1) Stoneware incense box or kogo in the shape of an onna daruma (female daruma). She sits in the typical way, all rolled up in her garment, indicating that arms and legs may have fallen off. Her face shows striking similarity to Okame. Cream colored and reddish brown glaze over whitish soft clay, the face left partially free, fine crackle in the glaze. Japan, Meiji period...

From our Japanese Collection, a superb and large satsuma lidded jar / tea caddy by Ryozan, Meiji Period 1868-1912, stunningly executed with exceptional fineness depicting two cartouches of people gathering, alternating with two cartouches of ducks and birds in nature scenes, all separated and framed by intricate brocaded reserves of floral motifs using wonderful color variation and extensive gilt.

Size and Condition: A relatively large caddy at 7 1/4 inches tall, 6 1/8 inches wide.

Gilt-and-lacquer-on-wood depiction of a standing Buddha, the eyes of inset crystal. Kamakura/Nanbokucho Period ca. 1300–1400. Old loss and heavy patination.

Height, including round dais: 37.4 cm
Height of Buddha figure only: 33.2 cm.

Stone depiction of two Jizo Bosatsu figures standing side by side, both with hands in the gassho adoration mudra. Mid-Edo Period ca. 1750. Old loss, most notably to the upper-right perimeter, and overall softening of the lines and contours. Light lichen accumulation.

Height: 45.6 cm
Width: 28.0 cm
Depth: 15.2 cm.

Dosojin is the Japanese Shinto manifestation of an originally Chinese Taoist deity charged with guarding the border between this world and hell...

Koma-Inu pair hand-sculpted in a volcanic-ash-based sedimentary stone. Taisho/early-Showa Period ca. 1920–1940. Very minor old loss. Light lichen accumulation.

Ah (mouth open):
Height: 29.0 cm
Width: 10.6 cm
Depth: 19.3 cm

Un (mouth closed):
Height: 29.8 cm
Width: 10.7 cm
Depth: 18.7 cm

An exceptionally well-executed pair, diminutively scaled, and in excellent condition...

From our Japanese Collection, a good set of three large ceremonial lacquer sake shallow bowls in graduated sizes, Showa Period, very handsomely executed with raised gold and black designs of figures set against a red lacquer ground...

Scruffy looking old Japanese warrior doll (musha ningyo). This doll is not so tall (11 1/2" tall) but heavily padded, solid and quite heavy. When we acquired this doll, his hair was already replaced once and most of it was; one side is painted in black. Old glass eyes. The checker design (ichimatsu design) on his clothes is very similar to "Enshu-donsu", one of the famous fabrics used for tea ceremonies in the Edo period. 11 1/2" high x 11" wide x 12" deep. Circa Meiji (1868-1912)...

From our Japanese Collection, a published and very fine satsuma charger, Meiji Period (1868-1912), most likely between 1870-1880, depicting Kannon the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion surrounded by deities and adorants, executed in typical satsuma palette but with an especially rich, heavy, and quite skilful gold application...

Hiratsuka Un-ichi (1895 ~ 1997)
Nihonbashi Bridge in Tokyo (aka. Night at Nihonbashi Bridge)
Date: 1946
Card size: Approximately 6.0 x 4.25 inches.
This woodblock print is the front cover of a Christmas/New Year card signed in pen by the artist at the inside.
Reference: Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Japanese silver pipe with brown bamboo body, the mouthpiece with design of engraved bamboo. Length: 7 1/2" Circa 1900, Meiji period.

Japanese silver and copper pipe with a natural bamboo body. Mid Meiji period. 7 7/8" long.

Artist: Takahashi Tasaburo (b. 1904)
Scene: Girl Before Christmas Tree. Posed like Japanse doll on platform.
Image area: 5.5 x 3.5 inches. A woodblock print tipped at the top to original cardstock.
Date: Early 1950s.
Publisher: Kyoto Hanga-In.
Condition: Excellent. Please see photo for message inside.

From our Japanese Collection, a large and very regal pair of imari vases, Meiji Period 1868-1912, beautifully executed in traditional palette of iron red, orange, blue, and gilt on a white porcelain body, with kiln marks to the base.

Size and Condition: 12 1/4 inches tall, 6 1/2 inches wide. Some light rubbing to the gilt in places commensurate with age and handling, but essentially perfect condition.

Toshi Yoshida (1911~1995)
Depicting: Snow scene
A woodblock print tipped at the top to a Japanese Christmas card from the early 1950s. Please photo of the inside of the card.
Signed "T. Yoshida"
Condition: Excellent.

Pair of Koma-Inu in wood. Nanbokucho/Muromachi Period ca. 1350–1450. Old loss and repairs; traces of original polychrome.

Ah (mouth open):
Height: 37.0 cm
Width: 16.5 cm
Depth: 33.5 cm

Un (mouth closed):
Height: 39.2 cm
Width: 17.3 cm
Depth: 32.0 cm

A fine silver kiseru (kizeru) pipe with natural bamboo body, the ends finely engraved with a dragon and tiger in the bamboo grove. The color of the central bamboo section is dark (almost black) with purple tint. The eye (eyes) is inlaid with gold (very small though). Circa 1900. 7 1/4” (18.8cm)

This is an antique men's silk juban, an undergarment worn under a kimono. For today’s standards, it is very odd to see such an extravagant hidden personal item. During the Edo period, which ended in 1868, common people were not allowed to wear silk. The growing economical power of merchants came along with social disorder and corruption. The Tokugawa government issued many sumptuary laws to limit the spending of the general people on luxury items...

A most unique pair of Chinese Pig Skin Trunks, obviously painted by a Japanese screen artist who made these wonderful decorative, rare creations, featuring a marvelous crane and flowers painted in the Japanese style. Late 19th to early 20th Century. 22w x 9.5h x 13.5d inches, 56 x 24 x 34 cm.