When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the lord of the tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chozaemon came with him and established Ohi-yaki ware in Kanazawa. Chozaemon had been the chief apprentice for the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware...

A large primitive robotic form by Morino Taimei in his iconic blue and gold dating from his experimental days in the early 1970 enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Soji Shiho Kabin. It is 12 inches (30 cm) tall, 6 inches (15 cm) square and in excellent condition.
Taimei was born in Kyoto in 1934, and was first accepted into the Nitten National Exhibition at a relatively young age in 1957 (a year before graduating the Kyoto Municipal University of Fine Art!)...

An unprecedented musuem quality seventeen piece Sencha Tea Set, each piece decorated by Zen Preist Hashimoto Dokuzan, each piece of pottery made by ceramic master Miura Chikusen I, the others made by masters in their felds, all enclosed in their original signed wooden boxes...

Square tachigata-style lantern sculpted in six parts from a high-quality granite. Mid-Edo Period ca. 1750. Excellent condition, with only very minor old loss. Heavy lichen accumulation especially on the two upper parts, i.e., the kasa (roof) and ornamental hoju (sacred jewel) configuration.

Height: 144 cm
Total packaged weight: approx...

Standing Senju (Thousand-Armed) Kannon Bosatsu sculpted in relief from a gray-blue volcanic stone. Mid-Edo Period ca. 1725. Minor old loss. Light lichen accumulation.

Height: 51.5 cm
Width: 28 cm
Depth: 19 cm

Above the figure's head is incised a Japanese character roughly translatable as "banish," suggesting that this stone was originally employed as an amulet to ward off disease, pestilence, and evil forces generally...

A Teapot by Teishitsu Gigei-In Suwa Sozan I decorated by his friend the famous scholar artist Tomioka Tessai and enclosed in a signed double wood box. A custom pad between the pot and lid protect it during storage from chipping, and it has a silk bag in which it is wrapped. . It is 4-1/2 x 7-1/2 x 6 inches (11 x 19 x 15 cm) and in excellent condition. The box is titled Daibutsu Sozan – Chossen – Suichu and signed Hachiju Okina Kyuso Tessai Dai, Sozan Yakisei...

A koro incense burner by Teishitsu Gigei-In Suwa Sozan I decorated by his friend the famous scholar artist Tomioka Tessai and enclosed in a signed double wood box. The silver lid is by Nakagawa Joeki. It is 3-1/2 inches (9 cm) tall (plus the lid), 5 inches (12 cm) diameter and in excellent condition...

Here is a fine hand formed tea pot of dark clay by Otagaki Rengetsu engraved with a poem and enclosed in the original signed and age darkened wooden box...

Pair of Antique Japanese ranma, or transom, carved with flying frames and clouds with black lacquer frames. Original patina and finish.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 73.5" L x 1.25" W x 16" H

Antique Japanese single section isho tansu (clothing chest), made with Kiri (paulownia) wood front and Sugi (cypress) sides. Copper hardware with lovely original patina on handles, and locks are complimentary to the original warm finish.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Size: 35.25" L x 15.5" W x 40.5" H

A stunning Japanese two-section choba tansu (merchant's chest), made from solid Keyaki (elm) wood, originating from the Mikuni region. The upper section holds a roomy, shelved interior with two bold Keyaki grain sliding door panels. The bottom section holds a long top drawer, with elongated lock plate typical to Mikuni tansu. Below are two small drawers with iron Warabite handles, with old labels in Japanese on the fronts, and a smaller set of sliding Keyaki panel doors...

The fine crackled feldspar glazing of this Hagi composition contrasts nicely with the red ferrous clay of the base and the wrought silver globe resting atop. Along the lower half can be seen a geometric windowed pattern giving this incense burner a sense of dimensionality.

Legendary potter Miwa Kyuwa (1885-1981) has been credited with reviving the Hagi tradition of pottery after the war...

This Hirado-yaki brush-rest—fashioned for the scholars desk of a bygone era—features meticulously sculpted plum blossoms set in a porcelain reproduction of a knotted plum branch. Hirado wares—alternately known as Mikawachi wares in some contexts—are known throughout Japan and also abroad for their high quality and fine craftsmanship and date back at least as far as the mid-18th century when they were produced exclusively for powerful lords and their families...

A intricately formed obidome (kimono rope ornament) of a golden woven basket overflowing with chrysanthemums of silver and golden tones. Chrysanthemums are a symbol of steadfast friendship. Signed by the artist. Size: W. 4.3cm. H. 3.3cm. Condition: Natural ageing. No repairs.

Antique Japanese two section kimono tansu made with all natural finish Kiri (paulownia) hardwood. Adorned by handles and middle round metal lock incised with floral motifs. The upper section houses six long, shallow drawers for folded clothing, while the lower section holds three large drawers.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Size: 42" L x 17.75" W x 67.5" H

Hiroshi Yoshida
No. 3 Cave Temple in Ellora
By Courtesy of Archaeological Department, Hyderabad
Indian and Southeast Asia Series
Date: 1932.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.75 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image...

Antique Japanese half section Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made of Hinoki (cedar) and Sugi (cypress) hardwoods in a dark lacquer finish. The tansu has two sliding front doors with horizontal slats and side bracing, with very roomy storage interior complete with middle shelf.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 47.5" L x 17" W x 32" H

An exquisite platter on two legs by Aoyama Tetsuro enclosed in the original signed wooden box...