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

Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu Head, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased in Japan in 1962 by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look. There are fun theories that state that the Dogu may be linked to extra-terrestrial Ancient Astronauts. The figures resemble 'space suits' complete with rivets and a helmet/face mask and goggles. The large eyes are also reminiscent of the traditional grey alien. 3 x 2.25 inches, 7.5 x 5.75 cm. Very Good Condition.

Okutani Shuseki (1871-1936) was born in Osaka and lived in Kyoto for most of his life. His artistic lineage is among the very best. He, along with Yamamoto Shunkyo and others, studied under Mori Kansai, who was the pupil and adopted son-in-law of Mori Tetsuzan, who was one of Maruyama Okyo's best pupils. Like all painters of the Mori family school, Shuseki's nature paintings are remarkable for their unsentimental naturalism, showing his keen interest in the essence of nature. He won prizes at numerous exhibitions and founded his own art school. 22 x 8.5 inches, 56 x 21.5 cm. cf. Ekkehard May and Daniel McKee's Haiku & Haiga, Amsterdam, Hotei, 2006.

17th Century Early Edo Period Spectacular Japanese Temple Sculpture of Baku, a mythical beast loosely representing an Elephant with a combination of other animals, creating an original form. The Baku is the "Dream Catcher" of ancient Japanese Shinto mythology. It is inserted in the ceiling to watch over the temple. This Baku is a masterpiece sculpture of magnificent presence. It will surely be the focal point in any environment. It is carved entirely from solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, one the finest woods of Japan, and it takes two men just to lift it. Mounted on a lacquered stand, it rotates easily on the stand. 36 inches (91.5 cm) long x 25 inches (63.5 cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

A unique early Edo Period 17th Century rectangular Lacquer Incense Box, with high relief and decorated with Gold Takamakie technique on thick Nashiji ground. Takamakie is a kind of relief combined with the Hiramakie technique. The base of the relief is made with charcoal powder. Hiramakie is　sprinkling metal powder or grains, sticking them onto the surface, using the adhesive ability of urushi tree sap. For sprinkling metal powders puffy raw silk threads are used while for grains a thin bamboo cylinder filter is used. The makie parts are whetted or polished after drying. Makie technique is indigenous to Japan. This fine box has an image of a tied pouch and thickly raised objects and flowers on a Nashiji (pear skin) sprinkled gold lacquer ground with details of kana-gai (pieces of gold or foil embedded in the lacquer). A magnificent work of art. It is rare to find such early lacquer in such excellent condition. 6.5w x 3.25d x 2h inches, 16.5w x 8d x 5h cm.

Very Old Edo Period (circa 1720) Extremely Rare Set of Three Female Musicians for Hina Matsuri (Girls Day Festival) Almost all musician dolls were male, making this group highly unusual, especially from the 18th century. They have the most wonderful features painted on carved wood covered with burnished gofun (oyster shell lacquer). The textiles are chirimen silk. 8.75 inches (22.5 cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Japanese pair of very large gold lacquer on carved wood Lotus Flowers, 11 flowers in each pair for 22 all together, of them fully bloomed Lotus Flowers. Edo Period, Early 19th Century. They were likely used on the altar of a Buddhist temple, representing the full cycle of life. They have a rich gold patina. This size and condition are extremely rare and almost never found. Height of the tallest: 41.5 inches, 105.5 cm. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection. (Vase is, of course, not included.)

Rooster and Hen Sculpture, wonderfully and finely detailed bronze over white metal with accents of red lacquer. This Art Nouveau pair is from a London collection. Japanese Art Nouvaeu flourished in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th Century. The Rooster and Hen is a popular subject in Japanese art. Symbolic of Yin and Yang, male and female. Rooster: 8 inches, 20.5 cm tall. Hen: 4.5 inches, 11.5 cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Late Meiji Period (circa 1900) Japanese Signed Okimono Sculpture of a pair of Mandarin Ducks, symbols of life long faithfulness and one of Japan's most beautiful birds. Original artist signed box is included. Beautifully carved of Poloma wood, one of the finest woods used in Japanese sculpture, and gorgeously painted with vivid colors. They can be exhibited in an endless variety of positions and make a wonderful object of art. 3.5 x 8 inches, 9 x 20 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Edo Period Early 19th Century Japanese Gold Lacquered Box. An extraordinary master work inspired by the Rimpa style of Ogata Korin. This stunning box features a pair of Peacocks by a stream with auspicious Flowers and Butterflies rendered in high relief of gold lacquer and accents of mother of pearl. The beautifully rendered auspicious motif continues in the interior of this magnificent work of art. 16 x 12 x 5 inches, 40.5 x 30.5 x 12.5 cm. Excellent Condition.

A very rare and fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Terracotta Plaque of a Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased from the H. Taneguchi Gallery of Kyoto in 1985 by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look. There are fun theories that state that the Dogu may be linked to extra-terrestrial Ancient Astronauts. The figures resemble 'space suits' complete with rivets and a helmet/face mask and goggles. The large eyes are also reminiscent of the traditional grey alien. 4 x 2.75 inches, 10 x 7 cm. Very Good Condition.

