Swirling white brush strokes decorated with dabs of iron like leaves blowing in wind on this square form by Living National Treasure Shimaoka Tatsuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hakeme Take Moyo Hoko (Bamboo Pattern on Brush Stroke Square Bottle). It is 10-1/2 inches (27 cm ) tall and in excellent condition.
After serving in World War II, Tatsuzo apprenticed under world famous Mashiko Mingei potter Hamada Shoji, establishing his own kiln in 1954...

Shrine with the very rare image of the death of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, called nehan-zu, and his entrance into the state or perfect peace, called nirvana or nehan. The Buddha lays stretched out on a rectangular lotus base, his head resting on his right arm. Although normally in nehan-zu one will see gathered around the bed 52 kinds of beings, human and animals mourning the Buddha, there are none present in this zushi. From the ceiling of the case hangs a curtain of sorts...

An antique Japanese Kansai merchant display store tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery with horizontal side ribs for strength and support. Most likely used for the display of large tall items, a customized shelf could be added for an additional charge.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 74 1/2" Wide by 33 1/8" High by 18 1/8" Deep

Height: 3 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 3.1 cm (1.3 in)
Depth: 2.4 cm (0.9 in)

Rare quality wooden netsuke of a girl holding down a large fish; expression and detail is first class; this netsuke is rare and is a work by Itchiku; his mark is on the base; good condition

Tarnished silver glows dully inside this raw clay bowl by female pottery pioneer Ogawa Machiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Wan. It is 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) diameter, 7 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Ogawa Machiko was born in Sapporo on the Northern Island of Hokkaido in 1946...

Kozuka of good quality.Shibuichi inlaid with silver, gold shakudo and sentoku. Cockfighting and a Chinese person. curiously no signature. About 100x15mm Good condition. 19th century or earlier.

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Kusunoki (Camphor) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles. Beautifully constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. The hinged front door opens to five interior doors where merchant papers, records and small valuables were kept.

Age: Late Edo Period (1800-1850)Dimensions: 13 1/2" Wide by 15" High by 19 3/4" Deep

Antique Japanese ikebana basket for flower arranging. Round body with wide split bamboo and twisted rope bamboo foot and neck. The dramatic, arching handle is made of gnarled wisteria branches. Beautiful deep reddish finish and dark patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 17 3/8" high x 11 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" wide.

A vintage 3 section Isho Biraki (Kimono chest with hinged doors) Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The top section has two sliding doors behind which is a shelf to the left side supported by a natural Cherry Bark limb. The center section has 2 hinged doors which when opened reveals 3 removable Kimono trays good for storing linens, blankets, sweaters or other garments. The bottom section has 2 large drawers for additional spacious storage...

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu (clothing chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original metal hardware with mitered and straight dovetail Japanese joinery reinforced by hardened wooden nails. Upper section has two sliding doors behind which are two small drawers and a split level shelf. The center section has four large drawers and the bottom section has three large drawers. The base riser adds 3 inches of height to the overall chest...

Small statue of the face of Okame. Her round, full cheeks and Heian period hairdo give her head the silhouette of a penis. Her open mouth is in the form of a stylized vagina. Shunga of sorts.
Cast bronze with dark brown patina. Good details.

H 3 x D 2.25 in.

Few casting flaws, otherwise excellent condition

This type of erotic statues are regarded as funny rather than erotic. In Japan they are called waraimono, ‘something (or someone) that makes you laugh’.

A seminal Karatsu fresh water container by master of that style Nakagawa Jinenbo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Chossen Karatsu Mizusashi. Raw earth is supplanted with rich iron into which flows curtains of black into which flows rivulets of blue. Two lug handles drape from the sides and it retains the original ceramic lid. It is 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter, 17.5 cm 7 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

An antique Japanese 3 section kimono chest called Isho Biraki Tansu made entirely of Kiri (Paulwonia) wood. All original hardware and natural patina finish. Top section has two sliding doors behind which lies three small drawers and a split level shelf. The drawers and shelf front have a Kuwanoki (Mulberry) wood trim. The center section features 2 large hinged doors which house 4 kimono trays with Kura on the center shelf. The bottom section has 3 large drawers for additional storage...

Gold nuggets gleam on the deep lavender and black surface of this organic form by Inayoshi Osamu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kurinuki Kinsai Mizusashi. Kinsai is literally gold color, and here the artist has embedded gold into the surface, allowing it to expand and bubble out in the heat of the firing process. The effect of this on the dark matt surface is both striking and original...

Large octagonal bowl made of porcelain, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue. In the center of the bowl a prancing tiger before a roaring stream, looking up towards the sky. Behind him bamboo and rocks. Left of the tiger there is a three-line poem about the tiger and the third moon (May or June).

The sides are decorated with four peonies and leaves draped in arabesques; the rim decorated with a border of key-fret motif...

Kato Juemon (1894-1974) Aka Oribe Chawan with box signed by Sen Soshitsu XV Grand Master (Iemoto) of Urasenke Tea School (b.1923)

Fine Red Oribe Chawan for tea ceremony made by Kato Juemon (1894-1974).
Of irregular Kutsugata shape with unglazed foot ring.
The mark of the potter is stamped on the bottom.
Juemon Kato (1894 (Meiji 27 year) - 1974 (Showa 49year)) is a renowned Japanese ceramist...

Rectangular kobako box in ivory with inlays of stones and mother-of-pearl according to the shibayama technique to represent insects...

A Japanese boxwood netsuke of a Shinto priest wearing the geta and holding an umbrella with his right hand and the lantern with the other. Edo period 18th century Sizes: 7,5 x 2,5 x 2 cm. Condition report: Good condition