Hasui Kawase
Kasuga Shrine, Nara
Series: Collection of Scenic Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition.
Size: Oban. 15.375 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1933
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's 6mm seal (printed 1946-1957).
Reference: Hotei #317.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Excellent color.

Vibrant colors and glistening gold decorate this leaf shaped sculpture by Matsuda Yuriko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled HASU (Lotus Leaf). It is roughly 37 cm (15 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Matsuda Yuriko was born in Ashiya, Hyōgō Prefecture in 1943nd lives and works in Oshino, Yamanashi Prefecture. Yuriko is an avid exhibitor; it is a wonder she has time to do any work at all...

Japanese pair of porcelain Inari kitsune (foxes). Glazed and painted they sit on brightly colored bases, one with a scroll, the other with a ball in it's mouth.
Also called zenko, these good spirit kitsune are specifically associated with the goddess, Inari. Believed to be both messengers and guardians, kitsune served Inari in her role as goddess of agriculture, specifically rice. Part of the folklore surrounding the fox is it’s ability to shape shift into human form...

An antique Japanese Sakata Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulowani) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Main lock plates feature stylized Chrysanthemums and their leaves. Five drawers for spacious storage and a hinged security door that hides two small drawers where valuables were kept...

A fine and early museum quality complete set of five Ko-Imari, Kakiemon style cups or choko. Blue underglaze and green, red, aubergine, yellow and black overglaze enamel decoration of peonies and prunus blossoms in garden landscape with rockery and fence. Traces of rubbed gilt enameled highlights. The choko form saw many uses such as teabowls (also seen in early European ceramics after Japanese examples of the period), large sake cups, and mukozuke...

19th Century Cloisonne Vase by the most famous Japanese cloisonne artist, Ando Jubei. Decorated with a band of flowers on a pigeon blood foil ground. Height: 9 inches, 23 cm.

Edo Period Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Kawazu, an Oni with a Golden Hair Beard, circa 1700. A very rare early example with a powerful presence. 8 x 6.5 inches, 20.25 x 16.5 cm. Height with the beard is 19 inches (48.25 cm).

We are glad to present you a real precious superb Uzukumaru tsubo by probably the best potter in the world, Tsujimura Shiro, enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Shell marks, kutsuki, ash blasting. The piece is 7-3/4 inches (19.5 cm) tall, 6 inches (15.5 cm) diameter and in excellent condition...

Shiro Tsujimura was born in 1947, in the town of Gose, Nara prefecture, Japan. His first love was oil painting and when he was 18 years old, he aspired to become a painter...

Rare "Buddha Asuka (B)" woodblock print by Kiyoshi Saito, 1955, number 40 of only 50 printed, signed in white ink and sealed in red ink both on the image area. Signed and sealed printed label "self-carved self printed" also included (attached to paper backing removed to inspect condition.)

We were not able to find a recent auction record for this image with data available...

Wonderful Minpei/Awaji ware tea bowl made by the legendary 1st Minpei Kashu during the Edo Period, with deep glaze cracks and soft cobalt blue pictures. It comes with a signed wooden box and a signed and sealed attestation of Hasshu Uewashi, issue number 256. Hasshu Uewashi was a famous judge of Japanese pottery who worked during the Meiji and Taisho Era.

Awaji ware was founded in the early 1830s by Minpei Kashu (1796-1871) from Iga village...

So rare! Wonderful Gozu Aka-e Mizusashi by greatest Eiraku Zengoro Hozen, made during the Japanese Edo Period. It is in perfect antique condition without cracks or repairs.

The red and green scroll work in over glaze enamels on a white crackled ground is superb and well balanced. The round Eiraku seal is on the lower side.

Zengoro Eiraku is best known as one of the Senke-Jisshoku...

Kawase Hasui
The Great Buddha, Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu)
Date: 1930.
The earlier version with the Buddha in shadow.
First edition with Watanabe B seal (used 1927-1932).
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Reference: Hotei #204.
Condition: Removed from original folder. Excellent color.

This is a very special example of Japanese Cloisonne. The workmanship and elegant form are what makes this piece so special. This vase was acquired from one of the world's greatest cloisonne collections. It measures 12 inches tall. Great overall condition but it does has a very tiny enamel flake (See last image) on the back shoulder and minor pitting. It is not signed.

This is a beautiful rare vase exported from Japan to a family in the states. Vases shaped like and similar to this are almost always 5 inches tall. This one at 7 1/4 by 7 1/4 inches is much larger and is covered with far more beautiful detailing. This vase is excellent condition. Inside the vase 3 old images of Japan were found from those that sent this a gift. These images have writing on the back and make reference to this vase being a gift. They stay with this vase.

A very unusual set of three scrolls depicting the women of Shimabara looking down with trepidation at a Fumi-e (a Christian symbol) before lotus enclosed in a wooden box titled Shizan Shimabara-me Sanpuku Tsui (Shizan, Women of Shimabara Three Scroll Set). The Fumi-e was a bronze or wood placard embellished with a Christian symbol upon which people were forced to step to prove that they were not Christians during the ban on Christianity throughout most of the Edo period...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Okitsu-cho, Suruga
Selection of Views of the Tokaido. The 17th station of the Tokaido.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1934.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. First edition with Watanabe C seal (used 1929-42).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Reference: Hotei #229.
Condition: Toning visible in margin. Very light creasing. The crease at the top of the back of the print does not appear on the front.

An original limited edition Kiyoshi Saito woodblock print entitled Flower and a Girl (10) printed in 1971 and numbered 14/80. Rare print in a low edition of a girl in profile viewing a colorful flower.

Print size including title: 21 1/4" High by 14 7/8" Wide. Total size including border approximately 24" High by 18" Wide.

Antique Japanese hikeshi banten, fireman's coat. Made of cotton and stitched over every inch using a sashiko quilting technique. Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi) and their primary goal in containing a fire was to knock out the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel...