Kawase Hasui
Snow at Heian Shrine Kyoto
Date: 1948
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower right, indicating a first state produced between 1946-1957.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.5 inches.
Reference: Hotei #510.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top margin has two original drying pinholes.

Decidedly masculine in character with straight sculpted edges, a rich palette of color, and a calm steadiness in the hand; this tea bowl was crafted by one of Japan’s great masters, a Mashiko potter by the name of Takauchi Shugo.

A native of Tokyo, Takauchi (b. 1937) took the well-established path of working for a company after graduating from university and it was not until a number of years later—upon visiting the town of Mashiko and being inspired by the works of artists such...

An antique Japanese Ko Bo Tansu (personal storage chest with locking bar) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hinged door hides three small drawer behind. Unusual tapered locking bar design. All original finish and hand made iron fittings with Kakute handles.

Contemporary uses include using it as a bedside nightstand or complementing any room as a side table.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 26 3/4" Wide x 23 1/2" High x 14" Deep

An antique Japanese Gyosho Tansu also known as a merchant peddler's chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Five drawers behind the hinged front door and a sixth drawer below the door. The sides have upper iron cord holding rings and cord holes at the bottom which allowed the merchant to carry this tansu on his back while transporting his wares. All original hand made iron hardware.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" Wide x 27" High x 19" Deep

This extraordinary mizusashi is a fine example of Oni Shino (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the mid-50’s after countless failed experiments—which ultimately culminated in the discovery of this unique style of pottery—“Oni” translates roughly to demon or ogre. Fired at extreme temperatures for days in an anagama kiln, the iron in the clay and in the glaze fuses, drips, and coalesces—while at the same time blending with the...

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Senso Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the lord of the tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chozaemon came with him and established Ohi-yaki ware in Kanazawa. Chozaemon had been the chief apprentice for the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ohi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea ceremony desp...

Kawase Hasui
West Gate, Suwon (Suigen), Korea.
Korean Views Supplement Series.
Date: 1940.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Watanabe 6mm seal in the lower right corner, indicating printing between 1946-1957.
Reference: Hotei #444.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Some of the margins have a tone line.

This is a very fine, flattened, rounded square form Snuff Bottle with a straight round neck, rounded sloping shoulders, resting on a raised oval footing. Made of Black Jade. The bottle is well hollowed, decorated with slight high relief carving of a Peony flower (a symbol of beauty in China) and branch on each side. It has a very smooth and lustrous surface. It comes with a light brown and black agate stopper with spoon. The black color in jade is described by most sources as ‘very d...

Chinese Qing dynasty bronze censer, Xuande Mark. 10,5 cm diameter. Good condition.

A Burmese architectual temple carving. Would have been mounted within the structural supports of the temple design. Original pigment of gold and red show well and are vibrant. Hand carved with multi colored glass beads imbedded within each detail.

19th Century

Dimensions: 28" wide X 28" high

An antique Japanese Gifu Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest from the Gifu region of Japan) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Kaki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles and the incised decorative sliding door handles. Mortise and tenon joinery with horizontal side supports and sliding doors with Persimmon runners for strength and aesthetic beauty.

Upper display open shelf unit used to showcase seasonal decor if guests were present or ...

Japanese sumi on paper—this piece by well-known Meiji/ Taisho artist Tomita Keisen depicts a lone banana tree. Deceptively simple in style, each brush stroke made with sweeping yet calculated motions to evoke nostalgia for sultry summer days and tropical climes. Traditionally in Japan the leaves of the banana tree are used as a wrap for cooking or for carrying food for a picnic—adding to the imagery of lazy summer afternoons spent with friends, family, or perhaps lovers out in nature.
...

Semi-antique hand knotted wool carpet with rust, reds and blues, floral design, Sarouk, Persia

Size: 3.7 x 4.10'

Age: circa 1940s

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Saddled Horse with Oxford TL Test

This fine-quality pottery model of a horse was made during the early part of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a relatively highly-fired pale-coloured pottery, varying from a pale grey to a pinkish-brown in colour (this colour variation is often seen with earthenware that is more highly-fired than other pieces). It has been "cold-painted" in various coloured pigments. The two pigments that have survived the most are t...

Descended directly from the Raku household of potters in Kyoto, Ohi is known as some of the highest quality tea-ware in Japan. The 10th generation Chozaemon is especially appreciated for his masterful technique and high-quality pieces. This one has the added distinction of being endorsed by Hōunsai, the 15th head tea master of Urasenke and of having a expertly applied gold repair along the front of the vessel. Perfect for collectors and practitioners of tea alike.

Born the son of t...

An elegant basin by Fukami Sueharu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seihakuji Sanso Hachi. It is 21 cm (8-1/4 inches) diameter, 8.5 cm (3-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. Fukami Sueharu is synonymous with seihakuji celadon. Born in Kyoto in 1947, he graduated the Kyoto Ceramics Research School in 1965. It was in 1981 that he was first recognized followed by grand prize at the Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition the following year. In ’84 he would be awarde...

Gold willows drape over the highly unusual silver-tinged blue lacquer surface of this water container by Tonami Sosai II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Uwajima Nuri Seigin Yanagi Te-oke Mizusashi (Silver Blue Uwajima Lacquer, Willow, Bucket Shaped Mizusashi). The outside is a shimmering blue tinged with silver, while inside is black covered in powdered silver flake. A striking combination. The willow is delicately depicted in tendrils of gold about the circumference, on the...

A very rare colored figurine of a egret standing, foot raised, by Miyanaga Tozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Known best for his celadon and sometsuke porcelains and tea ware, this figurine is a scarce example of his talent with figuration. Beautifully rendered in life-like detail, it is 21 cm (8 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture, and graduated fr...