Lavender tinged crawling pale glaze covers the soft porous clay of this classically inspired Mizusashi by Living National Treasure Miwa Kyusetsu XI enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shiro-hagi Mizusashi. It is 20 cm (8 inches) diameter, 18 cm (7-1/4 inches) tall...

Antique Japanese Nihon Matsu isho tansu (clothing chest) in two sections from the Nihonmatsu area of Fukushima Prefecture. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Iron hardware has a deep red lacquer finish and includes hirute shaped drawer pulls and large square lock plates with shōchikubai symbols (three friends of winter: plum, pine and bamboo) and a butterfly key hole cover. The top section has 2 large full-width drawers...

Antique Japanese hangai tansu (captain's chest for business transactions). Two door panels outfitted with heavy iron work set into the frame and open to reveal five drawers on either side. The exterior frame of of the box is made of sugi (cryptomeria - Japanese cedar) while the drawers are made of kiri (paulownia) wood. The exterior has square iron handles while the interior has iron warabite shaped drawer pulls...

Ivory netsuke depicting a snail crawling on a bamboo shoot. The snail is carefully rendered highlighting its curvature of the shell. The underside is enhanced with spherical horn details and an excellent patina. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 3cm. State of conservation: Very good

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware with Kaute style handles. 6 drawers of varying sizes with a pair of sliding doors and a security door that hides 2 additional drawers and a secret box where valuables were kept.

This Tansu would make a perfect side chest or nightstand.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 32" Wide by 31'" High by 18" Deep

An antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Three pairs of sliding doors of varying sizes with 8 drawers on the upper half and 5 drawers to the bottom half. There is a split level shelf behind each set of doors.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 70 3/4" Wide by 67 1/4" High by 19 1/4" Deep

The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: "As a pastime ― bringing clumsy, fragile things to sell ― at Uruma Market ― how lonely!"  A very significant poem as it conveys a bit of irony; for the Edo period nun who inscribed this poem would go on to create a legacy of art, beauty, and philosophy that endures even today...

A Tokyo school bronze sculpture depicting a geisha sitting on a wooden bench. The figure of the geisha is portrayed in a moment of deep reflection, with a fan held in her hands. She wears a luxurious festive kimono, embellished with rich details and a large cushion adorns her place to sit. The artist's extraordinary mastery is evident in the impeccable folds of the kimono, which lie with surprising softness. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji 19th century Dimensions: 34 x 15 x 20 cm...

Okimono depicting a koi carp in boxwood with excellent color and blonde patina. The carp is represented in movement with glass eyes and scales superimposed on the body. The carp has a difficult to read signature under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 33 x 9.5 x 12 cm. State of conservation: Very good

A classic Nanban style Japanese lacquer tray decorated with mother of pearl inlay featuring four panels of birds among floral patterns separated by bands and frets dating from the 17th century later Momoyama to early Edo era. It is 43 × 28.5 x 2cm (17 x 11 x 1 inches). It has been fully restored, with repairs to the original lacquer and inlay, and the underside has been re-lacquered. It comes in a custom fitted Chinese style cloth bound box lined with red silk...

An antique Japanese Tansu Chest (merchant 2 section Gifu Choba) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors with two side by side drawers below...

An ivory netsuke depicting a mouse with horned eyes and head turned backwards, crouching on an overturned candle while the wax flows. Origin: Japan Period: Edo late 18th century Dimensions: 3.4 x 5 x 2 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Antique Japanese set of five lotus leaves and blossoms. Carved of wood and lacquered silver. Made for a Buddhist altar, these leaves and blossoms symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. Every petal of the lotus flower is carved separately. Each blossom and leaf comes fitted with a custom metal stand so they can be rearranged at will.

Age: Taisho Period

Dimensions: approx 26"hight (tallest leaf)

Ivory okimono with blind travelers defending themselves from the aggression of four scoundrels who try to rob them of their bags and food. The scene involves nine characters, three of whom receive sticks, umbrellas and punches. One of the most curious moments is the character at the top, who loses a geta during the battle...

Antique Japanese musha-ningo (samurai doll) of the Empress Jingū-kōgō (Okinagatarashi-hime no Mikoto 170 - 269). The wife of the 14th sovereign, Chuai, Jingū ruled as empress-regent after her husband was killed in battle in 200 A.D. Considered the 15th Japanese imperial ruler, she lead an invasion of "the promise" land (believed to be the Korean Peninsula). After 3 years away, Empress Jingū returned to Japan, surviving a ship wreck...

Antique Japanese Shō, mouth organ (flute) used in Gagaku (classical performances traditionally for the imperial court). A musician blows through the silver lined protruding mouthpiece. The air travels through the bamboo tubes creating notes (said to sound like the Ho bird or phoenix). Skillful musicians are able to blow air in and out of the mouth pieces creating sustained, uninterrupted notes.
The arrangement of bamboo tubes are said to resemble the folded wings of the phoenix...

Antique Japanese set of five lotus leaves and blossoms. Carved of wood and lacquered silver. Made for a Buddhist altar, these leaves and blossoms symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. Every petal of the lotus flower is carved separately. Each blossom and leaf comes fitted with a custom metal stand so they can be rearranged at will.

Age: Taisho Period

Dimensions: approx 27 1/4"hight (tallest leaf)

A masterpiece white porcelain vase by Miura Chikusen III retaining the original richly carved rosewood stand enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled White Porcelain Vase Carved with Flowers, Vines and Sun Designs which is in turn enclosed in a protective outer box, a testament to the import placed on the piece. It is 41 cm (16 inches) tall plus the stand, and in excellent condition. The vase dates between 1921 and 1931...