An ivory netsuke depicting a snail advancing across a group of leaves, bamboo, and small fruits. On the reverse, the himotoshi are skillfully integrated into the carved design. Period: Meiji period, late 19th century. Dimensions: 3.7 × 3.4 × 1.3 cm. Condition: Excellent condition.

A triptych in lacquered wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Japan, late 19th century. A three-panel wooden screen covered in the finest quality black Urushi lacquer (roiro), deep, thick, and durable. The inlays are in the style of the Shibayama family. The design depicts a peacock perched on a centuries-old plum tree still in bloom. The tree emerges from a bed of everlasting peonies. The inlays are made of mother-of-pearl, bone, and precious woods. The frame is rosewood. This triptych form, wit...

A collection of four well carved lime or tobacco containers with incised designs. H; 16.5cm/6.5in- 12.3cm/4.8in.

Pair of lovely light turquoise pastel blue Qingbai glazed jars with lotus leaf shaped lids circa 1200 CE, which would put them on the cusp of Southern Song/Yuan Dynasties. The lids have been heavily restored- so please see enlargements but the jars are in good condition with no damage. H: 16.5cm/6.5in and D: 12cm/4.8in.

Good late Song/early Yuan, Qingbai bowl from a Jingdezhen kiln. This has a porcelain quality body with a clear bell like ring when tapped. The “spinning lines” that spiral up to the rim, are quite unusual and actually give it some grip when holding the bowl in both hands- ideal for using it as a “chawan” in a Japanese tea drinking ceremony. There are no cracks or warpage but there are couple of chips on the rim and foot-please examine enlargements, also there are traces of Chi...

Classic long sleeved silk brocade cheongsam aka qipao. This is all hand tailored and hand sewn, definitely not off the rack. Stunningly beautiful floral pattern (lotus, chrysanthemum, and pomegranate blossoms) with foliate scrolls, this pattern can be traced back to Ming Dynasty blue and white porcelain. The zipper has come off the track other than that perfect condition. See enlargements for dimensions.

This stunning Chawan by Sakai Kobu seems to glow red like the burning embers of the kiln, the surface molten with crystalline formations dripping from the bottom. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nezumi Shino Chawan. It is 11.5 cm (4-1/2 inches) diameter, 10.5 cm (just over 4 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Sakai Kobu (b. 1936) has dedicated himself to the reproduction of Momoyama Shino, thoroughly researching traditional Mino materials and techniques. His ...

A deep bowl if textured clay covered in black glaze with an abstract of dribbled silver in the center by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled Hai (Sake cup). It is 8.2 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden box annotated by her nephew.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima. Yoko came to Kyoto where she initially studied painting at the Kyoto Tankidai Art College, then moved to ceramics at the Kyoto Municipal Art University ...

A fox dressed in the robes of a priest walking under the moonlight by Otani Kubutsu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Ink and light color on silk in a fine slik border, the scroll is 48.5 x 192 cm (19-1/2 x 75-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Otani Kubutsu (1875〜1943 ) was a monk of the Jodo Shinsyu sect, and served as the 23rd head monk of Higashi Honganji temple He was born as the second son of Ōtani Kōei. His mother was from the Kinoshita family, and his childho...

Deep within an abstract forest misted with gold fog, an exquisite Mizusashi water jar for use in the Japanese Maccha Tea Ceremony by pioneering glass artist Ishii Koji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Tefuki Garassu Mizusashi. With incised signature on the base, it retains the original black lacquered wooden lid. The result evokes shifting atmospheres—mist, river-light, or windborne threads drawn across water—an effect that feels both seasonal and poetic rather than pictoria...

Depiction of flowering branches after a work by Qi Baishi. This printed process (plate mark visible) is neither an engraving nor a lithograph, but probably a collotype on laid paper; the laid lines are visible when held up to the light. It appears that some details were touched up with a brush. 397 x 297 mm

Thai lacquer betel box of low circular form, dating to the 19th century, constructed over a wood core and finished in layered red lacquer with polychrome detailing. The lid is centered by a stylized guardian lion (singha) motif within geometric framing, surrounded by scrolling ornament. Decoration continues around the side band and onto the base, with carved and tooled detailing and a finished underside featuring a stylized bird motif.

The lacquer palette shows subtle variation across...

A Chinese monochrome porcelain vase, 18th century, covered in a vibrant red sang de boeuf type glaze finishing neatly above the footrim. Height 16 cms.

Watercolor on paper depicting two ladies strolling, likely a court lady followed by her servant carrying a vase of plum blossoms. Perhaps an allegory for spring? The refined style suggests a very early period, Song dynasty or earlier, but only a specialist could specify a date. The painting, badly damaged with numerous missing sections, was restored in China with the utmost care. The restoration is very old; if a Chinese collector commissioned such a fine restoration in the 19th century (or earl...

This beautiful and very modern hand hammered vase of almost globular shape is decorated with golden strokes on a deep red ground. Made by Gyokusendo workshop, most probably under the skilful eyes of Masai Tamagawa, the 6th generation head artist of the workshop. It has the old Gyokusendo mark engraved on the bottom and an engraved name (?) . H. 25 x 22cm circa. Showa Period, around 1960/70s. Very good condition with only little ware to the bottom. ***** The Gyokusendo workshop was establis...

A Chinese famille verte bowl painted to the exterior with four carp among water plants. Kangxi period, circa 1700-1710. 12 cms diam. Good coindition.

A contemplation stone in dramatic ink work accompanied by a jagged poem by Kikuchi Keigetsu dated 1922 enclosed in a period wooden box. Ink on paper in a silk mounting featuring solid ivory rollers. It is 43 x 217 cm ’17 x 85-1/2 inches) and in overall fine condition, with toning to the paper consistent with age and exposure.
Kikuchi Keigetsu (1879-1955) was born in Nagano, and studied Nanga under Kodama Katei before apprenticing to Kikuchi Hobun in Kyoto. He spent a year in Europe, ...

Although I love Bizen pottery for myself, I rarely offer it on the website as the colors are so subtle and designs often so very Japanese. This stunning vase by the rare (certainly for her era) female potter Konishi Toko II in the shape of two overlapping lotus leaves is a striking exception. Two lotus leaves complete with stems overlap forming the basin upon which crawls a large crab toward the opening. It stands out in a room of Bizen as if ringing a bell. It is 23 x 21 x 23 cm (9 x 8 x 9 i...