Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho)...

Revered Chinese scholar and tea master, Lù Yǔ is known as the “Sage of Tea” and is credited with advancing the practice of tea through the writing of his life’s work,The Classic of Tea. Here we see a masterful rendition of this historic figure done by one of the most iconic Kyoto painters—and founder of the Maruyama school—Maruyama Ōkyo...

Born the second son of Ryônyû, the 10th Raku Kichizaemon Tannyû took over the family kiln in 1811 at the age of 16 and served until his retirement and subsequent handing on of the title of Kichizaemon to his son-in-law Keinyû some 34 years later. Retaining many of the unique stylistic innovations of his father including his clay trimming technique, Tannyû went on to establish several new family kilns and to produce wares for both 10th and 11th Tokugawa Lords...

A small porcelain teapot with molded chrysanthemum blossom decoration and arch-shaped handle. Thick greyish clay with craquelé. Condition: few tiny rim frits near the spout end, no repairs. Dimension: 12.4 cm high x 12.8 cm long.

Okuhara Seiko (1837-1918; female)
Cherry Blossoms Under the Full Moon
Date: 1900s-1910s
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Unsigned. Signed examples exist.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Left and right edges bumped.

KIHARA CHAWAN

Japanese semi-porcelain bowl with such calm iron-glazed picture as the transitional ware between Karatsu and Shoki-Imari ware, Kiwara kiln in Nagasaki area, Edo period (1603-1868), approx. D 12 x H 6.9cm (4.72 x 2.71in)...

Two erotic shunga drawings in black ink and mineral colors on thin paper.
On the right hand painting a double-sided dildo, to pleasure two women at the same time. The left half is made of tortoise shell (yellow with black patches), the right half is probably indicating buffalo horn.
The left-hand painting shows how to use the dildo properly.

Unsigned.

Japan, 19th century.

Each drawing 9.75 x 9.75 inches...

An antique Japanese single section Sendai Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. The lock plates feature an incised flying crane and a pine tree, both representing longevity and good luck. The corners on the drawer fronts have the raised turnip (Kabu) design and the handle back plates have incised Chrysanthemums...

An antique Japanese Kotansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Made in a rare design to look like a miniature Kimono tansu. All original iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Complete with front drawer corners. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nail construction. An unusual and unique personal storage chest.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 25 1/4" Wide by 14 1/4" High by 13 1/8" Deep.

Uma-gake (horse cover) made of hand-spun cotton and has hand-drawn tsutsugaki design whose motifs are hyotan (gourd), tassel and kanji letters. Letters can be either the place or horse's name. This colorful one was used for a festival or a ceremony. It has red cotton lining. In excellent condition. 19th century. 31.5cm x 2m36cm The last image is one hint how uma-gake was used from the woodblock print, ukiyo-e by Katsushika Hokusai (1760～1849).

Han-juban (short under kimono) made of hand-spun cotton and katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and shibori (tie-dye) pattern which are vegetable indigo dye. Shibori is made in Yokote in Akita prefecture. Late 19th to early 20th century. 56cm x 59cm

Japanese dai-oban size shin hanga woodblock print titled “Mt. Rainier in Winter” by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) dated 1972. The print is dated and titled in English and Japanese at the lower left margin corner. The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower right corner of the image. The print is pencil-signed in the lower right margin. Plate: 11 3/4" x 19 1/2" (visible paper size" 12 3/8" x 20 1/4"); frame: 19 1/2" x 27 1/2." Framed with archival materials...

Large toad in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, in Japanese sugi).
Black and gold painted glass eyes.
In the Japanese bestiary, the toad has a special place, carrying positive values. The toad as well as the frog, both called Kaeru (蛙) return every year and regardless of the distance to the pond where there were born. The word kaeru is a synonym for "coming home". It is the protective animal for travelers and the symbol of hospitality...

Daruma, the patriarch of Japanese Zen standing upright wrapped in long flowing monastic robes. Tokyo School technique. Meiji period 19th century Sizes: 31 x 12 x 11 cm. Condition report: Good condition – wooden opening under the base

Hiroshi Yoshida
Horse Turnback (Umagaeshi)
Series: Ten Views of Mt. Fuji
Date: 1928.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.25 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image and lower margin.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating self-printing by the artist.
Published by the artist.
Reference: Abe #52.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin has light toning and creasing.

Meticulously crafted from carefully woven strips of bamboo, this traditional “chabako” would typically contain all of the basic utensils for conducting tea ceremony. As the same name is commonly used to describe wood boxes used to store and transport tea leaves, the piece below could also be described as a “chakago” to avoid confusion—though the former descriptor is much more commonly used...

A fragment of cotton cloth with tsutsugaki turtle and crane design which is an auspicious motif. The cloth is hand-spun cotton and natural dye. It is probably a fragment of nobori (banner). It has calligraphy in one of the hems, but not readable. In good condition. The first half of the 19th century. 32cm x 74.5cm

Large, impact thick bronze hanging lantern, C,1935. gorgeous lattice work on all panels. Great condition with natural age markings. h:53 cm x w: 44cm. Ask for shipping quote.