In the original 'tomobako' box, this modern example of rich Japanese design combines the outstanding firing clays and techniques of Iga Yaki (ceramics) to produce a  More »

In the original 'tomobako' box, this modern example of rich Japanese design combines the outstanding firing clays and techniques of Iga Yaki (ceramics) to produce a masterpiece of pottery. Hirokazu is one of the leading masters today of Iga, keeping alive the heritage of this famed kiln. c.1975. (9" x 11") (23cm x 28cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $90.   « Less

Oribe-ware comes from Mino clay one of the six great ceramic centers in ancient Japan. The blue-green Oribe colors are distinctive for their iron decorations in their glaze.  More »

Oribe-ware comes from Mino clay one of the six great ceramic centers in ancient Japan. The blue-green Oribe colors are distinctive for their iron decorations in their glaze. These antique Japanese sake pourers were used in the dinner served after a formal tea ceremony. c.1885. (5" x 2½") (13cm x 7cm). 2 items. EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $45.   « Less

This fabulously attired 'ningyo' antique Japanese samurai doll is part of the 'gempuku' ceremony which was a rite participated in by every samurai male child sometime between  More »

This fabulously attired 'ningyo' antique Japanese samurai doll is part of the 'gempuku' ceremony which was a rite participated in by every samurai male child sometime between the ages of ten and fifteen. The gempuku ceremony represented a boy's transition to manhood. Within the samurai classes, this was symbolized by the shaving of the front locks of hair and the wearing of adult clothing and the adoption of a new, adult name. The ningyo here is serious and martial, which typifies the Edo aesthetic. Edo samurai dolls were designed to convey the ideals that were central to the samurai culture, namely courage, strength and dedication. This doll has sumptuous, rich silken brocade kimono (kinran) and lustrous white 'gofun' face and hands. This is the defining feature of Japanese dolls and determines their quality and has no other equivalent in any other culture. Gofun is a white composite paste made from crushed oyster shells and glue mixed with water. When applied to hard surfaces and burnished it creates a lacquer-like surface, very smooth with a lustrous sheen. This doll has wild side hair and a Ho imperial hat, sword and spear. Fantastic. c.1860. (9" x 5½") (23cm x 14cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $55.   « Less

Exceptional antique Japanese 'arare' tea ceremony tetsubin with pure silver lid pull on a bronze lid. In a signed original box signed Nishi Kudo. Japanese characters on the  More »

Exceptional antique Japanese 'arare' tea ceremony tetsubin with pure silver lid pull on a bronze lid. In a signed original box signed Nishi Kudo. Japanese characters on the box read: arare moyo' meaning dotted pattern; 'dai tetsubin' grand tea kettle; and 'iko iri' one in the original box. This Nambu c.1900 tetsubin displays the highest level of craftsmanship. All the protruding iron dots are perfectly lined up horizontally, vertically, diagonally with uniform depth. c.1900. (11" x 9") (28cm x 23cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $95.   « Less

Oozing craftsmanship and vibe of a different age and standard, this antique Japanese Edo Period negoro lacquer sweets box is an example of authentic negoro lacquerware.  More »

Oozing craftsmanship and vibe of a different age and standard, this antique Japanese Edo Period negoro lacquer sweets box is an example of authentic negoro lacquerware. Layers of vermillion red lacquer were polished until the black lacquer patches below came to the surface to give negoro lacquer its distinctive appearrance. The technique was the trademark of Negoro-ji Temple in Wakayama Prefecture, a zen buddhist temple. The six legs of the box are also lacquered with maroon lacquer and are attached with copper sheaths and three copper diamonds on each leg. A small repair on the side of the top lid but virtually unnoticable and unobtrusive. Fabulous negoro piece. c.1860. (6¼" x 4½" x 3½") (16cm x 11cm x 9cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $50.   « Less

Striking Meiji antique Japanese samurai boy's day doll. This figure is Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the second great shogun and unifier of Japan. He rose from being a stable boy to  More »

Striking Meiji antique Japanese samurai boy's day doll. This figure is Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the second great shogun and unifier of Japan. He rose from being a stable boy to one of the greatest generals in Japanese history. He holds the shogun's sceptor in his right hand and wears the rare nobleman's Chinese style cap with side 'wings'. The silk kesa costume is impeccable as are the gofun painted face and hands. Excellent condition. c.1885. (16" x 12" x 8") (40cm x 30cm x 20cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $100.   « Less

Exceptionally bold, Meiji period, large bronze antique Japanese vase with copper liner. On the vase are paulownia leaves in raised relief. Along with chrysanthemums, the  More »

Exceptionally bold, Meiji period, large bronze antique Japanese vase with copper liner. On the vase are paulownia leaves in raised relief. Along with chrysanthemums, the paulownia leaf has been a symbol of the Imperial family for centuries. Hideyoshi, the second shogun of Japan, took it as his family crest. Legend holds that the paulownia is the only tree on which the mythical phoenix alights. Condition excellent with an unnoticable slight indent on one side. c.1895. (14" x 10") (34cm x 25cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $95.   « Less

This Meiji Period Kunichika antique Japanese tryptich is a scene from a kabuki play, 'Hanamomen Kikyo Hata-Age' performed at the Nakamura-za Kabuki Theater in Edo (Tokyo). A  More »

This Meiji Period Kunichika antique Japanese tryptich is a scene from a kabuki play, 'Hanamomen Kikyo Hata-Age' performed at the Nakamura-za Kabuki Theater in Edo (Tokyo). A play about the treachery of one of the first shogun Oda Nobunaga's top generals Akechi Mitsuhide, who plotted and assasinated Nobunaga in Kyoto. Hideyoshi, who later became the second shogun, proved his loyalty to Nobunaga by avenging his lord's diabolical fate and killing Mitsuhide. Kabuki actors Nakamura Shigan IV played Akechi Mitsuhide; Nakamura Sojuro I played Hideyoshi; Arashi Daizaburo IV played Misaho, the wife of Mitushide, and Nakamura Nakazo III played Matsushita Kaheiji, a retainer of Mitsuhide. Kunichika, whose real name is Oshima Yasohachi, was born 1835 and died in 1900. He first studied with Toyohara Chikanobu at the Hasegawa School and then with Toyokuni III (Kunisada ) in Edo from around 1850. Kunichika was known for his dramatic actor portraits. This original woodblock tryptich has (urauchi) backing paper for strength. c.1874. (3 prints each 14½" x 10") (3 prints each 37cm x 25cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $55.   « Less

A late Meiji Period dated (1890) Star Brand antique Japanese shop sign made by Yokaichi Oil Company selling sesame oil. Featuring the logo "Star Mark" in kanji and the name  More »

A late Meiji Period dated (1890) Star Brand antique Japanese shop sign made by Yokaichi Oil Company selling sesame oil. Featuring the logo "Star Mark" in kanji and the name of the shop, Satouchi Sadajiru Merchant Shop. Fine black lacquer finish. (24" x 16") (60cm x 40cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $95.   « Less

Rare brown and white oveglazes over a dark olive green base. Beautiful antique Japanese Shigaraki sake jug in excellent condition. c.1890. (11" x 7½") (28cm x 19cm). EMS  More »

Rare brown and white oveglazes over a dark olive green base. Beautiful antique Japanese Shigaraki sake jug in excellent condition. c.1890. (11" x 7½") (28cm x 19cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $70.   « Less