Incense burner in lacquer, hexagonal and curved shaped, decorated with hira and takamaki-e in gold and silver lacquer on a nashi-ji background, peonies along the banks of a river and a mount. The lid has a cruciform opening.
A mon is affixed to one side of the diffuser. It is the mon of the family Ōkubo (大久保氏)a family belonging to the Fudai-Daimyo house (the vassals of the Tokugawa family).
The head of the family was created Daimyo by the Tokugawa family in 1684...

A high quality "Porcelain for Palaces" type Arita dish with foliate rim in Imari export style decorated in the full Imari five colour palette principally with Irises, Peonies and Chrysanthemums, with Fence-work and Plum trees and a central motif of Peonies. The reverse decorated with flowering Plum and Rock peonies and an Artemesia leaf. For a set of thirteen dishes with the same pattern in the Royal Collection see C&J : Ayers, J., 2016...

A bowl and accompanying saucer or stand both with slightly everted lips. Decorated in a combination of underglaze blue with enamels, iron red and green, with gilding...

An unusual low bowl with the primary subject of a Minogame, a symbol of longevity, decorated in somenishikide style in underglaze blue with additional enamels. The three Lobate reserves outlined in underglaze blue with yellow enamels framing an iron red ground inset with an auspicious minogame set against an iron red diaper ground. Each reserve divided by a stylised symmetric floral arrangement of a Poppy flower surrounded with foliage in underglaze blue and gilt detailing...

Shonai obi (sash) hand-woven of cotton for warps and paper yarn for wefts. It is made in Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district. It is dyed with vegetable indigo and has beautiful tassels in both ends. In excellent condition except for a few tiny stains. The first half of the 20th century. 29cm x 3m56cm

A swollen sail shape in graduations of color by Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kaze no Deban (Cue the Wind, or Wind in the Sails, if you like). It is 20 x 21 x 28 cm (8x 8-1/2 x 11 inches) and in excellent condition. It retains the original Shifuku and Shiori.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and graduated the Kyoto Municipal University of Art under Kiyomizu Kyubei and Kusube Yaichi...

Japanese antique small Buddhist zushi shrine in the form of a lotus blossom enclosing a tiny figure of Buddha Amitābha. Also known simply as Amida Buddha, he stands on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Amitābha (which means Infinite or Immeasurable light) is much loved for his gentle wisdom and his all accepting nature...

Antique Japanese ceramic bizen ware sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku, two of the most popular of the Lucky Gods. Diakoku, who is usually pictured standing on top of bales of rice, instead stands on top of a large ball. He is shown carrying a lucky mallet (Uchide no Kozuchi) and a bag of treasure which is thrown over his shoulder. He is the protector of agriculture, farmers, and rice merchants...

Japanese Antique woven fruit basket with bent bamboo handle. Woven of split bamboo with a wide and rounded hexagonal, squat form with low walls. The body of the basket is woven with two layers, a wider weave on the outside, and a layer of very thin strips of bamboo in a finer pattern on the inside. The handle and the rim of the basket are made of whole stocks of bent bamboo...

Antique Japanese carved wooden Kyōgen theatre mask of Zo-onna (middle-aged woman). Still beautiful, she is more serious than her younger counterparts. Her face is longer and narrower and she does not smile but her mouth is open, showing both rows of perfect teeth. Beautifully carved of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, signed on the inside.

The characters of the signature read 工藤則朝作 (作, saku, here means "work of _" / "made by _", and the name is 工藤則朝)...

Antique Japanese carved wood kyōgen theatre mask of the moon faced Otafuku. Her name was once Uzume and evolved into Okame which means "tortoise", a symbol of longevity. Otafuku or Okame is considered the goddess of mirth, a cheerful woman who's name means "abundant good fortune". A bringer of victory and success, she is good-natured, good-humored, good-hearted, generous, kind, serene, and patient...

Shoda Koho
Ohashi Bridge at Atako.
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series (No. 1253).
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7.25 inches.
Date: 1910-38.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Sealed by the artist. "Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Slight bend at upper right corner.

Silk meisen kimono with double kasuri apple and strawberry pattern on yellow ground. Kasuri pattern was dyed with stencil-resist-dye (katazome) for both weft and warp yarn (heiyo-kasuri). Generally in good condition but has some brownish stains and some in the lining too and the silk tape in the hem is a bit dirty. Mid 20th century. 126cm x 146cm

Cotton kimono with geometric pattern. The weaving technique is "Kobai-ori" which is woven with thick and thin yarn loosely so that it is translucent. In excellent condition. Mid 20th century. 142cm x 124cm

Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research...

Dismountable miniature bow of Geïshas. Some prints show us Geïshas using such a bow. Excellent quality, nice shakudo, silver and gilded bronze mounts well chiseled. The wooden parts are finely carved like a violin bow. It is stored in a box with 3 drawers where 16 arrows are set, most of them with golden characters. The arrows are made of wood and bone spiral or tinted green, and are weighted by a steel tip, some parts are lacquered and gilded. This is a very rare and fun set. Bow mounted 8...

Kaoru Kawano
Camellia (G) (Tsubaki)
Date: 1950
Size: Double oban. 23.75 x 18 inches.
Edition: 46/200.
Self-carved by Kawano.
Sealed by the artist at lower right.
Signed, titled, and numbered at lower margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The thick paper has some thinner areas on the back from removal from backing. Slight toning line in margin.

Very nice example of Meiji Period (1868-1912) Nezumi Shino Ware Chawan for Tea Ceremony. Shino pottery is produced in today's Gifu prefecture since 16th century and it is distinguished by thick white glazes, red marks and the surface of small holes. Size Diameter 12cm Height 7cm Weight 375g Condition Overall good. No chips, no cracks.