Japanese limited edition color etching and aquatint titled "Paris" by Kenji Ushiku (1922-?). Pencil-signed, titled, and numbered 63/150 in the bottom margin. Ushiku was particularly active in the 1960s and 1970s. There is a pencil notation of "4-80-45" at the bottom edge which could perhaps imply a date of April 1980. Paper size: 15 1/2" x 22." Very good overall condition. Printed on heavy rag paper with large margins. Never framed.

Japanese limited edition copperplate etching titled “Manpukuji Temple” by Tanaka Ryohei (b. 1933). Pencil-signed, dated 2002, and numbered 11/150 in the lower margin. Paper size about 12" x 10 1/4" (image: 8" x 6 1/2"). Excellent condition.

Japanese limited-edition abstract sosaku hanga woodblock print by Hideo Hagiwara (1913-2007) titled "Bird." The print is pencil-signed, dated '58, and numbered 5/30 on the bottom margin. This print is an example of a reverse printed image on fine, transparent, slightly crinkled paper that is characteristic of his early work. There is an old inventory number (586A) at lower edge verso. Image size: 10 3/4"V x 14 3/4"H (paper: 13"V x 17"H). Very good overall condition. There are four tape sta...

Japanese kabuki actor doll, dressed as a fearsome white lion with long, flowing mane, made with real hair. He wears silk garments of bright orange, white and grey, with his face done in traditional cat eye makeup of white, black, and red.

Size: 16.75" x 13.75" x 20.5" H

A large sized hanging scroll of a landscape in the literati style by Okuhara Seikou (1837-1913). Seikou was one of the few female artists who specialized in the literati tradition (known as Bunjinga or sometimes associated with Nanga). An inscription can be found on the top left of the painting where a short Chinese poem is describing how the guests are approaching through the mists found among the hills of the landscape. Interestingly, at the end of the inscription the artist signs that she com...

Here is a fine squat jar form vase, the deep red clay covered in fish-eyed tenmoku glaze by Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuho) Shimizu Uichi (1926-2004), enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Iron red shows through with startling effect like meteorites in a dark night sky of blue and brown. It measures 6-1/2 inches (16.5 cm) tall, the same diameter. Shimizu is known for the soft persimmon red temmoku (iron oxide) glaze, as well as crackled white and celadon glazes. This is an exc...

Japanese 20th century bronze vase by Living National Treasure bronze artist TAKAMURA TOYOCHIKA (1890-1972). TOYOCHIKA was the son of he famous sculptor TAKAMURA KOUN. In 1908 he became the student of famous bronze artist TSUDA SHINOBU and in 1915 he graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. He received many awards at TEITEN and other major exhibitions. He was recognized as Living National Treasure in 1964 for his specialty in metal casting using the lost wax method. This particular vase is o...

Mountains rise majestically over meandering inlets on this vase by Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Yama Sometsuke Kabin (Vase with Mountain Design in Blue). It is 19 cm (7-3/4 inches) tall, 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter and in perfect condition. It comes with the original custom made cloth pouch and shiori. For more on this important artist see the recent edition of Arts of Asia Magazine (Spring 2021), A Seeing Eye: Modern Ceramics in Ja...

An amusing okimono for use as an incense-burner, in brown patina bronze of an anthropomorphic frog in seated meditation (zazen) or in the lotus yoga position. In the middle of the lotus is a hole for the incense stick.

Representations of this animal in human posture are not uncommon. In the 19th century, the painter Kawanabe Kyôsai (1831-1889) was already depicting frogs in epic battles or everyday scenes. Even earlier, the Chôjû-jinbutsu-giga (lit. "Caricatures of fauna characte...

Antique Japanese low-fire ceramic mask of Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese folklore. Ebisu, the god of fishing and good fortune, is often depicted with the god Daikoku. This mask wears his usual joyful expression and is perfect for wall mounting. Meiji Period 1868-1912. Size: 14" height, 13.5" width

Japanese limited-edition copperplate etching and aquatint by Tanaka Ryohei (b. 1933) titled “Tree of Mandarin” dated ‘08. Pencil-signed, dated ’08, and numbered 20/100 in the lower margin. Paper size: 10 1/2” x 11 3/4” (image: 6 1/2” x 8”). Never framed. Excellent original condition.

Japanese Limited edition etching with aquatint of a traditional Japanese farmhouse covered in snow titled “Tamba” by Brian Williams (b. 1950). The print is pencil-signed, titled, numbered 170/180, and dated ‘93 along the bottom margin. Paper size: 10 1/4"V x 14"H (image about 5”V x 8 ¼”H). Excellent condition. There are two pieces of archival tape at the top edge verso. Born in Peru, Brian Williams has been living and working in Japan since 1972. A Japanese frame with archival mat ...

Oversized limited edition Japanese sosaku hanga woodblock print by Jun'ichiro Sekino (1914-1988) depicting a solitary cat on a large tiled roof titled "Lovesick Cat." Pencil-signed and dated 1957 at the lower right margin with the artist's red seal above. Numbered 75/100 at the lower left side of the bottom margin. Paper: 20 1/4" x 12 3/4" (image: 17" x 9 7/8." Printed on fine paper. Very good overall condition with full margins. There are two faint small areas of tape stain on the top bac...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992) titled “Hasami” (variously translated as “Scissors” or “Nail Clipper”). The print is pencil-signed “Y. Mori” at the lower left, dated ’79, and numbered 24/50. The artist’s red seal is above the signature. The lower edge of the paper verso also contains the title and the original purchase price of 120,000 yen. The paper measures 17”V x 22 1/2”H. Very good overall condi...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) on crumpled hand-made momigami paper by Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) titled “The Crucifixion.” The black and white image of Jesus nailed to a red cross is set against a blue background. Mary and Saint John kneel in prayer at each side. The print is signed and dated 1980 at the lower right and numbered 11/80 at the lower left, all in white ink. The paper measures about 26”V x 23”H. The print was not previously framed...

Early Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992) titled “Okeya” depicting two barrel makers at work. This image is from a 1973 series of prints featuring artisans. The series is illustrated in a 1985 exhibition catalogue titled “Mori Yoshitoshi Kappa-ban.” The print is pencil-signed “Y. Mori” at the lower right, with the artist’s red seal above. It is dated ’73 and numbered 66/70. The lower edge of the paper also cont...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992) titled “Onna Joruri” features a female performer singing traditional narrative music to the accompaniment of a shamisen. The print is pencil-signed “Y. Mori” at the lower left, with the artist’s red seal above. It is dated ’73 and numbered 56/70. The lower edge of the paper also contains the title and the original purchase price of 70,000 yen. The paper measures 19”V x 13 5/8”...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) titled “Samurai with an Umbrella” by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). The print is pencil-signed with the artist's red seal, dated ’82, and numbered 34/50. The bottom right corner has a small "80" in pencil. Paper size: 20 1/4" x 13 1/2." Very good, clean overall condition. A tiny pencil notation with a prior owner's name "Hansen" is on the back bottom edge.