~ Japanese fine art from the ancient city of Kyoto ~

A Fine Late Edo Black-Lacquer Takatsuki with Gold and Silver Maki-e

An especially elegant late Edo-period lacquer takatsuki, or raised serving stand, supported upon three dramatically curved feet. Against the deep, highly polish

A Meiji Period Maki-e Gold Painted Five-tiered Jubako Set

Japanese Jubako—traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes—represent not only a high level of culinary refinement, but also demonstrate the importance the Japan

A Meiji Period Maki-e Hand Painted Five-tiered Jubako Set

Japanese Jubako—traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes—represent not only a high level of culinary refinement, but also demonstrate the importance the Japan

Hand Painted Lacquerware Bowl Set (10) by Musashino Urushi Kogei

Painted lacquerware in Asia is thought to have more than 3,000 years of history; originating in China and then later spreading to South East Asia, Korea, and Ja

A Wajima-nuri Red Lacquer Bowl Set by Kado Yui

A stunning pair of Wajima-nuri lacquer lidded bowls; each formed with a compact rounded body and fitted cover and with a surface finished in a deep, contemplati

Lacquer and Gold Painted Natsume Tea Caddy by Kawase Hyōkan

Exquisitely painted willow branches (yanagi) on a background of jet-black traditional lacquer; this exquisite functional art object appeals not only to practiti

A Modern Shino Kataguchi Vessel by Suzuki Shū

A decidedly modern and innovative take on the classic Shino trope, this “kataguchi” or one-sided pouring vessel lends an air of depth, contemplation, and brilli

Stylized Sake Flask - Suzuki Gorō (b. 1941)

Known for his non-conformist and bold style, Suzuki Goro has outdone himself with this stylized Oribe sake flask (tokkuri). Oribe is a visual style named after

Tokkuri with Ensō - Katō Kōzō (1935-2023)

This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar over red clay signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom

A Tokkuri with Ensō - Tsujimura Yui (b. 1975)

With an uncanny ability to emulate features of the natural environment, the creator of this sake vessel,Tsujimura Yui, is one of Japan’s most skilled potters wo

Lacquer and Gold Painted Natsume Tea Caddy by Wakashima Takao

Exquisitely painted cherry blossoms (sakura) and willow branches (yanagi) on a background of jet-black traditional lacquer. The craftsman, Wakashima Takao (b. 1

An Edo Period Bizen Tokkuri with Hotei Engraving - Researcher Piece

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this Edo period vase features an engraving of the jolly gift-giver, Hotei. Said to be based on a historical Chinese Zen

A Rare Meiji Period Celadon Shuhai - Suwa Sozan I (1851-1922)

A rare and unusual offering, here we have an exquisite celadon shuhai with Chinese styled patterning lining the inside of the cup. First generation Sozan gained

A Large Bizen Vase from Mid-Edo with Researcher Certification

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Originally crafted as a tokkuri, or sak

A Meticulously Repaired Momoyama Period Sake Cup

The perfect vessel for enjoying fine Japanese sake or whatever spirit fits the mood. Over 425 years old, this excavated and wonderfully restored sake cup is one

An Antique Karatsu Bowl with Exceptional Makie Kintsugi Repairs

Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century, Korean potters heavily influenced

A Tokoname Sake Flask - Yamada Jōzan III (1924-2005)

Tokoname pottery has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. Originating in the town of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, this pottery traditio

A “Gin-sai” Silver Glazed Sake Cup (Guinomi) - Yanagihara Mutsuo (b. 1934)

With awards too numerous to mention, Yanagihara (b. 1934) is still producing masterpieces into his 9th decade. The piece seen here is from a series he did in th

A ko-Seto Mizusashi with Black Lacquer Lid (Tea Master Item)

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to co

An Edo Period Seto-guro Mino Tea Bowl

Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and

A Master Work - Murase Jihei III (b. 1957)

Carved from the trunk of a 400 year old zelcova tree, this lovely mizusashi for tea ceremony perfectly encapsulates the traditional craftsmanship surrounding Ja

SOLD

Red Lacquered Flower Vase - Tanabe Chikuunsai III (1940-2014)

Done in a style reminiscent of Japanese Mingei art, this striking yet functional folk-craft piece is the creation of Chikuunsai Tanabe III. Made entirely of tra

