A 1920's Wakasa lacquer clam trinket box. Both sides match and the two pieces fit together perfectly. Dating from the 1920's, it measures 4.75" across, 2.25" high, 3.75" front to back. Wakasa craftsman developed the process of layering lacquer coats of different colors during the Edo period.
Kobako in the form of a dark brown tree trunk in a cross section. The back of the lid is made of golden hiramaki-e lacquer on a black background, representing in a close-up a branch of a Japanese cherry tree with its three fruits, with light brown outlines revealing a ring of the tree. Inside the box and base in nashi-ji lacquer.
The Japanese cherry tree (Prunus serrulata) is an emblematic tree of the country, producing the cherry blossoms (sakura)...
Ohara Koson
Eagle watching small bird (Eagle with outspread wings)
This example has a Matsumoto Print Works tag on the back (#105). The ca. 1910 Matsumoto catalog lists the print as "Eagle on a Tree."
Size: Ko-tanzaku. Approximately 7.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-1923.
Koson seal at lower right.
References: Matsumoto #105...
1st Nakamura Donen (1876-1937) High Quality Black Raku Chawan (Tea Bowl) for Tea Ceremony
He was a famous potter during Meiji-Taisho periods who studied with 4th Ninnami Dohachi and worked in different styles such as Raku and Mishima...
Hiroshi Yoshida
Bamboo Wood
Date: 1939.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.25 x 11 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image and lower margin.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating self-printing by the artist.
Published by the artist.
Reference: Abe #229.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin has light toning and creasing.
- Depicts a scene in Saitama Prefecture.
Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Linnoji Garden
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 8.25 inches.
Date: 1941.
Later edition (ca. 1970s-1980s) with impressed pencil signature.
Artist's jikoku (self-carved) seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Very faint toning visible in margin.
Large natsume in black lacquer covered with gold powder (maki-e). Gold and silver snowflakes decoration in togidashi maki-e on nashi-ji background. The interior is made of dense nashi-ji lacquer.
The natsume is a tea box intended to contain matcha tea for the preparation of the tea ceremony. It is named for its resemblance to the natsume fruit, i.e. the jujube (also called the Chinese date). It is round, short and has a flat lid. It is often made of lacquer...
A baby carrier belt made of indigo dye cotton for warp and washi (Japanese handmade paper) yarn for weft. It is made in Shonai region in Yamagata district in Tohoku. In good condition with beautiful tassels but the seam loose part in one selvedge (30cm). The first half of the 20th century. 13.5cm x 3m60cm
A vintage Japanese 2 section Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. 3 drawer top section and 2 drawer bottom section. Both sections can be separated for use and display in different rooms of a home...
A vintage Japanese 2 section Kamo Kimono Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia). All original hardware with maker's name engraved into the main lock plate. Upper section features two large hinged doors behind which are 8 kimono trays for storing textiles. The lower section has 3 drawers for additional spacious storage...
Kawase Hasui
Spring Moon at Ninomiya Beach
Date: 1932.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi. Also bears the Doi watermark.
This seal combination indicates an early postwar edition.
Reference: Hotei #273.
Condition: Toning in margin. Two back corners have tape residue.
Remarkable Aka Raku Chawan (tea bowl) by the 1st Choraku Ogawa (1874-1939.
The potter stamp can be seen near the foot and the second one is on the side covered with glaze.
Ogawa Choraku is one of the best known Raku potters of modern times and the founder of Choraku potter family.
He became the disciple of 11th Raku Kichizaemon (Keinyu) and 12th Raku Kichizaemon (Konyu) and started his own kiln in 1904.
He received the name Choraku in 1906 from Choyuken, the head of a U...
Attributed to Eijiro Kobayashi
High Bridge at Night (Inspired by James Whistler's "Nocturne")
Date: This edition 1938-60.
Size: Approximately 10 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Marginless as originally issued.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. A few small surface scuffs.
After "Nocturne in Blue and Gold; Old Battersea Bridge" by James Whistler
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
The Moon on Musashi Plain
No. 91 from the series "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon"
Date: Published April 1892.
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.375 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Seals in margin.
Carver: Yamamoto.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Left margin partially trimmed. Backed with paper...
Vintage Japanese Showa period ink and color on paper scrolled painting of trees by Uda Tekison (1896-1980). The black ink signature and red artist’s “Tazen” seal are at the lower right. Included is a signed tomobako wood presentation box. Mid-20th century. Painting: 16 1/2” x 20 3/8” (scroll: 55 1/2” x 26 1/4"). Very good overall condition. From a Tucson, Arizona estate.
Meisen kimono with kasuri red and black rectangular pattern. It has red red silk lining, so probably made in 1930s. In excellent condition. 124cm x 154cm
A vintage Japanese Okidoko (Tokonoma alcove chest) made of a dense grain Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Originally it was used to showcase Ikebana flower arrangements, special porcelain vases, Japanese sculptures, or seasonal displays...
Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Sacred Grove (Kami no Mori)
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.5 x 7.75 inches.
Date: 1941.
Artist's jikoku (self-carved) seal upper left margin.
Later edition (ca. 1970s-1980s) with impressed pencil signature.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Excellent.