~ 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

Autumn Nanga Landscape by Takamori Saigan (1847–1917)

This atmospheric autumn landscape by Takamori Saigan (1847–1917), unfolds through delicate ink work and restrained colour. Russet trees occupy the foreground, w

A Fine Bamboo Ikebana Basket by Shimabashi Chikufusai

Here we see an elegant Japanese flower basket woven from richly patinated susudake, or soot-darkened bamboo. Its softly rounded body combines areas of delicate

A Classic Black Raku Tea Bowl by Ōhi Chōzaemon IX

An austere masterpiece of functional art — the perfect accompaniment on the journey inward to stillness and contemplation. Crafted by the 9th Ōhi Chōzaimon (190

A Large Serving Tray by Ōhi Chōzaemon 11 (Toshio)

This large serving tray by Ōhi Chōzaemon XI (Toshio) brings together the rich glaze tradition of Ōhi ware and a distinctly contemporary sculptural form. Its bro

An Antique Karatsu Amigasa Tea Bowl with Shifuku

Minimalistic, elegant, and exceptionally light in the hand, this antique Karatsu tea bowl displays an impressive milky ash glaze that descends towards the foot,

A Large Karatsu Floral Vase by Nakazato Tarōemon the 14th

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

A White Raku Tea Bowl by Master Potter Sugimoto Sadamitsu

Though rare, occasionally I come white Raku piece by one of our favorite potters, Sugimoto Sadamitsu. Adorned with subtle crackling patterns and variations in t

A Nanga Literati Hanging Scroll by Yamamoto Baisō (1846 - 1921)

An elegant antique Japanese hanging scroll from Meiji depicting a serene landscape in ink on silk, composed in the literati manner with softly layered mountain

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

A Master Work by Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) - Published + Exhibited -

A stunning work of Shino-ware by veteran potter Hayashi Shotaro—winner of numerous awards for his bold and innovative style and widely recognized as one of the

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

Stylized Sake Flask by Renown Potter Suzuki Goro (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

A Meiji Period “Tetsubin” Cast Iron Kettle with Cherry Blossom Motif

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistr

An Iga “Torigata” Vase by Furutani Michio

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 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

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

An Exceptional Tenmoku Tea Bowl by Sasaki Zen

With origins stretching back over 1,000 years, Tenmoku pottery is thought to have first found its way to the shores of Japan in the 12th century by monks who br

A Tokkuri with Enso by Tsujimura Yui

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

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 Celadon Vase by Inoue Ryosai III

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

A Mallet Vase by Imperial Court Artist Suwa Sozan

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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[Wisteria Maiden] by Tessai/ Rengetsu

Rengetsu is widely regarded as one of the greatest waka poets of the 19th century. A skilled Shijo School painter, she was also an accomplished calligrapher and

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A Modern Shino Kataguchi Vessel by Suzuki Shu

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

A Green Oribe Vase by Tamaoki Yasuo

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

A 17th–18th Century Korean Tea Bowl with Gohon Firing and Notched Foot

Here we see a quietly beautiful Korean tea bowl with a rounded, gently tapering form and a tall, dramatically notched foot. A translucent blue-grey glaze covers

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 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 Incense Burner by Imperial Court Artist Suwa Sozan

A Chinese style celadon incense burner by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. Sozan spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first

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A Four Cornered Black Raku “Jidai” Chawan

We have a particular interest in beautiful old Raku tea bowls and spend quite a bit of time searching for exceptional examples to include in our gallery. Here w

A Bronze Flower Vase by Living National Treasure Takahashi Keiten

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

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

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A “Karamono” Woven Bamboo Basket (Tea Master Item)

In Japan, woven baskets such as this are often referred to as “karamono” (Chinese style) to denote their stylistic origins tending towards symmetrical proportio

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An e-Karatsu Mizusashi by Nakagawa Jinenbo

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 Hanging Scroll by Imperial Court Artist Taki Katei (1830 - 1901)

This Meiji-period hanging scroll has that lovely quiet confidence you see in literati-style kachōga (seasonal nature motifs) of the era: elegant, unforced, and

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 Antique Oribe Style Tea Bowl

Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Kuro Oribe pieces are the most common with their jet-black glazes

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A Muromachi Period Ash Glazed Large Bizen Pot - Certified

Estimated to be 500-600 years old, this extraordinary work of Bizen pottery would have been fashioned in an “ana-gama” or a rudimentary dugout kiln often placed

A Bizen Tea Bowl by Isezaki Koichiro

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 Master Work by 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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A Large Oribe Platter by Living National Treasure Suzuki Osamu

Displaying a bold Oribe glaze and sweeping comb pattern culminating in a dynamic vortex, this wonderful platter is the result of years of trial and error by one

A Rare Antique “Tsutsu” Tea Bowl by Raku IV Ichinyū ( 1640-1696 )

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku pottery, especially in pieces made by the original Raku family (16 generations) and by a branch kiln kno

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

A Poem Inscribed Tea Bowl by Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)

The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: 花を待つ人の心や雲となりて山の端ごとに立ちまよふらん The hearts of those waiting for flowers to blossom — have they turned in

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Tokkuri with Enso by Living National Treasure Kato Kozo (b. 1935)

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

An Edo Period Karatsu Tea Bowl with Gold Repairs

This kutsu-shaped (shoe-shaped) Karatsu tea bow, having stood quietly through the passage of ages is a superb example embodying both the serene beauty and power

A Set of Four Sculptural Oribe Dishes by Takauchi Shugo (b. 1937)

Few contemporary potters have explored Oribe with the originality and energy of Takauchi Shugo. His pieces tend to embody an unmistakable sense of movement and

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

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An Eye-Catching Red “Gong-yu” Tenmoku Tea Bowl

On the base of this tea bowl are the characters “供御” pronounced “Ku-go” in Japanese but “Gong-yu” in the original Chinese—translating in English to something li

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