A sleek design by contemporary metal casting star Hannya Kankei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 13 cm (5 inches) diameter, 20.5 cm (8 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Hannya Kankei was born4th generation into a metalcraft family in Takaoka in 1933 and studied metal casting under future Living National Treasure Katori Masahiko (1899-1988)...

A spectacular Lacquer Kazari-bako box covered in powdered silver over which are spilled vibrantly designed Hanafuda playing cards dating from the Taisho period and enclosed in a fine red-lacquered wooden storage box signed Hakuo and sealed Iriyama-no-in. A large silk chord which billowing tassels binds the lid of the box. It is 25.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 cm (10 x 8-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches) and is in overall fine original condition, with toning to the lacquer and silver typical of a century of exposure...

A beautiful white porcelain box by female artist Tanzawa Yuko dating from 2004 enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sakura-mon Tobako. It is 22 cm (roughly 9 inches) diameter, 14.5 cm (5-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. About her work she says In my style of expression I use a variety of different flowers as motifs on a white base. I apply traditional overglaze painting techniques, but aim at a contemporary impression...

A cubic container by Shigemori Yoko of slab sides with torn rim covered in blue over white with enigmatic black brush-stroke creatures enclosed in a wooden box titled Koshijiro CUBE signed Shigemori Saku and endorsed inside by her brother Naoki. It is 15.7 x 15.7 x 15.7 cm (roughly 6-1/4 x 6-1/4 x 6-1/4 inches) and in excellent condition, directly from her estate.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima...

A Japanese six-panel paper folding screen depicting a garden of white and yellow chrysanthemums, with delicate touches of red, arranged along an elegant fence against a background of gold and silver leaf. The raised flowers, executed in gofun, stand out for their luminosity and painterly precision...

An ivory netsuke depicting a horse in a characteristic posture, with its head lowered toward the ground and its legs held together, while the tail falls over the back beneath the himotoshi. The smooth surface to the touch displays a warm patina and softly modelled volumes. Period: Meiji period, late 19th century. Dimensions: 6.1 × 3.8 × 2.2 cm. Condition: Excellent condition. Some natural age lines typical of the material are present.

A boxwood netsuke depicting Shōki with a small oni attempting to escape his sight. The oni clings to Shōki’s hat in search of refuge, while Shōki strides forward holding his sword firmly in his right hand. Period: Edo period, late 19th century. Dimensions: 7.1 × 2.9 × 2.5 cm. Condition: Excellent condition.

An ivory netsuke depicting a snail advancing across a group of leaves, bamboo, and small fruits. On the reverse, the himotoshi are skillfully integrated into the carved design. Period: Meiji period, late 19th century. Dimensions: 3.7 × 3.4 × 1.3 cm. Condition: Excellent condition.

A triptych in lacquered wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Japan, late 19th century. A three-panel wooden screen covered in the finest quality black Urushi lacquer (roiro), deep, thick, and durable. The inlays are in the style of the Shibayama family. The design depicts a peacock perched on a centuries-old plum tree still in bloom. The tree emerges from a bed of everlasting peonies. The inlays are made of mother-of-pearl, bone, and precious woods. The frame is rosewood...

This stunning Chawan by Sakai Kobu seems to glow red like the burning embers of the kiln, the surface molten with crystalline formations dripping from the bottom. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nezumi Shino Chawan. It is 11.5 cm (4-1/2 inches) diameter, 10.5 cm (just over 4 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Sakai Kobu (b. 1936) has dedicated himself to the reproduction of Momoyama Shino, thoroughly researching traditional Mino materials and techniques...

A deep bowl if textured clay covered in black glaze with an abstract of dribbled silver in the center by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled Hai (Sake cup). It is 8.2 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden box annotated by her nephew.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima...

A fox dressed in the robes of a priest walking under the moonlight by Otani Kubutsu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Ink and light color on silk in a fine slik border, the scroll is 48.5 x 192 cm (19-1/2 x 75-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Otani Kubutsu (1875〜1943 ) was a monk of the Jodo Shinsyu sect, and served as the 23rd head monk of Higashi Honganji temple He was born as the second son of Ōtani Kōei...

Deep within an abstract forest misted with gold fog, an exquisite Mizusashi water jar for use in the Japanese Maccha Tea Ceremony by pioneering glass artist Ishii Koji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Tefuki Garassu Mizusashi. With incised signature on the base, it retains the original black lacquered wooden lid...

This beautiful and very modern hand hammered vase of almost globular shape is decorated with golden strokes on a deep red ground. Made by Gyokusendo workshop, most probably under the skilful eyes of Masai Tamagawa, the 6th generation head artist of the workshop. It has the old Gyokusendo mark engraved on the bottom and an engraved name (?) . H...

A contemplation stone in dramatic ink work accompanied by a jagged poem by Kikuchi Keigetsu dated 1922 enclosed in a period wooden box. Ink on paper in a silk mounting featuring solid ivory rollers. It is 43 x 217 cm ’17 x 85-1/2 inches) and in overall fine condition, with toning to the paper consistent with age and exposure.
Kikuchi Keigetsu (1879-1955) was born in Nagano, and studied Nanga under Kodama Katei before apprenticing to Kikuchi Hobun in Kyoto. He spent a year in Europe, ...

Although I love Bizen pottery for myself, I rarely offer it on the website as the colors are so subtle and designs often so very Japanese. This stunning vase by the rare (certainly for her era) female potter Konishi Toko II in the shape of two overlapping lotus leaves is a striking exception. Two lotus leaves complete with stems overlap forming the basin upon which crawls a large crab toward the opening. It stands out in a room of Bizen as if ringing a bell. It is 23 x 21 x 23 cm (9 x 8 x 9 i...

A fabulous early work by Wada Morihiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Saido Sugimon Utsuwa. This was originally sold at the preeminent Takashimaya Nihonbashi Art Gallery in 1984. It is 23.5 cm (11-1/4 inches) tall, 18 cm (7-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, retaining the original wrapping cloth, and Takashimaya exhibition papers.
Wada Morihiro (1944-2008) is one of the most important artists to come from the Kasama tradition. He was born in Hyogo prefe...

A large Oil Spot tea bowl ranging from shiny metallic black to rust red to perfectly offset the whipped green Maccha Tea by master of the genre Kimura Morikazu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Tenmoku-yu Chawan. It is 12 cm (5 inches) diameter, 9.5 cm (just less than 4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kimura Morikazu was born to the house of a Kyo-yaki potter and studied under Ishiguro Munemaru, He established his first kiln in the Gojo Zaka area of Kyoto in 1947,...