The Hiramaki-e technique, which dates from the latter part of the Heian Period (794-1185), was preceded by Togidashi maki-e, a technique in which not only the design, but the whole surface is covered with clear lacquer after the sprinkling of metal powder. The lacquer is then polished down to reveal the design.

The Japanese letter box is decorated in low relief of mountainous terrain and a stylized linear mist or cloud line. The interior ground is lacquered and sprinkled with gold fl...

Charming monkey eating persimmon boxwood okimono. Very well detailed fur and paws naturally rendered. artist signed in an oblong cartouche Sinsei. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Dimensions: 1.5 inches high. Good condition and patina.

Large Chinese Qing dynasty Guangxu period bombe form censer (incense burner) with flared rim decorated in underglaze blue on a white porcelain ground with three horizontal rows of zhuanshu "shou" (longevity) ideographs extending around the circumference of the bulbous body. A key-fret border is above the calligraphy and a petal border is below it. Two underglaze blue concentric circles are on the recessed glazed base. The glaze extends up the interior of the unglazed foot rim. 6 1/4” diame...

In China, the first mention of the Japanese Archepelago was in the historic text Book of Later Han, written in the year 57 AD. From that time forward, a great flow of Chinese cultural objects and ideas made their way to Japan—greatly influencing future developments there. This flow continued unabated until reaching a fevered pitch during the Chinese cultural revolution when—under Maoist reform—untold cultural relics and artifacts were destroyed by officials and enthusiastic supporters of t...

In China, the first mention of the Japanese Archepelago was in the historic text Book of Later Han, written in the year 57 AD. From that time forward, a great flow of Chinese cultural objects and ideas made their way to Japan—greatly influencing future developments there. This flow continued unabated until reaching a fevered pitch during the Chinese cultural revolution when—under Maoist reform—untold cultural relics and artifacts were destroyed by officials and enthusiastic supporters of t...

This finely crafted tripod incense burner is one of several often-employed motifs used by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I. With a design borrowed from ancient Chinese porcelain production, this piece displays horizontal bands on a field of luminous light-blue—contrasting nicely with the lid which is a dark varnished wood.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pot...

A work of perfection by one of Japan’s most admired ceramic artists. This piece by Nakajima Hiroshi demonstrates his mastery of the art of celadon pottery.

Born in 1941 in Hiroshima prefecture, at the age of 28 he established his own kiln and became an independent potter. 1n 1977 he received honorable mention in the Japan Tradional Applied Fine Arts Exhibition. In 1983 he received the Prime Minister’s Award at the first annual Western Japan Ceramic Fair and later in 1983 he was ...

A blossoming plum rises majestically on the simulated matt-metal finish of this cloisonné vase by the Ando studio marked on the base. The interior is a rich dark blue, the exterior flat orange peel textured metal gray with the flower laden branches rising up in moriage. It is 30.5 cm (12 inches) tall, 18.5 cm (7 inches) diameter and in fine condition, enclosed in a wooden box.

A bridge and weeping-cherry (shidare sakura) draped over swirling eddies on this silver lidded Meiji period Koro incense burner on its original matching table. On the table a waterwheel is visible downstream from the same scene, tiny silver beads floating on the crests of the ripples. The incense burner has a silver lid and removable liner, with a nashiji gold-flaked bottom. It is 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) diameter and in fine condition. The table is 14-1/2 x 7 x 2-1/2 inches (37 x 17.5 x 6 cm)...

Almost square silk fukusa or ceremonial cloth with a brocade weave design in black, white, red and silver-gray silk threads on a ground of gold brocade weave. The design shows an open fan painting with a dancing crane and short text with seal. The text states that the design is after a painting by Takeuchi Seiho (1864 -1942) and ends with Seiho’s red seal from the 1940s. Reverse decorated in jacquard with a shippo design. Brown silk tassels. Japan, Showa era, mid-20th century.

H 16 x W ...

Substantial sized Chinese late Qing dynasty Guangxu period tobacco pipe with bamboo stem, horn (probably ox-horn) mouth piece, and baitong (paktong, or white brass) bowl and shank. The pipe measures 23” (61cm) in length and the bamboo stem is about 1” (2 to 2 ½cm) wide. Late 19th to early 20th century. Clearly well used but in very good overall condition. There is a small crack in the mouth piece (see enlargement 3). This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who...

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl, with blue gourds hanging from a vine and two red flower buds with gilt pigment accents on the stem and around the bowl's rim. Blue butterflies decorate the outer edge and "comb" design along foot. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 6" diameter, 1.5" height

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl with cobalt blue design of chrysanthemums in bloom and "comb" design along the foot. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 6.25" diameter, 2" height

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl with scalloped rim to resemble a lotus, with blue cobalt florals designs along the outside and "comb" style design along the foot. The interior of the bowl has a black squirrel hunting for grapes. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 5.5" diameter, 2.25" height

A large screen depicting a samurai replete with the Jakumei crest of the Takeda Clan rearing his horse in a shout of battle, wand extended at arms length giving the order to charge. The horse appears to be fighting panic, possibly at the deafening sound of the guns of Oda Nobunaga, a sound which brought in the modern era of warfare to Japan in a pitched battle between Oda forces and those of Takeda Shingen. The scene is depicted in a typical Meiji Rekishiga-style, light pigments on silk, wrapp...

Antique Chinese hardwood desk, made from attractive jumu wood. Three drawers with ring pulls and carved outlines run along the front with a carved panel of dragons and flowers below. 18th/19th Century Size: 33.75" height, 40" length, 23.25" depth

Kawase Hasui
Rain at Shuzenji Hot Spring
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1933
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the Watanabe "E seal" used between 1932-42 and consistent with a first edition.
Condition: Excellent with slight fading.

Antique Chinese ceramic vase with a greenish brown glaze. The body is ribbed and globular with a tapered neck. The handles resemble two small critters. Dates from the Han Dynasty ( 206 BC - 220 AD ) Size: 11 1/2" High X 9" Wide