Using local materials and traditional methods, the creator of this work Masahiko Imanishi, has brought a distinctively modern interpretation to the classical form of the tsutsu chawan. At the same time, he somehow manages to maintain the simple rusticity that Tanba-ware is renowned for. Stretching back over 800 years, Tanba is counted as one of Japan’s 6 ancient kiln sites and is known for making large pots with red ferrous clay and natural ash glazes with a distinctive greenish tinge...

The image of the brush-drawn circle, known most commonly as the “enso” of Japanese Buddhism, has long been a symbol of strength, elegance, and the simultaneous being and nonbeing (mu) of the universe. A closed enso is associated with the idea of perfection while an open enso represents movement, fluidity, and attainment in the corporeal world...

Itahi stupa, commonly referred to as an aoishitoba (lit. blue-stone stupa), in blue-green schist, a gorinto (5-tiered pagoda) sculpted in bold relief on the front surface. Clearly dated to the fourth year of the Bunroku Era (1595), Momoyama Period. Old loss to the upper perimeter; otherwise, very good condition, with desirable patination overall.

Height: 76 cm
Width: 31 cm
Depth: 8 cm

The earliest extant examples of stone itahi date to the mid-Kamakura Period ca...

Large-scale Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu in characteristic seated pose of royal ease, sculpted figurally from a gray-hued volcanic stone akin to basalt. Early-Edo Period ca. 1650, possibly earlier. Minor old loss, with traces of polychrome.

Height: 61 cm
Width: 37 cm
Depth: 26 cm
Packaged weight: 40 kg

Japanese stone is for the most part sculpted in relief; figurally sculpted pieces are concomitantly rare...

Japanese limited-edition copperplate etching titled "Big Tree No. 2" by Tanaka Ryohei (1933-2019). Pencil-signed, dated '83, and numbered 33/130 in the lower margin. Paper size 13 1/4" x 12” (image: 9 x 8 1/4"). Never framed. Very good overall condition. There are a few pinhead sized light brown spots in the margin.

Japanese Meiji period Sendai style zelkova (keyaki) wood single-section tansu with characteristic rectangular carved lockplate on the upper drawer, Mokko-style (melon) drawer handles, and hinged door on the right side opening to two drawers. Two side carrying handles. Late 19th century (circa 1880). 46 3/4” wide x 18” deep x 34 1/2” high. Very good overall condition with typical wear, some separations in the wood, and shrinkage to the drawers...

Large Japanese Meiji period kuruma (wheeled) tansu configured with seven drawers and a locking bar. The top drawer has embossed rectangular iron hardware in the form of a peacock. Warabite handles. 19th century. 47 3/4" long x 19 1/4" deep x 44 1/2" high. Very solid and in good, sturdy overall condition. The wheels are a bit stiff, but functional, and the original finish has only minor wear. There is a short cigarette burn on the edge of the top...

Japanese kanto style Kannon Biraki double-stacking personal clothing chest (isho-dansu). Often referred to as a "wedding chest," this tansu would have been used to store a bride's formal wedding kimono. Hinged doors on the upper section open to reveal four drawers. The layout of the drawers is characteristic of the earliest form of kanto style chests. The doors exhibit the traditional configuration of five iron hinges and iron strapping surrounding a round foliate lockplate at the center...

Graceful, sensitive, and with a distinctively feminine aura—this subtle work of ceramic art has an air of quiet days spent in the garden or of spending an afternoon brightening up an interior space. Using a technique known as 灰釉 (kai-yu) Terai uses the natural ash of various hardwoods to achieve a subtle textured matte glow which is unique to each piece.

Yoko Terai (b...

Japanese 20th century black metal flower holder. This contemporary designed flower holder was made by Living National Treasure artist, SEKIYA SHIRO. The holder is marked 63,2,3 on the bottom. It measures 14" wide, 8 1/2" deep and 7" tall. The holder comes with TOMOBAKO or original artist signed wooden storage box.

Japanese late 19th or early 20th century bronze OKIMONO of a ram done in the style of Imperial Court artist, ISHIKAWA KOUMEI or MITSUAKI. The ram is done in fine detail. The OKIMONO is signed on the bottom by the artist, KOUMEI. The OKIMONO measures 10 1/4" wide, 7" deep and 7 1/8" tall.

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) dating from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 16th/ 17th century and comes with a very old box which appears to have been furnished sometime in Edo. The light creamy crackled glaze is smooth in the hand and fine hairline fractures radiate along the sides of the bowl contrasting nicely with the gold repairs...

With a design reminiscent of mineral deposits on Martian rock, this bold and visually captivating tea bowl is the creation of one of Japan's more controversial and revolutionary-minded potters. 

Nakamura Kimpei (b. 1935) was born in Kanazawa but later—after a period of residency abroad— made his way to Tokyo where he established a kiln...

Fabulous Kyoto ceramic Taisho Period C.1930 sencha tea set. Signed. Delicate flowers adorn the cups and tea pot. Great conditon. Ask for shipping quote.

Like most Shigaraki-wares, this piece has a somewhat primal feeling to it, as though it belongs to a previous geological era in time. Rivulets of vitrified green, grey, and yellow ash stand against a background gradient of soft to intense ochres of the clay body. The intense firing process of this type of pottery for days in an anagama kiln results in a beautiful ashen glaze with a warm, soft, yet vibrant glow when set in the light.

The vase seen here, is a culmination of many year...

One of the more innovative and international minded ceramicists on the Japanese pottery scene, Ryoji Koie’s interests and expertise are barely confined by this genre—as he often integrates non-traditional methods and materials. Born in the town of Tokonmae in 1938, from a young age he studied potting—a staple of the local economy—and later went on to do independent research, open his own kiln, travel widely participating in international conferences and workshops, and finally to become a...

Though ripe with interpretative meaning, waterfalls are often associated with the ideas of unharnessed elemental motion and change, purification and cleansing, and journeys into the fantastical or unknown. The title of this work is 水墨水 (suiboku sui) or Water in Indian Ink.

A former councilor of the prestigious Nitten Exhibition and one of the leaders of the Japanese painting movement from the 1980s onward, Genjin Sugihara (1912 - 2009) was best known for powerful landscapes su...

Japanese Late 20th Century (1995) porcelain charger by master ceramicist, Ono Hakuko (1925-1996). The charger has the design of fern leaves and blossoms done in Ono Hakuko's signature style with gold leaf underglaze. The charger is signed "Haku" on the bottom. The charger comes with TOMOBAKO, or original wooden artist signed storage box. The box is also signed by Ono Hakuko's son, Ono Jiro. It also comes with TOMOGIRE, or original artist stamped wrapping cloth. The charger measure 15 5/8" in dia...