This is a superb Bunraku puppet of the historical figure Minamoto Yoshitsune, one of the lead characters from the Tale of the Heikei and legendary fighter in Japan. The doll is incredibly mobile. Head moving up and down, his eyes open and close and move left to right. His eyebrows can be raised and lowered, and mouth opened or closed, all from toggles inside his kimono on the extended neck piece. The puppet is in perfect condition and stands 43 inches to the top of his topknot, complete with ...

This is an extremely rare cloisonne masterpiece. It was created by one of the great Meiji artists, Ogasawara Shuzo. It is also a very large piece for cloisonne, at 14 3/4 inches wide and 7 tall. It probably weighs over 10 lbs. The entire dragon is raised relief. This is an eye catching piece that truly belongs in a Museum. Condition is excellent.

Reminiscent of an excavated Haniwa figure of a house, this museum quality vase is by Koinuma Michio and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled very simply Tsubo. It is an iconic work by this eclectic artist, whose work is entirely unique and easily discernible. It is 27.5 cm (11 inches) square, 37 cm (14-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. Due to size this will require special shipping consideration.
Koinuma Michio is a compelling figure unique among contempora...

The size of Makie Kobako: 3 3/4" Long x 3" Wide x 3" High. This is Amazingly Fine Japanese 19 th Century Japanese Antiques Makie Kobako(small box). The Kobako has Roiro(black) background Makie with Hira Makie gold design of Japanese trees as well as Japanese Kamon(family crest). One tree looks like Magnolia tree with flowers. It is finely done. The Kobako came with inside tray as well. The side of Kobako with Red Makie finish over cloth texture finish as photo showing. Between red makie cloth fi...

Wow! Is what comes to mind the first time you see this daring silver glazed organic Kake Hana-ire by Okumura Hiromi. The clay folds about onto itself, forming a seed-like pod, with an opening in the top and wings extending out both sides. A wire loop is affixed to the back for wall hanging. A signed and stamped wooden plackard by the artist accompanies the piece. It is 11 x 14 x 5 inches (28 x 36 x 13 cm) and is in fine condition.
Okumura was born in Kyoto in 1953, and was thus from...

An incredible organic form, the delicate petals appearing to waft in some tide by Shingu Sayaka enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A closed bud on the side is lined with hundreds of tiny sharp needles in black. It is 6 x 5 x 4 inches (15 x 13 x 10 cm) and in excellent condition.
Shingu Sayaka was born in Osaka, the industrial and commercial heartland of central Japan, in 1979. She graduated the Osaka University of Arts in 2001, before being selected as an artist in residence ...

A massive tiger defensively nudges the female deity on this amazing 19th century silk Fukusa. Hand-painted and composed from patchwork patterns of lavish antique brocades and featuring glass eyes and metal teeth and claws sewn into the fabric of the creature. The piece is backed with red rinzu silk patterned with cranes and plum blossoms. It is 23-1/2 x 25-1/2 inches (59 x 64 cm) and is in fine condition. It comes wrapped around a pillow in a large kiri-wood box.

A great stoneware vessel of oblong shape on an elevated foot decorated with all-over tetsu-yu, mottled iron-rust glaze with irregular brush lines in black red and green. This is absolutely one of the best Buichi's piece! H. 17 x L 17 x W 11 cm. Showa Period. Very good condition. **** Kawai Buichi (1890–1989), was a nephew of Kawai Kanjiro, Japan’s most famous potter of the 20th century. He began his training as a potter under his uncle in 1928 in Kyoto. In 1949 he joined the National Pa...

An exquisite work of micro-calligraphy by young female artist Tamura Seito IV enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Karakusa moyo koro. It is roughly 4 inches tall and in new condition. Tamura Seito is a fourth-generation potter and chosen to inherit the tradition of Saiji micro-calligraphy for the Tamura family. She graduated Tsukuba University in 2004, then began to study under Tamura Keisei. In 2007 she graduated the Ishikawa prefectural Kutani Research Center and began a fell...

A beautifully carved tray of overlapping leaves interspersed with clustered grapes by Ichikawa Shudo signed on back in a circular cartouche. In one corner an odd round tail leads us to a squirrel head popping through the leaves, as if one were looking up through the vines toward the sky. It is 46 x 35 x 3 cm (roughly 18 x 14 x 1 inches) and is in overall fine condition, There is a slight warp to the bottom of the tray, but it is still bery usable and there is no damage to the carving. Ichikaw...

Pair of natural Amber Earrings, 3/8" wide somewhat faceted shape with gilded silver mount. The condition is good.

Carved amber glass snuff bottle, a stylized animal head to each side. China, late 19th century. Height "2/ 5.2 cm. Condition: minimal nicks to rim (cf. pics).

Large Natural Amber Pendant, Butterscotch light color, 1 3/8" high, 7/8" wide, 1/2" deep, made to a necklace with black rope.

Lovely Qing Dynasty amber colored agate ovoid form snuff bottle, with an oval foot rim surrounding a shallowly recessed flat base, with mask handles on each side. The bottle is very well-hollowed and "thin walled". Includes brass/red corral lid. Height of bottle itself is 2 inches. High resolution images may be emailed to you on request.

This Meiji period incense burner is made of fine white porcelain with a silver globe decorated with autumn foliage. As with much of Japanese pottery from this era, it is fashioned after classic Chinese pieces from the Song Dynasty. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is of the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produc...

Japanese Jubako, traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes, represent not only culinary refinement but also an important aspect of Japanese food culture. These elegantly tiered containers, often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, are integral to the presentation of special occasion meals such as New Year’s celebrations and formal picnics. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Jubako boxes like the one featured here showcase the artistry of Japanese lacquerwa...

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...

A highly original work by Iga potter Nakata Atsushi. The description on the box reads “Mentori Chawan” in this case “men” meaning side, or edge, and “tori” meaning to shear off, or to remove. The name describes how various surfaces of the tea bowl have been shaved off at angles to create this compelling form. As can be seen in the images above, the shaved edges are highlighted by alternating dark and light surfaces with different glazing techniques.

Born in Toyama Prefec...