Japonisme Scholar's Objects

A stone object called "TAMARI-ISHI" in Japan that collects water in a hole. This has a beautiful matte black look. A beautiful sculpture created by nature. An art object that gives y...

This is an old Japanese stone object. This stone object has a beautiful black and beige gradation. An art object that gives you a sense of wabi-sabi. 6kg

This is an old Japanese stone object. A black glossy stone object that resembles the shape of a Buddha. A beautiful sculpture created by nature. An art object that gives you a sense ...

This is a very elegant and simplistic Japanese lacquered calligraphy box that dates to the mid-20th century. The minimal refined designed box includes the brush and other required wr...

Vintage Japanese katsura or hair wig, elegantly styled for use in Noh theatre or by a geisha. The elaborately styled hair is decorated with embellishments of red and metallic silver paper ribbons, a yellowed plastic hair stick, and bow in metallic gold and silver. Wig features a metal frame inside to support the weight of the hair, and cloth ties. White wooden wig stand slots into black carrying case. “Kazura (katsura) is a synonym for a wig used in Noh, and every female role uses...

20th century Japanese soroban or abacus (counting frame) in hardwood.

Vintage Large "Kokeshi" by Kyutaro Ogura. This large size is very rare. With signature. Kyutaro Ogura (Ogura Kyutaro: 1906-1998) Master: Hisashiro Ogur...

An elegant hand-woven ikebana flower backet by Japanese bamboo artist Kosuge Kogetsu (1932-) circa 1970-80s. This basket is in the classic form derived from Chinese flower basket...

A rare Japanese Koto made from carved Paulownia wood and lavishly decorated with lacquer Maki-e circa late 19th century of Meiji Period (1868-1912). The ...

One of the finest Japanese Maki-e Suzuribakos (ink box) we have on offer, the roiro color box showcases an ambient nocturnal scene in which two shakudo inlaid crows perched on the handrails of a bridge (possible the Uji Bridge...

A tri-pod ceramic incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji to the start of Taisho period (1890-1910s). A fine example of the artist's work belonging to the late part of his underglaze paint phase (started around 1887 until his death), the surface of the koro was painted in beautiful shades of blue to depict a continuous landscape not unlike a traditional ink and watercolor hand scroll. The rise and fall mountains recede and fade into the horizon and are dotted with groves of pines. The sky is painted with a beautiful subtle shade of pink, suggesting a time of sunrise or sunset. The koro is fitted with an ensuite reticulated sterling silver hoya (incense cover), pierced with swirling cloud and marked with "pure silver' in Kanji. The base is signed in underglaze blue "Makuzu Kozan Sei" within a double ring. The piece is beautifully potted in form and the decoration was done with expertise using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking landscape known as "Mountain and Water" with sense of dimensions and gradient, the poetic effects normally conveyed only by sumi ink staining on paper. The piece comes with an unsigned tomobako (wood storage box) of a recent age. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu Kozan was one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama around 1870s and later became one of the appointed artists to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. Being one of the most creative ceramists, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze around 1880s. New colors allowed him to create underglaze designs that appeared bright, smooth and glossy. He even invented his own receipt of cobalt blue to achieve a much brighter yet softer shade, as evident on this vase. To create landscape that is realistic and dimensional, more common in the western paintings, he was inspired by the native Japanese ink painting technique developed around 1900 by Yokoyama...

An elegantly woven bamboo basket with handle as an ikenana container by Suzuki Gengensai (1891-1950) circa 1923-50. Suzuki Gengensai was from Kansai region and active in Osaka. He studied bamboo art under Yamashita Kochikusai (1876-1947) and became an independent artist in 1913. He received his artist name Gengensai in 1914 and in 1923 he changed the characters to Gen, a slight written variation of the character. This basket was signed in this later variation, which helps to date the piece to post 1923. The basket is woven entirely in a free style irregular plating on the body and with a twisted bundled handle. The surface is lacquered in a deep reddish color. The seemingly less rigid technique renders the piece a more rustic and natural aesthetic that is more suitable for certain occasions. It is singed on the base with artist's signature in the variation post 1923. A very similar basket of the irregular weaving but without the handle is illustrated in plate 72 in "Baskets Masterpieces of Japanese Bamboo Art...

A vintage Japanese ikebana made from lacquered bamboo basketry circa first half of the 20th century. This piece of bamboo art displays an very light and delicate classic tapered squa...

This Japanese suzuribako (ink box) of late Meiji Period (circa end of 19th century) is uncommon with its surface covered with woven basketry in che...

A woven bamboo flower Ikebana basket by Tanabe Chikuunsai II (1921-2000) from Showa era (1926-1989), circa 1950-1960s. The ikebana basket takes a vertical square form, the body was e...

A lovely Japanese lacquer rectangular lacquer tray with a slightly scalloped corner and four L shape supporting feet by one of the most celebrated lacquer artist active in Edo period Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845). Yoyusai lived in Edo (Tokyo) and worked under the patronage of Lord Matsudaira. He operated a large workshop and had a very prolific output of lacquer objects. Most survived pieces being inro...

A Satsuma ware miniature ewer from the studio of Yabu Meizan (birth name Yabu Masashichi; 1853-1934), who was one of the most celebrated and collectible Satsuma artists from the Meij...

An antique Okimono (Japanese means artsy display ornament object) displayed on a small custom wood stand from Meiji Period circa early 2oth century. T...

This is an old Japanese stone object. It is shaped like a naturally formed lantern. The unique expression created by moss and rainwater over many years is very beautiful, and it is a...

An elegant vase made in Kyoto, Japan, circa 1920s. With a graceful elongated Mei-Ping form, it was likely used as a flower holder during the tea ceremony. The stoneware body has an incised and raised design of Irises in an over glazed indigo blue, an subject matter and composition found in the contemporary paintings and screens, cherished by the literati of the Kyoto society. The vase has a white glazed background sprinkled with dust for a rustic effect. The blue glaze displays some burst of bubbles upon close inspection, suggesting its age. Under the base, there is a small impressed mark of Ninsei (born Nonomura Seisuke) a famous potter from the 17th century, who was considered the founder the Kyoto ware...