Paint on canvas. This signed and sealed painting by Ono Bakufu depicts two Japanese Koi floating in a tranquil pond. Bakufu is best known for his print series of colorful fish entitled Dai-nippon Gyorui Gashu or “Fish of Japan.” Published in 1937, the series includes 72 detailed prints, many of which were adapted from sketches or paintings like the one featured here. Expertly framed in a handmade blue/black lacquer frame, this piece is quite attractive. [Sold]

A book containing secret techniques used by the kiln has been handed down to each successive generation since the age of Dō’nyū (1599 – 1656). Unlike the main Raku line—that to a certain extent allows each generation of potter to follow their own aesthetic sense—Tamamizu potters have stayed true to the original forms set out by Chōjirō, Dō’nyū, and Kōetsu. The line of Tamamizu potters continued up to early Meiji with the death of Tamamizu 14. However, a recent attempt was made to revive the kiln by a descendent (later dubbed Tamamizu 15) who spent his life collecting Tamamizu-ware from earlier potters, researching the techniques used by studying old manuscripts, and training with main-line Raku potters. Despite these efforts, there remain many historical gaps in our collective knowledge of the kiln and of the individual potters themselves.

One of the most important Japanese potters of the 20th century, skilled in an impressive number of styles, today his pieces can be found in museum collections around the world. The kintsugi used here was recently reapplied by a top artisan and uses copper, which, with age should display a blueish color to complement the cobalt blue of the dish.[Sold]

This Meiji period incense burner is made of fine white porcelain with a silver globe decorated with autumn foliage. As with much of Japanese pottery from this era, it is fashioned after classic Chinese pieces from the Song Dynasty. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is of the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced.