Japanese green studio crackle ware vase with applied silver floral motifs. With tomobako. The foot is signed Shofu Katei (1870-1928). Small wear losses.

Shofu Katei was born in 1870 in Seto, Japan. He later moved to Kyoto where has was adopted into the prestigious Shofu family kiln to create Japanese ceramics. In 1908, he set up the Shofu Ceramics Company, Ltd. and was awarded a Green Ribbon in 1915.

Dimensions: 5" W x 7 1/2" H (Tomobako 6 1/2" x 9" H)

Crafted by one of the most well-known potting families from the Meiji period (Ito Tozan), this black Raku tea bowl displays a glossy sheen and gentle swells rippling through the clay body. The shape of the this tea bowl is known as “tsutsu” in Japanese and is regarded as being especially attractive. Tsutsu bowls are used mainly in the depths of winter to keep in the heat and prevent the tea from cooling too quickly...

Conceived by 20th century master ceramicist Kawai Kanjiro (1890 - 1966), the combination of “shinsa” (cinnabar glazing) and “tsutsu-gaki kamon” (raised-relief slip-trailing floral design) used in the creation of this work is one of his most recognizable motifs.

Like so many great artists throughout history, Kanjiro refused to confine himself to one genre...

This is a Kyoto School Netsuke of a Dog. Seated, facing backwards, as if responding to a call. Its thin tail raising over its back forming a look. Finely detailed hair work. Its large eyes inlaid in dark horn. Measures 1.50 inches (3.8cm) long, and one-inch (2.5cm) high.

Ito Shinsui (1898-1972)
Peaches and Melon. From the Three Still Lifes series.
Date: 1939.
Size: Approximately 19 x 14.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's signature and seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toning. Fading. Repairs made to margins and portion near left edge.

Kake-futon (comforter, top cover) made of hand-spun cotton with beautiful katazome (stencil-resist-dye). The pattern looks imitating shibori (tie-dye). It is natural indigo dyed. It has beautiful green cotton lining and can be used as it is, for example, for a cover or throw. In excellent condition except for a few stains and a mending patch. Late 19th to mid 20th century. 154cm x 175cm

The solid form with peg himotôshi carved in sunken relief with a Karako holding a fan on his left hand and carrying on his right hand a tree branch divided into four sections that hold objects that depict the four working classes of Japan: Farmer, Merchant, Craftsman, and Samurai, as well as inlaid tortoise shell and coral beads. One of the hanging objets, the tablet with the inscription that reads: ‘Dai Fuku Cho” – Great Fortune Accounting Book-, depicts the Merchant class...

Kawase Hasui
Mt. Fuji in Winter
Size: Koban. Approximately 5.75 x 4 inches.
Date: 1930s.
A mid-century edition tipped along the top edge to original cardstock measuring 7 x 4.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui oval seal at lower right.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-10.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A very large Imari charger with a painted dragon in the center chasing the elusive flaming pearl. The panels have various paintings of dancers and country scenes. It is unusual to see dragons in Japanese Imari plates. The back has been wired for hanging. Size: Diameter. 45.3cm. Condition: Perfect.

A very fine sometsuke dish of scalloped octalobed form painted with a mon form central motif of a symmetrically arranged pair of leaping carp. Framed by a continuous band of botan karakusa, Peonie lotus scroll, within which are reserves containing, dragons, Ryu, in clouds and a gilt rim, kin-beni. The reverse decorated with hagi-karakusa, vine pattern and a six character mark for the Chinese Emperor Jiajing. The quality of the painting is of the highest standard...

An unusual vintage Japanese Choa tansu with Keyaki burl front hardwood panels. The chest is decorated with highly ornate floral motifs and filigree seen through the iron plating and hardware. Each drawer and compartment has a black lacquered interior. The tansu has side handles for transport. dates from Showa c1950

Dimensions: 21 1/2" x 13" x 31" H

Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) basket, hand-woven of bamboo and Wisteria branches. Of a rounded body with a small slightly raised foot.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" x 15" H

A rare set of three Deshima (Scheveningen) small bowls of lobed lotus petal form, two of which have all the elements of the traditional Deshima pattern, cups in this pattern appear to be exceptionally rare in the literature compared with flat wares, and one with a Chinese interpretation of the scene, where the figures and landscape are transposed into Chinese Immortals and a traditional Chinese style landscape, examples of which appear in the Burghley Collection etc...

A spectacular faceted work by Ueda Mitsuharu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Mentori Kabin. It is 9 x 11 x 11 inches (28 x 24 x 28 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Born in Fukuoka in 1957, and studied initially pottery in Tamba under Ogami Tsuyoshi before entering the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Research Facility, which he finished in 1983 followed by a year studying glazes in the Shiga Prefectural Kiln...

Unusual Japanese ikebana basket. This gourd form basket is constructed with hand-woven bamboo and Wisteria branch feet and exterior body.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23" L x 11" W x 18" H

Antique Japanese scrol painting of a landscape with boat. The water is very still and the moon is high over a mountain in the distance. A flock of geese swoops down from the sky on the right. On the far left, an outcropping of rocks partially obscures some rural houses. A willow tree drapes itself outward over the water. With signed tomobako. Signed Tan'yu and with the seal of his given name Moninobu. Certified by Eitoku, his grandfather...

A Yuteki Tenmoku chawan in sumtous colors, dark blues within, midnight drizzling to sunrise pinks and sunset oranges on the side by Kimura Moriyasu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Kimura Moriyasu (b. 1935) studied pottery initially at the Kyoto Ceramics Research Facility (which turned out such masters as Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro) and then under his brother Kimura Morikazu...

Scraped cut and beat out of form with looping ribbons of clay for handles, here is a mizusashi which certainly does not let down; everything we have come to expect from this popular Japanese artist enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is heavily potted, creating a bold, lively experience. The piece is 8 inches (21 cm) tall, 7 inches (18 cm) diameter and in perfect condition.
This artist has been working with clay since the 1950s, devouring styles along the way...