A pair of silk applique roundels for a robe, lavishly embroidered in satin stitch, tiny Peking knot and couched gold wrapped thread. One showing two boys at play, the other one depicting the immortal He Xiangu with attendant in a boat amidst flowers and auspicious symbols. Condition: slightly stained, the one with the boys has traces of former humidity, especially from behind. Dimension: 23.5 cm diameter.

A bizarre pottery mass of two tea bowls and a stand fused together after collapsing in the kiln some four hundred years ago. It is 17 x 13 x 11 cm (6-1/2 x 5 x 4-1/2 inches). There is something to be said here about best laid plans. All the potters craft and experience and yet nature intervenes, creating this vitrified sculpture for later generations to contemplate.

A quite large Chinese silk purse with outstanding embroidery. One side showing a deer looking at a crane on a pine, on the left four Chinese characters. The other side with a flock of swallows near a flowering tree. Edged with a black and white woven band and a silvery rim, the silk tassels having gold and silver wrapped threads. Silk lining. Condition: faded, small stains, little wear to rim. Dimension: purse: c. 17 cm x 15.5 cm, tassels: c. 18.5 cm long.

A rare okimono from the Kairakuen Kiln of the Tokugawa branch family dating from the early to mid 19th century. The box label attributes these to Eiraku (presumably Hozen, who was tasked with helping to further the ceramic production of the kiln). The rooster is roughly 7 inches tall the same in length (18 cm). Dating from the later Edo period, they come in an old wooden box with a cloth cover and are in excellent condition.
Eiraku Zengoro XI (Nishimura Hozen, 1795–1854) took the nam...

A lovely green celadon Song Dynasty jar. There is some chipping to the rim. High resolution images on request.

Large and only slightly distorted full cylinder shaped Tsutsu (hight is bigger than diameter) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of reddish, unrefined Mino clay with clearly visible finger marks on the wall.

The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife around the regular food ring. In the style of Seto-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a black glaze.

On three sides a round space was spared from black glaze. The unglazed areas were decorated with the aoi-m...

Slightly distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part around the foot ring.

In the style of Ao-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a green copper oxide glaze. A window on the side was left unglazed and split in two halves - one was decorated with a scetch of a fence in iron oxide engobe with an image of drying shibukaki on rice strings, the o...

A rear and beautiful yellow gemstone from the ancient Pyu Dynasty of Burma. I am not sure what stone it is of these three: sapphire, topaz or tourmaline.The chain is made up of individual handmade silver pieces. Condition: No chips.Some scratch marks seen under the microscope probanly from ancient polishing. Size: See photo.

Katana-bukuro made of hand-spun cotton with komon, tiny pattern which is katazome (stencil-resist-dyeing). It has tsuta-mon (ivy) family crest. All hand-sewn. In good condition but has much color faded parts. 19th century. 16cm x 86cm

Japanese Cedar, Cyprus wood two(2) section Tansu, Ca. Meiji period 1890's, 42" high, 35 1/2" wide, 16 1/2" deep, 2 graduated size long drawers above 2 long drawers in lower section, total 4 long drawers. Old red lacquer on black iron back plates are still visible. Small hole on the lower left side of bottom frame. The condition is original as found condition.

A rare Mother and child Han Oil Lamp.The Mother is sitting and holding the hand of the child. The head piece was used for the oil holding the oil. Size: H. 26.8cm. W. 11cm. Condition: Most of the green glaze is gone and there is an old repair break around the head. See photos.

There are only few opportunities to find antique Chosen Karatsu chawans - collectors know of what I'm talking about. Here is the second one of our collection:

Chosen Karatsu chawan from the Edo Period. The grandiose embellishment of color creates a sublime sense of tension between the dark glazed and color infusion.

The Chosen Karatsu style is a traditional style which was introduced by one or more potters brought from the Joseon Dynasty during the Japanese invasions of ...

Antique Japanese gusoku bitsu (carrying box for samurai armor). Constructed of Kiri (paulownia) wood with original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame, its edges reinforced with hand-forged iron plates and locks. The back has shoulder straps, made of leather and braided reeds, on iron rings for carrying. A kanji inscription between the leather straps gives the previous owner's name.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 31" H x 17" x 14 1/2"

A charming pair of Japanese porcelain satsuma vases. The panels on each vase tell a story of ghosts and demons escaping from a woven basket. One vase shows a scene of court performers in a traditional lion dance, used to repel evil spirits. In another panel is a scene of kneeling courtesans with worrisome expression and a shrine maiden attempting to purify the area. The final panel shows a golden box, with a large clawed oni forcing the lid shut to trap the evil spirits within. Each vase is sign...

Unusual Japanese okimono of an ant with lifelike rendering made out of leather hide. Mounted on custom metal base for display.

Dimensions: 16.25" H x 4.5" W x 6" D (on base)

Ohara Koson
Cawing Crow
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 16.5 x 10.5 inches.
Date: Early 20th century.
Reference: K5.15 and page 140 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: the Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Publisher: Believed to be the earlier Daikokuya version alluded to in the catalog. Note the differences with respect to our Nishinomiya Yosaku edition (Ohara083).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Pinhol...

The great artist Choraku III made a lot of fantastic chawans - for me this is SURELY HIS BEST: a mysterious Aka Raku Chawan with Buddhist symbols in white slip, which are drawn on the outside of the bowl, slightly deformed and perfectly balanced, definitely one of a kind!

With every turn of the bowl, a new face is shown, offering many opportunities for contemplative experiences. As with many red Choraku tea bowls, the light white over glaze gives a misty and almost ghostly feeling ...

Japanese temple carving depicting a dragon (Ryu) and a tiger (Tora), with background of bamboo forest and blossoming plum branches. The dragon is a sacred creature representing great power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy. The imagery of the dragon fighting the tiger is symbolic of the opposing forces of yin and yang.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" H x 16" x 2 1/2"