One made of silver alloy in the "bira-bira" style, showing a blossom with tiny coral beads forming the center and attached butterflies. The second one is a "tama" kanzashi with pierced mixed metal ball showing floral decoration. Both ending in a mimikaki (ear spoon). Condition: the first one with missing butterflies. The second one with minimally bent prongs and little wear. Dimension: 17 cm and 16 cm long.

19th Century, excellently hand-carved in rare Persimmon Wood Netsuke depicting a realistic version of a Cicada that is laying upon a half Walnut shell. This netsuke is carved in intricate detail; faithful in form and image to the subject in nature that it represents. It is attributed to the Iwami School, because it presents all the characteristics of netsuke made by carvers of the region in Japan (See partial illustration - photo #10 - of the book 'Iwami Netsuke from the R. S...

This is a finely carved boxwood netsuke depicting the Skeleton of the Buddhist Priest Danka beating oa a Mokugyo, or Buddhist Temple Drum. Very nice detail and wonderful symmetry all throughout, rich patina. Signed Tomoyuki, a disciple of Tomochika, in an irregular oval reserve, on the bottom of the netsuke. Netsuke measures 0.92 inches (2.3cm) wide, 1.40 inches (3.5cm) long, and 1.27 inches (3.2cm) tall...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a muscular blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar crouching and trying to lift his hugely distended scrotum. He is wearing only a fundoshi. Excellent detail and patination; he grimaces as he attempts to lift the large stone. His left eye and teeth are inlaid with light and dark horn. Very nice uneven himotoshi. Signed Hakudosai on a rectangular reserve on the bottom of the netsuke...

19th Century, very fine hand-carved netsuke depiction of a Naturalistic Human Skull (See photo #11 for comparison with actual Human Skull), with seven natural material teeth in the upper jaw, and fine parietal lines covering the cranium. Attributed to Tomochika, because of its close likeness to a spectacular netsuke of the same subject auctioned by Lempertz Auction House (photo #9), that rivals the skulls made by Sukenao (Photo #10)...

This is an excellently and intricately carved boxwood netsuke depicting a Boat full of passengers (11 of them) dressed in various garb, carrying different articles and set in different poses. One of them, in the rear of the boat, seems to be either sunbathing or nurturing an ailment; another is wearing a large Amigasa Kasa hat; there is woman carrying a baby in her arms. It is full of great form and expressions. Unsigned. Netsuke has a rich patina...

Hiroshi Yoshida
Kamogawa in Kyoto (The Kamo River)
Date: 1933.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.0 x 10.75 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating a first edition self-printed by the artist.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Abe catalog #186.
Condition: Light toning and fading. Top margin corners are thin...

19th Century, excellently hand-carved boxwood netsuke depicting a seated Tanuki, or Japanese Badger (raccoon dog) raising his right paw in order to beat his belly, or distended scrotum as it if were a drum. Outstanding hair work, a distinguishing characteristic of this netsuke master. Wonderful natural himotoshi that is formed by the bending tail of the Tanuki over its right hind leg...

This is a finely hand carved, 19th Century Kurokaki Wood Netsuke depicting Tenaga "Long Arms" being carried on the back of Ashinaga "Long Legs"...

19th Century, Japanese nicely hand-carved boxwood Netsuke depicting a character of a Japanese folk tale 'The story of the old man who made withered trees blossom': Hanasaca Jiisan. Here, Hanasaca is shown in one of the scenes of the folk tale where he is chopping down a tree to make a mortar. Hanasaca's dog who appeared to him in a dream is showing him the location of the tree...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar crouching and trying to lift a stone, or possibly his hugely distended scrotum. He has the typical bump on his head. He squints as he attempts to lift the large object. He is wearing only a fundoshi. His right eye is inlaid with light colored horn. Excellent detail and patination. Netsuke measures 1.38 inches (3.5cm) wide, and 1.22 inches (3.1cm) tall...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of Shogun Yoritomo (General Minamoto no Yoritomo 1147-99) sitting in his court; ready to begin audiences with his advisers and subjects. Netsuke measures 1.35 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 1.35 inches (3.4cm) tall...

1800's, excellently hand-carved Japanese mix-materials netsuke depicting Okame performing the Japanese custom of Mamemaki (bean scattering) during Setsubun (the day before the beginning of Spring) to cleanse away all the evil (demons) of the former year, and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come...

Japanese Late 20th Century cloisonné enamel koro (incense burner). Raised wire design of trees. The koro stands on three small feet. The koro measures 6 1/8" tall by 3 1/4" in diameter. Comes with wooden storage box. There is some slight darkening of the color of the body of the piece, in the lower area, from use.

Koma Inu Shrine guardians decorate this unusually vivid Ako carpet dating from the early 20th century. The color combination is quite striking, especially when held up to the more standard subdued works typical of Ako. It is 95 x 195 cm (37-1/2 x 77 inches) and is in stunning condition. We found this wrapped in paper in the attic of a Kyoto home which had been sealed off during renovations in the 1950s. With a relatively small quantity produced within the rather short history of Japanese car...

Japanese early 20th century earthenware vase by SUIGETSU. The vase has 2 crabs done in high relief on the side. This type of ceramics was originated by artist Yoshikawa Tsunekata during the Meiji Period. The vase comes with TOMOBAKO, or original artist signed wooden storage box. The vase measures 6 1/4" tall by 8" in diameter.

A pair of Arita dishes moulded in Ko Sometsuke Kraak style decorated with a pair of scholars playing Go, one of the four accomplishments of the Chinese gentleman scholar. In which the first of the pair of figures is parodied in mitate style one of whom has a board on his head and one presumes losing opponent has a miserable expression. A short eight character poem is incorporated in the design, but is probably unrelated to the figures, reflecting the contemporary popularity of haigu combinatio...

A pair of Arita dishes moulded in Ko Sometsuke Kraak style decorated with a pair of scholars playing Go, one of the four accomplishments of the Chinese gentleman scholar. In which one of the pair of figures is parodied in mitate style as a proud Rooster and Hen. A short eight character poem is incorporated in the design, but is probably unrelated to the figures, reflecting the contemporary popularity of haigu combinations of painting and poetry during the late Eighteenth century. The second dish...