DESCRIPTION: This outstanding and rare antique Japanese Tonkotsu, or tobacco box, has been crafted from boxwood in the form of the Three Wise Monkeys, with a beautifully carved Iwazaru, or “Speak no Evil” monkey, serving as the main tobacco container. Mizaru, or “See No Evil”, forms the ojime and Kikazaru, or “Hear No Evil”, forms the netsuke to complete the set. Each of these has been meticulously carved with inlaid eyes and finely delineated fur...

Antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area. Made with keyaki (zelkova elm) wood front and sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame. The chest has four large drawers, two small drawers and a safe box (with key) which opens to two small interior drawers. The hardware is made of iron and features beautiful lock plates in the form of scrolling vines with a chrysanthemum mon in the center and warabite drawer pulls...

A striking ceramic box scrawled with abstract lines covered in silver on top with silver droplets of mist covering the blue sides by Kondo Takahiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Jigen Jikiro. It is 14.5 x 8.5 x 7 cm (5-3/4 x 3-1/4 x 3 inches) and is in perfect condition.
Kondo Takahiro (b. 1958) was born the grandson of Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo. However, he graduated Hosei University not with a degree in sculpture or crafts, but in Literature...

Beautiful and dramatic antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Nihonmatsu area, 2-sections, made with keyaki wood front and sugi wood frame, safe box with key, lovely original deep red/orange translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 47 1/2" high x 45 1/4" wide x 18 1/2" deep.

Wonderful Japanese hirado ware porcelain figure of a dragon fish jumping out of waves, a traditional symbol of transformation, white glazed porcelain with tinge of brown along edges on one side and blue underglazed eyes, Meiji Period (19th century). Size: 12 3/4" high x 9 1/2" wide x 10" deep.

Japanese Bronze Running Bull 16"L4"W7.5"H, Signed on bottom with cartouche and signature, very detailed modeling, base remnants of paper label, Meiji Period

Antique Japanese Noh performer's mask, carved, lacquered and painted, wrinkled features beautifully rendered and sensitively painted, good patina, white beard and eyebrows, mouth grip, worn circular chop on back: "_____munae", Edo Period (early 19th century). Size: 6" high x 4 3/4" wide

Unusual Japanese antique gyosho bako (peddler's box), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood, iron hardware including loops for rope so that peddler could carry box on his back, 4 drawers and a safe box, three interior drawers, Meiji Period. Size: 35 1/4" high x 11" wide x 16 1/4" deep.

Beautiful Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), keyaki (elm) wood frame and front with nice hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood side bracing, nice keyaki wood grain, two compartments with sliding panels, 5 drawers, a safe box with 3 small interior drawers, iron hardware with hirute shaped drawer pulls, sliders pulls are made of bronze, Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: 30" high x 25 3/4" wide x 13" deep.

Antique Japanese round table, carved all over with irises, curving legs are in especially high relief with large iris blossoms, dark finish, table top has reddish brown finish, beautifully carved and very dramatic, made for export, circa 1910. Size: 29 1/2" high x 39" wide (at widest point) Table top is 28 1/2" wide diameter.

Beautiful antique Japanese large covering originally used in a Buddhist temple. Three deep blue silk panels sewn together and woven with gold in design of 18 chrysanthemums and 18 floral roundels. Chrysanthemums with 32 petals, back is lined with a light blue cotton.
Inscription of previous owner, which states: Noto, Kashima-gun, Koura Village property of the abbot of Kouken (ji) temple...

A Mashiko ware tea bowl (chawan) by Hamada Shoji. The bowl is glazed in a style known as kaki yu or persimmon color glaze which is often seen in Mashiko wares. Hamada Shoji along with Yanagi Muneyoshi and Barnard Leech were part of the mingei movement in the late 20th century. The movement emphasized the simple minimalist beauty found in daily objects made by unknown artists. Thus, Shoji never signed his works, where he too wanted people to simply appreciate his ceramics, not his notoriety...

Taoism guardians known as the embodiment of Good Fortune (Fu), Prosperity (Lu), and Longevity (Shou) finely curved and kept in a Zushi, a miniature shrine decorated with gold leaf and handmade silver work. Circa 19th Century. The guardians are often kept as personal daily worship at household and decoration. Signed Shugetsu. The seal reads Hara. It is attributed to one of prominent doll make artists, first Hara Shugetsu. It is in fine condition.

Hara Shugetsu was born in Sakai in Osaka...

Paul Jacoulet
Le Nid, Coree (The Nest, Korea).
Date: December 14, 1941.
Size: Dai-oban.
Edition: 120/150. Prints from this original edition of 150, which has more muted colors, are exceedingly rare.
Carver: Maeda.
Condition: Very good...

Japanese bronze vase in the shape of a stalk of bamboo, with a snail crawling upside down on its frontside and a toad leaning against its base, looking up at the snail. Has a signature signed Atsuyoshi with a seal from the workshop by the artists of Maruki studio and cartouche on its lower backside.

Taisho period

Size: 15.25" tall, 11.5" wide

Rare Japanese small Tansu made with Keyaki wood with multible small drawers. A locking bar fastens vertically in front of tansu secures the drawers. Dated inscription on bottom reads year 1766, " Meiwa 3" Edo Period: 1766 Dimensions: 16.5" Tall, 20" Wide, 12" Deep

Unusually large Japanese bronze vase. Slender middle, with large chrysanthemum flowers climbing and curling around center of vase. Vase has round bottom with tiered gourd shaped base on which flowers bloom. Beautiful detail and deep, even tone to bronze. Top of vase is lined with artistic geometrical pattern. Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 29.75" High, 15.5" Width

Antique Japanese gyosho bako, or merchant's chest, in a tall and slender style with many drawers. It is made of kiri (paulownia) wood with a dark brown lacquer. The drawers bear an emblem faded from age, perhaps once used to label the contents inside. The very bottom drawer has an iron locking plate. Edo age (1615-1867). Exhibited in Palo Alto Cultural Center. Size: 36" height, 11" width, 14" depth