Three gilded thorns shatter the matte white surface of this large vase by Masatomo Toi, a striking combination of ideas. It is from his Dilemma series, the only piece in matte finish. It is 20 cm (8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Masatomo Toi was born in Aichi Prefecture in 1992, and graduated the Design course at the Tajimi Ceramics Research Facility in 2019. Since he has been developing his series of “Thorny” vessels and objects...

With pottery shards from excavated kilns dating back to the 5th Century, Mino-ware is one of the oldest and most revered pottery traditions in all of Japan. Though the piece featured here does not fit neatly into any of the typical categories of Mino pottery such as Kiseto, Setoguro, Oribe, or Shino; the shape and overall feel of this piece unmistakably places it within this pottery tradition...

An antique Japanese 2 section Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Cast iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Upper half features 2 pairs of sliding doors and a set of three side by side drawers. Lower half has 2 sliding doors with 2 side by side drawers. The shallow design would accommodate the narrowest of hallways.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 35 5/8" Wide by 63 1/8" High by 14 1/2" Deep.

An antique Japanese Iwayado Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Yamasugi (slow growth mountain Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Main top drawer lock plate has a flying Phoenix with surrounding drawer lock plates featuring Paulownia leaves from which the bird drinks the collected dew to get its energy. A locking bar secures two drawers and a hinged door opens to access four small drawers...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu in 2 sections made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. All original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles. Upper section features 4 sliding doors, a lift-out door, 2 sliding doors behind which is a removable shelf and 4 drawers.

The lower section features 2 sliding doors behind which jars of water were kept for cooking...

Kawase Hasui
Uji Bridge (aka Bridge on a Starry Night)
Note: But are the stars fireflies? The Uji Bridge and River are known for fireflies.
Date: 1930s.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.75 x 5.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui's oval seal at lower left.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-24.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Dry lacquer Noh mask depicting the character of Kokushiki-Jo and designed to represent divine blessings. Inscription at the back of the mask. Japan, early 20th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.4 cm. Some chips around the rim, partly flaked lacquer, otherwise good condition. NOTE: This mask is used exclusively in "Okina", an ancient dance ritual said to be close to the roots of Noh. Okina is viewed as sacred and therefore accorded a different status from other items in the Noh repertoire...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga woodblock print titled "Into the Woods” by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991) dated 1955. The artist's black ink signature and red seal is within the water at the lower right corner of the image. The small rectangular "Shiro hanga" seal is in the lower right margin corner. The print is titled in kanji ("Woods") and dated 1955 in the lower margin. The numbered edition 88/100 is in pencil at the lower right margin corner with a watermark beside it...

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Water Hyacinth (Mizuaoi)
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 16.0 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher's "Gei" watermark at lower left. Carver and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Antique Japanese sewing box. Made of lacquered wood and inlaid with painted shells. Intended for export. Beautiful details of colorful pheasants and peony blossoms. There is a separate drop-in tray with many small compartments for sewing tools.

Age: Meiji Period (circa early 1900's)

Dimensions: 5 1/8" high x 15 3/8" wide x 11 1/4" deep (when closed)

Osuga Yuichi (b. 1939)
Japanese Bellflower (Kikyo)
Date: ca. 1970s or later.
Size: Oban. 15.875 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher's "Gei" watermark at lower left.
Carver: Monju. Printer: Sugimoto
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Upper left margin edge has vertical crease.

FLYING BIRD WITH WHEEL

Old Japanese mechanical toy as amateur wooden handicraft from Showa period, 20th century. When wheeled back and forward tightly, head shaking and wings flapping but as barely and awkwardly and just lovely. (So, more like a decorative object than practical movable toy, please.) approx. W 27.5 x D 18 x H 19cm (10.82 x 7.08 x 7.48in)...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) titled "Irozaki Morning" dated in the left margin Showa 36 (1961). The artists's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower right corner. The print is pencil-signed and titled in English in the lower margin. Paper size: nearly 11" x 15" (image: 9 9/16" x 13 3/16"). Never framed and in very good overall condition. The paper is slightly wavy.

Spectacular Taisho Period Ca.1920 Kamakura-Bori lacquered wood carving with chrysanthemum petals in beautiful relief. Ca. 1920. Good condition ( see Pics.). Ask for shipping quote.

Ohara Koson (?)
Three Birds (Gallinules) (Matsumoto catalog name)
Size: Approximately 14.4 x 9.0 cm. 5.75 x 3.625 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Sealed "Yamagishi," which may be the carver Kazue Yamagishi (1891-1984).
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 420)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
An early and rarely seen design...

Eye-catching Hirokazu Ichikawa art deco ceramic vase. B.1959 Ichikawa has won many prizes including the Kyoto Art Exhibition 4x, Asahi Pottery Exhibition twice and many more. With original box. Ask for shipping quote.

Height: 31 cm (12.3 in)
Width: 14.5 cm (5.8 in)

Large Japanese Satsuma vase; heavily raised gilt decoration featuring two main panels, one showing a group of men and women in a lakeside setting, the other showing samurai in confrontation; the shoulders and neck feature fine diaper-work and paulownia leaves bordered by two dragon handles; the base rim also shows intricate diaper-work; signed to the base, Hododa; good condition

Japanese Meiji to Showa period oval form ikebana basket (hanakago) hand-woven from reddish bamboo with natural gnarled wood branches incorporated. Four strips rise from each side of the shoulder and are twisted together to form the high loop handle. Round mouth and base. 18” high with handle (9 1/4" high excluding handle); about 10” diameter. Late 19th to early 20th century. Very good overall condition with minor wear. From a Scottsdale, Arizona estate.