A serene vision of enlightenment, calming and compassionate, can be seen in the later Edo period Buddhist carving of Amitabha. He stands on a lotus base, with a flame like mandala rising up behind him in the shape of a jewel, the entire gilded in pure gold worn soft with age and care. The figure alone is 39 cm (15-1/2 inches) tall. With the base and mandala, it is 65.5 cm (just under 26 inches) tall. It is in excellent condition. I believe that some restoration has been performed on the deli...

Exceedingly rare hard porcelain dish from arita. Painted in yellow, green, blue and red enamels. The decor represents many children, seated in a building in front of a covered vase, perhaps a funerary urn. Dominating the assembly, the central character of a trio is the only one wearing a hat. Above the trio three Chinese characters are drawn in red on a panel. It seems to be a religious ceremony but the youth of the assembly is perplexing. Understanding the 3 characters should solve the enigma. ...

Sunrise colors layer like a brilliant orange sedimentary horizon on this exquisite Kanshitsu Dry Lacquer vase by Okada Yuji enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 33 cm (13 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Okada Yuji was born in Kyoto in 1948 and graduated with honors from the Kyoto Hiyoshi-ga-oka High School Lacquer Course, Receiving top prize for his graduation project. In 1969 he apprenticed under Ito Hiroshi, and the following year was accepted into the Kyoten (Kyo...

Ivory netsuke representing six pumpkin-shaped flasks, with a cord that holds the first three, while the other three are still in a natural state, before being worked and dug to be transformed into real bottles for sake. Below the central button, the writing “Fuki chomei” (Blessed long life) has a deep symbolic meaning. This is why it is written that the artist's history is a reference to the theme of his life di lui, and his Japanese culture di lui is especially considered a symbol of lon...

A breathtaking sculpture by Hashimoto Tomonari enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The inverted cone is dark gray with rust red and blue patterns waving across the surface like gas clouds on some distant moon. It is 46 cm (18 inches) tall, 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, directly from the artist this winter. The wooden box is titled: Untitled. In fact he does not title any of his work now, preferring to leave interpretation up to the viewer. After hand forming...

Ivory netsuke depicting a rat with black horn eyes. The rat is represented resting on its hind legs, while its long tail surrounds an acorn that it is gnawing with its front legs. The object is accompanied by an original label which certifies its origin from the former Tamanini collection in Milan. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 3.4 x 4.3 x 2.9 cm. State of conservation: Very good

A breathtaking sphere in oxidized blues like our gleaming blue planet with an artist performed kintsugi gold repair wrapping all the way around. It is 26 cm (10-1/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
Hashimoto Tomonari was born the son of a sculptor and has felt comfortable with the processes of creation since childhood. He graduated with a masters from the Kanazawa University of Art in March 2017, then relocated to Shigaraki. A visit to his humble home...

Late Qing hand carved turquoise snuff bottle with bok choy and radish along with an ant, cicada, grasshopper and cricket. The workmanship and details is superbly done including the insects, having very fine details to the legs, antennae and bodies. Presented on a rosewood stand, this snuff bottle has a wonderful color and patina and is one of the coolest bug type carved snuff bottles that we have encountered in some time. In excellent condition, a later spoon and cork was applied. Measures: H...

A beautifully crafted cast, carved, and parcel gilt bronze image of a samurai pulling back, arrow nocked, ready to let fly, signed in a metal cartouche on back Shunko-saku (made by Shunko). It is roughly 27.5 cm (11 inches) to the top of his hat, 25 cm (10 inches) from forefinger to elbow. The warrior is calm, determined, with a look of deep concentration in his inlaid eyes. He wears an eboshi, a formal type of hat, and is dressed in sumptuous, loose fitting robes with leggings and braces to pr...

A lacquer tray made for the Urasenke Tea School enclosed in a wooden box titled Kanshitsu Umehana Bon (Dried Lacquer Plum Blossom Tray) signed Konnichi followed by the Ka-o signature of the 15th Grand Master of Urasenke Sen Soshitsu (Hounsai). The 5 lobed tray is 26.5 cm (10-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, signed underneath Tatsu.
Kuroda Tatsuaki (1904-1982) was born into a family of Kyoto lacquer ware artisans; in his mid-teens, he began to study lacquer art on his own...

A Japanese Satsuma ceramic lobed bowl with curved corners and embellished with a refined scene of daily life along a watercourse on the outside. The interior is adorned with graceful butterflies, creating a harmonious blend of nature and craftsmanship. This bowl is signed Juzan under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 5.5 x 8 cm. State of conservation: Very good

A slender shape patinated bronze vase depicting a naturalistic scene of a cricket sitting on iris leaves. Signed Joun in relief within an oval reserve. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 26 x 7.5 cm. State of conservation: Very good

A wooden okimono depicting a lying horse, finely carved down to the smallest details. The muscles, hooves and mane are rendered with care and artistry, capturing the vitality of the horse in a static form. The excellent patina that envelops the okimono gives the horse a subtle shine that reveals the sculpted details with even more clarity. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 12 x 6 x 6.5 cm State of conservation: Very good

A masterpiece by Shigaraki Icon Koyama Kiyoko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen-yu Mentori Hanaire. She was well known for both her Mentori works, and the exuberant amount of ash accumulated from the 10 plus day firings of her kiln. This is a prime example of both those features. It is 24.5 cm (just udner 10 inches) diameter, roughly the same height, and in excellent condition.
Koyama Kiyoko was born in Sasebo, Nagasaki in 1936. Following the second wor...

Cornet-shaped, in bronze with a brown patina, it rests on 3 feet scalloped in foaming waves rising towards a base decorated with other waves. The body is also decorated in its center with an openwork knot of vine branches and bunches of grapes. The neck is widely flared into a floral corolla. Signed Toto Hidemitsu Kansei under the base. Height: 39.5 cm.

An unprecedented 19th century ceramic sculpture of a tumble of Shishi lions in a playful fight covered in unusual green-blue glaze. The Banko mark is impressed into the white clay of the base. It is very unusual to find large sculptures or works in Banko ware. This is 30 × 25 x 26.5 cm (12 x 10 x 10-1/2 inches) and in excellent condition. It comes in a box titled Okimono Banko-yaki Gyoku (Jade?) Shishi, with an inscription inside stating it was named a famous piece of the Shrine in July of 192...

Height: 16.5 cm (6.7 in)
Width: 12 cm (4.8 in)

Quality Chinese sapphire blue porcelain tea caddy depicting Eliza images in domestic and rural settings, all surrounded by rocks, bamboo and plantain; the lid is decorated with a young boy; minor scuff marks; good condition; email for more pictures

Satsuma ceramic lobed bowl adorned with raised enamels and fine gold details, depicting a vibrant landscape within. Characters and traditional Japanese homes emerge from the landscape while in the background, mountains and snow-capped Mount Fuji add a touch of grandeur to the scene. The inner rim of the bowl features a charming butterfly pattern. Outside, the all-round decoration offers a spectacle of a lake landscape, full of plants, flowers and sparrows circling in the air. Signed Juz...