Before styles such as Raku, Hagi, Karatsu, etc came into fashion for use in the tearoom in early Edo, it was commonplace in cultured society to use tea-ware imported from China. In fact, some pottery styles uniquely Japanese (such as Shino) are thought to have been born out of unsuccessful attempts to emulate these extremely high-quality and refined ceramics...

Japanese sumi on paper—this piece by well-known Meiji/ Taisho artist Tomita Keisen depicts a lone banana tree. Deceptively simple in style, each brush stroke made with sweeping yet calculated motions to evoke nostalgia for sultry summer days and tropical climes...

Japanese Meiji period cloisonné enamel lidded square form kashiki (confectionery box for tea ceremony sweets) with canted corners supported on four attached tapered and splayed legs. The lid is decorated with a variety of fans of varying shapes and designs set against a black ground; the sides are covered in a dense floral diaper pattern in blue, yellow, and brown; and the bottom is decorated in clusters of flowers and scrolling foliage set against a black background...

Japanese Bone flying Sprarrow Ojime, 5/8" high, 5/8" wide, with black eyes, mouth wide open, two(2) large holes on the top is the wide open mouth, and the bottom hole to push through cord for tightening to the Netsuke. The condition is good.

Japanese Brown Cafe au Lait color Lacquer nut shape Ojime, 11/16" high, 11/16" wide, 1/2" deep, hollow inside with large holes on the top and the bottom to tightening to connect to Netsuke. The condition is good.

Japanese Pink Glass Ojime Bead, 11/16" diameter, cord go through the large holes on the top and the bottom, to tightening for the Netsuke. There are some indentation on the surface and the open grains on the surface of the glass.

Japanese green Glass Ojime, 3/4" diameter, large holes on tops and the bottom where cord go through to tightening for Netsuke. There are some indentations on the glass surface.

Japanese Red Lacquer Double Face Ojime, Ca. 1920, 3/4" high, 5/8" wide, 1/2" deep, one side normal pleasant face, the other side is angry yelling face with mouth open, the condition is good.

Japanese late Meiji period cloisonné enamel ovoid form vase attributed to Hayashi Kodenji (1831-1915) or his workshop decorated around the circumference with pheasants among a dense variety of chrysanthemums, daisies, and other flowering plants in a landscape with rockery and flowing water all set against a dark cobalt blue ground. A foliate patterned band is above the foot and a narrow geometric band is below the mouth rim. Silver rims are at the mouth and foot...

Japanese Metal Tsuba shape Ojime, Ca. 1900 Meiji, 7/16" high, 7/16" wide, decorated with the raised gilded Birds on the Plum Flowering Trees on the both sides of the two(2) shades of Bronze color of shape of the Tsuba, one side is darker than the other. Cord go through the holes on the top and the bottom and connect with Netsuke.

Two(2) Japanese Bronze Fukurokuju, Ca. 1900 Meiji, one of the Seven Lucky God, representing "Longevity" and "Wisdom", 3/4" high, 5/8" wide, typical details of holding precious object with both hands in front with very long head, the condition is good.

Dramatic waves are combed into the clay surface of this large Toban Platter by Living National Treasure Suzuki Osamu (Kura) covered in glass-like copper green; unusually signed and dated on bottom 1957 and enclosed in an artist signed wooden box...

A loosely brushed image of a Kingfisher perched on dilapidated lotus stalk decorates the crackled gohon pale glaze of this gourd shaped Mizusashi fresh water jar by Takahashi (Ninnami) Dohachi. It features a black lacquered wooden lid. There are cracks in teh lacquer of the looping handle. The signature is consistent with works by Ninnami Dohachi (Dohachi II) from the mid 19th century...

A fabulous bold design of crashing waves wraps about this balluster form by Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 26 cm (10 inches) diameter, 28 cm (11 inches) tall and in excellent condition. An unusual design and superb execution by this important artist. Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941) is one of the most important names in Kyoto ceramics. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture, and graduated from the (now) Tokyo University of Art...

A small bowl in Kaki-yu by important artist Kawai Kanjiro enclosed in a wooden box upon which his friend and equally important artist Munakata Shiko has painted an image of the bowl outside titled Go-Kowan (Honorable small bowl) and inside annotated: Kanjiro Sensei Saku (Made by Kanjiro), signed Munakata Shiko. It is 10 cm (4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

Antique Japanese wooden temple carving of a fu dog (fu lion, or shishi). Carved of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood with wonderful details including characteristic swirling fur and wide, toothy jaws, this fu dog is a powerful Shinto temple guardian. Wide eyes are made of reverse-painted glass with irises of two different colors and with pupils of varying width, adding an intensity to his expression...

Antique Japanese textile decorated with a design of tea ceremony utensils. Small items such as a bamboo ladle for water (hishaku), a container of charcoal, cups, a tea whisk (chasen), a container for water (mizusashi), and other items surround a large central image of a portable iron tea kettle (kama) and brazier (furo). This design in done using a paste resist and indigo dye. A lovely blue color in four panels sewn together...

Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks associated with the teachings of Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) would embark on a pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here...