This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom of the mind to envision and to create. Wood-fired in a small-batch ana-gama, the techniques used to produce such works stretch back over 500 years and were only recently revived in the first half of the previous century by a dedicated group of artists.

The potter who created this piece (Kato Kozo) was born in 1935 in Gifu prefecture ...

Japanese Edo to Meiji period bronze mirror (kagami) with handle, decorated in relief with palm leaves and flowers. Inscribed with the Fujiwara Shigeyoshi maker’s mark. Measures 8 1/8” long x 5 3/4" diameter. 19th century. Very good overall condition. There is a tiny nick at the bottom of the handle. From the Sahuarita, Arizona collection of former expatriates to Okinawa in the 1970s. Stand not included.

Pair of ancient paintings on paper, with polychrome colours and gold. The first painting represents a noble lady, in formal attire, sittings on an elevated platform. Two characters are painted at the back. This painting is partly folded, the paper is stained due to age and has suffered three insect attacks. The second painting represents a noble man in formal attire and sitting on an elevated platform. Two characters are painted at the back. This painting has suffered three insect attacks and th...

An antique Japanese Tohoku Tansu made of beautiful Keyaki Burl root (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish and hand made iron fittings including stylized Kakute handles. The top and sides used a traditional wiped lacquer technique. Raised tea leaf style corners on the drawers which is a traditional design for this region of tansu. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. Used as a double drawer kimono storage chest.

Meiji period (1868-1912...

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All of the iron fittings are original and hand made including the Hirute handles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 43 5/8" Wide x 12" High x 12 1/8"Deep

Rare an unusual antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (Wheeled Chest) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Strength and durability provided by wood structural slats on all sides as well as the top. Split level shelf behind the sliding front doors with two small storage drawers along the front bottom. Both the finish and the hand made iron fittings are original to the chest.

Age: Mid Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 31 1/2" Wide x 27 1/2" High x 17" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Ko Tansu used as a fancy personal storage chest made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Both original finish and hand made iron fittings including the Kakute handles. Likely a specially commissioned custom made chest by a wealthy individual or family. Unusual features include the sliding three door design of cranes and bamboo, the carved decorative base and the triangular hardened wooden nail construction.

Features a secret false floor under the...

This is a beautiful and unique cloisonne box. It has great workmanship and a beautiful rare deep purple ground color. It is not signed but was probably created by Hayashi or Kinuken. It is a little bigger than most boxes measuring 5 3/4 inches by 4 5/8 inches and 2 5/8 inches tall. Has a scratch on the underside shown in the images. This special box is from a spectacular Cloisonne collection and acquired almost 50 years ago.

Kawase Hasui
Dusk at Tagonoura Beach
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.75 inches.
Date: 1940. This is a lifetime edition produced between 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Black 6 mm publisher's seal at lower left corner.
Hasui signature and seal.
Reference: Hotei #233.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Two original drying pinholes in margin.

Antique Japanese boxwood okimono of swimming carp fish with sinuously shaped body and realistically carved scales and details. Lovely soft patina of golden brown color. Good condition.

Age: Meiji Period circa 1900s
Size: 14"L 4"H 4"W

Antique Japanese Bizen-yaki Beckoning Cat known as a Maneki Neko, with left paw raised for inviting happiness and welcoming friends and family. Incised signature on back dating to the Second Year of Genbun, 1737, also shop name of Yamaichi. Good condition.

Age: Edo Period, circa early 18th century
Size: 10.5"H 4.75"W 5"D

An antique Japanese Tohoku Tansu made of beautiful Keyaki Burl root (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish and hand made iron fittings including stylized Kakute handles. The top and sides used a traditional wiped lacquer technique. Raised tea leaf style corners on the drawers which is a traditional design for this region of tansu. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide x 9 ...

Sakura blossoms begin to open among the draping branches of a weeping willow soughing in the breeze on this beautiful lacquer box by Inami Kirokusai enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Wajima Nuri Soshun Maki-e Suzuri Bako (Ink Stone Box of Early Spring Design from Wajima). The design is performed over highly polished black, the interior in nashiji with pine saplings in raised design around the ink stone and water dropper. It is 24.5 x 13 x 3 cm (10 x 5 x 1-1/2 inches) and in e...

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu known as a sword chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original finish and hand made iron fittings including the Hirute handles. Construction includes using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 43 3/4" Wide x 12 1/2" High x 12 1/8" Deep

This lovely Shino tea bowl from the Edo period is fashioned from coarse Mino clay and is covered in feldspar glazing. As with many pieces of this period and style, it has classic abstract painting across the sides created using ferrous pigment—contrasting nicely with the ivory background. Not only does this piece have a lovely wabi feel to it bestowed by age; it also has several exquisite gold repairs that contrast nicely with the soft patina and the crackled glazing.

Shino-ware d...

An antique Japanese Katana tansu (sword chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original finish and hand made iron fittings including the Warabite handles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nails. Unusual removable wooden 2 part sword holder that floats the swords within the bottom drawer and the two top drawers have a center divider.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 42" Wide x 13 1/4" High x 11 3/4" Deep

A garment-hook or belt-fitting in the shape of a horse, made of bronze with green patination. According to the Brooklyn Museum, these belt hooks in the form of a horse come from Lelang, one of three commandaries, or colonies, that the Chinese established in northwest Korea during the Han dynasty and that lasted more than four hundred years (108 B.C.E.–313 C.E.). The horse’s shape is reminiscent of depictions in the nomadic Scytho-Siberian culture of Central Asia. Please refer to a similar pi...

Japanese Brass Ash Rake for Hibachi during Tea Ceremony for moving ash around the charcoal, 1930's, 7" high, 4" wide-bottom, short handle, wide bottom, rather heavy Brass rake for Hibachi, shows wears around the tip of the rake.