~ Japanese fine art from the ancient city of Kyoto ~

A Bronze Flower Vase - Living National Treasure Takahashi Keiten (1920-2009)

The style of this vase, known in Japanese as karakane (“kara” meaning Chinese and “kane” meaning copper), has been carried on by Japanese craftsmen since its th

An Iga-yaki Vase by Nagatani Yasuhiro

A beautifully crafted vase from a studio potter in the hills of Iga, a few hours drive east of Kyoto. Iga-ware has quite a long history—by some accounts dating

A Large Karatsu Floral Vase - Nakazato Tarōemon XIV (b. 1957)

In Japan, famous for its generational potting families, only a handful have made it all the way through to the 14th generation—the Nakazato line being one of th

An Iga “Torigata” Vase - Furutani Michio (1946-2000)

In excellent condition, this bird-shaped, or “torigata” vase is a beautiful example of Iga pottery from last century. A master of form, material, and technique,

An Inlaid Clay Vase / Mizusashi - Nishida Shinya (b. 1955)

Japanese inlay ceramics (zōgan) are created by making incisions on the surface of a clay body which are then filled with various colored clays, creating a patte

A Venetian-style Glass Flower Vase - Fujita Kyōhei (1921-2004)

A key figure in the Japanese folk craft movement of the 20th century, Fujita Kyohei is credited with helping to develop a thriving glass-working community withi

A Woven Bamboo Flower Vase by Kajiwara Kōhō (b.1935)

Japanese bamboo crafting, known as "Takezaiku," is a traditional art form that involves the skilled manipulation of bamboo to create various functional and deco

A “Konoha” Leaf Adorned Black Vase

A technique most commonly seen in Tenmoku tea bowls, “konoha” is accomplished by applying a coating to an actual leaf and then attaching the leaf to the surface

A Green Oribe Vase - Tamaoki Yasuo (b. 1941)

As can be seen from the attached images, especially beautiful in natural light; this charming vase features contoured ridges encircling the exterior while rivul

Porcelain Vase by Miura Chikusen (1854 – 1915)

This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese pieces from the Song Dynasty. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen

A Large Celadon Phoenix vase - Suwa Sozan I (1851-1922)

A rare and interesting offering, here we have an exquisite celadon phoenix vase with Chinese form and patterning. First generation Sozan gained wide acclaim in

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

An Edo Period Bizen Vase with Researcher Certification

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natur

An Antique Mugiwara Decorative Flower Vase

Japanese Mugiwara pottery emerged in the Mino region of Japan during the Momoyama period in the late 16th century. It is renowned for its distinctive straw-rope

An Ancient Korean Celadon Vase with Gold Repairs

Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be famil

An Edo Period Oribe Vase with Stylized Grass Motif

Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Typically, black or green glazes are applied to the bodies of the

A Celadon Vase - Inoue Ryōsai III (1888-1971)

A student of Itaya Hazan, one of the most sought after potters in the world of Japanese art, the ceramicist who crafted this fine vase displays here a high degr

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 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

A Wajima-nuri Red Lacquer Bowl Set - Kado Yui (b. 1968)

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

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

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 Momoyama Period Bizen Vase with Researcher Certification

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

A Porcelain Vase - Wakao Kei (b. 1967)

Wakao Kei continues to surprise and captivate with this turquoise blue porcelain vase from his recent offerings. Using deep, rich colors not often seen in this

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A Rice Porcelain Vase - Wakao Kei (b. 1967)

According to Kei Wakao, the artist who crafted this extraordinary work, it took him years of trial-and-error to perfect the unique rice-porcelain glaze covering

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A Large Sculptured Vase from the Chōtō Series - Sakiyama Takayuki (b. 1958)

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this large contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of

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A Modern Vase - Sakata Jinnai (b. 1943)

A very versatile and innovative artist, Sakata Jinnai produces pieces such as the vase seen here in his easily recognizable trademark style. Many of his pieces

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A Sculptured Vase from the Chōtō Series - Sakiyama Takayuki (b. 1958)

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the f

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A Small Flower Vase with Gold Repairs - Nakazato Takashi (b. 1937)

Takashi Nakazato is a celebrated Japanese ceramic artist whose family's mastery of pottery now spans 14 generations. Born in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture in 1937, N

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A Sculptured Vase from the Chōtō Series - Sakiyama Takayuki (b. 1958)

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the f

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A Shigaraki Uzukumaru Vase - Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935)

A beautiful example of Shigaraki pottery—the result of techniques perfected over centuries by dedicated artisans residing in the provinces east of Kyoto. This p

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A Large Sculptured Vase from Sakiyama Takayuki's Chōtō Series

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this large contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of

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A Ridged Bizen Vase - Isezaki Kōichirō (b. 1974)

First born son to Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Koichiro (b. 1974) has quickly made a name for himself as an independent artist. Not content to rely sol

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A Ring Handled Celadon Vase by Suwa Sozan (1852 - 1922)

A Chinese style celadon vase by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. Sozan spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in th

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A Tetsu-yu Henko Vase - Kawai Kanjirō (1890-1966)

Conceived by 20th century master ceramicist Kawai Kanjiro—here an abstract depiction of flowers is used to adorn an exquisite “henko” shaped vase. The glaze use

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A Korean Celadon Goryeo Vase - Yu Geun-Hyeong (1894-1993)

This unique and captivating celadon vase is the work of an early 20th century Korean artist who spent a number of years in Japan honing his craft. Gourd-shaped,

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A Woven Bamboo Flower Vase - Shiraishi Hakuun-sai II (1918-2012)

A second generation basket weaver from Beppu, Hakuun-sai (1918 - 2012) was known for producing high-quality bamboo and rattan pieces such as the one seen here.

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An Extraordinary Edo Period Hirado Cloud Dragon Vase

From a large collection of Edo period Nabeshima and Hirado-ware, this intricately crafted vase features two serpentine dragons intertwined across the face of th

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A Mallet Vase - Suwa Sozan I (1851-1922)

This extraordinary vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form. Fashioned after cylindrical Song Dynasty pieces that are thought to have bee

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A Bamboo Kakehana Vase by Kuroda Shogen (Tea Master Item)

Flower arranging is one of the great arts that Japan has managed to take to ever greater heights of refinement over its long history. Here we have a classic exa

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A Lacquer “Chōshi” Sake Warmer - Kado Isaburō (1940-2005)

A very modern and sleek interpretation of the classic lacquer sake warmer otherwise known as a “chōshi” in Japanese. The author of this piece, Kado Isaburō, was

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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

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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

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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

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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

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