Richly decorated Buddhist shrine containing the deity Uga Benzaiten flanked by Daikoku and Bishamon and surrounded by Fifteen Children (Jugodoji), all sitting and standing on a rock formation. In the foreground are the ox and the horse, a boat laden with rice bales and jewels and a cart laden with something related to harvest and riches...

A quintessential example of this artists most sought-after style, a ‘Scattered Blossoms’ vessel by Kondo Yutaka enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Funka Bin (Scattered Flowers Bottle). The pattern of petals is impressed deeply into the surface, and filled with white slip, contrasting starkly against the textured black background. It is 23 cm (9 inches) tall, 17 cm (7 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

A Japanese antique Ikebana Suiban Takekago (basket) made of woven bamboo with its perimeter intertwined with split bamboo. A removable copper insert for the run-off of water. Mixed chestnut color highlights and smoked bamboo. Flat woven bottom with parallel bamboo slats.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 18 1/2" Long by 12 3/4" Wideb by 2 3/4" High

Antique Japanese kogo box (for incense). Round in form and made of lacquered wood. Decorated with a scene of a garden gate and a wild thicket of grasses, vines and flowers under a full moon. The gate and flora are made with maki-e lacquer and shell inlay while the full moon is made of silver. The interior and bottom of the box is covered with gold nishiji on a black lacquer ground.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3" wide x 1 5/8" high

An antique Shigaraki jar created and fired in this famous kiln region of Japan that was heavily potted. The skin shows the characteristic pock marks and imbedded fieldspar with a natural ash glaze. Originally used for tea storage, it has become a fine example of Japanese Wabisabi or understated elegance as well as an epitome of Mingei folk art.

Age: Edo Era (1750-1800)

Dimensions: 15 3/4" High by 13 1/4" Diameter

An antique Japanese temple carving of a flying dragon protecting a sacred Hoju while flying through the tumultuous clouds. Hand carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Beautiful three dimensional high relief detail.

Age: Edo Period, circa pre 1850s)

Dimensions: 53 1/4" Wide by 26 1/4" High by 5 1/2" Deep

A rare antique Japanese large Kannon Biraki Tansu made entirely of thick Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails, this specially commissioned tansu was custom designed and made for a bride's dowry. Its purpose was for storing the bride's wedding kimono and accoutrements after the ceremony ...

Antique Japanese large bronze vase with double coils on each side. This design is reminiscent of Chinese Han dynasty blackware pottery amphora with the same motif. Dramatic scale and clean lines.

Age: Taisho Period, Deco Era circa 1920's/30's

Dimensions: 12" high x 18" wide x 12" wide

No discussion on 20th century Kyoto ceramics can skip over the importance of the Kyoto Shi Tojiki Shiken-sho ceramics research facility at which all the luminaries studied and laid the foundation for a number of the early Living National Treasures...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Multiple drawers of 8 exposed and 4 hidden behind the lower sliding doors. The upper sliding doors hides a spacious storage area where the merchant kept his store records and books. All original hand forged iron hardware with construction using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails. Natural darkening surrounding the metalwork where the original patina had built-up...

An antique Japanese large bronze shrine vase cast in a loss wax technique. Depicting waves of a rough ocean with sea spray floating in the air, the female turtle carries a hatchling on its back while facing downward with its mouth open to expel evil spirits. The male turtle is jumping above the waves with its mouth closed to retain the good spirits. All three turtles have their wisps of sea algae growing from their shells as a symbol of the parents old age and the hatchling's life beginning...

An antique Japanese Byobu screen in 2 panels depicting a Cherry Blossom tree with Bamboo and a full moon on a spring evening. Artist signed and painted in a Sumi-e technique over Gofun paper, he has sprinklings of gold specks to give the illusion of the last tidbits of sunlight fading into an evening moon. The frame was finished in a Negoro Urushi lacquer.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 68 3/4" High by 70 3/4" Wide

A rare antique Japanese temple carving of a mythical sea turtle swimming among the rough ocean waves. Hand carved from one solid piece of Kuwanoki (Mulberry) wood, its three dimensional deep relief was carved on both sides. With large wisps of sea algae trailing on the back of its shell, the Kame (turtle) is a Japanese symbol of longevity signifying 10,000 years of long life. Fine detail and craftsmanship are evident especially in the claws, the scales and its head...

A rare antique Japanese Choba Kotansu (merchant small chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Removable hinge doors behind which hides a removable horizontal bar that securely latches the left door in place. Spacious storage behind the doors where the merchant kept his store books and records. Two upper drawers were used to keep money and valuables. Beautiful original calligraphy on the sides and back of the tansu...

A pair of antique Japanese Baku corbels hand caraved from solid Keyaki wood. Rare flaming mane design adds a dragon-like fear to wore off evil spirits. Used under the eaves of Japanese temples and shrines, they devour dreams and nightmares as they protect against evil. The open mouth Baku expels all evil while the closed mouth Baku retains the good spirit.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)

Dimensions: Approximately 25" Long by 16" High by 10 1/2" Wide

An antique Japanese single section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. 2 sliding doors designed with individually cut vertical slats (as opposed to a solid board carved to look like slats). Side horizontal ribs add visual strength and structural support to the chest...

An antique Japanese Jizai (hearth hook) used above an Iron (fire hearth) and hung beneath the house rafter to support a rope and hook or a Jizai Kagi (adjustable hook) to hold a kettle or large teapot above the burning charcoal. The main body is carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood...

Ohara Koson
Crow eating a persimmon while sitting on a branch
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. pre-1910.
Publisher: Kokkeido.
Artist's signature and seal and publisher's seal at lower left.
Reference: K5.13 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.