No discussion on 20th century Kyoto ceramics can skip over the importance of the Kyoto Shi Tojiki Shiken-sho ceramics research facility at which all the luminaries studied and laid the foundation for a number of the early Living National Treasures...

A celadon vase inlayed with Chrysanthemum designs by Teishitsu Gigei-In Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box featuring the Imperial Art Academy Seal and titled Kiku-Zogan Hana-Ire. Tendrils of blossoming chrysanthemum climb up the sides in dark inlay on the slightly pitted celadon sueface, a perfect rendition of Korean style wares from an earlier era with the addition of the Japanese design motif. It is 10-1/4 inches (26 cm) tall and in excellent condition...

We like to offer a rare antique Tako-Tsubo Akashi Vase, made 120 years ago during the Japanese Meiji Period (1868-1912). This vase is designed to imitate a 'TAKO-TSUBO', an traditional octopus trap. Sculptures of two octopuses are incorporated into the vase.

Akashi ware (明石焼) is pottery and porcelain mainly made in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture. Somewhere between 1615–24, the official kiln of Ogasawara Tadamasa, the lord of the Akashi Castle, was established...

A very unusual Toyoraku Usubata vase covered outside in black lacquer decorated with geometric gold maki-e designs, the inside nearly swamped by organic green flowing to the center. It comes enclosed in the original somewhat dilapidated wooden box signed: The 75 year old man Toyosuke. This appears to be the signature of the third generation, and so would date from 1854, only a few years prior to the death of the fourth generation who began the technique of lacquering pots...

An elegant tall vase in signature soft blue by Shinjo Tozan III of Yamagata enclosed in the original singed wooden box dating from the early half of the 20th century titled Yohen Kabin. It is 15cm (6 inches) diametr, 41cm (16 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Higashiyama (alternatively read Tozan) is the common name for the hilly area in the eastern part of Shinjo City, Yamagata prefecture, and the geology of the village is covered with a thick layer of clay...

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 rare Ko Imari rice bowl and cover decorated with European figures in a garden landscape one bald and holding a vase and the other with a broad rimed hat and a walking cane. The interior of both the bowl and the cover painted with a diaper band with demi-florets and an image of a “Dolphin” on a raised roundel. Both the cover and the bowl are quite delicately potted and the enamelling and painting is of a very high standard...

A hexagonal moulded small bowl or mukuzuke decorated with alternating panels of Buddhist Lions and Peonies painted in a limited three colour palette of iron red, green and yellow enamels and a Camelia flower to the interior of the bowl based on a Chinese wucai pattern of the late Ming period. A cheerful auspicious pattern celebrating the season of spring. The Buddhist lions rendered as playful characters rather than as fierce guardians...

Authentic Black raku piece is fired in charcoal for long hours, it's very difficult to make with quiet and simple taste. He has made it to make chawan and also now makes sake cup. Accessary: wooden box signed by artist. Size: 7.6cm(D) 5.8cm(H)

Rare porcelain dish decorated in cobalt blue underglaze. In the center the prestigious mark VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) of the Dutch East India Company. The decoration of flowers and birds in cartridges inspired by the Chinese style of the late Ming.This dish was created for a member of the powerful company. Japan Genroku period end of 17th century. Perfect condition. Diameter: 35 and 35,5cm.

A set of colorful Tokkuri in the shape of squared gourds by Living National Treasure Kato Hajime enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Aka-e Hohyo Tokkuri (red glazed Tokkuri in squared gourd form). About the white bottom are fortuitous characters in green with a belt of blue, yellow and green in the center. They are 15.5 cm (6 inches) tall. There is slight rubbing of the red glaze typical of handling...

Mystical heads adorn the four corners of this Persian-blue glazed open vase by Living National Treasure Kato Takuo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 5 x 4 x 10 inches (11 x 13 x 25.5 cm) and is in excellent condition. Kato Takuo, I am sure, requires no introduction. He was trained in ceramics by both his father, Kato Kobei, and at the Kyoto School of ceramics...

White dots pattern the scalloped swirling form of this vase by Kitamura Junko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vase is 7-1/2 inches (19 cm) tall, 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Kitamura Junko learned under the tutelage of Suzuki Osamu and Kondo Yutaka of the influential Sodeisha. Like Mashiko artist Shimaoka Tatsuzo, her work is influenced by Jomon pottery, however her approach is very different...

Rare early 20 century Kutani ware Shunga Sake cup with old box

Kutani Ware has been produced near Kaga mountain in Ishikawa prefecture of Japan from as early as 17 century.
Kutani porcelain can be characterized by rich overglaze enamels and beautiful hand-painted motifs.

Size
1.05in. (2.7cm.) high;
2.3in. (15.9cm.) diameter;
95g weight.

Condition
Very good considering the age. No chips, no cracks.
Supplied with old box.

An interesting, rare and early Arita crackle-glazed bottle, Japan, early to mid 17th century, heavily potted, with silvery bronze rim mount and attractive kintsugi gold lacquer repairs to the foot rim. 32 cms. A recent (mis-catalogued) purchase from the Robert Kime Collection pt. 2, La Gonette, France.

A rare large piece of Edo period Fushina Yaki pottery in the form of a parallelogram shaped box decorated on all sides with landscapes, including what is likely a view of Matsue castle, home of the Matsudaira clan...

An elegant Edo period Mokko-Gata bowl decorated in gosu floral motifs over yellow under a clear glaze from the kiln established by Chinese Ming émigré Chin Genpin (Chen Yuanyun 1587-1671) around 1660 in Nagoya under direction of the Daimyo of Owari Province Tokugawa Mitsutomo. The piece makes use of Seto clay covered in a combination of imported yellow glaze and local glazes mimicking the popular Annan Yaki of Southern China and Vietnam. It is 15.5 x 11 x 7 cm (6 x 4-1/2 x 3 inches) and is i...

A striking soft-glazed six-sided incense burner by Maki Hokusai decorated with white flower blossoms on soft flesh colored glaze surmounted by a silver lid pierced with the character Kotobuki (Fortune) by Hata Zoroku. The pot itself is 10 cm tall, plus the sliver lid. It comes in an ancient wooden box signed by Zoroku.
Hata Zoroku I (1823-1890) learned metalwork techniques in the studio of Ryubundo in Kyoto. Hata produced works for the Imperial Household and it is known that he made the...