A fabulous antique Chawan enclosed in an ancient wooden box titled Kosa-saku Ne-wake Chawan annotated inside Hon’ami Kosa Saku Ne-wake Chawan dated early spring of 1722 and signed Rakushisai Soji. It is 12 x 8.5 cm.
Matsuo Sōji (1677-1752), founder of the Matsuo school of tea, was an influential mid-Edo period tea master born in Kyoto. He was the grandson of the distinguished tea practitioner Matsuo Sōji, a leading disciple of Sen Sōtan. Known variously by the names Shigakane and Sōji...

A fine Meiji period Hirado porcelain vase, elegantly potted of baluster form, flared rim, and sculpted dragon-head handles in high relief at the shoulders. Decorated in the classic Hirado house style of Karako chasing butterflies beneath heavy pine boughs, set within a delicately rendered garden landscape. The reverse is decorated with rocky outcrops and foliage with fine brushwork, subtle shading, and clear and brilliant underglaze blue exhibited on finer Hirado pieces.

The wide trumpe...

A Yunomi tea cup by Kasama legend Wada Morihiro enclosed the original signed wooden box. It is 8.5 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter, roughly the same height and in perfect condition.
Wada Morihiro (1944-2008) was born in Hyogo prefecture and apprenticed under Kyoto's Tomimoto Kenkichi before moving to Kasama in 1976. He has been displayed at the Nihon Togei Ten (National Ceramics Exhibition), Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Crafts Exhibition) Gold medal at the Florence Internation...

Flowers blossom on chattered tendrils draped before a black moon dominating the center of this exquisite basin by Kondo Yutaka enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Funka-sara. The Funka is undoubtedly this artists most popular series. The dish is 32 cm (13 inches9 diameter, 6 cm (2-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kondo Yutaka (1932-1983) was born into a traditional pottery family in Kyoto. He studied under Living National Treasures Kondo Yuzo and Tomimoto K...

This lacquer box by Okada Yūji exemplifies the contemporary refinement of makie and raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) techniques. The black lacquer surface is articulated with bold geometric patterns inlaid with iridescent strips of abalone shell. The composition is meticulously structured: concentric, angular motifs converge at the center, forming a luminous cross that draws the eye inward, while the sides extend this rhythm in vertical alignments, creating a dynamic interplay of reflection and de...

An early Edo period (17th century) voluminous incense burner decorated with blossom laden branches populated by birds in gold and mother of pearl inlay wearing a large bronze lid pierced with flowering grasses. To the bottom is affixed a sheet of ancient cloth to protect the surface of the table beneath. It is 18 cm (7 inches) diameter, 15 cm (6 inches) tall. It has much loss to the thin mother of pearl reveling a white substrate. Ordinarily I think this might detract, but in fact enhances the ...

Antique Japanese carved wood smoking set, specifically a tonkotsu (tobacco pouch), a kiseruzutsu (pipe case) and ojime (a bead). The pouch is finely carved wood and features a relief of Fujin, God of the Wind, with a bag on one side and a dragon in the clouds above the waves on the other. Pipe holder is carved in the shape of a mushroom. Ojme is a carved nut. Bottom of the pouch signed with what may be translated as Ippō or Ichimine Pouch 3.5 ” x 2.75 ” (9 x 7 sm) Pipe holder 9 x...

The figure is hand-painted in polychrome enamels, including blues, reds, greens, and gilt accents. The boy is depicted kneeling and playing a large drum with two drumsticks. The style is typical of Kutani ware, known for its ornate decoration and rich colors. Bottom with Kutani ware mark, kiln designation 5.5 ” x 4 x 3.5 ” 15 x 11 x 8.5 sm

Antique Japanese carved wood figure of a Confucian sage or government official holding fan with both hands. The figure is clad in a long, flowing robe with wide sleeves, and a distinct, rounded official's or scholar's cap. This may attribute it to the figures like Zhongli Quan, one of the Eight Immortals in Taoist mythology. He is an Immortal often depicted with a fan, used to bring the dead back to life or to ward off evil. The carving has a dark finish and is mounted on a separate wooden ba...

A traditional metal slit gong used in Shinto and Buddhist rituals. It is named "crocodile mouth" due to the wide slit on its underside. Worshippers shake a rope in front of it to sound the gong, which attracts the attention of deities. The sound symbolizes purification and the start of sacred rites. This specific piece has detailed silver-inlaid decorations, including dragons and clouds. Makes beautiful sounds when struck. 6.5”x 2.25” (16.5 x 6 sm)

Antique Japanese silver-mounted yellow cloisonné enamel koro (lidded jar or censer). It stands on three feet and has a yellow enamel body. The body is decorated with a polychrome depiction of a phoenix in flight. The lid has a silver mount and cloud-shaped openings for incense smoke. 5.5”x 4” (13.5 x 10 sm)

Chinese hand-carved agate brush washer, carved from a single piece of agate or carnelian. The piece features an organic, natural shape with detailed carvings of a dragon and gourd along the rim. Good condition, not losses or cracks, minor wear. 5.25” x 2.75" x 5". 12.6 x 7 x 3.3 sm

Watercolor on silk depicting an interesting historical event. It portrays a battle between the French colonial army, composed of Foreign Legionnaires, Marines, and African and Annamite auxiliary troops, and an army of Tonkinese and Chinese troops known as the "Black Flags." The battle takes place in front of a fortified city, likely Tuyen Kuang (1884-85), where French troops were besieged for months. The painting shows the arrival of reinforcements to break the siege. In the upper right corner, ...

Two Qing dynasty spinach green jade archer's thumb rings with later mountings in gilt repousse silver. One with lid for use as a salt shaker, the other one with spoon. The bottoms marked "Made in China" and "Silver", the spoon unmarked. Condition: few traces of usage, one with few tiny nicks (please see last photo at 10 o'clock). Dimension: diameter: c. 5.2 cm, total height: c. 3.9 and 5.3 cm.

Rare Citipati mask, carved in wood with a primitive style, showing strong features. Height: 28 cm. Nepal, early 20th century. Slight abrasion due to age, otherwise good condition. Provenance: acquired in Nepal in 1974.

India ink and colors on laid paper. The artist has depicted Shouxing (Shoulao) with his oversized skull. He holds his gnarled staff from which a gourd is suspended. A tiny bat flutters before him. It is worth noting that the discreetly depicted bat and the simplicity of the setting, the artist focusing on the essentials, suggest a painting of a religious nature, commissioned by a Taoist scholar, and not simply a mass-produced decorative work; the extreme thinness of the paper also supports this ...

Skeletons gleefully cavort about the heavy robes of a courtesan on this impressive silk painting dating from late 19th to early 20th century Japan (Meiji to Taisho period). Ink on silk in a rough patterned silk border with suitable bone rollers. It is 64.5 x 224 cm (26 x 88 inches) and is in overall fine condition wit some toning typical of age.

A set of bronze Incense Burners in the shape of a cock and hen formerly in possession of the Taisho Emperor gifted to the Lady in Waiting Takakura Toshiko following a year of mourning as per custom in 1927. Rendered in a darkly patinated bronze of remarkable depth and vitality, the pair depicts a proud cock standing alert beside a reclining hen, each modeled with extraordinary naturalism and precision. The feathers are individually carved and chiseled, layered to convey the softness and iridesce...