A pair of Arita dishes moulded in so-called suhama form; a stylised interpretation of a wave washed beach often associated with the Isles of the Immortals. Painted in underglaze blue with a group of five auspicious karako, Chinese Boys, bound together with a ribbon or rope; symbols of joy and a wish for offspring. In addition a Chinese style Fan and a Double gourd are painted in iron red and gilt to complete the design...

A pair of a very well painted Kutani porcelain sake bottles painted in “Kenjo Imari” style painted with gilt karakusa to the neck with various marumon, a band of diaper to the shoulder, and further aka-e dama, and stylised karahasna-mon. to the body of the bottle. The vases are thinly potted and wreathing to the interior of the neck suggests that they were originally thrown in two parts...

Height: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)
Length: 4.2 cm (1.7 in)
Depth: 2.2 cm (0.8 in)

Japanese dragon fish netsuke modelled in the form of a Mokugyo bell; natural material; inlaid horn eyes; signed within an oval panel

Antique Japanese tansu from the Iwayado area. Made with Sugi (cypress) wood frame and dramatic Keyaki (elm) burl front panels, in original red/orange lacquer finish. The extensive iron plating is incised into flowers and Kiri leaves; The top drawer features a large flying Phoenix as its lock plate...

Mounted on a black lacquered platform with wooden wheels. The horse is carved from Keyaki wood, which is covered in lacquered brown leather. The eyes are reverse painted glass. It has ears of leather, with real horse hair tail and mane. The horse is outfitted with iron bits and silk harness. The kura saddle is lacquered in red, with a leather cushion seat and silk straps. Cords are attached to the abumi stirrups and aori mats. The bagu tassel fringes and cords tuck under the tail...

“I am here” she whispers as the bespectacled gentleman pours the last drops from his bottle and says “I am going home”…a lithograph by Kei Hiraga numbered 50/120 and signed Key Hiraga ’88 with the artist’s seal in red. The paper sheet, matted and framed, measures 50.5 x 42 cm (20 x 16-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition. This is an superb example of his work, showing both his eros and playful nature in the abstracted figuration for which he is most remembered...

A striking abstract work in red on silver over textured washi paper embedded with strands of tatami mat by revolutionary artist Hori Kosai signed ‘91 Hori. It is 13 x 23 cm (5 x 9 inches) mounted floating in a modern frame, pigments on hand-made Washi paper. Here is an opportunity to acquire an important abstract Japanese artist as yet entirely unexplored in the west.
Hori Kosai (b. 1947) is a contemporary artist and Lithographer from Toyama prefecture living in Tokyo...

Rimpa paint on Hinoki wood carving of Daruma. With polychrome hooded robe, decorated in tessellating pattern of gilt dragon mon and scrolling clouds on red ground. His face is painted in a fleshy tone, with painted mustache, beard, and exposed chest hairs. The iconic eyes are reverse painted glass. He stands on a blue ground painted cloud platform.

Late Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 15 3/8" x 10 3/4" x 29" H

A boxwood sculpture of the elephant deity Shoten embracing the female Kangiten. In Esoteric Buddhism, they signify matrimonial peace and bearing of offspring. Shoten is derived from Ganesha and is regarded as a wild one. Kangiten is an incarnation of the Eleven Headed Kannon. She appeases and converts him to Buddhism. Shoten and Kangiten are usually kept in a closed shrine as "secret sculptures" or Hibutsu (because of the sexual allusion)...

A striking large Tsubo in silvered Bizen ware by innovative Bizen artist Matsui Tomoyuki enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Ginsai Tsubo and dating circa 1990. It exhibits all the features of great Bizen, the smooth clay struck with flashes of darker color. The sense is that of seeing a Bizen Tsubo in an old tintype photograph, a most unique approach. It is 10-1/2 inches (27 cm) diameter, 12 inches (30 cm) tall and in excellent condition...

Koma-inu (lit. Korean dog, but typically referred to in English as lion dog) sculpted with the yosegi-zukuri (joined wood-block construction) technique and finished in lacquer and gilt, the eyes of painted inset crystal. Early-Edo Period ca. 1650, possibly earlier...

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top and bottom drawer are decorated by large iron lock plates, incised with a bamboo forest, blossoming cherry trees, and small flying birds. The corner hardware on the face of each drawer also show floral motifs.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33.75" L x 15.5" D x 18.75" H

Used for ceremonial purposes by the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties...

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top drawer's iron lock plate is incised with the image of a flying crane and pine branches; The bottom drawer's lock is incised with an ancient turtle with many tails. This imagery represents good health and longevity. Key is included.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 32.75" L x 15.75" D x 20" H

Japanese 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest of drawers), from the Kyoto area. The chest is made with Sugi (cypress) wood in the original glossy red lacquer finish a lacquering process know asiro-urushi (色漆), literally "color lacquer"and has 11 drawers with charming heart-shaped keyholes and black iron warabite pulls. The top section houses a large open compartment behind two Keyaki (elm) sliding panels in a dark finish, with black lacquer frames.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)
...

Antique Japanese small merchant's box. Although this tansu has the appearance of a gyosho bako (peddler's box), it does not have loops for carrying straps. It was probably custom made for a merchant's raised platform area. All of the drawers feature hand forged iron lock plates and mounts. One of the smaller drawers is stained with ink meaning it would have stored an ink pen for receipts and accounting. Made with all Kiri (paulownia) wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions:...

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Egret in Rain
Size: Tanzaku. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1928.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
First edition bearing the Watanabe D seal (sausage seal) in the right margin as in the catalog example.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Bears Shoson signature and seal.
Reference: S14.3 (cat. #157) in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Con...

Antique Japanese choba-ko tansu (small merchant's chest), made of natural Kiri (paulownia) hardwood (original finish). The chest holds a large open compartment with a single shelf behind two large doors, lined with 7 outer drawers. Each drawer opens by a squared, black iron handle. The smallest bottom-left drawer acts as a money collection box, with a coin slot right above it.

Edo Period (1680-1868) c1800

Dimensions: 23" L x 8.75" D x 20.5" H