This is a fine Japanese Imari blue and white transfer porcelain plate with cobalt blue scattered floral and brocade panels inside a stylized fan design on chrysanthemum ground, the base having three spur marks with cobalt floral decoration on rim. Meiji Period Condition: excellent. Measurement: 9 in.

A superb later 19th century (Bakumatsu-Meiji period) celadon image of a Rakan enclosed in a high quality wooden display box. The rather brutish features harken back to older styles seen in Korea and early Edo Japan. A stand has been carved to fit the base of the deity and slides into the box, and the figure stands6-3/4 inches (17.5 cm) tall. It is in excellent condition...

An actor in street attire standing in front of a row of shops and tea houses by Osaka artist Sadahiro (active 1830-1851) dating circa 1845. A pupil of Kunisada, Sadahiro's woodblock prints were published in Osaka in the 1830's and 1840's. The seal of the publisher Iseya Sensaburo appears on the actor's head. The artist's signature is in black ink at the lower left. Exceptional color and impression with lacquer highlights on the edge of the inner kimono and mica in the background...

A magnificent and seldom found set of Ao or Blue-Bizen Tokkuri Sake decanters dating from the Edo period enclosed in an ancient kiri-wood box. The hand-turned pieces are in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks. The undecorated clay of each pinched vessel is an unusual shade of blue/gray, thus the name. Each piece measures roughly 6 inches (15 cm) tall. An exceptional and highly sought after addition to a collection of Japanese ceramics.

A brilliantly textured Oni-Hagi bowl dating from the early 20th century by Deika (Sakata Deika XII, died 1934), the radically fissured surface ruptured by exploding inclusions; the scars connected by cracks in the glaze giving the appearance of constellations written into a yellow sky. Outside the bowl is an earthy beige, mostly eclipsed by pale white. Inside the basin is the same earthy color, while all the walls are like salt foam...

A lovely set of Taisho period studio pottery Tokkuri sake decanters; the very thin walls made of fine clay covered in earth-toned glassy glaze crackled along drip edges. A bundle of twigs alongside a kindling hearth are painted in iron on the side, with a grinding bowl and pestle of dark clay in raised relief. Along the base of one is the artists stamp reading Hozan. The base diameter is 2-1/4 inches (5.7 cm) and they stand 4-3/4 (12 cm) tall...

An incredible ivory netsuke of a Hannya devil mask with inlayed eyes. The detail in the Faust like features is absolutely superb. In this case I will let the photographs speak for us. Although not contemporary, this Netsuke dates from the mid 20th century. Due to certain features, we believe it was made in China prior to or during World War II, during Japans occupation (1932-1945). The, inlay in the eyes is consistent with this interpretation and the ivory appears to be of Indian origin...

Japanese woodblock print of a beauty and child from a series depicting powerful individuals by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Hayashiya in 7/1852. The image is signed at the right side "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (used circa 1850) within a gourd shaped cartouche. The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. Vertical oban size measuring 14 1/2"V x 9 5/4"H. Fair impression quality. Very good overall condition with minor soiling...

Hanging scroll of mandala with Guanyin sitting on a rock, surrounded by two worshiping deities in front of him and by a guardian figure in the upper left corner. Beneath him the gods of thunder and wind and rain in the clouds. Below these, Chinese figures in a mountainous landscape, occupied by different activities. On top of the painting a printed text. Unfortunately we were not able to identify the mandala and thus the meaning. Ink and color on Chinese paper...

A hand forged antique iron water pot with bronze lid for use in the Japanese Zen Tea Ceremony; handles in the shape of dragonflies embedded in the side. The upper half is grooved with concentric rings; spread wings of the dragonflies conform to the shape of the bowl while jointed bodies project out in 3-D almost 1 inch from the surface. 2 antique iron ring handles (included) are run through the body between the wings. The heavy bronze lid features a 5 petal plum blossom finial...

An Kamakura period Enso-ga in cream-colored patterned brocade with maple brown extensions and featuring rosewood rollers signed Renshabo. Renshabo was a high ranking samurai named Jiro Naozane and confidant of 13th century General Minamoto no Yoritomo...

A superb Bizen Yaki Okimono of an Okoze (stonefish) by ceramic artist Takahashi Satoshi (b. 1934) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The features of the beastly creature are very well defined, with each spine accentuated by the natural color of the flame, giving the stonefish a realistic appearance. It is 12-1/2 inches (32 cm) long. Satoshi apprenticed to Kanashige Toshiuemon, has been the recipient of numerous awards and currently resides in Okayama prefecture. This piece dates fro...

A large baluster form Sumidagawa vase decorated in slips of green and black glaze over crackled red with a three-dimensional tokage (lizard) crawling down the side. The detail on the creature is superb, from the textured body to the white claws with which it seems to grip the sides of the slippery surface. On the backside is a raised gourd shaped stamp reading Ishiguro Koko (One of the most prominent Sumidagawa potters). Sumida ware was first produced around the beginning of the 19th century,...

Japanese traditional tribal robe worn by the Ainu people of Northern Japan. Hand woven out of fine strips of elm bark with wide strips of dark indigo cotton cloth with chain stitch embroidery. minor wear consistent with age.

Circa 1920's

Length: 50 inches.

This is a lovely 18th century Japanese Arita (we think) blue and white porcelain plate, bearing a peach mark and surrounded by bats, good luck signs; decorated with bands of stylized cloud forms and flowers; rim chips; 7 3/8".

Japanese cloisonne vase of globular form with elongated neck, beautiful light green color with design of 2 white herons in flight, minor cracks on bottom not visible from front, Meiji/Taisho Period (very early 20th century). 9 3/4" high x 4 1/4" wide.

Old Japanese theater mask of "tengu" in a fierce grimace sporting a prominent proboscis. The "tengu" were mythical creatures, half-bird and half-man, who were tricksters living in pine trees in the forests. I am uncertain of the dating of this mask but estimate it was crafted in the early to mid-20th century. It may be older. It has signs of age and use. There are scattered chips on the underside of the chin and nose and at the edge of the mask and eyes. The chips reveal plaster or gesso b...

Japanese blue and white glazed Imari plate with scrolling vine motif and sho-chiku-bai (three friends of winter: plum, pine, and bamboo) motif, signed with 4 characters on back, one very minor crack near at rim otherwise great condition, Edo Period (18th century). 11 1/4" wide x 2" high.