Bust portrait of an unidentified actor in the role of a half-naked samurai from a series titled "Mirror of Good and Evil Spirits" by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900), published by Tsunoi in 4/1868. Paper size: 14" x 9 3/8". The print is a fine impression with very fresh color. The wood grain is plainly evident in the background and there are mica highlights. The left margin is trimmed...

Antique Edo Period Japanese bronze standing red crown crane incensor with swirling dragon and tengu (mythical animal that lives in lakes) at its base. Original hand worn bronze patina consistent with age. The incense smoke would rise up an out from the openings in within the feathers of the crane on its back.
The red-crowned crane is a large East Asian crane among the rarest cranes in the world...

Antique Japanese natural burl wood low stand or pedestal. Stunning original warm lacquer lighter tones with darker touches of brown and black. Shapely form as the burl sways right then drifts upward and to the left as it flattens out onto a perfect surface.
Would make for an excellent side table for a contemporary home.

Edo Period C. 19th Century

18" x 13" x 22 1/2" High

Deluxe edition Japanese Meiji period woodblock print by Torii Kiyotada VII, also known as Tadakiyo, (1875-1941) depicting the kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX portraying Fudo Myoo from the series "The Eighteen Great Kabuki Plays" published by Hasegawa in 1896. The series title extends across the top of the image. The artist's Tadakiyo signature and red jar seal are at the lower left...

An expressive frightful yet humorous yamaneko cat (tiger) perched on a natural jagged boulder. Hand carved of boxwood with eye detailed in bone. Very well carved with fine details. An Okimono may be a small Japanese carving, similar to, but larger than netsuke. Unlike netsuke, which had a specific purpose, Okimono were purely decorative and were displayed in the tokonoma.
Original hand worn finish in excellent condition...

Semi round low flat fruit basket made of split woven bamboo intertwined wisteria branch. Warm red and dark tones, over all in very good condition. Can be used as a beautiful display for fruit or other items. Unusual shape with finely wooden lip with fine bamboo strips. Undeside reveals geometric pattern with a center diamond. Unsigned.

Late Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

22" x 19" x 6" High

Japanese woodblock print triptych by Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III, (1786-1864) titled "Hana no utage Murasaki no omokage" (Flower Party) published by Moriya Jihei in 1859. The print illustrates a scene with Prince Genji seated beside a lake on a raised platform with ladies at his side enjoying cherry blossoms and spring weather. Each panel measures 14 1/2" x 10" (the left panel is slightly more narrow). Very good color and good overall condition...

A mid century artist signed Ikebana basket for flower arranging. Made of delicate fine split bamboo, thin bamboo and Akebi vine. The three dimensional shape resembles a flared skirt when viewed in front and a boat keel when viewed from the side. There is a subtle diamond shape design the artist created with the different shade of split bamboo. It is a beautiful whimsical design of space and function. Artist signed: Togyoku...

Every facet is unique on this natural torn shape by Kishimoto Kennin enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Hanaike ‘Honoka’ or Fire Flower. It is much like a flower in clay, rising up from the bulb, the flowers placed into it the extension of the stalk. It is 32.5 cm (12-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kishimoto Kennin has been working with clay since the 1950s, devouring styles along the way...

An antique Japanese Yosegi Kobako (marquetry personal drawer box) from the Hakone region made of various natural colored woods with a Hinoki (Cypress) structure and drawer backs. The expert craftsmanship is quite evident by how the front marquetry design flows seamlessly across all of the drawers while the horizontal and vertical marquetry of the top and sides adds texture and dimension to the piece.

Yosegi is a centuries old traditional Japanese craft that began in the late Edo era...

Tokoname jars were made by piling coils of clay, smoothing the interior and exterior surfaces, and allowing the clay to dry before adding another section. The wide rim and mouth were then formed on a potter’s wheel and added to the top of the jar. The small base allowed the vessel to stand safely on a narrow step on the steep slope of a rising kiln floor; such kilns were built into the side of a hill and used wood for firing...

Serene 17th Century Japanese standing gold gilt Amida Buddha. Original gold gifting layered over beautifully hand carved gently wood. The buddha stands upon its original lotus base in which both feet sit and slot into the base. The golden rays rises from behind rising in all directions. Carved at a very high level with detail seen down to the smallest touch...

An early 20th century souvenir photo album entitled "The Ceremonies of a Japanese Marriage". with green woven silk boards and nineteen hand coloured photographs with explanatory text.

On the final page "Published by Tamamura, Photographer, Kobe, Japan" and in Japanese,"published in the 38th year of Meiji (1905). . . written by Teijiro Takagi"

Condition: very good - there is substantial wear to the silk covered boards ; but internally excellent with no damages or losses; no foxing,...

A rare antique Japanese very large size bronze Giboshi (bridge post finial). The upper section represents the sacred Hoju, a jewel that brings dreams into fruition. Also, its form symbolizes an onion which is thought to ward off evil spirits. It is of unknown Japanese origin but by its shear size, it would have been used in a Shinto Shrine building or a large footbridge.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 21" High x 12 1/2" Diameter

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Moon from a Harbor (Minato no tsuki)
Date: pre-1916.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15 x 6.75 inches.
Shotei double red square seal and title at upper left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-110 in Shotei catalog.
Note: Blocks destroyed in 1923 earthquake.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The faint mark at the far right corresponds to a mark on the back of the print.

Unique Japanese Bronze Usubata (used for Ikebana flower display). Gently sloped open bowl of the large water drop ready to receive a flower arrangement. droplet drops down and bursts out in a well modeled droplet base. Sturdy with original patina consistent with age.

Aft Deco Circa 1930's

Dimensions 12" Wide x 12" High

Japanese woodblock print triptych by Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III, (1786-1864) titled "Snow" from the series "Copied Pictures of an Edo Purple Eastern Capital" published by Sanoya Kihei between 1849-1850. The print illustrates a scene from Chapter 30 of Ryutei Tanehiko's 19th century novel "An Impostor Murasaki and a Rustic Genji (Inaka Genji)," which is loosely based on the 11th century novel "The Tale of Genji." Depicted is Mitsuuji, Lady Murasaki, and an attendant holding a brazier....

An incredible pair of Inari (Japanese fox's) made of pottery. Original patina consistent with age. No major damage.
No two Kitsune are exactly alike, and all of them are complex characters! Their high intelligence and boundless creativity make them hard to predict. Foxes and humans lived close together in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit, and serve as its messengers. T...