Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (331)

Extraordinary Japanese Antique Bronze Vessel featuring very high relief of a Hawk, a pair of Shishi, and foliage in a classic form. Strong, naturally rendered images with a rich patina and finely rendered detail. Original gold patina. A fine addition for bronze fanciers. Edo Period, early 19th Century. 11.5 inches (29cm) high x 28 inches (71cm) circumference.

Japanese Edo Period Rare Large Pair of Girl's Day Festival Palace Guardians. They have all of their accessories and they are presented on wonderful stands. Their faces are carved of wood with amazing features. An extraordinary work of Ningyo Artistry. Height: 18 inches, 46 cm.

Very rare and extremely large Japanese Blue and White Kutani Porcelain Sculpture of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. High quality porcelain with beautiful blue glazing. It has very dynamically painted phoenix and other images beautifully painted as part of a fine composition. She is presented in a spiritual and graceful pose. Her face has a beautiful serenity filled with compassion. A beautiful work of art from all angles. Excellent condition with no chips, cracks, hairlines, or flaws. The mark on the bottom reads 'Kutani Kikusenon'. Height: 22 inches, 56 cm.

This rare 19th Century Bunraku Puppet of Osome, and rare scroll painting of Osome came from a private collection of theater art in Japan. The puppet is a heroine in the play, Shinpan Utazaimon Nozakimura no Dan (Osome Hisamatsu). It is made of wood and covered with many layers of gofun (crushed oyster shell), with painted features, dressed in a sumptuous brocade silk kimono and obi. Her head moves up and down, and from side to side. Bamboo stand is included. The painting on paper, with ceramic roller ends, is from the same play and is signed Joruri. Scroll: 50 x 22 inches, 127 x 56 cm. Bunraku Puppet Height: 25 inches, 63.5 cm.

Japanese Needle Work Rozashi Technique Embroidery of the Interior of Asakusa Temple. Rozashi is embroidery using silk canvas and silk thread. A picture is created and outlined on the canvas and comes alive with the thread and stitching. The difference between Rozashi and other forms of embroidery is the use of the silk canvas called "Ro". The "Ro" is a special, uniquely woven fabric. Common embroidery stitching technique utilizes threading through holes but Rozashi stitching must always be straight and can never be diagonal. This is an amazing masterwork, inspired by an Eisho Narazaki (1864-1936) wood block print. Frame: 22 x 17 inches, 56 x 43 cm; Embroidered Panel: 17.5 x 12.75 inches, 44.5 x 32.5 cm.

A powerful and extremely rare Japanese Edo Period Kyogen mask of a Nio Guardian King, ferocious native deities, often associated with the Naga Dragon Kings, who converted to Buddhism and now act as bodyguards for the Buddha. The Edo period was the golden age of Noh Drama. Kyogen theater was performed between Noh acts. This mask is a brilliantly carved work of art, accentuating the dramatic power of this important mythical figure. The mask was covered in layered colored gofun (oyster shell lacquer). 9 x 7 inches, 23 x 18 cm.

A most unique pair of Chinese Pig Skin Trunks, obviously painted by a Japanese screen artist who made these wonderful decorative, rare creations, featuring a marvelous crane and flowers painted in the Japanese style. Late 19th to early 20th Century. 22w x 9.5h x 13.5d inches, 56 x 24 x 34 cm.

An unusual and important early 19th Century Edo Period Woven Bamboo Tea Ceremony Box. This unique work of art is the only one we have seen like this. Expertly woven bamboo accented with a large bamboo handle. A rare find for the serious Japanese basket collector. Wonderful color and patina. You are not likely to see another on the art market. 17.5 inches (44.5 cm)h x 12 inches (30.5 cm)w x 10 inches (20.5 cm)d. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Rare 18th Century Japanese Tea Ceremony Screen Painting of a Pine Tree. Exquisite painting on gold leaf. Set in a wood frame with a sumptuous silk brocade border. Featuring two poems on the back. The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. Frame: 26 x 19 inches, 66 x 48.25 cm; Painting: 21 x 13 inches, 52.25 x 33 cm.

