The dish is shaped in the form of a folded paper letter. Unusually it is decorated with a stenciled design of what appears to be a formal pattern of lightning behind an arrangement of stylised flowers. The back is simply decorated with pine needles.

Two dishes of very similar shape are illustrated in the Catalogue of the Shibata Collection, items 2604 and 2635, dated to 1690 ~ 1730.

Approximately 14cm wide. In fine condition...

Decorated with a carp diving in waterweed executed in typically thick and strongly hued enamels. The back similarly decorated with oysters and weed, the centre with a large Kutani mark.

The Yoshidaya kiln was a short-lived venture, situated in Yamashiro, intended to revive earlier Kutani-style wares. The founding investor was Toyota Denuemon IV (aka Sekio, lived 1751-1827), a businessman who used the professional name Yoshidaya...

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Upper section has two sliding doors behind which is a 1/2 split level shelf with 3 side by side drawers below. Center and bottom sections each have 2 large drawers for abundant clothes storage. All original bronze and iron hardware with an acquired original patina.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 35 3/4" Wide by 55 3/4" High by 15 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Opposing hinged doors with the right side securing 2 drawers and the left side hiding 2 removable trays and a drawer. The balance of the chest has 9 drawers of varying sizes to storage and organization. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese 2 part Usubata in bronze featuring a Minogame (age old turtle) base. Mounted to the shell is a flanged cloud rendering with four terminating columns that undulates to a removable wide rim water receptacle. Artist signed at the base of the receptacle. Beautiful craftsmanship including the fine stimple work to the underside of the turtle.

In Japan, the turtle is a good luck animal symbolizing 10,000 years of long life...

Antique Japanese pair of koro (censers) made of bronze. The round, facetted body of each koro stands on 3 small legs in the shape of leaves. The lids are similar to fans with the openings between the ribs made in an open fashion to allow for the escape of incense smoke. Each with a deep black patination.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 5" high x 4" wide each

Kawase Hasui
The Miyajima Shrine in Snow
A woodblock print mounted on a Japanese Government Railways travel poster as originally issued.
Woodblock print size: Oban. Approximately 14.875 x 10.125 inches.
Poster size: 30 x 20.25 inches.
Date: ca 1935.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Hotei #371.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: An art conservator has repaired a top margin tear on the woodblock print as well as a margin corner chip...

Cute flower vase of convex shape with a flaring mouth. Four vertical ribs, creating four segments decorated each with a small impressed chrysanthemum rosette. Fine cream-colored stoneware with a yellowish green translucent glaze with fine crackle...

An accordion album featuring calligraphy and paintings by various well known Zen priests of the first half of the 20th century. Including the opening there are 30 pages. The book is 22 x 31 cm and in overall fine condition. The opening pages are by Kutsu Deiryu (Izawa Kanshu 1895-1954, head priest of Kaiseiji), the famous protégé of Nakahara Nantenbo. It is followed by;
1. Daruma by Goto Zuigan, 1878-1965, Myoshinji, Daitokuji
2...

A mirror made of copper with wood stand which is one of "Sanshu-no-Jingi", the Three Imperial Regalia. In ancient time, all natural objects and phenomena were worshipped in Shinto, but three items such as mirror, jewel and sword are objects to be worshipped later. A mirror is often put in the shrine pavilion these days. This mirror is rather small, so it might have been put in a house shrine. In excellent condition with molded auspicious design with a crane, a turtle, pine trees and bamboos...

This large plate was fired with no glaze at the first, and the second fired pictured traditional pattern with blue glaze and the third colored picture depicted 2 Chinese men of literary taste and children playing at the garden, and the last painted with gold. The seal mark ”大明成化年製”was used at the middle Edo period, Very gorgeous piece. One more piece with the same pattern we have. Size: 41.0cm(D) 4.8cm(H)

A rare example of a Japanese bamen, samurai horse mask. Hand carved of wood to resemble the face of a dragon, this bamen was worn to express the power and prestige of the horse's owner. Custom fabricated antiqued bronze finish, ready to be enjoyed.

Age: Mid to late Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 11 1/2" high (14" high on metal stand) x 6" wide x 7" deep

Antique Japanese small zushi (traveling shrine). Red lacquer case opens to reveal the Buddha in the moment in which he attains parinirvana, dies and is released from the cycle of rebirth. Here he is recumbent on his side on an elongated lotus bed on a two tiered stand carved with blossoming branches and waves. The whole interior of the zushi is lacquered gold as is the Buddha while the lotus petals are delicately painted in colors with gold details...

Japanese tall woven bamboo ikebana basket by the artist, Torii Hounsai. Elegant and unusual, this basket incorporates an orderly pattern at it's narrow base which becomes more wild toward the top, ending with a subtle asymmetry while maintaining it's sense of balance. Signed on the bottom 峯雲斎 Hо̄unsai...

Antique Japanese small kodansu (jewelry box) made of silver and incised with fans decorated with waves, birds and flowers. Two hinged doors open to reveal 3 small drawers, lacquered black and lined with green velvet.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 3/4" high x 4" wide x 5 1/4" deep

Pine Tray with Kintsugi gold and silver lacquer repairs featuring an intricate depiction of a butterfly in silver and gold maki-e flying around a pool formed of the natural dark and light wood grain. Splits on both ends are perfectly joined with inset wood “Butterflies”. Cracks have been filled with gold and silver creating streaks of light on the aged wood surface. It is 34 x 24 x 2.5 cm (roughly 14 x 10 x 2 inches) and comes in a period wood box titled Jidai Matsu ki-ji (Old Pine Wood) ...

Superb bronze scholar holding a caligrapgy brush and an undulating scroll with the character `Kotobuki` (congratulations) in faded silver. The folds of the robe and face and brush are of the highest bronze craftsmanship. Signed on the bottom "Shuro" one of the leading craftsman of the late Taisho Period C.1920. Roughlt 7" tll by 5" wide. Table included. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

A Very rare example of an antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest) made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova), Kuri burl (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original iron hardware and translucent Urushi lacquer finish. Sliding doors hides a large storage space with a small drawer tucked away. Below are three side by side drawers for additional storage. Side slats provided strength and durability to the chest during moves while providing a Japanese visual design element. Constructed using th...