Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (345)

Beautifully Carved, Large Japanese Boxwood Okimono of a Perched Hawk. Finely carved with naturalistic rendering. Signed by Miyamori. Height: 11 inches, 28 cm.

Pair of Japanese Meiji Period Wood Kitchen Gods, Daikoku and Ebisu. 8 inches, 20 cm and 7.5 inches, 19 cm. Daikoku, God of Earth and Agriculture, stands on bales of rice and wields his magic mallet. Ebisu, God of Ocean and Prosperity, holds a large red sea bream tucked under his arm. This fish is an ancient symbol of good luck in Japan. Daikoku and Ebisu often appear together in the Japanese kitchen. This is a fine example of the pair of gods that Japanese have relied on for centuries to bless and protect the kitchen. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

Extremely Rare Japanese Set of Five Military Band Musicians from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5. We knew of this one-of-a-kind complete set 15 years ago, and have finally just now been allowed to purchase it. These rare sets were produced only during the Russo-Japanese War, and you will likely never see another being offered. Japan used these Ningyo for the Boys Day Festival during this time in history. Heights range from 10.5 to 11.5 inches, 26.5 to 29 cm. Excellent Condition.

Japanese Cloisonné Elephant Jar. This is a wonderful, charming figure and is an unusual fine example that is a joy to behold. In a circus pose with elaborate fittings. 11.5 inches, 29 cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Japanese Bronze Sculpture of a Mermaid in a Whirlpool. An exquisite example by the important artist Isihara of the type of Japanese art that was having a major influence on Art Nouveau. A rare example of this artist's work. 9.5 inches (24 cm) long. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Kimikomi Ningyo by Jinku-ru. 9.25 inches, 23.5 cm.

A wonderful Meji Period Japanese cloisonne vase with an array of flowers on a pale green ground featuring a silverised metal basket weave. Height: 7 inches, 18 cm.

A prominent Japanese dealer is currently offering a Kawabata Gyokusho painting of similar size for $21,500. You can find this painting online. Kawabata Gyokusho is considered the last great representative of the Shijo school of Japanese painting. His work is quite delicate, making use of Japanese technique in a realistic manner. He had many pupils who later became well known. His paintings are in the permanent collections of many major museums, including Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, New York's Metropolitan Museum, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, Tokyo's National Museum, and London's Victoria and Albert Museum. This beautiful painting of his will make even the non-Japanese share the feeling that the Japanese have long had for Mount Fuji, that Fuji is a god and her surrounding waters and trees pay tribute to her. Silk Canvas. 48 x 20 inches, 122 x 50.5 cm, unmounted. cf. Nagatake Asano, Yukio Kobayashi, and Moritatsu Hosokawa, eds. Genshoku Meji Hyakunen Bijutsukan (Color Reproductions of Meiji Centennial Exhibition), Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1967; Serge Eliseev's La Peinture Contemporaine au Japon, Paris: E. de Boccard, 1923; Mosho Kawabata, ed. Gyokusho-o Iboku-shu (collection of Gyokusho's Paintings), Tokyo: Kogeisha, 1931; Kurashina Zuroku Kindai Nihonga (Catalog of Japanese-Style Paintings Owned by The Tokyo University of Arts), Tokyo: Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku, 1954; Arthur Morrison's The Painters of Japan, 2 volumes, London and Edinburgh: T.C. and E.C Jack, 1911; C.H. Mitchell's The Illustrated Books of the Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo, and other Related Schools of Japan: A Bibliography, Los Angeles: Dawson's Book Shop, 1972; Laurence P. Roberts' A Dictionary of Japanese Artists, New York, Weatherhill, 1976; and Naoteru Uyeno, ed. Japanese Arts and Crafts in the Meiji Era (English adaption by Richard Lane), Tokyo: Pan-Pacific Press, 1958. See also the following journals and serial publications: Kokka #7 (illustrated monthly journal of Oriental art), Tokyo: Kokkasha; Museum #202 (monthly publication of the Tokyo National Museum); Nihon no Bijutsu #17 (Japanese Art), Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto National Museum, and Nara National Museum, eds., Tokyo: Shibundo; Nihon Bijutsu Zenshu volume 6 (Collection of Japanese Fine Art), 6 volumes, Tsuneo Fujita, ed., Tokyo: Bijutsu Shuppan-sha, 1969.

Large Meiji Period (circa 1900) Japanese Arita Porcelain Charger. Blue and white with gold accents, featuring an elegant stylized landscape and using sticking glazes to create a wonderful work of art. 16 inches, 41cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society. Pristine Condition.

Old Nepalese Boar Mask. Purchased 40 years ago in Kathmandu by a well-known and widely published collector. 6.5h x 5w x 6d inches, 16.5h x 12.5w x 15d 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. 21.5 x 8.5 inches, 54.5 x 21.5 cm. cf. Ekkehard May and Daniel McKee's Haiku & Haiga, Amsterdam, Hotei, 2006.

Getzuzan inherited from his renowned father an effortlessness with the brush, shown here in the easy curves of the robe and face of the 12th Century Zen master, Taikobo, and the gentle washes that are used to compose the soft landscape that is the lovely place where he meditates and fishes. Gekko had several students who achieved fame, but he always favored his son. Getsuzan paintings that are available for sale are very rare. 45.5 x18 inches, 115.5 x 45.5 cm, unmounted

A unique Japanese artistic creation of a Geisha Looking in a Mirror. She is set inside of a glass enclosed presentation box The two sides are beveled glass creating an arresting design of multiple images. From the front she catches her reflection in the mirror. This is the only image we see of her face. She is so interesting in her creative style. Height: 12.5 inches, 32 cm.

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.

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 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.

Japanese Ningyo of a Mother and Child or Mary and Child. 13.25 inches (33.5 cm) height.

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.