A very rare antique Japanese Choba Biraki Safe Tansu (merchant safety chest with hinged doors) made of old growth Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the main drawer lock plate of Pine trees with matching corners of monkeys reaching for peaches, the hexagonal hinged door lock representing the owner's family crest and Furui (old) Kakute handles. Hinged doors open to 7 drawers of varying sizes...

A dynamic early porcelain work in vivid color by Kiyomizu Rokubei VI enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Futatsuki Kajutu Mon Kashiki (Sweets dish decorated with fruit) bearing his real name, indicating it predates his taking the name Rokubei in 1945. The box bears the seal of the Hattori Tokeiten, purveyors of fine art in Pre-war Japan. The porcelain is 19.7 cm (8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, signed on the bottom...

Shiko Munakata (1903 ~ 1975)
Titled in Japanese: Flower(s) of Vienna, the great Leo Sirota ウィーンノハナ　レオシロタ大人
Dated: April 11, 1965.
Leo Sirota (1885-1965) was one of the world's most famous pianists. Munakata was his friend and produced this print shortly after Sirota's death.
Edition: Not known. A color version of this design exists.
Signed: "Shiko" in Japanese; "Munakata" in English.
Sheet size: 16 x 10.75 inches...

Also known as "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life,” here in this pre-Edo Buddhist painting we see Amida and his two assistant bodhisattvas, Seishi on the left (associated with wisdom and strength), and Kannon on the right (associated with compassion and mercy), descending from the Western Pure Land to welcome newly deceased believers into the realm of paradise...

Although reports vary, it is generally thought that Zeze-yaki had its heyday in the late Momoyama to early Edo period under the influence and patronage of legendary artists/ men of tea, Honami Koetsu and Kobori Enshu. It was also counted among the seven best kilns selected by Enshu Kobori (1579-1647), a tea master and military commander of that era. In the mid-1600s the tradition died out for a time after the destruction of the kiln by fire...

With a base of dazzling red ochre clay, a technique known as “san-giri,” pioneered by the progenitor of this generational potting family and now widely used among Bizen potters, is employed here to bring out stunning mustard yellows, mossy greens, charcoal blacks, along with a range of subtler hues.

The potter, Konishi Tōko II (1927 -2018) was second daughter to Konishi the first...

Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century, Korean potters heavily influenced the development of this form—helping to endow it with the earthy, simple, and natural qualities it is so appreciated for...

This antique Japanese okimono was intricately hand-carved during the Meiji period (1868-1912) to portray a lifelike rhinoceros. The artist has skillfully captured the fine details of the animal's body, creating a rough texture that emulates the real hide of a rhinoceros. The material's natural color is brilliantly incorporated, particularly on the shoulders and head of the creature, lending it a strikingly realistic appearance...

Antique 19th century early Meiji Period, Japanese fine Satsuma ceramic large incense burner censer (Koro) decorated with various colored enamels and gold on a crackled cream ground. On one side, finely hand-painted with the garden scene depicting an enthroned emperor guarded by samurais and receiving the high-ranking dignitary. On the other side is a garden scene with two court ladies and children guarded by samurai...

Japanese bronze rooster with artist sign.

Age: Japan, Showa Period, 20th Century
Size: Height 15.7 C.M. / Width 5.3 C.M. / Length 11 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall. Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.

This elegant work of Karatsu pottery has an unglazed foot, showing the rich ferrous clay from which it is constructed, and displays splashes of ferrous pigment on a backdrop of ashen glaze with a milky white overglaze. The triangular shape and large proportions make for a very distinctive work of e-Karatsu or “painted” Karatsu.

Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated...

Cast Bronze Candlestick. Edo Japan Lost wax cast bronze candlestick. Beautiful cast iron and scraper finish. Decoration of Buddhist lions in relief. The candle receptacle is made of 4 hammered bronze lotus petals, these petals, thin enough, have a flexibility allowing the candles to be held perfectly. The two removable handles have the shape of Buddhist lions. Excellent bronze patina. Japanese work from the beginning of the Edo period, difficult to date with accuracy, 18th century or before...

A classic two stage work by Gomi Kenji enclosed in the original singed wooden box titled simply Saido Utsuwa (Colored Clay Vessel). It is 45.5 cm (18 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Gomi kenji was born in Nagano in 1978. After graduating from the prestigious Waseda University, he went to Okinawa where he studied Kokuba-Tougei, Tsuboya ware, which has been produced since the 17th century, in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture...

Rare antique Japanese Biraki Choba (merchant chest with hinged doors). The doors open to reveal 9 drawers of various sizes over a single large exterior drawer. Heavy iron hardware includes extensive cross bracing, large hinges, warabite drawer-pulls, a large round lock plate, a lock and 3 keys.
The lock plate has a large Minamoto Clan family crest-likely that of the Seiwa Genji clan. Warriors such as Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate; and Ashikaga Takauji, ...

Antique Japanese small cha tansu (tea chest). Made with chestnut wood frame and burled hardwood drawer fronts. Two slider panels and a drop in panel are covered with gold-leafed silk on wood. The center of the chest has a small display area with a staggered shelf and two small drawers. The lower portion of the chest has three small drawers and a full-width drawer on the bottom.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 25 7/8" high x 23 1/4" wide x 10" deep

Antique Japanese kyodai (vanity box with mirrors). With three hinged mirrors that close inward. The back mirror swivels up and down. The box has 8 drawers of various sizes. The box is carved with peony flowers. The backs of the mirror panels are carved so that when it is closed they display large peony flowers on one panel and a fu-dog on the other. Carved all over with a faceted texture and finished with red and black negoro lacquer.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dime...

Kawase Hasui
Title: Zojoji Temple
Date: 1950s-60s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Print size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to an original blank card.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Not sealed by the artist. We've encountered a sealed late twentieth century example. Please see our last photo. This Zojoji design is very similar to a well-known 1930s Hasui print.

Antique Japanese kyodai (box with drawers and mirror). Made with burled mulberry wood with intricate grain. The interior is all kiri (paulownia) wood with a wiped lacquer finish inside the drawers. The box has 5 drawers of various sizes for storing personal items. The spandrel under the mirror is carved with a bird flying in front of a full moon and tall grasses. Original beveled glass mirror which swivels up and down.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" h...