Image of a heron in water in rice-paste-resist dying technique (tsutsugaki) on cotton. The color showing are coffee brown for the background and different shades of brown with white for the heron. The image mounted as a hanging scroll, which has been cut to fit into a frame. Meiji period, late 19th century. Mingei.
Cotton image: 11 ¾ x 8 ¾ in. Frame: 36 ¼ x 13 in.
Excellent condition.

Antique Japanese warrior doll, 20" Empress Jingyo ningyo(doll) set. Clad in armor is a beautiful young widow, Empress Jingo doll with her faithful minister, Takenouchi no Sukune, holding her baby Ojin. Over time, many of the baby dolls were lost or intentionally thrown away by later generations, probably because of the lack of historical understanding. An old Samurai holding a baby is simply inconceivable and uncharacteristic of a Samurai warrior. The Empress, after losing her hair, was...

At first glance this appears to simply be a large image of a burning tree, however, look again and find the tree like figure is in the from of two entwined lovers, flames leaping from their impassioned bodies. This was likely made as an exhibition work, as it certainly would be difficult to fit into even a large Japanese home. The piece is signed Yoneda Mio, (Yoneda Mionosuke), and likely dates from the 1930s. The canvas measures 49 x 61-1/2 inches (124 x 156 cm) the frame 52-1/2 by 65 inches...

Japanese TAISHO Period carved wooden RANMA of dragon. The dragon is beautifully carved in high relief and with great detail. The back of the RANMA is also carved and has a rectangular placard with the inscription: TOKYO SHINTOMI-CHO, CHOUKOKU NIN, TAISHO SAN NEN NI GATSU, GOTO SUKEYOSHI, which translated means, Shintomi Town of Tokyo, presently the Ginza area of Tokyo, February of the 3rd year of Taisho (1915), carved by Goto, Sukeyoshi. The RANMA measures about 79" long, 12" tall and 6" thick.

White cranes soar from the black water of a lake tucked in the shadow of orange hills on this lovely mid 20th century scroll enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box by Takazaki Ko (b. 1910). Extremely delicate yellow trees reflect off the dark surface of the lake, contrasting with the thick ranks of orange marching up the hillside. Painted in the audacious style of Banka, the painting retains a quiet charm in the singular movement of the graceful birds. It measures 19-1/4 by 78...

A Japanese Samurai doll (ningyo) with the look of a Daimyo: feudal lord in the Edo period (1603-1868). The Kamishimo with long hakama trousers were only worn for special occasions in the Edo castle. The samurai's blue top kimono is made out of a wash paper (a liner to his original kimono). There is a beautiful patina on his face which is covered with a gofun mixture from the time. In the old time, doll makers used to let oyster shells sit outside for years before they could ground th...

Water tumbles from steep dark hills into a roiling sea of clouds on this painting by Japanese artist Fukuda Kodojin (1865-1944) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The erratic brushwork and radical form of this scroll typify work by the unusual self taught Nanga artist. Three tiny huts cluster on the edge of dark forest, a few paddies scratched from the rugged earth, their seeming insignificance a testament to the artists great love of nature. The scroll is 18-1/2 by 82 inches (47 x 2...

Part of a triptych with depiction of the Five Great Myoo. At the top is Kongo Yasha Myoo, standing on two lotus bases, at the bottom Gozanse Myoo, being held by an acolyte. Black ink and color on silk, background gold. Beautiful painting, expensively painted.
Painted area: 39 x 15 ¼ inches; frame: 47 ¼ x 21 in.
Good condition, framed ( rollers cut off, old mounting behind mat).

Framed painting of Shoki standing with a sword in his hand. On his head a large straw hat. Inscription on the upper left side with three red seals. Signature and seal on the lower right side: Kano …Fujiwara Masuyoshi hitsu. Ink on silk. Kano style. Rollers cut of and framed with original mounting.
Painted area: 34 1/8 x 11 ¼. Frame: 54 ¾ x 17 ¼ inches.
Silk darkened with age, stained, undulating, one minor crack, otherwise good condition.

Original hanging scroll of a tiger and a dragon, two of the regal powers. Black ink on silk. On the lower right signature with two seals. The upper reading Gan…. Painter from the Kishi family.
Mat and frame

Painted area: 37 1/8 x 13 1/8.
Frame: 19 ¼ x 48 ¾ inches.

Some creases, one tiny hole, generally in good condition.

Antique Japanese Doll by Kyoko: Dancing Sanbaso Ningyo Doll. This gorgeous doll with a face of Ichimatsu ningyo (doll) is approximately 18 inches tall on a 3/4 inch stand. The dimension of the stand is 13 inches x 10 inches x 3/4 inches. The crane is hand painted on the fabric. There are some fabric damages on the left side of her upper kimono (cloth) as shown.

Description: A QingBai dog was in perfect condition. Excavation deposits was left at the drilling holes and at the unglazed bottoms of foot. Date: Song Dynasty (12th Century) Length: 5cm Height: 4.5cm Condition: perfect.

A quaint hand-carved image of Minogame (a sea turtle) supports this antique bamboo pipe tap dating from the second half of the 19th century, the rich dark wood highly polished from a century of fond handling glows like satin. The turtle is a symbol of longevity in Japan, and often is depicted in celebratory situations. Here the creature has been chiseled out of a solid chunk of wood, head raised over the top of its shell. From a flattened are on its back rises the goma-kasu speckled bamboo tub...

Swirling eddies decorate the rim of this gorgeous vase of huge dark hollowed vine, golden minnows swimming up the sides of the natural current made by the winding wood. A very unusual piece which exemplifies the Japanese awe and care for nature. Minor burls and burs in the wood act like rocks under the swift moving water, the pattern rolling over them in a raucous rush. This special piece of wood, extremely large for a vine, appears to have been naturally hollowed out over time, the twisting ...

Description: A toy whistler from Chang-sha kiln of Tang dynasty was kept well only with glaze degradation. It was molded and applied with brownish color and straw-colored glaze. Height: 5 cm

A discreet masterpiece are words which could easily describe this gorgeous chunk of antique burled vine root carved and polished to a subtle sheen in the shape of a two tiered vase inset with bamboo pots. The piece rises from pebbly textured burl, abundant with character, like a clay pot which collapsed during firing. The second level appears to float above the first on tendrils of smoke. A startling effect. This piece truly captures the Japanese sense of respect for the natural world. It w...

Description: A Qingbai box with cover which decorated as a mandarin duck was painted with splashed russet glaze. In pale blue hue, beautiful crackles spread all over the surface. Date: Southern Song (1127-1279) Height: 5.5cm Condition: Touch-ups had been done only on the glaze in two parts separately at the rims of basin and cover.

Description: A Rare Yaozhou Baby of 12th century was excavated with obvious evidence of adhesives. With sophisticated olive-green glaze, the lying Song baby survived over 800 years and still reflected the restraint glaze glamour the excavated piece always have. For anyone who are searching for Chinese early porcelain's figurines shall never spare a museum piece like this. Date: Northern Song dynasty (12th century) Length: 5.9cm Condition: Perfect. Provenance: Johnson Lemon