Oversized limited edition Japanese woodblock print by Shimoyama Tsutomu (b. 1945) depicting boats in water viewed from above traditional rooftops. The print is pencil-signed, titled in Japanese kanji, dated '77 and numbered 4/50 in the bottom margin. Paper size: 15 5/8" x 21 3/8" (image: 14 1/4" x 19 5/8"). Very good overall condition. There is some minor paper wrinkling in the margins and the back is faintly browned...

A collection of six unique antique sake cups from various regions in Japan, each enclosed in an old wooden box.
1. A rice bale shaped Kosobe yaki bowl in thin bluish-white glaze stamped on the base, probably second or third generation (see below).
2. A Soma Yaki small bowl of pinched form with speckled green glaze from Fukushima. Soma Yaki has a four-hundred-year history.
3...

Antique Japanese teshoku candle holder made of bronze. A long handle makes it easy to carry a candle around for light as well as very stable when set down. Cut-out design is of a Hoju, the Buddhist wish granting ball...

Interesting and unusual in shape, two contiguous cylinders of different diameters, the lacquer decoration with marbled shades is rare. Inlays, all around the edge of the box, of branches of vines whose flowers are in polished mother-of-pearl and hard stones in different shades of iridescence. The cover features two mother-of-pearl horses on top, and inside a snail and a flying ant. Origin: Japan. Epqoue: Meiji...

An exceptional Japanese cloisonne enamel cigarette case with gold washed interior. A floral scene on each side features a chrysanthemum, or kiku, symbolizing perfection, long life, power and nobility. Enameling is rich and vibrant, exhibiting very little or no wear. In excellent condition, this beauty measures 3.5" x 3"

Japanese pair of shrine figures depicting two Lucky Gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. On the left is Ebisu, a popular god of business prosperity and abundant crops as well as the patron of fishermen. Carved from wood, he stands with a fish under one arm and a smile on his face. On the right is Daikoku, who represents prosperity and is the protector of crops. He is the patron of cooks, farmers and bankers. Carved from wood, he stands on bales of grain with a big bag slung over his shoulder...

Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870 - 1949)
Spring Snow at Maruyama Park
Date: 1936.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.875 x 11.0 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten with Doi watermark.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates an early postwar edition.
Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-30
Condition: Slight fading.

Length: 6cm (2.3 in)
Height: 2.3 cm (0.8 in)
Depth: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)

Japanese netsuke of a dry salmon head; carved from some form of horn; remnants of colour in the eyes; interesting himatoshi location; 19th century; condition

Rivulets of ash dribble down the red earth sides of this vase by Nishiura Takeshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Echizen Henko. Positioning in the kiln, with one shoulder angled toward the flame, ensure the lip and one rounded corner are charred in that distinct ocher inidicative of the region. Elsewhere the ash is molten green. A great example of this lesser known ancient kiln site. The vessel is 18 x 13 x 17.5 cm (7-1/2 x 5 x 7-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition...

Japanese woodblock print of a traditional store front with a red noren and large sign characters over a tile roof. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 453 in series of 500. Has the oval red seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 3/8" high x 18 3/8" wide

Japanese woodblock print of an alley between houses in old Japan. A small shinto shrine stands outside a wooden kura door. Executed in shades of grays and blues. A sense of depth is created by the light at the other end of the alley. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 23 in series of 500. Has oval red seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 1/2" high x 18 1/8" wide

Japanese woodblock print of a sunset over houses. The sky is bright orange and yellow casting purple shadows on the tiled roof wall around a compound of rural houses. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 34 in series of 500. Has red oval seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 3/4" high x 18 1/8" wide

A white porcelain bowl with silver lining by the young female artist Itaya Narumi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Chawan (flower). Stylized floral motifs are raised off the raw white porcelain surface, richly textured, while the inside is sheer as gilded silk. About the delicate foot ring is glazed and sculpted with petals. The bowl is 12 cm (4-3/4 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, from the artist this year.
Itaya Narumi was born in Gifu in 1991...

Antique Japanese large tsuba (samurai sword hand guard). Cast in iron with an intentionally uneven surface to suggest a sandy beach or rock and further decorated with mixed metal inlay in the form of a variety of sea shells. Shakudo and gilt copper stand out against the dark iron. With collector's kiri wood box.

Age: Edo Period (1603 - 1867)

Dimensions: 3 5/8" x 3 1/2"

A water bucket shaped earthenware vase finely painted with micro calligraphy in Kanji (Chinese characters), paper slips and chrysanthemum flowers in moriage technique. Base with "Kutani" mark. Dating to Taisho period or later. Condition: minor wear to gilding and colors, interior with few traces of usage. Dimension: c. 22.3 cm high, diameter: 8.2 cm, weight: 500 g.

The comic-strip dog character Norakuro waves from the cockpit of this ceramic water-dropper (for grinding ink) in the shape of a war-plane. A waterdropper (suiteki) is filled with water and used to drip water onto a stone when grinding ink. This Suiteki has a wingspan of roughly 9.5 cm (just less than 4 inches). Norakuro is a black and white dog enlisted as a private in the “Mokenrentai” (Fierce Dog Brigade), an Imperial army of white dogs fighting in a war against the Monkey Army...

An antique Japanese bellow (called Fuigo) made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Used by sword makers and metal craftsmen to blow air into a Kama to increase the temperature of the fire.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 19 3/4" Wide by 11 1/2" High by 6 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese mill wheel made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood on an iron base that was later added. Recent structural reinforcement with hardware for strength and durability. Currently designed for use as a coffee table or side table, it would add a Japanese folk art (Mingei) accent to any rustic decor.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800) kDimensions: 22 1/2" Diameter by 14 3/4" High