Japanese Gosho Ningyo of Momotaro the Peach Boy. This wonderful Ningyo represents Momotaro in a magical manner, his robes of chirimen silk crepe with painted designs of takaramono (sacred treasures) and peaches. He holds the pit of the peach in one hand and his banner with peach motif in the other. This is a wonderful ningyo, in great bright condition. Every aspect is of the highest quality. He has a gorgeous face, beautifully rendered, and is wearing sumptuous silk brocades stretched on a carved wood body (kimekomi). He is wearing a court hat and has a sword at his side. His height is 11.5 inches (29 cm). The black lacquered stand is 11.5 x 8.5 inches (29 x 21.5 cm).

Rare Japanese Female Haniwa Sculpture, Kofun Period, 4th century AD. This female clay figure was set in the ground at the site of a burial mound for the wealthy and Imperial class. She is a fine and graceful piece exhibiting great feminine charm. Mounted on a wood platform. This clay female figure would have stood with others in a protective circle around the tomb-mound of a powerful ruler. Her hair is swept up into an elaborate coiffure, and she wears a fashionable dress of the Kofun Period. The figure possibly may have been found near the village of Motomachi, close to the port of Konjō in Musashi Province, in present day Tokyo. Pieces like this are usually found in private collections or museums, and rarely come up for sale. Height of the figure: 7.25 inches, 18.5 cm; Height including base: 8.25 inches, 18.5 cm.

Early 18th Century Japanese Two Panel Screen Painting featuring a spectacular Phoenix. Exquisitely painted with silver leaf on paper. Original brocade borders. Screens this early are very rare, and screens of these proportions are rarely seen. 28 inches (71 cm)w x 24 inches 61 cm)h. Good Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Rare, Spectacular late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A musha ningyo (Boy's Day Ningyo) representing Toyotomi Hideyoshi in sumptuous gold court robes and armor, wearing an Eboshi winged hat and a fantastic sword, holding a gunbai-uchiwa (military fan). This Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the finest quality example from the late Edo Period. Incredibly carved face covered in many layers of gofun (oyster shell lacquer). Seated on a lacquered platform. Placed in front of a screen as part of the presentation. The screen may be original to the piece. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) unified Japan after the Muromachi government lost control. The period of his rule, Momoyama is named after Hideyoshi's castle. 15h x 22w inches, 38h x 56w cm.

Japanese Edo Period Four Panel Screen Painting of a Court Scene. This elegant image is finely painted with floating gold leaf clouds, pine and willow trees, and brings the viewer into the intimacy of the court chamber. The figures are wonderfully animated with expressive faces. 100.5 x 36 inches, 255 x 91.5 cm.

An extremely rare late Edo Period (circa 1860) Japanese albumin hand tinted photograph of a young foreigner dressed in a samurai's clothes. The art of portrait photography was brought to Japan in the late Edo Period by European photographers who first introduced photography to the Japanese. Westerners were fascinated by Japanese style and culture. They dressed up as Samurai and Geisha to pose for a photographic portrait. This early piece is a rare find for the photography collector. It is of artistic and historic importance. Image size: 41 x 18 inches, 104 x 46 cm.

Japanese Carved Wood Seated Figure of an Ascetic (fasting Buddha). This early Edo Period 17th Century piece is a magnificent work of sculpture with dry lacquer surface and some color with gold lacquer on the stand. He presents a haunting spiritual aura and has the desired sheen for carvings of this age. We are proud to offer this important museum quality masterpiece. 9.5h x 7w x 5d inches, 24h x 18w x 13d cm.

Tumulus Period (AD 250-552) Clay Haniwa (Haniwa means “circle of clay”) forms were installed in the tumuli (burial mounds) that were built throughout Japan from the Third to the Sixth centuries. The Haniwa formed part of the rites used in sending off the dead. Today, these Haniwa, made in the shape of buildings and possessions which do not exist now, and also in the form of animals and even people, show us what things were like in those times. This Japanese Haniwa of a Woman’s Head is an important find that has the qualities museums and collectors of fine art look for. Head: 9 inches (23cm) high, Head with base: 13.5 inches (34.5cm) high. Unglazed clay.

Japanese Meiji Period painted poloma wood door (sugido). Ink and pigment on a natural wood ground, depicting a peacock perched on a flowering cherry tree, signed/sealed Sho[ryo], the reverse with scattered cherry petals floating near a flowering dandelion plant. Possibly featured in a retreat of the upper class. Height: 70.75 inches, 180 cm; Width: 34.25 inches, 87 cm.