Mountain tea bowls (yama-jawan) are commonly excavated from the hillsides of Japan and many date to the 12th century or earlier. They tend to be crude in construction but with a fascinating ruggedness that allows then to endure, often much better than contemporary ceramics, despite being buried in the earth for hundreds of years. Highly prized when found completely intact or with minor cracks, there is a sort of folklore and mystique that has built up around these objects...

Japanese early 20th century Sumidagawa large pitcher. The pitcher is done with 3 monkeys done in high relief. The chop mark of the artist in on the back Inouye Ryosai. The vase measures 12 3/16" tall and 6 1/4" wide and about 4 5/8" in diameter.

A Japanese sterling silver vase with engraved and embossed decoration of two roses. Base with "jungin" mark, the side with engraved signature. On a pierced Chinese wooden stand. Condition: the visible side fine, but the reverse with several dents. Dimension: vase 19.4 cm high, height with stand: 23.3 cm, weight: 376 g.

Height: 9.5 cm (3.8 in)
Width: 6.4 cm (2.5 in)

Quality Japanese Satsuma baluster vase by Kinkozan; shows bijin and kodomo involved in a rooster fight; the reverse panel shows individuals relaxing in a garden setting; all surrounded by raised gilt foliar scrolls over a blue ground; signed; good condition

Wood oke, a container with a handle. The strips around it are made of bamboo. Generally in good condition. It has carved character in the bottom but unreadable. The second half of the 19th century. Diameter:20.3cm, Height:23.3cm

The great Tang Poet Du Fu (712-770) affectionately coddles a goose chick in his left hand, his bamboo staff low and seemingly forgotten as he ponders the beloved creature in his palm. Exquisitely rendered, it is roughly 16 inches (40 cm) tall and signed on back with an engraved signature...

A spectacular pair of vases by Ito Tozan I decorated with the imperial chrysanthemum in gold between soaring phoenix; symbols of the Japanese imperial family. Both come in the original (tired) silk pouch in a compartmentalized wooden box signed by the artist. Each is roughly 6 inches tall and in excellent condition, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century (later Meiji to Taisho period)...

This is a japanese antique Very nice handspun & natural indigo dye thick cotton katazome jyuban kimono. There are a few small holes. There is a light stain on the lining fabric. They are not disturbing, and as a whole it is in very good condition.The sleeve part is a silk shibori. Size:Length:124cm (48.8inch) Cuff to cuff, across the back: 120cm (47.2inch)

Finely detailed Satsuma jar with 4 male figures comprising 2 scenes. One scene depicts Shoki with a nobleman, the other a Samurai teacher with his student. An exceptional piece and what we were not able to capture in the photos is the depth and richness of the translucent glazes. Wood stand and lid were added later and are included. Measures on stand with lid 9.5". Jar alone measures 7.5" high x 6" diameter. Jar dates about 1875.

This burnished finish is one of the signature effects of Living National Treasure Yamamoto Toshu seen on this fluted gourd enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen-yaki Hyotan Hanaike. Here the blue-gray clay is covered in charred red mottles, like the natural patterns on a dried gourd, the smooth sangiri surface intentionally marred with occasional rough patches...

This large and expressive sculpture is made, as expected, from joined segments, each separately carved. This technique is a diagnostic "telltale" which helps to date the piece. The figure sits in a devotional posture, leaning slightly forward with hands joined in a gesture of worship. Extensive remains of gesso and pigment. The piece measures 14-1/2" in height and is free of re-carving or repair. Kindly examine the photographs, as they are part of the description...

Antique Japanese kannon biraki isho tansu (chest on chest with hinged doors for storing clothing). Made with all keyaki (elm) wood on the front. Sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the sides and top. The top portion of the tansu has hinged doors which open to reveal two large drawers. The bottom section has two large exterior drawers and a safe box with a hinged door in the lower right hand side. Inside the safe box are three small drawers...

Antique Japanese low table made all of carved keyaki (elm) wood. The top is made of a single piece of dramatically grained wood with the edges carved to create a gnarled burl effect. The legs are also made of solid keyaki wood and carved with rounded feet. Original deep orangish red translucent lacquer finish.

Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 13 1/2" high x 71 1/2" long x 38" wide

An Imari three colour export squat round teapot of small dimensions decorated in a rich Imari pattern of various shaped panels of lobed and comma form set against a dark blue brocade style ground with Chrysanthemum flowers and gilt vine arabesques. The reserves plain and iron red inset with Karahana, Tang flowers, and Irises...

A nice quality Arita porcelain bowl decorated with a design of four panels of Hosoge or Karahana, Tang Flowers, in contrasting Iron red and under-glaze blue. This design appears in a number of variations on Chinese export porcelain from the late Kangxi period onwards, whether this is the precedent or homage to the Chinese pattern is difficult to say, but the porcelain would appear to be at least contemporary with the in general poorer quality Chinese examples. It dates to the period 1710-40...

A bowl or cup of unusual Klapmuts form with an angled everted rim decorated in under-glaze blue with Auntumn grasses, akikusa. Shards of identical cups have been excavated from the Okawachi kiln site and dated to the late Edo period and the first half of the Nineteenth century. The bowl measures 9.8cm in diameter and stands 6.8cm high and the foot-ring measures 3.4cm in diameter. It is in good condition with no cracks, chips or restoration...

Antique Japanese gold lacquer inro with 4 compartments. Decorated with a scene depicting a cottage high in the mountains. On one side, a small stream meanders by a thatched roof building with doors opening to a garden surrounded by a low fence and opened by a tall gate. A large, blossoming plum tree stretches it's branches dramatically over the roof and a mist floats over the top of the scene. The other side of the inro depicts a churning river with ragged outcroppings of rock...