SOLD

A Hagi Tokkuri by Kaneta Masanao VIII

The trademark glaze on this delightful sake flask (tokkuri) is by none other than 8th generation Hagi potter Masanao Kaneta. Close inspection reveals flecks of

SOLD

A Katakuchi Sake Set by Hiramatsu Ryoma

If you are familiar with the work of Hiramatsu Ryoma you know that he creates very unconventional ceramics inspired by forms found in nature. Here we have a sak

SOLD

A Set of Modern Sake Cups by Hiramatsu Ryoma

If you are familiar with the work of Hiramatsu Ryoma you know that he creates very unconventional ceramics inspired by forms found in nature. Here we have a set

SOLD

A Black “Prism” Guinomi by Ichikawa Tōru

Scrawled across one face of the hand-crafted wood box housing this exquisite sake cup is the word “Prism,” perfectly encapsulating the inspiration for this angu

SOLD

A Stylized Sake Cup (Guinomi) by Kurokawa Daisuke (b. 1982)

Described as a “Tsuki-no-Umi” (Ocean of the Moon) sake cup we can see immediately the inspiration for this recent work from Kurokawa Daisuke. Fashioned from gla

SOLD

A Set of Sake Cups by Hiramatsu Ryoma

If you are familiar with the work of Hiramatsu Ryoma you know that he creates very unconventional ceramics inspired by forms found in nature. Here we have a set

SOLD

An “Ammonite” Guinomi (Sake Cup) by Hiramatsu Ryoma

Reminiscent of a perfectly formed oyster shell or the shell of a hermit crab, this recent creation by young artist Hiramatsu Ryoma demonstrates his creative ima

SOLD

An “Ammonite” Kataguchi (Sake Pourer) by Hiramatsu Ryoma

Reminiscent of a perfectly formed oyster shell or the shell of a hermit crab, this recent creation by young artist Hiramatsu Ryoma demonstrates his creative ima

SOLD

An Iris Inspired Bizen Tokkuri - Ishii Takahiro (b. 1977)

Described on the wood box as a tokkuri (sake flask) with kin-kousai (metallic Iris) glaze, the size and form would allow this piece to function just as well as

SOLD

Bizen Guinomi - Ishii Takahiro (b. 1977)

A traditionally crafted Bizen sake cup shaped in the tradition of Oribe. The rich mineral glaze gives this guinomi an almost a metallic look. The craftsman who

SOLD

Bizen Guinomi - Ishii Takahiro (b. 1977)

A traditionally crafted Bizen sake cup with a rich mineral glaze giving this guinomi a metallic look. The craftsman who made this piece, Takahiro Ishii, was bor

SOLD

A Unique Gold and White Sake Cup - Tomita Hiroyuki (b. 1977)

Not to be confused with the Olympic medalist, this Tomita Hiroyuki (b. 1977) is a talented potter pushing the bounds of an otherwise conservative field where ma

SOLD

Tokkuri with Ensō - Katō Kōzō (1935-2023)

This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar over red clay signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom

SOLD

A Set of Painted Tokkuri - Kondō Yūzō (1902-1985)

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blu

SOLD

A Momoyama Period Bizen “Shimokabura” Tokkuri (Researcher Piece)

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this “shimok

SOLD

An Antique Celadon Chōshi for Sake with a Beautiful Gold Repair

Chōshi are traditional Japanese sake pourers used in formal and ceremonial contexts, particularly in Shinto rituals and wedding ceremonies. They take the form o

SOLD

Set of Shuhai - Katori Masahiko (1899-1988)

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each pewter cup showcases a unique luster that this metal alloy is revered for; highlighting its historical signifi

SOLD

Painted Tokkuri and Cups - Kondō Yūzō (1902-1985)

Kondō Yuzō is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blu

SOLD

A Poem Inscribed Sake Cup - Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)

The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: In the future — happiness — and long life — two sprouting leaves —to grow a thousand years. Indeed

SOLD

An Edo Period Seto Shuhai (Saké Cup) with Gold Repairs

Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of po

SOLD

An Excavated Mishima Tea Bowl with Maki-e Gold Repair [Tokugawa Clan]

From a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be occupied by the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one

SOLD

A Red Lacquer Mizusashi - Murase Jihei I (1897-1985)

A testament to the brilliance of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this lacquered mizusashi—skillfully handcrafted from bamboo—showcases a deep crimson hue th

SOLD