IKEBANA

Assemblage of five iron branding stamps originally used for Japanese confectionery (wagashi), paired with a well-used wooden block with a slit that once served as a craftsman’s work surface. Japan, Shōwa period (early to mid-20th century). Branding stamps approx. 30 cm (11.8 in) in length. Wooden block approx...

A large rice bag made of fragments which are handspun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. They plain, katazome (stencil-resist dye), stripes and checks. Rice bag is used for dedicating rice or grains to a shrine or a temple. In excellent condition. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:52cm, H:27cm when it is flat

Wisdom embedded in each angle of this ancient celadon sage. Jurojin is one of the seven lucky gods and is modeled after a Taoist Immortal as the god of longevity. Holding the sacred 'Hoju'gem of the void. With original box. Excellent condition. H:38cm x W: 22cm x Depth: 16cm. Ask for shipping quote from CA.

I have never seen before a Suzuri Ink-grinding stone made from slate containing fossilized sea shells. This is a very unusual item incorporating the shells themselves into the design, the ink well is cut deep into the surface, covered by a beautifully carved rosewood cover. The stone comes in an ancient black lacquered wooden box, undeniably Edo period. The stone is 20 x 26 x 8.5 cm (8 x 10-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition.

Rare Japanese Nabeshima Dantsu Cotton Carpet, Indigo Dyed, 20th Century

A rare and finely made Japanese Nabeshima Dantsu cotton carpet from the 20th century.
This piece is an excellent example of Japan’s distinctive carpet-weaving tradition, produced in extremely limited quantities using traditional hand-weaving techniques.
Nabeshima Dantsu carpets require several months to complete, and today only a very small number of workshops continue their production...

OTOME

Old hand-carved wooden signboard featuring the two kanji characters for 'otome' — a word meaning “maiden” or “young woman,” often associated with purity or youthful elegance. Likely used as a shop or establishment sign in Japan, Shōwa period, 20th century. Thought to have been repurposed from an old wooden cutting board. Approx. 41 × 21 × 3.5 cm (16.1 × 8.3 × 1.4 in)...

Small serving plate made of very fine, brown stoneware. It is covered with slip, in which lines forming a kind of sunburst were created by a brush. Covered with a satin mat, dark brown glaze and yellowish amber glaze with red-brown speckles. Five very small spur marks.

Unsigned. Mingei (folk art).

Koishiwara or Onta ware, Japan, 1970s-1980s

H 1.1 x diam. 6 in.

Excellent condition

Both Koishiware and Onta are in Kyushu...

Oil plate, used for catching oil dripping from a lantern inside the house, aburazara in Japanese. Fine stoneware covered in a whitish opaque glaze with fine crackle on top of which a spatter design, using stencils, has been applied, representing the first dream of the New Year: Mount Fuji, falcon (and eggplant (eggplants not present)). The falcon is imaged by a (family) crest comprising two tail feathers...

Beautiful Horagai Conch Shell Trumpet, Meiji Period

A rare and impressive horagai conch shell trumpet traditionally used by samurai and yamabushi (mountain ascetics).
This large and finely shaped specimen shows a beautiful natural patination developed over time, with an elegant lacquered wooden mouthpiece attached to the tip...

ASSORTMENT OF NATURAL TANZAKU PAPER & STRING

Handmade Japanese washi tanzaku paper with natural-fiber strings. Japan, early 20th century. Wider sheets: approx. 9 × 45 cm (3.5 × 17.7 in), stack height about 7 cm (2.8 in)...

Enormous Rare Wooden Brazier Hook, Keyaki Wood, Meiji Period (19th Century)

A rare and massive wooden brazier hook (jizaikagi) traditionally used in the homes of wealthy farmers, suspended above the irori (traditional Japanese hearth).
Expertly carved from a single block of Keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) — one of Japan’s most prized hardwoods, celebrated for its durability and striking grain...

LACQUERER’S TOOL BOX

Wooden toolbox once used by a Japanese lacquer craftsman. Meiji period (1868-1912). Approx. 27.8 × 16.9 × 19.8 cm (10.9 × 6.7 × 7.8 in). Includes a large wooden spatula stored inside...

A unique Edo Period Tengu (Devilish Imp) Mask with an inscription and a handle in the back for use in parades. In fact, this was purchased directly from a Japanese parade participant by Irwin Hersey in Japan in the 1960's, after the parade was over. 8h x 5w x 5.75d inches, 20.5 x 12.5 x 14.5 cm. Wood with traces of pigment. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s...

Large, Powerful Tengu Mask by the Renowned Artisan Hashimoto Yoshinobu of the Miharu Choshi mingei studio. One of the most fantastic examples of a Tengu that you will ever see. Mid 20th Century. Papier mache on mountain-grown willow wood. 18h x 18d x 8w inches, 46h x 46d x 20w cm. Height with beard: 36 inches, 91.5 cm.

OVERSIZED RICE-PADDY GETA

Unusually large wooden field geta sandals (ta-geta) worn during rice planting to prevent the feet from sinking into the mud...

An antique Japanese bamboo Ikebana basket woven free form inspired by an organic Art Nouveau era. Smooth Wisteria branches incorporated in the handle and surrounding body structure. Six sided foot with hexagon woven support at the base. The body creates a woven geometric Kasuri (Ikat) pattern with multi-layered bamboo along the shoulder.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 17" High by 10 3/4" Wide by 10 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese ikebana (flower) basket by Yokota Hōsai (1899–1975). Made of thin split bamboo woven in a horizontal pattern. Unusual in form, the basket is made to look as if the shoulders are collapsing inward while the mouth remains upright - a whimsical visual effect giving it a pushed-in look. The handle is made of a thicker section of bamboo that has been twisted.
The bottom is signed by the artist: 峰斎作 "Made by Hōsai" / "Work of Hōsai"
Another basket by Hōsai ...

An antique Japanese Ikebana bamboo basket woven in an iconic barrel construction with a vase-like body and a free form gnarled Wisteria handle. Woven in slatted and finely sliced bamboo with a foot rim and a 16 point incorporated circular star woven at the base.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22 1/4" High by 9 1/2" Diameter