Stunning Antique Japanese ema or wooden plaque on which Shinto worshippers would write their prayers and wishes to be received by deities or spirits. Hand painted with three bannered ships coming to shore amidst rough, rolling waves. Pine trees poke in from the bottom and leftmost side with gold flakes accenting the horizon. Very well done and in original condition. Signed "Ensai Fujiwara Masatoshi" , dated "Keio Gannen" or "first year of Keio" (September 1865). Size: 26" H x 60" W

A large Plate by Living National Treasure Hamada Shoji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Mori-sara. Splashes of black supplant the rich red Mashiko glaze. It is 12 inches (31.5 cm) diameter and in fine condition.
Hamada Shoji was born in Tokyo, and enrolled in the Tokyo Technical University at the age of 19. In 1918 he met the important British potter Bernard Leach, and the history of ceramic arts was forever changed...

Another wonderful tea ceremony item from the late Momoyama / early Edo Period: little distorted gourd (Hyotan) shaped choshi made of little iron bearing, coarse, unrefined Mino clay.

The expertly thrown body had roughly formed spout handle and feet attached. The lower part of the body is covered with the typical green copper oxide glaze and the upper part is decorated with lines under glaze in iron oxide resembling the pattern of a feather...

Elegant pair of copper lanterns for candle or oil. Glass has the character for `gold or money` leading us us to believe these were hung outside a merchant`s establishment. Condition excellent per photos. 16" tall and 12" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

Important Edo Period C.1850 scroll painting of Kannon holding `Yatagarasu` the divine crow and messenger to the gods. Symbolizes the sun and like the sacred phoenix resides in the celestial realm. A mark of rebirth and rejuvenation. Yatagarasu as a crow-god is a symbol specifically of guidance. This great crow was sent from heaven as a guide for Emperor Jimmu on his initial journey from the region which would become Kumano to what would become Yamato, (Yoshino and then Kashihara)...

An oblong Oribe dish with striated designs by Kato Shigetaka enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 10 x 11 inches (26 x 27.5 cm) diameter and in fine condition.
Shigetaka was born the second son of Kato Tokuro in 1927. He graduated the Seto Industrial School of Ceramics and studied under his father. From 1959-1971 submitted annually to the Nitten where he received the Hokusho prize as well as the Modern Ceramics Prize among others...

Antique Japanese porcelain maneki-neko, or "beckoning cat", a popular image for welcoming good fortune into the home. They often come in colors such as white, black, or gold. This porcelain statue happens to be in what is considered the luckiest color of calico. Beautifully hand painted with gilt accenting.

Meiji period c1900. Dimensions: 12" H x 5" W

A beautifully formed bowl in the typical Gohon style, produced in Korea for the Japanese market during the 17th century. The light-grey ash glaze makes a tasteful backdrop for the pinkish speckles decorating the surface. These patterns are formed through a reaction of the iron in the clay and the ash glaze and are very typical of this type of pottery. One edge of the bowl is furnished with a dimple, making it comfortable in the hand while the gold repairs give it an added beauty and depth...

The creator of this lovely Hagi chawan, Hirose Tanga (b. 1939) is the master-potter of Tenpozan kiln in the city of Hagi. When I acquired this piece I thought it reminded me of bowls produced by Yoshida Shuen (apprenticed under NLT Miwa Kyusetsu). As it turns out, Yoshida worked alongside Hirose in establishing Tenpozan and in training young potters in the art of “oni” Hagi which utilizes a rough textured clay and a milky translucent glaze (like the bowl shown here)...

Original silk screen print of sunflowers by the Japanese artist, Yukio Katsuda. The use of very thick ink was part of Katsuda's technique lending the finished image a pointalist effect. Born in Japan in 1941, Katsuda has worked and exhibited extensively in both Japan and in the United States. This print is signed Y. Katsuda in pencil and dated '81. It is numbered 35 of 100 in this series. Katsuda also gave each of his print series a number...

A finely painted water colour , with gold leaf overlay, depicting a scene from the 11th Century classic "The Tale of Genji" written by noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. This item was made in Japan in the 19th Century during either the late Edo or the Meiji period (1868-1911). Condition: there are small marks on the paper and some losses to the gold leaf which predate the framing of this picture during the 1920s or 1930s. Frame: 32.5cm (12.75 inches) wide; 29cm (11.4 inches) high...

An etching entitled "Tamba House" by the artist Brian Williams depicting a beautiful old traditional Japanese house in a rural mountain setting. Set against a backdrop of pine forests and mountains in Japan, the house is immersed in a deep snow. Signed in pencil and dated '87. This is an original print #43 of 100...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of the wrathful guardian deity Fudo Myo-O standing along the edge of a cliff. His two fangs poke out of his mouth pointing in opposite directions. The sword he wields is named Kurikara, the demon slayer. The rope he holds in his opposite hand is used to bind demons. A ring of purifying flames burns around his backside. Artist chop in corner. 18th Century Size: (Entire scroll) 67.5" H x 20.5" W (painting only) 37.5" H x 15.5" W

Small mask of the Kyogen Theater, with a strong expression. Lacquered wood. Eyes made of glass painted inside. Japan, 19th century. Height: 16,5 cm. Several small chips, otherwise very good condition.

Six Jizo Bosatsu figures standing in a row, each with hands forming the gassho adoration mudra, sculpted in relief from tuff, an igneous stone composed primarily of volcanic ash. Early-Edo Period ca. 1650. Minor old loss and desirable softening of the lines and contours overall. Excellent lichen accumulation.

Height: 41 cm
Width: 41 cm
Depth: 17 cm
Packaged weight: 41 kg.

According to Buddhist belief, Jizo Bosatsu was entrusted by the historical Buddha with saving all sentient being...

Seated Amida Buddha, the hands placed centrally on the lap in the Amida jo-in concentration mudra, sculpted in shallow relief from a light-brown igneous stone showing rust-brown patination above the line of soil insertion. Late-Muromachi/Momoyama Period ca. 1550. Very minor old loss.

Height: 33 cm
Width: 20.5 cm
Depth: 11 cm.
Packaged weight: 12 kg.

Sculpted with a tapered base for insertion directly into the ground, this stone requires a wall or other form of lateral support if dis...

Antique Japanese ceramic chawan (tea bowl) by the famous artist Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) with a cream crackle glaze and bare foot. The sides of the bowl are inscribed with poetic calligraphy. Includes its own tomobako. Size: 2.5" H x 6" W (entire box) 4.5" x 6.5" x 6.5"

Antique Japanese noh theatre mask of the character Ko-Omote, a youthful girl. Very unusual that this mask is made of ceramic instead of carved from wood. Beautifully painted with red lips and blackened teeth, joyful eyes and dark hair with four loose strands, very important defining characteristics to tell each mask apart. The backside is signed in-between her eyes and has been affixed with parts for displaying the mask. Edo Period (circa 1800's) Size: 8" H x 5" W x 2.5" D