When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So 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 des...

A magnificent and rare Amida Nyorai bronze Buddha, made in the early Edo Period, which means in the early 17th. century. This statue was made in a way called lost-wax metal casting, also known as Rougata Chuuzou, which was popular only in the 6th. century and in the Edo time.

The statue is in good antique condition with no repairs or cracks.

Size: 7,8'' height

Shipping included

A rare antique Japanese kuruma tansu (wheeled chest) originally used for storage. Made out of keyaki (elm) wood with hand forged iron hardware in very good original condition. Large sliding panels open to reveal an open shelf on the right side with a hidden storage area under the shelf. The left hand side has an open shelf with 4 drawers tucked underneath. Symmetrical uniform wooden horizontal bracing on the sides and back of tansu. Gorgeous original finish and patina. Unusual to find one ...

Rare and wonderful Kyogen Theater mask dating from the Edo period, the golden age of Noh Drama. Kyogen are short, humorous skits performed between Noh acts to lighten the mood. He has gold eyes with a rich red lacquer finish. Red represents both drunkenness and healing. The large nose gives a striking sense of comic drama. This fine mask is brilliantly carved, accentuating the depth of the mask, and adding a sense of comic theater. 8.25 by 6.5 inches, 21 x 16.5 cm.

A powerful and extremely rare Japanese Edo Period Kyogen mask of a Nio Guardian King, ferocious native deities, often associated with the Naga Dragon Kings, who converted to Buddhism and now act as bodyguards for the Buddha. The Edo period was the golden age of Noh Drama. Kyogen theater was performed between Noh acts. This mask is a brilliantly carved work of art, accentuating the dramatic power of this important mythical figure. The mask was covered in layered colored gofun (oyster shell lacq...

A very rare late Edo Period Iki Noh mask of Hannya, the jealous, revengeful demon who was once a beautiful woman. Carved of Poloma wood with many layers of lacquer. Glass eyes and horse hair. 8h x 5w x 3d inches, 20.25h x 12.75w x 7.5 cm.

Late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. This wonderful example of high quality has an extraordinary presence, sumptuous brocades, gold lacquered armor, a spectacular helmet, and many other fine details. His face is gorgeously and masterfully carved with finely burnished gofun. Figure height: 20 inches (51cm), with arrows: 25 inches (63.5 cm). Excellent Condition.

A wonderful and rare late Edo Period Musha Ningyo (Warrior doll or Boy's Day doll) of a seated Empress Warrior Jingu. She has an unusual and striking presence. She is seated (most are standing), and she has all her accessories, wearing sumptuous silk brocade textiles. She has a beautifully carved face and hands of varnished gofun. 20 inches (51cm) high and 16 inches (40.5 cm) wide.

Rare and Spectacular Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (circa 1780). A musha ningyo (Warrior doll or Boy's Day doll) modeled after the seated Toyotomi Hideyoshi in armor with an eboshi winged hat and a sword, holding a gunbai-uchiwa (military fan). This is the first one found by the same maker as the Hideyoshi in the famed Ayervais collection (cf. "Ningyo, the Art of the Human Figurine " Japan Society 1995 page 34, and "Ningyo, the Art of the Japanese Doll" by Alan Pate publis...

Edo Period Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Kawazu, an Oni with a Golden Hair Beard, circa 1700. A very rare early example with a powerful presence. 8 x 6.5 inches, 20.25 x 16.5 cm. Height with the beard is 19 inches (48.25 cm).

Rounded wan-shaped chawan with strong throwing (finger) marks, called rokuro-me. The light, very fine clay with enclosures is expertly thrown. The body is fully glazed - with the exception of the foot and its surrounding area.

The cream coloured glaze shows pink colour in some paces as we know it from Korean Gohon tea bowls. It shows discolouration from green tea and a beautiful crazing - especially on inside, a sign of many years of careful use. The style and the very fine clay indi...

This stunning masterpiece of extraordinary design is an exceedingly rare Edo Period Botankago (Peony Basket) Ikebana Basket for the Tea Ceremony, with original signed box. One of the rarest and most important baskets to come up for sale. Black with a very large handle that separates into five pieces for portability, a fine complex weave and intricate crayfish motif. A rare and important find for the serious Japanese basket connoisseur. 22.5h x 19.25w inches, 57h x 49w cm.

A rare large piece of Edo period Fushina Yaki pottery in the form of a parallelogram shaped box decorated on all sides with landscapes, including what is likely a view of Matsue castle, home of the Matsudaira clan. On hte lid cranes soar between garden rock formations. Inside a SEa Turtle, said to live 1000 years, occupies the center. Called a Jikiro, these types of large containers were used for serving and storing prepared foods. More commonly associated with tea, large works like this from...

An elegant Edo period Mokko-Gata bowl decorated in gosu floral motifs over yellow under a clear glaze from the kiln established by Chinese Ming émigré Chin Genpin (Chen Yuanyun 1587-1671) around 1660 in Nagoya under direction of the Daimyo of Owari Province Tokugawa Mitsutomo. The piece makes use of Seto clay covered in a combination of imported yellow glaze and local glazes mimicking the popular Annan Yaki of Southern China and Vietnam. It is 15.5 x 11 x 7 cm (6 x 4-1/2 x 3 inches) and is i...

A rare edo period Japanese choba (merchants) tansu from the Niigata perfection in Japan. Made of solid keyaki hardwood (including the back). Finely detailed hand forged iron of a flying crane and longevity turtle seen amongst the pine and bamboo. The lower two drawers depict a lock and drum. Stunning original finish with warm tones. 8 drawers in total each of there own size. Two small drawers with unique pull rings tucked securely behind the locking bar.
Locking bar has functional lo...

A striking soft-glazed six-sided incense burner by Maki Hokusai decorated with white flower blossoms on soft flesh colored glaze surmounted by a silver lid pierced with the character Kotobuki (Fortune) by Hata Zoroku. The pot itself is 10 cm tall, plus the sliver lid. It comes in an ancient wooden box signed by Zoroku.
Hata Zoroku I (1823-1890) learned metalwork techniques in the studio of Ryubundo in Kyoto. Hata produced works for the Imperial Household and it is known that he made the...

An Edo period image of plums blossoming on thick branches by Kitayama Kangan. Ink on paper in a patterned cloth mounting with beige piping in the Mincho style so popular int eh 19th century and featuring bone rollers. It is 21-1/2 x 78-1/2 inches (55 x 199 cm). Some minor loss to the piping at the top of the scroll, otherwise in surprisingly good condition.
Kitayama Kangan (Ba Moki, 1767-1801) was the grandson of a Chinese émigré. He studied painting under his father Ba Doryo (Also us...

A beautiful set of ten small shallow dishes, each uniquely decorated with a poem and image from the Edo period Sasashima Kiln of central Nagoya. The box, titled Sasashima Yaki Teshio Jumai (10 Sasashima Salt Dishes) is dated inside to the Tenpo era, (1830-1844). Each dish is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter and all are in excellent condition. Salt dishes were small plates used to hold salt, pickles or other condiments in a traditional Japanese meal. Finding a complete set like this in good conditi...