The Shishimai dance tradition is common throughout east Asia. A single, or sometimes a pair of dancers, don the costume and parade through the street biting people, especially children, on the head. This is believed to ward off misfortune and evil spirits, and make a child overcome fear. An incense burner by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan in the shape of a shrouded Lion Dancer in vibrant colors enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ninsei-I Shishimai Gata Koro...

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Night Shower at Izumi Bridge
Date: Pre-1932.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15.0 x 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-16 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A thin paper spot at bridge post as shown. On the back, there are two thinner portions where tape had been. Tiny 1 cm tear extending from right center margin...

A rare tabako-ire in the shape of bear claws and netsuke with eagle claw that holds a glass sphere held by a rope, with turquoise ojime. This tabako-ire belonged to an Ainu in the northern of Japan on the island of Hokkaido where the native people, the Ainu, lived. In this extraordinary find there are the symbols of the two animals most revered by this people, the bear that lives free in the tribes and the eagle that was hunted for its feathers. Edo-Meiji period 19th century Sizes: 1...

A lot of 9 Japanese antique Buddhist temple Lotus leaves and blossoms. Made to be part of a Buddhist altar arrangement. The Lotus represents enlightenment blooming from out of the mud. Carved from wood and lacquered gold. Lotus petals are carved separately and joined. Each fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Varies from 15 1/2" to 36 1/2" High

A vintage Japanese contemporary low Mizuya Tansu made from solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area. Three side by side drawers along the bottom with Hikute iron handles. Taiko drum nail heads decorate the sliding doors and horizontal side bars add structural strength as well as aesthetic beauty to the chest.

Age: 1970's

Dimensions: 35 1/2" Wide by 23 1/2" High by 17 3/4"Deep

An antique Japanese Tsuruoka Bo Tansu (chest with locking bar) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. The locking bar features a flying crane amidst a forest of Sho Chiku Bai (Pine trees, Bamboo and Plum blossom trees). The lock plate on the bottom drawer features an auspicious sea turtle...

An antique Japanese Kansai Daiku Tansu (carpenter chest for tools and hardware) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. 14 drawers of various sizes used to store tools and hardware used by a Japanese wood craftsman. Japanese woodworking techniques used in making this chest include through mortise and tenon joinery and hardened wood nails. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. Originates from the Kansai region of Japan...

An antique Japanese Kururi Tansu (apothecary chest for herbs and medicine) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood and finished in a Negoro lacquer. 30 drawers each with an iron ring pull. It features two side carrying handles and a custom-made raised stand.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 24 3/4" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 9 7.8" Deep

Ohara Koson
Quail in Moonlight
Size: Approximately 17 x 12 cm. 6.75 x 4.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Koson signature and seal at lower left.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 447).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Faint foxing spots. Light creasing at top right edge.
An early and rarely seen design not found in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).

An antique Japanese bamboo Ikebana basket reminiscent of an outdoor garden fence. Bicolor bamboo strips in an open weave design. The handle is intertwined with young and old mature bamboo symbolizing a family's support over many generations. The old bamboo has segmented root nodes often referred to as Eyes. The overlapping slats on top of slats in the main body represents both support in numbers as well as the idea of abundance. The foot is woven bamboo in a low profile...

Ohara Koson
Two birds on thin twigs with red berries
Size: Approximately 16.8 x 11.8 cm. 6.625 x 4.625 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Koson signature and seal at lower left.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 436).
Reference: K35.18 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Slight wave in paper around original publisher's label at back.
An early and rarely seen design.

A Beautiful Modern Maki-e Lacquer Kogo, Container for Incense. The lid and sides are decorated with stylised rocks among waves rendered in low relief with different techniques: kirigane ( small squares of gold foil), fundame (mat gold ground), nashigi (sprinkled gold powder) and shakudo on a kuro roiro shiage (polished black lacquer) background A beautiful object for tea ceremony! Inscribed and signed wooden box tomobako. Size: Diam 7,5 h 2 cm. Showa Period, probably from the 60’s...

Ohara Koson
Small Bird on a Morning Glory
Size: Approximately 16.9 x 12 cm. 6.5 x 4.625 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Koson signature and seal at lower left.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 438).
AK.24 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A couple of spots the lower sky.
An early and rarely seen design.

Width: 13.9 cm (5.5 in)
Height: 5.7 cm (2.3 in)

Fine Japanese Satsuma bowl by Hattori; varying-shaped cartouches showing figures, both domestic and warrior types in rural and domestic settings; fine gilt diaper-work throughout; similar decoration to the exterior with a writhing dragon weaving through the panels of figures; gilded borders are superb; signed to the base

A master work by one of the top artisans of the late 20th century—the result of techniques perfected over centuries by dedicated craftsmen residing in districts in and around Kyoto. This black Raku-style tea bowl produced by Sugimoto Sadamitsu beautifully exemplifies the essence of "wabi-cha" or the philosophy of finding beauty and deep philosophic meaning in rustic simplicity.

Sugimoto (b...

An antique Japanese Bamboo Ikebana basket with a natural robust soot patinated rich chestnut color. It features a twisted Bamboo rope base with diagonal cladded interwoven slats. The gnarled Wisteria branch handle evokes the feeling of a scholarly ancient Pine tree that symbolizes longevity. Its ovoid shape has a wide open mouth...

An antique Japanese Bamboo Ikebana basket woven in a traditional form with an elegant loop handle. It features a woven foot, with a star split base that was signed by the artist. The woven sides have terminating two through five layered spacers. The three Bamboo loop handle has caterpillar styled reinforcements at the base with five auspicious turtle style woven reinforcements along the top. Natural soot patina acquired over years of loving use...

An antique Japanese Bamboo Ikebana basket in a Sea Urchin shell form with fine weave and two woven ring handles. Often incorporated into the art of flower arranging, it also doubles as a sculptural table centerpiece.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 11 1/2" High by 14" Diameter