An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) in three sections made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All bronze hardware including the Warabite handles. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Two sliding doors to the top section behind which are three small drawers to the right and a split level shelf to the left...

An Arita porcelain whistle in the form of a reclining Chinese boy. Decorated in Kakiemon-type underglaze blue, green and iron-red enamels. Circa 1680 ~ 1700.

A similar whistle is illustrated in Christiaan J. A. Jorg’s ‘Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections.’

Approximately 7.4 cm long...

A rare Japanese Sometsuke Mukozuke dish, the design of a partially folded fan taken directly from Chinese porcelain made especially for export to Japan during the late Ming Dynasty, Tianqi Period, 1621-1627.

Modeled in the form of a partially unfolded fan and decorated with a figure on a riverbank, the river and a solitary boat before him. The naturalistically modeled back is plain and has three thickly potted circular feet...

The figures are expertly carved and depict members of the Buddhist pantheon, unidentified by the writer. The material used has a marine origin and is most likely walrus tusk. They are darkened from age and have achieved a pleasing colour. The lotus stands are separately constructed and as they have been produced from a cross-section of the tusk they exhibit the dentine found within...

A vintage Japanese 2 section special Kamo Tansu kimono chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Kuwanoki (Mulberry) wood. The Kiri wood comes from the Aizu region of Japan which is well known for its high quality of Kiri lumber while the handle and trim accents were made of hand carved Kuwa. The wood is very thick and dense while the parts fit so perfectly that the interior of the tansu is nearly air tight keeping the valuable silk kimonos dry...

Very rare XII Eiraku Wazen (1823–1896) Kiseto Sake Cup (Sakazuki) with original box. The seal of the potter is stamped on the bottom.

XII Eiraku Wazen (1823–1896) belongs to one of the most influential pottery family in Kyoto in 19 century.
He became the head of the family in 1843 at the age of 20 with the name Wazen after retirement of his father Hozen...

An antique Japaese tray in the form of a banana leaf in green natural Urushi lacquer with its original Tomobako. Beautiful artist rendition of a folded top to the leaf that has an edge which naturally cuts up. Fully carved and lacquered both top and bottom. Age: Meiji/Taisho (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" Long by 10 1/2" Wide

Kobako in dark brown lacquer. In imitation of bamboo, the inner part is made of bamboo and the outer part of the box is made of kaki wood. It represents the cross section of a bamboo cane node with its light brown diaphragm slightly bulging in the center of the lid and stand. External layer of the bamboo cane representing the cellulosic fibers.
Bamboo, strong, flexible and fast growing, symbolizes strength, flexibility and prosperity...

MUDRA OF ESOTERIC BUDDHISM

10 pieces of the practitioner’s manuscript of various hand-signs called ‘tein’ (also ‘inso’, ‘ketsuin’) as the mudra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudra) of ‘mikkyo’ (Japanese Esoteric Buddhism), as the symbolic or ritual gesture or pose performed with the hands and fingers for marking each secret of various buddhas, bodhisattvas, deities, etc. Early 20th century. approx...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. It has a configuration of 9 drawers, a pair of Biraki-Do (hinged doors) hiding a center shelf and a thief's door behind which lies two more small drawers. Two side lift-up handles through which a bamboo pole would go allowing two persons to carry this tansu from place to place.

Originating in the Tohoku region of Japan, th...

An antique Japanese Yonezawa Kasane Kimono Tansu (stacked chest on chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Beautiful Ume (Plum Blossom) motif on lock plates with a nickel rim. Four large drawers with a hinged door that hides two small drawers. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Hand forged iron hardware with Mokko handles.

Can be separated and used as bedside nightstands or used as a daily dresser drawer or accent piece in any room decor...

Very small portable shrine, zushi. The figure of Amida Nyorai is standing on a lotus base with intricately carved curled lotus petals. His slender body covered in a finely, gold ornamented garment, his left hand pointing down in mudra, his now missing right hand would be held up in mudra, as well.

Soft wood stained dark brown, with gold painted decoration and some red.
The insides of the doors decorated in reddish brown with meandering flowers over gold foil on black lacquer.

...

Hanging scroll. Portrait of probably Sugawara no Michizane, sitting in court dress - a black garment with a long white sash - holding a wooden mace. The black garment, with red liner, is delicately decorated with flowers between waving lines. The sash also decorated with stylized flower shapes.

Tosa style. Signature at bottom: Yuho Issho ga. Red seal: Issho no in.

Colors on silk.

Japan, early 19th century.

Painted area: 23 5/16 x 10 13/16 in. (39.7 x 27.9 cm).
...

Kogo, container for storing incense during the tea ceremony, in the shape of the bud of a lotus flower.
The bottom half decorated on the outside with classic lotus sepals, as used to image a Buddhist lotus dais, in relief. The top half also decorated in low relief in a much more stylized manner. The closed lotus bud, crowned by a 16-petal chrysanthemum and topped by a knob, which is probably a stylized rendering of the chrysanthemum heart.

Alternatively the shape could refer to the s...

Midsize storage jar, tsubo. Greyish brown stoneware, with the typical white stone inclusions, partially bursting out through the surface. The ashes in the wood burning kiln settled during the firing onto the surface of the pot and melted, creating the beautiful brownish yellow ash glaze. This is a natural process that cannot be controlled by the potter beyond the decision of placement within the kiln.

Japan, Edo period, 19th century or a bit earlier

H 11.25 inches

Very good ...