A surprisingly relaxed cup with steep sides decorated both inside and out with a single joined black brush trace by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box. It is covered in a millet colored glaze with a crawling dry black line circling the body. The form is slightly slumped on one side, exuding an unperturbed confidence. It is roughly 7.5 cm (3 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, in a box annotated by her nephew.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima. Yoko ...

A wide Hai (sake cup) covered in earthen glaze with vibrant blue lines undulating through the basin by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box. The blue has worked its way into the pale glaze, creating a stark texture in the riches line through the bowl. It is 9.2 cm (roughly 3-3/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, in a box annotated by her nephew.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima. Yoko came to Kyoto where she initially studied painting at the Kyoto Ta...

A fabulous image in blue of a wide shouldered beast by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled simply Dobutsu (animal). The clay is rolled and folded, attached and glazed in blue prior to bisk-firing. Due to this unusual method, the blue seems to permeate out of the clay, not into it. This style was a particular staple of the work of Shigemori after 2000 and the animal series came after her early abstract sculptures, and prior to her three-dimensional landscapes. The creature is...

Earth tones mix with rivulets of copper green emboldened with flashes of jet black on this vase by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled Oribe Tetsuki Kabin (Oribe Vase with Handle). The green is almost liquid, and gives the impression if you look away it will change. The blacks are solid and brisk, obviously performed spur of the moment and to wondrous effect. The vase is 26 cm (10-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. It comes in a box annotated by her brother.
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Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Dish

This blue & white "Swatow" (or "Zhangzhou") porcelain dish was made during the Wanli Reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. Its height is actually greater than many similar-sized Swatow dishes so perhaps it is better to call it a shallow bowl. It is coated in a thick glaze and decorated in underglaze blue. The pattern is of an elaborate garden scene featuring a long-tailed bird and a peony, the peony symbolising riches, love, affection...

Chinese Kangxi Famille Verte Porcelain Bowl

This attractive porcelain bowl was made during the Kangxi reign (1662 - 1722) of the Qing Dynasty. It is made from a particularly translucent porcelain and decorated with a geometric band and flower sprays in underglaze blue as well as green, red, black and yellow enamels and gilding. There is an iron-brown wash around the rim edge to prevent fritting of the glaze. It has no restoration or cracks and has a good high-pitched ring when tapped, althou...

Fine Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl - Bird

This very attractive porcelain bowl was made during the second half of the 16th century, c.1570 - 1590. The outer wall is very nicely decorated in underglaze blue, the pattern featuring a bird within a floral landscape. A flower blossom within two rings decorates the inside centre. To the base is a four-character mark (not translated).

Diameter 12.5 cm. This bowl is in fine condition. There is the most insignificant "fritting" ...

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
Rice Planting (Taue)
Date: 1953. First edition.
Publisher: Unsodo.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16 x 10.625 inches.
Signed and sealed in Japanese in the image. Signed in English at lower margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A black stroke circles this white-washed earthy bowl by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled simply Kowan (small bowl which also sounds oddly like Koan, or Zen Riddle). It is 10 cm (4 inches) diameter, 7 cm (3- inches) tall and in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden box annotated by her nephew.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima. Yoko came to Kyoto where she initially studied painting at the Kyoto Tankidai Art College, then moved to ceramics at the Kyo...

Antique pair of Chinese Shi (fu-lions). Carved of wood and lacquered red. These traditional guardians were placed on either side of an important door to guard against dangerous spiritual elements and people. They are male (with his paw on a ball) and female (with a cub).

Age: early 20th century

Dimensions: 18 1/4: high x 18" wide x 14" deep. And 18 3/4" high x 19" wide x 15" deep.

Antique Japanese theatre mask of a mujina, which could mean either badger or raccoon-dog (tanuki). Both creatures are famous in Japanese folklore for their shapeshifting abilities. One of his most popular appearances is in the story of a mujina yokai (shape shifter) who becomes a kozō (little monk) and stands by empty roads at night. The other is of a tanuki who turns himself into a teapot. Mujina can also take the form of a faceless ghost. This mask is carved of wood and lacquered a deep re...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Full width top drawer over a compartment with sliding panels and one interior shelf. Two medium sized drawer on the bottom left. On the right hand side of the chest are 3 small drawers over a safebox. The safe door opens to reveal two small interior drawers. Hardware is made of iron and includes rounded lock plates, warabite shaped drawers pulls, corner bracing and two keys.

Age: Meiji Period (186...

Diameter approximately 41 cm. In good condition.

Height approximately 48 cm. There are parts that are scratched, not cracked, not see through on the back. More pictures are available. In good condition.

Random patterns in translucent blue over pale earth tones decorate this lidded cube by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a compartmentalized signed wooden box titled Tanshoku Jikiro (Soft color Ceramic Box). It is roughly 14 x 14 x 12.5 cm (5-1/2 x 5-1/2 x 5 inches) and is in excellent condition, in a box signed by her nephew. Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima. Yoko came to Kyoto where she initially studied painting at the Kyoto Tankidai Art College, then moved to ceramics at the Kyoto...

Height approximately 35 cm. More pictures are available. In good condition.

Ito Yuhan
Watercolor Painting
Depicting a footbridge above a waterfall.
Date: 1930s.
Size: 13.25 x 9.75 inches.
Signed "Y. Ito" at lower left
Condition: Brilliant color. The top back has paper residue. A couple of very faint foxing marks in upper left corner.
Ito Yuhan is known for his woodblock prints that have a watercolor-like appearance.