This Edo period Raku chawan exemplifies the profound aesthetics of Japanese tea culture. Its rounded form is coated with an earthy glaze that transitions from greenish tones to ochre and orange, capturing the signature characteristics of Raku ware. The surface texture, with natural pitting and uneven patterns, enhances its wabi-sabi essence—an appreciation of imperfection, impermanence, and the beauty of nature.

The glaze flows organically, creating dynamic patterns and alternatin...

Chagama are traditional Japanese iron kettles used in tea ceremony (chanoyu) for boiling water. Their design tends to reflect the aesthetic principles of wabi-sabi, emphasizing simplicity, rustic beauty, and harmony with nature. Here we have an excellent example, crafted by one of the most talented artisans of the 20th century.The style is known as a “Fuji” kettle as the shape is reminiscent of Mt Fuji. Meanwhile the theme is known as “Hamamatsu” as the landscape is fashioned...

This antique ceramic tea bowl, dating to late 17th–early 18th century Korea, is a classic example of the Ido-style (Ido Waki) tea bowls highly regarded in Japanese tea culture. Its elegant form features a well-balanced body, a low, slightly raised foot, and a subtle glaze with a faint yellowish tone, embodying simplicity and refinement.

Distinctive kiln marks—seven in total—are visible inside the bowl, while traces of tea stains around the rim lend it a sense of historical use. ...

This sake bottle is a remarkable work by Otagaki Rengetsu, one of Japan's most celebrated poets and potters. Rengetsu's artistry is renowned for blending her exquisite calligraphy with ceramic forms, creating pieces that embody the beauty of wabi-sabi—a philosophy appreciating simplicity, imperfection, and natural aesthetics.

Crafted with an organic, irregular shape and a soft, crackled glaze, this bottle reflects Rengetsu's signature style. Hand-carved into the surface is her cal...

This handmade 18th-century Raku tea bowl is a beautiful representation of traditional Japanese pottery, reflecting the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic with its natural, irregular shape. The bowl's glaze displays a delicate mix of earthy orange-red hues, creamy whites, and subtle green highlights, reminiscent of a peaceful, cloud-filled sky. Its textured surface and flowing glaze patterns evoke a sense of tranquility, creating a harmonious and poetic beauty.

The underside remains unglazed, preser...

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) dating from the Korean Joseon period (Richō in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to be from the 17th or 18th century (though could be much older) and comes with a box that looks to have been furnished within the last 50-100 years. In addition this appears to be a collector piece as it also has an outer lacquer decorative box, indicating someone took much time and expense to preserve this exceptional tea bowl for posterity, likel...

This unique and captivating celadon vase is the work of an early 20th century Korean artist who spent a number of years in Japan honing his craft. Gourd-shaped, it has a beautiful light-blue powdery glaze with grape vines and cinnabar highlights to portray the grapes; creating interesting contrast and distinguishing itself as being more playful when compared to much of Asian celadon that tends to be more calm and placid. Below the grape vines you can see children playing, these are k...

A highly detailed spiraling double-gourd shaped pair of bottles, the flattened sides decorated with alternating designs o florals and intricate geometrics by the elusive Nakamura Shuto enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Each is 8 cm (3 inches) diameter, 18 cm (7 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Nakamura Shuto I (1865-1928) was born the son of famous Kaga potter of Daishoji Temple Nakamura Shigeichiro from whom, along with Takeuchi Ginshu from the age of 12, he initially st...

A set of two brightly colored porcelain bottles enclosed in a period wooden box titled Hisago-gata Tokkuri martked with the potters seal beneath reading Yasokichi. Each is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter, 11 cm (4-1/4 inches) tall and both are in excellent condition.
Tokuda Yasokichi I (1873-1956) was born into a family of textile dyers in Ishikawa prefecture, but entered the ceramics world under the tutelage of his Brother Matsumoto Sahei, specializing in the Yoshidaya decorative techniqu...

Another Exquisite Tea Pot by the young Kyoto University graduate Usami Kensuke enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Dobin. It is 10.5 x 13 x 16.5 cm (4 x 5 x 6-1/2 inches) and in perfect condtion, directly from the artist.
Usami Kensuke was born in Saitama prefecture in 1995, and graduated the elite Kyoto University Faculty of Comprehensive Human Studies in 2020, before making the life-altering choice to march down the path of a potter. He enrolled in the Tajimi Municipal C...

A pair of gourd-shaped Tokkuri colored with blue, green, yellow and aubergine over white fading to purple by Living National Treasure Tokuda Masahiko ‘(Yasokichi III) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Each is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter, 17 cm (6-3/4 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Tokuda Yasokichi III (Masahiko, 1933-2009) was born the first son of Tokuda Yasokichi II who had been adopted as a teenager into the Tokuda family. Masahiko graduated from the Kanazawa scho...

Antique Japanese 18th century, Edo period, Soten school iron tsuba for Japanese samurai sword. The tsuba of marugata shape is made of nade-maru-gata iron, featuring a yo-sukashi design. It is intricately carved on both sides in relief with motifs of chrysanthemums and leaves, which are beautifully highlighted with gold.

DIMENSIONS:

72 mm x 67 mm x 4 mm .

2.83 inches x 2.64 inches x 0.157 inches.

WEIGHT: 100 grams.

CONDITION: The signs of age and usage are evident, bu...

A Korean water dropper in shape of a carp. Cobalt blue glazed porcelain. Joseon dynasty, 19th century. Good condition, with kiln grit adhering to the foot. Length, 2 3/4 inches

An antique pair of Japanese ceremonial boxes made of wood and decorated in natural Urushi lacquer and mother of pearl (Raden). All original hand forged iron fittings. Calligraphy writing reads "Kameyama, Kawara Town, Sweets Shop, Made by Hataya Yasushige." Family crest is shown on opposing sides of the boxes.

Age: Edo Era (1850-1868)

Dimensions: 16 1/4" Wide by 23"High by 13 5/8" Deep

A handled basket of split bamboo woven into an open form by Tanabe Chikuunsai II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Tetsuki Morikago. It is 31.5 cm (12-1/2 inches) diameter, 23 cm (9 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Tanabe Chikuunsai II (1910-2000) was born in Osaka the son of Tanabe Chikuunsai I and trained under his father. In 1930 he became a member of the Naniwa Ranyukai and exhibited was first accepted into the Teiten (Modern Nitten) National Art Exhibition in ...

Two cuddly rabbits vie for our attention, a beautifully sculpted wood carving signed Yamaguchi Toshio from Hita Takayama in Gifu prefecture dating from the first half of the 20th century. It is 29 x 15 x 17 cm (11-1/2 x 6 x 7 inches) and is in excellent condition.

A spiraling porcelain tower in two parts forming a container by Yamaura Yosuke enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shiroyari no Futamono (White Spear Container) It is 20 cm (8 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Yamaura Yosuke was born in Fukui in 1982, and graduated with a masters from the Shizuoka Universilty of Art and Culture in 2008. He went on to further study at the Tajimi City ceramics Design and Technical Center, graduating in 2010. He held a position in the pr...

A porcelain box bridging the Jigen (Time & Space) series and the influential Mist Series by Kondo Takahiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Jigen Tobako. Silver mist beads on the outer surface decorated inside with blue and white designs. It is 22.5 x 12.5 x 9 cm (9 x 5 x 3 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Kondo Takahiro (b. 1958) was born the grandson of Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo. However, he graduated Hosei University not with a degree in sculpture or ...