Iemoto of Omotesenke school.
There is the "Fu-niko" mark and the inscription which says "with Shigaraki sand soil".

A museum quality masterpiece made by the head of one of the main tea ceremony school in Japan.

Kakukakusai Genso, the son of Soei Hisada, was adopted by the 5th generation Zuiryusai Ryokyu, and inherited the Iemoto title of Grand Master of Omotesenke tea ceremony ...

Tang dynasty Changsha bowl with Arabic script possibly written as prophet "Muhammad", good condition with small chips / freetings at the rim please see picture for detail, size: 13 cm diameter.

This is an excellent and intricately carved very charming small netsuke, made by our own Pennsylvania native, David Carlin. He describes it as a "Small, finely detailed representation of the bottom half of a man seeming to be passing through a tombstone with "RIP" etched on it. Daisies are carved on the other side of the tombstone instead of the man's head, giving new meaning to the phrase.” . Netsuke is heavily polished. It measures: 0.75 inches (2.0cm) in depth; 0.75 inches (2.0cm) wide, an...

Antique Japanese bronze hiten (Sanskrit, apsara), celestial musician. She sits on swirling clouds, her drum in her lap. Stylistically represented in the Indian or Southeast Asian traditional garb of bodhisattvas with high crown, elaborate pectoral jewelry and flowing drapery. The billowing clouds on which she sits have a green patina.

Age: Taisho period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 14 1/4" high x 9 1/2" wide x 6 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese bronze hiten (Sanskrit, apsara), celestial musician. Seated on swirling clouds, she moves her flute to her lips to play. Stylistically represented in the Indian or Southeast Asian traditional garb of bodhisattvas with high crown, elaborate pectoral jewelry and flowing drapery. The billowing clouds on which she sits have a green patina.

Age: Taisho period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 15" high x 9" wide x 7" deep

Framed Zen Crane Under the Moon Painting by the Famous Korean Jeju Island Monk, Ko Chang Nyul aka Jung Kwang Sunim aka the Mad Monk (1935-2002). The third photo here is from a prominent dealer's "sale" going on right now on Jung Kwang paintings, where you will see the prices are several times higher than mine. This other gallery has been in business for over forty years and has sold to many of the major museums. A google search of Jung Kwang Mad Monk will reveal the fascinating life of this char...

FUGEN BOSATSU

Quite a rare find of Cast-Bronze Buddhist seated statue of Samantabhadra with such wabi presense and impression, in originally failed condition as is by such aesthetic casting error during the manufacturing process. 19th century, China. approx. H 9.5 x W 7.5 x D 7.4cm (3.74 x 2.95 x 2.91in)


selected by ONEN




* Please understand that EMS shipping fee is additionally charged, and also confi...

Solid wooden folk art carving of a giant penis. Strapped around it are red and white twisted cotton cords (imenawash) with paper strips (gohei). Penises of this size were donated to Shinto shrines dedicated to fertility, in the hopes of getting pregnant. Or they were carried around during fertility festivals.

Cryptomeria (sugi) wood, red and white cotton, paper

Japan, 20th century

H 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)

Excellent condition

Chinese Ming dynasty blue and white dish with birds Motive. 25,5 cm diameter. Dish has hairlines has been restorations.

Chinese Qing dynasty ink and color on paper painting executed in three sections to represent the protectors of Heaven, the world of humans, and the earth. The top features three Buddhas seated cross-legged on lotus thrones among clouds with their hands held in various mudra positions. The midsection holds four Bodhisattvas. On the left are Puxian holding a ruyi scepter astride an elephant and Wenshu holding a sutra scroll atop a lion. On the right riding mythical creatures are Guanyin holding a ...

A genuine large old Rajasthani storytellers scroll of the Pabuji legend. Hand painted on thick cotton. Estimated to be early 20th century or earlier. 240 x 92 cm. Can be viewed in central London.