A charming Okimono made of fine grain wood, probably cherry wood because it is too light and wide rings to be boxwood. It represents a couple of cats or martens dressed in kimono. Very nice sculpture, neat details, hair, whiskers. Inlaid eyes. Two other sculptures of this subject are known but much smaller and are housed in the Metropolitan and the other in the Fine art of Boston. They are announced as netsuke. Good condition, nice patina. Worn of uses for a sculpture of the 19th century...

Black lacquer box decorated with butterflies and flowers in red, green and yellow lacquer. Detail in powdered gold lacquer and kirikane (small gold square.) Curiously there are only 2 elements in yellow lacquer, a butterfly and a flower. No signature. Good condition, no restoration...

Shoda Koho
Black Cat at Night
Date: 1930s.
Size: Tanzaku 13.25 x 3.125 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku (stamp on verso)
Artist's seal at lower right.
Reference: No. 1602
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawaguchi Bunzaemon Basse Taille Silver Vase Marked, circa 1900's

It is 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) tall by 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) wide.

It has black spots at the enamel, a small spot of tarnished enamel underneath the opening with enamel cracks, and surface wears and scratches. It also has tarnished metal and dents at the metal's bottom's rim (as seen in the photos).

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Dragon candlestick in bronze forming crucifix. Japan edo. This cruciform shape is unknown in Japanese art. I think it is a household crucifix for a Japanese Christian family who would have liked to have a discreet crucufix in their house. A non-Christian visitor would never have suspected that this three-candle dragon was a representation of Christ on the cross...

Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Antique Japanese Tea Cup with inscribed poem and signature

Rengetsu Otagaki (1791-1875) was a Buddhist nun who is widely regarded to have been one of the greatest Japanese poets of the 19th century.
She was also a skilled potter and painter and expert calligrapher and adorned her ceramics with poems written in her unique calligraphic style.
The cup style and the the glaze is consistent with authentic Rengetsu work.

Size
Width 8cm...

Ito Shinsui (aka. Shikuntei)(1898-1972)
Preparing Tea
Date: 1950s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7.375 inches (25 x 19 cm).
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's seal on verso
Signed Shikuntei Shinsuiga. Sealed Shinsui.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent color. Slight creasing and toning.

A pair of goldfish lantern made of washi (handmade paper) and bamboo strips which is the origin of Nepta (or Nebuta) used at Nepta festival in Hirosaki city in Aomori prefecture. The goldfish lantern made of paper and bamboo strips were used till around 1980s, but now it is replaced to one made of vinyl and wire. In good condition except for some brownish spots in the white parts. Large one: H:35cm W:34cm, Small one: H24cm W20cm

An antique Japanese merchant chest called Choba Tsukue made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Two drawers used for the storage of an inkstone and brushes as well as paper for writing transaction records and receipts. The drawer interiors have minor ink stains which is a testament to its usage and function.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 40" Wide by 13 1/4" High by 16 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware which includes the Warabite handles, the lock plates with auspicious symbols, and the pine and plum Atari handle back stops. The symbols on the locks feature the traveler's cape and hat, the lucky treasure bag and the lucky fortune mallet...

An antique Japanese Chobako (small merchant chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original and beautiful transparent Urushi lacquer finish showcases the underlying magnificent wood grain. Hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles on the 2 large drawers and the Hirute handle on the small security drawer. Minor sumi ink stains in the upper right drawer suggests that an inkstone and brushes were stored there for writing store records and receipts...

Koizumi Kishio
Lingering Snow at Five-storied Pagoda
No. 7 from the series, Views of Nikko National Park
Date: 1936.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.75 inches (25.6 x 19.6 cm).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Possibly faintly signed at lower right.
Condition: Excellent.

An antique 3 section stacking Isho Biraki Tansu (Kimono chest with removable storage trays) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Constructed using dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Original nickel plated hardware with Chrysanthemum designed lock plates and angled Warabite handles. The top section features sliding doors behind which are two small drawers to the right and a shelf to the left...

An antique Japanese rare Tanuki (badger dog) that originates from the famous kiln region of Shigaraki, Japan. It was made in an Oribe glaze and it is shown holding a sake bottle in its right hand and a burl wood walking staff in its left hand. It is artist signed on the back.

The Tanuki is a shape shifter turning into various objects or people causing it to get into mischief and often comical adventures...

Antique Japanese bush holder made of ceramic with highly raised scenes of fu-dogs, one glazed a buff color, the other blue. They stand with characteristic whimsical expressions on mossy rocks out of which bloom large peony flowers in white and pale pink. There are 5 holes in the top for brushes.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 3/4" high x 5 1/2" long x 2 5/8" wide

Japanese woodblock print of a sunset over houses. The sky is bright orange and yellow casting purple shadows on the tiled roof wall around a compound of rural houses. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 34 in series of 500. Has red oval seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 3/4" high x 18 1/8" wide

Japanese woodblock print of an alley between houses in old Japan. A small shinto shrine stands outside a wooden kura door. Executed in shades of grays and blues. A sense of depth is created by the light at the other end of the alley. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 23 in series of 500. Has oval red seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 1/2" high x 18 1/8" wide

Japanese woodblock print of a traditional store front with a red noren and large sign characters over a tile roof. Signed in pencil by Katsuyuki Nishijima (born 1945) and number 453 in series of 500. Has the oval red seal indicating early works. Unframed.

Age: Late 20th century

Dimensions: Paper size: 13 3/8" high x 18 3/8" wide