Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (332)

Taisho Period Japanese Ceramic Rabbit Figure, with original artist signed box. A charming studio work of art with wonderful glazes creating a striking image. 6 inches, 15cm.

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 set of Three Meiji Period Japanese Isho Ningyo of rich, stylish young ladies viewing a book of leaves. They are created in a very unusual style. We have not seen anything like these before. They are gorgeous in every way. A work of art that transcends the usual. 7 inches (18cm) high. Wood base is 15 x 8.25 inches, 38 x 21 cm. Excellent Condition.

Antique Japanese Bamboo Steamer with two sections and a large bamboo handle. The lid and top section are removable. 17.5 inches (44.5cm)h x 16 inches (40.5cm) wide.

A rare Meiji Period Isho Ningyo depicting the Tale of the Tongue Cut Sparrow. This pair is brilliantly crafted and attributed to the famous Ningyo artist Mauari, a National Treasure in Japan. His work is highly prized there. 9.5 inches, 24cm tall. Excellent Condition.

A rare Japanese Fushimi clay sculpture of a Sino-Japanese War soldier. Fushimi Clay Dolls were painted dolls made of unglazed ceramic that were sold in front of the gate to Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine, starting in the 16th Century at the end of the Momoyama period. They are also called Fukakusa Dolls or Inari Dolls. A charming example of Japanese folk art of the Meiji Period. An important find for the folk art collector. 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

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.

Marvelous and Rare Sakura Porcelain Head Doll of a an American Baby Girl, with Bisque arms and legs. Her clothes are all original. An absolute must for the serious doll collector. She has a wonderful presence and a beautiful face. Sakura dolls were the first attempt by Japanese doll companies to imitate western porcelain doll making techniques, mainly for export purpose. Shinoda and Morimura are the most famous manufacturing companies. This doll is very distinctive, with big black eyes and black straight bobbed hair. They were nick-named 'Sakura Bisque' or 'Sakura Doll' for the cherry blossoms (the national flower of Japan) and were a great hit all over the world. This doll is very distinctive, with big black eyes and black straight bobbed hair. Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

Antique Japanese Ikebana flower arranging basket made of bamboo with an unusual sculptural image. It features large pieces of bamboo joined together to create the container, with a wonderful handle. 19.5 (50 cm) tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

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.

Taisho Period Japanese Bronze Tear Drop Vase with original box. A classic shape with a gorgeous caramel patina. 8 inches (20.5cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

A rare Japanese Fushimi clay sculpture of a Sino-Japanese War soldier. Fushimi Clay Dolls were painted dolls made of unglazed ceramic that were sold in front of the gate to Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine, starting in the 16th Century at the end of the Momoyama period. They are also called Fukakusa Dolls or Inari Dolls. A charming example of Japanese folk art of the Meiji Period. An important find for the folk art collector. 9.25 inches, 23.5 cm.

Museum Quality Japanese Basket by Kosuge Chikudo. The highly regarded master Chikudo's baskets are in museums in Japan. This very fine, masterful example of his work is a rare find for the serious Japanese basket collector. 17 inches (43cm) high x 9 inches (23cm) wide.

Japanese Satsuma Phoenix Vase by Kinkozan V, an important and renowned Satsuma artist. It features a stylized phoenix of under glaze red, yellow, green, and blue on a rich black ground. This kind of design was very influential on Art Deco. 9 inches, 23 cm.

Pair of Inari Foxes of sculptured and fired clay with luminescent powered white glaze. In traditional Japanese art, a pair of foxes typically flank the deity Inari’s shrine image. But in modern times, images of Inari have all but disappeared, replaced instead by images of Oinari’s messenger, the magical shape-shifting fox (kitsune 狐). Here the symbolism is two-fold. First, rice is sacred in Japan, closely associated with fertility (the pregnant earth) and with sustaining life. Inari and Inari’s foxes must therefore be placated -- otherwise it would be disastrous to the livelihood of the nation’s farmers and people. One fox has a jewel (houju) in his mouth, and the other carries in his mouth a letter (makimono), fulfilling his role as a messenger. These striking sculptures will transcend any room with their beauty, charm and elegance. 22 inches, 56cm tall.

Large Rare Japanese Clay Figure of a Young Girl playing with her pinwheel. Beautifully executed and glazed with wonderful colors, exhibiting the style of the 1920s Art Deco Period in look and form. Taisho Period. 16h x 9w x 9d inches, 40.5h x 23w x 23d cm.

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. 21 x 8.5 inches, 53 x 21.5 cm. cf. Ekkehard May and Daniel McKee's Haiku & Haiga, Amsterdam, Hotei, 2006.

Japanese Fukusa Panel Depicting Two Kabuki Actors Performing the Lion Dance. Polychrome and Gilt Threads. A fantastic painting with wonderful movement and lush color on chirimen silk. 26w x 24.5h inches, 66 x 62.25 cm. Framed.