A beautifully formed earthen flask from the Bizen region, the fire-buffed side still gleaming softly while opposite it has absorbed time into the porous clay. It comes enclosed in a box titled Ko Bizen Kaijo Ko-Tokkuri, inside the lid is annotated the dimensions and the dating Momoyama Jidai no Saku (Made in the Momoyama period) signed by the great Bizen connoisseur Katsura Matasaburo. It is 6.5 cm (2-1/2 inches) diameter, 13.5 cm (5-1/4 inches) tall and in overall fine condition...

Antique Japanese bronze usubata in the shape of a boat. Held up by little waves, it seems to float along on the water. Made for ikebana flower arranging. Signature on the bottom in a raised cartouche.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 5 1/4" high x 9" long x 5 1/4" wide

Japanese antique woodblock print by Utamaro (1753-1806) of a young nobleman on horseback holding a hunting falcon. Surrounding his horse are three beautiful female attendants and a young boy holding another falcon. In the background, Mt Fuji rises from the mist.

Utamaro is most famous for his bijin-ga (pictures of beauties). He was taught by Sekien and heavily influence by Kiyonaga. Utamaro is considered one of the great masters of Japanese woodblock printing...

Japanese antique woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825) of a woman and boy. The lady holds a bamboo branch festooned with decorations possibly for the Tanabata Festival. In the upper left is a blossoming branch hung with paper strips of writing (tanzaku). During Tanabata this writing would be wishes.
Toyokuni I started work in the studio of Toyoharu at the age of 14. He was heavily influenced by the print artist, Utamaro...

Hemp bag with age, Meiji 24 (1892) and the owner's name, Sahiko (佐彦）、whose warps and wefts are hand-plied. It has very well-done mending and reinforcement stitches, and also a mending patch. It has letters "25 sheets", but it is not clear what was put in. It is from Niigata prefecture. In good condition. W:29.5cm, L:52cm

Bag made of one kind of hemp, probably imported one, such as jute or sisal, which is used for coins. It has many mending patches. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:38.5cm, L:70cm

Inro with 4 squares decorated with Toba riding his mule, on the reverse a rooster under a bamboo. Toba, the rooster and the bamboo are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and lacquered with gold powder on a background of red lacquer in slight relief. The mule is inlaid with pewter. This style of inlay is from Ogawa Haritsu (Ritsuo) who was active in Japan at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th...

One of my favorite potters, here is an exquisite yellow tinged vase like the dilapidated bamboo vase in the tea room by Sakata Keizo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hagi Takegata Hanaire. The clay is thick and heavy, giving the ephemeral form strength and juxtaposed sense of permanence. It is 32.5 cm (13 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Sakata Keizo (1949-2004) was born into the traditional Hagi pottery family of Sakata Deika...

Boxwood netsuke depicting a Karashishi with his mouth wide open, accompanied by a perforated ball, protected with his front paws, a symbol indicating a male shishi, representative of the Yang principle and male energy. Signed Minkoku. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.5 x 2.7 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory netsuke depicting a large open lotus flower with a frog and a crab looking at each other. The patina is light on the front and more yellowish underneath. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 2.4 x 4.5 x 3.9 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Boxwood shunga netsuke with skillfully carved natural himotoshi depicting two mushrooms. A touch of genius is found in the depiction of the smallest mushroom, which is placed upside down above the larger one's head. From this small cavity emerges a delicate caterpillar carved from blond horn. Engraved signature Masatomo 正友. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 2.4 x 4.2 x 3.6 cm. State of conservation: Excellent condition - There are natural openings in the wood.

Jizai okimono of an articulated hammered copper praying mantis.

The praying mantis (in Japanese, kamakiri) is considered an auspicious symbol.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 3.15 in / 8.5 cm – width: 3.94 in / 10.5 cm – depth: 4.72 in / 12.5 cm

Rectangular kobako box in takamaki-e and kirigane gold lacquer circled with pewter depicting a lake landscape. Inside and back of the box in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japan – Edo period (1612-1868)
Height: 0.8 in (2.6 cm) – width: 2.4 in (6.7 cm )– depth: 3.1 in (8 cm)

Takamaki-e and kirigane lacquer kobako box depicting two samurai entering an enclosure. Four guards block their access. The side is decorated with cherry blossoms in maki-e lacquer on a fundame background. Interior in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japan - Edo period (1612-1868)
Height: 0.4 in / 1.5 cm - Width: 1.97 in / 5.3 cm - Depth: 1.97 in / 5.3 cm

Jizai okimonoof an articulated wooden lobster. This one is a Japanese spiny lobster(ise-ebiin Japanese), a lobster species of Pacific Ocean that grows upto around 12 in (30 cm). It is a popular item in high-class Japanese cuisine. Wooden jizai okimono are quite rare. They are mostly made of metal (iron, copper, silver, shakudô, etc.). In 1876, the Haitōrei decree was proclaimed, prohibiting the use of swords by anyone other than the military and the police...

Jizai okimono of an articulated crab in bronze with dark brown patina.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 2 in / 5 cm – width: 7 in / 18 cm – depth: 3.9 in / 10.5 cm

Pair of bronze vases adorned with inlays, decorated with two Onagadori roosters, known for their elegant length of tail. The roosters are represented perched on a plum branch. Signed by Yoshimasa for Nogawa company. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 17 x 7 x 7 cm. State of conservation: Excellent condition – With wooden bases and tomobako (storage box)

A rare Arita export dish decorated in Kakiemon style with a pair of Hoo birds, (Fenghuang or Pheonixes) amongst rocks and flowers, Peonies and Chrysanthemums. The rim decorated with a Bird and vine pattern arabesque. Identical dishes exist painted in this pattern but enamelled in the classic Kakiemon palette. The “Bird bird and vine” pattern appears on “Kakiemon” export teapots of the same period. The curious blobs arranged in groups of three, represent Stars, Hoshi...