Long verses fall like rain upon the sinister figure of an Oni (type of devil) dressed in the habit of a priest who glares as he walks through the village, banging out a warning to all evil-doers. Around his neck hangs a bell which he clangs loudly with the hammer held high in one hand. The stern figure carries in the other hand a booklet titled Hogacho...

Jizai okimono of an articulated hammered copper praying mantis.

The praying mantis (in Japanese, kamakiri) is considered an auspicious symbol.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 3.15 in / 8.5 cm – width: 3.94 in / 10.5 cm – depth: 4.72 in / 12.5 cm

Rectangular kobako box in takamaki-e and kirigane gold lacquer circled with pewter depicting a lake landscape. Inside and back of the box in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japan – Edo period (1612-1868)
Height: 0.8 in (2.6 cm) – width: 2.4 in (6.7 cm )– depth: 3.1 in (8 cm)

Takamaki-e and kirigane lacquer kobako box depicting two samurai entering an enclosure. Four guards block their access. The side is decorated with cherry blossoms in maki-e lacquer on a fundame background. Interior in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japan - Edo period (1612-1868)
Height: 0.4 in / 1.5 cm - Width: 1.97 in / 5.3 cm - Depth: 1.97 in / 5.3 cm

Jizai okimono of an articulated wooden lobster. This one is a Japanese spiny lobster (ise-ebi in Japanese), a lobster species of Pacific Ocean that grows up to around 12 in (30 cm). It is a popular item in high-class Japanese cuisine.

Wooden jizai okimono are quite rare...

Jizai okimono of an articulated crab in bronze with dark brown patina.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 2 in / 5 cm – width: 7 in / 18 cm – depth: 3.9 in / 10.5 cm

Ivory netsuke with amber patina depicting a seated child playing with a turtle while a cat climbs onto his shoulder. Signed Komin 虎眠 within a rectangular reserve under the base. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 3 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Oval ivory netsuke manju depicting the profile of Daruma, also known as Bodhidharma, a spiritual figure of great importance in Japanese Zen Buddhism. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5 x 1.2 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory okimono of exceptional quality depicting a fisherman standing on a rock, with the rough sea crashing around him. The scene captures a moment of triumph for the fisherman, who raises his fishing rod with a freshly caught fish still attached to the hook. Signed Munemasa with engraving under the red lacquer dowel base next to an old Christie's label. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 21.4 x 7 x 5.5 cm...

A marine ivory okimono with elephant ivory parts depicting a daily life scene of a seated craftsman while he repairs a small wheel...

Pair of bronze vases adorned with inlays, decorated with two Onagadori roosters, known for their elegant length of tail. The roosters are represented perched on a plum branch. Signed by Yoshimasa for Nogawa company. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 17 x 7 x 7 cm. State of conservation: Excellent condition – With wooden bases and tomobako (storage box)

Ivory okimono, carved from a single block, depicting a Samurai with his katana and fan, while a phoenix appears suspended in the clouds. Next to the Samurai, a fox and a monkey are curious and seem to share the samurai's surprise and enthusiasm. Signed Kazutoshi 一俊 with engraving under the base. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 26.5 x 6.5 x 5.5 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition...

A deliciously horrifying painting of a ghost rising from the empty field dating from the 19th century completely remounted and ready to go for another century of leering from the shadows. Ink on paper with highlights of gofun and red pigment separated from a field of blue by a single narrow strand of red and gold Kinran silk terminating in dark wood rollers. The artist has sealed the panting with two crimson chops in the lower corner...

A rare Arita export dish decorated in Kakiemon style with a pair of Hoo birds, (Fenghuang or Pheonixes) amongst rocks and flowers, Peonies and Chrysanthemums. The rim decorated with a Bird and vine pattern arabesque. Identical dishes exist painted in this pattern but enamelled in the classic Kakiemon palette. The “Bird bird and vine” pattern appears on “Kakiemon” export teapots of the same period. The curious blobs arranged in groups of three, represent Stars, Hoshi...

Height: 5.8 cm (2.3 in) Width: 2.7 cm (1.1 in) Depth: 2 cm (0.7 in)
Quality Japanese carved netsuke of a young woman holding a garland of flowers over her head; finely detailed, natural material; textured and stained throughout; signed to the base; good condition

Cherry blossoms. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. Signed Eitai and sealed.

Ito Eitai (1876-?) was a Japanese painter born in Nagasaki prefecture in Japan. He was a disciple of Migita Toshihide (1863-1925), Murase Gyokuden, and Kawabata Gyokusho. He specialized in portrait paintings, landscape paintings, and bird and flower paintings.

Some insignificant light marks are present on the painting itself, otherwise the painting and mounting are in fine condition...

A fabulous cubist form with charred surfaces and natural ash which can be used both flat on a surface or with all sides rising by Furutani Taketoshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen Yu Kaku Hanaire. The texture appears to have been chiseled away, leaving deep clefts in which the flowing ash and coals have hidden and cooled. It is 18 x 18.5 x 18 cm (7 x 7-1/4 x 7 inches) and in excellent condition, directly from the artist...

Elegant curves arc across the slightly flattened form of this Bizen Vase by veteran potter Isezaki So enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Henko. It is 22 x 24 x 28 cm (9 x 10 x 11 inches) and is in excellent condition. This was acquired directly from the artist on our recent trip to Bizen this summer.
Isezaki So was born the third son of important potter Isezaki Mitsuru in 1968, and was raised alongside the family kiln...