An exquisite work of colored clay by Matsui Koyo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Mukuhai-yu Neriage Kensho-mon Tsubo. It is 30 cm (12 inches) diameter, 27 cm (11 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Matsui Koyo was born in the pottery village of Kasama, son of future Living National Treasure Matsui Kosei, in 1962. He graduated in sculpture from the University of Tsukuba in 1985, then began potting under his father at his Gessouji Studio. Work by Koyo has been selected...

Chinese Song dynasty longquan celadon dish. 17 cm diameter. Good condition except very smooth hairline at the center.

Chogappo made of fragments of choma (ramie), one of bast fibers, which is recycled from vegetable indigo dyed choma, and it has beautiful nuance of different indigo colors. Pojagi is the general name for the wrapping cloth and "chogappo" is one kind of pojagi which is patchworked with asa (choma or hemp) fragments. (Reference source: "Korean Embroidery and Wrapping Cloths from the Choson Dynasty" published by Japan Art & Culture Association in 1995). Both warps and wefts are hand-plied for all f...

Oshie (raised cloth picture) with samurai, which is displayed with hina-dolls on the Girl's Festival, or Hina-Matsuri, on March 3rd. It is from a collector in Matsumoto city in Nagano prefecture, and this one was made by a craftsperson in the city too. Made of several kinds of silk, gold brocade, silk crepe, black satin, etc. The face is hand-painted. The back side is washi. In excellent condition. Late 19th early 20th century. W:33cm, L:45cm

This is a Japanese antique shibori cotton kimono. Indigo dyeing and Plant dyeing. To dye it black, you first dye it with a liquid made by boiling the nuts of trees such as tsurbami and yasya, then soak it in a liquid containing iron to develop the color.There are some remaining grains (protrusions) from the aperture. It is in good condition with no damage. Size: Length: 136cm (38.5") / Cuff to cuff, full back: 122cm (48")

Chinese Han dynasty lidded gray earthenware hu-form jar with globular body and slightly flaring neck divided into horizontal grooved bands holding incised decoration of various animals. Two opposing applied taotie mask handles are at the shoulder. The circular domed lid has three loops at the edge. 14 3/4" high. 206 BC – 220 AD. This form was designed to imitate the shape of a bronze hu vase. Very good overall condition for its age and type with typical wear, soiling, and minor chips evi...

An unusual Kakiemon dish the outer register finely painted with the Shochikubai. The pine, bamboo and prunus painted separately with elongated trailing branches growing from rockwork. The centre painted with a single bough of flowering Camellias, Tsubaki, symbolic of the season of Spring. The reverse painted with a continuous vine arabesque, karakusa and four supur marks arranged in a "Y" shape. An identical dish is to be found in the Sakaida (Kakiemon) family collection. It is believed to ...

A finely potted dish decorated with a pattern of scattered shibagaki, bundles of brushwood, which would have formed part of a decorative garden hedge, with boughs of Plum blossom. This pattern was made for the domestic market and would have been particularly appropriate for the celebration of the New Year. The design is referencing the strong winds and storms of early spring. The dish is decorated in a combination of underglaze blue and “Kakiemon” enamels, over-glaze blue, green. Both of w...

Very rare Japanese comic demon Buaku Kyogen mask dating from the early Edo Period, the golden age of Noh Drama. The Buaku mask is a Kyogen version of the Noh Beshimi character. Kyogen were short, humorous skits performed between Noh acts to lighten the mood. The heavily knit brows and wide leering grimace are wonderful characteristics of this mask. It is covered in layered colored gofun (oyster shell lacquer). It is brilliantly carved, accentuating the depth of his eye sockets, and adding a sens...

A (North) Korean bronze mirror of petaloid form decorated with floral scrolling to the interior of the rim. The raised border of the central reserve following the petaloid form of the mirror edge. The reserve is divided into five repeating sections each terminating in "spearhead motifs", possibly a leaf with tendrils either side, both from the central boss and the raised border (10 in total, five from the boss pointing outwards, five from the border pointing inwards). The area in between with s...

A fine rectangular vase or incense stick holder of slab construction with applied leonine taotie style handles to its narrow sides. The front and back sides of the vase decorated with contrasting triangular blocks of diaper brocade in underglaze blue with iron red and gold highlighting the gobenka and pine motifs in the cells and an aka-e kinrande pattern with budo-karakusa (grape vine) in underglaze blue with gilt outlining. The sides decorated with Chinese style sansui landscapes wit...

This piece was excavated at the site near Hanoi, however the condition is very excellent, this type of tea bowl that had high stand, had been used at the court. This bowl has been used as a tea ceremony bowl in Japan. No repairs. YouTube movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSmlyJ_Pgzg Certification: written by Noriki Shimazu the famous researcher with Asian antiques in Japan. Size: 12.3cm(D) 9.0cm(H) Accessary; wooden box

An unusual mask with gaping jaws and flattened features covered in red and black lacquer with golden teeth and eyes dated a lucky day in the 6th month of Tenmei 2 (1782). The mask is of carved wood covered in cloth over which has been applied layers of colored lacquer, gold and gofun (powdered shell) to form the white eyebrows. It is quite unusual in configuration. Most masks are open at the back, however this is carved with curling hair all the way down to the neck. Two holes in the teeth we...

This piece was excavated at the kiln site, and washed out to remove stains. This type of Jian yao piece has been called as "Hare's fur" in China and "Nogime tenmoku" in Japan. YouTube movie/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PghBARFqmaU Certification : written by Noriki Shimazu the famous researcher with Asian antiques in Japan. Size: 9.0cm(D)/4.7cm(H)

Antique Thai Buddhist amulet, Phra Somdej "King of Amulets". The amulet itself is made of baked clay in the form of a seated Buddha or Bodhisattva. It is enclosed in an unusually fine silver metal case with intricate incised designs. Phra Somdej are important in that they are believed to bring the wearer wealth, good health, good fortune, social and romantic success, Karmic merit, and protection from harm or danger.

Age: Mid 19th century

Dimensions: 1 1/2" high x 1" wide x...

A square shallow bowl in the form of a Japanese rice measure, masu, which was considered to be an auspicious form decorated to the exterior with two Dragons in different stances with two eight character poems with seals. Presumably the shape was intended as a play on the word, namasu, a term used to traditionally describe a serving of pickled vegetables and the related bowl. It could possibly have been used as a guinomi, sake cup, as the vessel when filled takes a similar quantity to square s...

An exceptionally fine porcelain bowl made for presentation, kenjo-te. The centre of the dish is decorated with an unusual version of a Karashishi which would seem to be floating upon a feather set against a net like blue ground which has been produced using the shiranaku technique. It is strikingly similar to the karashishi and feather compositions that appear on Chinese porcelain of the Wanli era. The motif would seem influenced by representations of Lions on contemporary Ming military Ran...

Wood mask of the Gigaku theater representing Konju, a figure in ancient Gigaku dance. The finely carved mask shows a very strong expression. Japan, early Edo period. Height: 18 cm. Beautiful age patina. Some abrasion, otherwise very good condition. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. NOTE: Gigaku theater is one of the most ancient dramatic arts in Japan, performing ritual dance, mime and music, and taking place inside Buddhist temples. This ritual show, during which comic, profane an...