Considered an auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune, foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or komainu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling the doorways of shops, and protecting public buildings. The yellow Seto-ware shishi featured here is an antique from the Momoyama period that displays a soft patina developed over many decades of use...

A Boro cover textile of sewn together bits of worn out Asa (Hemp) fabrics resist died with various patterns. 146 X 163 cm (57-1/2 x 64 inches).

Japanese early 20th century earthenware teapot by SASAKI NIROKU. The wonderful teapot has a Chinese landscape design carved into the side. The teapot measures 5 1/4" wide, 4 3/4" tall and 5" deep.

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest of drawers) from the Kyoto region. The chest has an open shelved compartment, with a money slot on the bottom shelf that drops into the drawer below. With black iron Warabite style handles on each drawer, 3 of which also have squared lock plates with Chrysanthemum studs...

Japanese late 20th to early 21st century ORIBE ware large tray by artist SATO KAZUJI. (1948 -) SATO KAZUJI studied with ceramicist, HAYASHI KOTARO, a SHINO ware artist, but both artist are MINO artist. In 1978 he started his own kiln in Gifu Prefecture working with SHINO and ORIBE ware. The tray comes with TOMOBAKO, or original artist signed wooden storage box. The tray measures 29 1/2" in wide, 18" deep and 2 1/2" tall. The tray sits on 4 large feet.

This captivating bin-kake, or traditional brazier for tea ceremony, is crafted from fine celadon porcelain using methods first perfected in the southern Song Dynasty. The outside is decorated with low-relief Peony flowers which display a vivid sheen, owing mainly to the expert craftsmanship of the Meiji period Imperial Court artist Suwa Sozan who created this wonderful masterpiece...

A delightful small tea bowl by one of the greatest potters of the 20th century, Kamoda Shoji, enclosed in a wooden box signed by his wife. Brown glaze is draped quietly across the rough dark clay, the contrast between simplicity and texture a pleasure to hold. It is 4 inches (10 cm) Diameter, 2-1/2 inches (6.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Kamoda Shoji is without a doubt one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of the 20th century...

Antique Japanese tansu from the Nigata area of Japan. Most likely used by a merchant for storage. The 9 drawers are in three rows with the shallowest drawers along the top and gradually getting deeper toward the bottom of the chest. The hardware is all of iron and includes elegant hirute shaped drawer pulls, fan shaped lock plates and corner bracing. The wood is paulownia (kiri) wood.

Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 19 1/2" high x 31" wide x 19" deep.

Ohara Koson
Snow-capped Mount Fuji
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-1923.
Bears Koson seal.
Publisher: Daikokuya (6)
Reference: K44.8 and plate 103 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Lower right corner reinforced. Tone line at bottom edge. Some fading.
- A well-known and rarely seen Koson design.

The natural ash Hagi glaze gives this piece a mellow yet robust feel. The foot of the bowl is unglazed in places showing traces of ferrous-rich clay in the form of an orangish hue. The sides of the bowl show pale ash, ivory, and faint hints of lavender. Overall a classic and attractive example of an expertly crafted Hagi tea bowl.

The creator of this work, Korai-zaemon Saka XI was born in Yamaguchi prefecture in 1912...

Rare Japanese kakiemon ware porcelain jar. Of a tapered melon shape, with circular floral enso motifs of bamboo, blossoming cherry branches, hydrangea, kiri leaves. The Imperial dragon and phoenix paired to represent the emperor and empress. With overglaze green, red, and blue on white bisque ground. The domed lid topped with karakusa (octopus vine) and kiri leaf pattern.

19th century

Dimensions : 7.5" W x 10" H

Yuichi Hasegawa (b. 1945)
Record of Wind Erosion (Red)
Japanese title: Fushoku-ki (Aka)
Date: 1989
Edition: 4/20
Signed in pencil by the artist.
Paper size: 24.25 x 12 inches. Image size: 20 x 8.75 inches.
Reference: Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

A striking black and orange striped vase in simplified ovoid form by Mukunoki Eizo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kokusai Tsubo. This was purchased at a Mitsukoshi Exhibition. It is 8 inches (20 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Mukunoki Eizo Born in Shimane, and graduated the prefectural ceramics research facility before he apprenticed under Kawai Kanjiro in 1958. He would stay with Kanjiro until the masters death in 1966...

A superbly well balanced Kuro Raku Chawan made by one of the few masters of this genre, Ogawa Choraku (1912-1991), second heir to the Choraku lineage of Raku potters.

The founder of the Choraku lineage studied under Keinyu (11th Raku) and Konyu (12th Raku) of the Raku Kichizaemon family, and in 1904 with the support of Konyu, founded his own kiln in Kyoto. He received the name Choraku in 1906 by Choyuken, the head of a very influential tea ceremony association...

Stone gorinto (lit. 5-tiered stupa) sculpted in four parts from an andesitic tuff, a relatively soft stone composed primarily of volcanic ash. Momoyama/early-Edo Period ca. 1600. Minor old loss. Variegated lichen accumulation.

Height: 49 cm
Width: 20 cm
Depth: 20 cm

The gorinto is a uniquely Japanese style of stupa comprising five geometric forms, which correspond (from bottom) to earth, water, fire, wind, and ethereal space...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting “The lay priest Ryuen, Uramatsu Kihei Hidenao, behind a rack of kimonos” from the series “Stories of the Faithful Samurai.” The print is signed at the lower left "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (1797-1861). The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. The publisher’s seal and series number is below the artist’s seal. The date seals are above the signature. The series title is at the upper right...

Mint Hagi masterpiece chawan by star potter Seigan Yamane. This extraordinary tea bowl is covered by a wonderful color glaze on brown pottery. In my opinion it is the most aesthetic chawan that he made. The seal of the artist is stamped on the bottom.

Seigan Yamane was born in 1952, and started making Hagi ware in 1987. And then, he started his own pottery in 1992 and has ever been awarded a lot of prizes for his great work...

Antique Japanese small Kiri (paulownia) wood bar tansu, with five front drawers opened by squared iron handles. Its three mid front drawers are kept secure by a locking bar with decorative iron plates. The side of the chest has a safe door, with pierced iron hardware. The safe door opens to reveal three more small drawers inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23" L x 12" x 24" H