An especially fine Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Gilded and Red and Black Lacquered Butsudan (Japanese Buddhist Altar) with an endless variety of luxuriously designed details, hidden drawers within secret compartments behind hidden panels, marvelously rendered images and elaborately carved sculpture. All other butsudan pale in comparison with this rare, museum quality showcase piece. This piece would have taken the maker close to 2 years to complete. 65 x 44 x 27 inches (166 x 112 x 69 cm). Excellent Condition.

Japanese Antique Ajiro Kago (Bamboo Fishing Basket) with an elegant form and design, signed by Kazuhiro. 18 inches (46cm) high x 6 inches (15cm) wide.

Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased at a Parke Bernet auction by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look. There are fun theories that state that the Dogu may be linked to extra-terrestrial Ancient Astronauts. The figures resemble 'space suits' complete with rivets and a helmet/face mask and goggles. The large eyes are also reminiscent of the traditional gray alien. 4.75 inches, 12 cm tall. Very Good Condition.

Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased at a Parke Bernet auction by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look. There are fun theories that state that the Dogu may be linked to extra-terrestrial Ancient Astronauts. The figures resemble 'space suits' complete with rivets and a helmet/face mask and goggles. The large eyes are also reminiscent of the traditional grey alien. 4.75 inches, 12 cm tall. Very Good Condition.

Yoshitoshi Tsukioka's Very Scarce (only about a dozen known copies) Book with Six Full Oban Size Prints, The Flowers of Japan and the Art of Floral Arrangement (First Edition). This is the best known existing copy of this book. Because the prints are in a book, they have been exposed to almost no light, so the colors are more vivid than anything you will ever see. Because there is no color loss, this is a unique opportunity to see what antique Japanese woodblock prints must have looked like when they were new. All but one of the prints are pristine (one has a small spot and a smudge in the margin). Even the text pages are remarkably white, indicating that very high quality, low-acidity paper was used, and the book has been well conserved. Besides Yoshitoshi's 6 oban size (10.5 x14 inches) prints, there are also 4 beautiful prints of Japanese interiors by Kawanabe Kiosui, daughter of Kiosai (or Kyosai), and 54 more full page plates depicting flower arrangements. In addition to these gorgeous and exceedingly rare prints, you get the much reprinted and still authoritative English text on the art of traditional Japanese floral arrangement. The one other copy of this book that is available on the market today is a water stained copy with an asking price of $1475.00. One of the silk ties is missing from the binding of our copy, but the book is still very solid and stable. The cloth at the head of the spine is slightly worn, and there is wear to the cover, a dark line across the corner of one b & w plate, and a 2 inch tear in the fore edge of the title page, otherwise the contents are fine and tight. A beautiful volume and a major monograph addressing the methods of flower arranging, seasonal arrangements, festive arrangements, flower vessels, ceremonies, etiquette, manipulation of cuttings, how to preserve flowers, practical examples, glossary of Japanese terms, selection of material, the history & theory of flower arrangement, and prohibited flowers. The most important and first flower arrangement monograph done in English in the 19th Century. The front and back covers are also by Yoshitoshi!

Extremely Rare 18th Century Edo Period (circa 1780) Musha Ningyô (Japanese Boys Day Figures) representing the famed brave warrior, Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611), who accompanied Hideyoshi on his campaign against Korea. He is gloriously represented here, along with his attendant holding a banner of a Buddhist prayer, in this spectacular Ningyô. Kato is wearing sumptuous brocades, a black velvet trim robe with gold trim and is holding a spear with a sword at his side. He is seated on a military camp stool. Large Figure: 14 inches (35.5 cm); Small Figure: 9.5 inches (24 cm), Banner 18 inches (46 cm). From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Very Large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Ningyo pair of an Oiran Bijin, the highest ranking Kyoto courtesan bijin and her Kamuro (attendant), an elaborately attired pair of the finest quality. The Oiran and her attendant are wearing the most gorgeous, sumptuous brocades and textiles, all hand woven and painted chirimen silk crepe of beautiful shabori designs. The faces are exquisitely carved and covered with many layers of gofun (white oyster shell lacquer). Their expressions are just wonderful. Their fantastic hairstyles have an array of decorative ornaments. Her draping outer kimono (uchigake) is done in a beautiful floral pattern kinran design with a thick padded hem. There are endless exquisite details creating this masterwork. Mounted on a black lacquered stand. Oiran: 28 inches (71cm), Attendant: 20 inches (51 cm).

Japanese Antique Walking Stick of Bamboo and Bamboo Root with a wonderfully carved Shangri-la scene depicting a goddess' arms extending to reach the Heavenly Peaches of Immortality. A fun and delightful work of Japanese art that you can take with you anywhere you go. 35.5 inches (90cm).