An exceptional antique Japanese bowwood carved netsuke - the Yama Inu - a dog resting his paw on his masters scull. Protecting him in even past the point of death. Superstition related to the okuri(yama) inu are extremely old, and are found in all parts of Japan.
The meaning of the dog also speaks about patience, reliability, and obedience. It focuses on protection, guardianship, and service. The dog spirit animal is a noble animal. It's selfless, and never asks for praise or expects... Click for details

Antique Japanese 6-panel byobu screen painting depicting a noble woman's carriage (gosho-guruma) parked under a blossoming cherry tree (sakura). The tassel cords are untied. The yoke rests on a black lacquered stool. The cart is decorated with irises and peonies with raised rimpa paint. The sudari is shut closed with chrysanthemum pattern curtains billowing out. Painted in mineral colors and raised gofun on gold leaf. Provenance: Warren Imports, La Jolla, California.

Edo Period... Click for details

A 19th Century Japanese six panel screen of Nara preparing for the Matsuri Wakakusa Yamigaki festival. This elegant bird's eye view of the city of Nara in the Edo period depicts a scree of village life in preparation for the traditional rice festival. Dancing and drinking are on display and the excitement fills the air with anticipation. The Nara temple is the major sponsor of the activities. The temple is open to patronage and veneration. This festival celebrates the rice harvest for the city.... Click for details

Early 18th C Edo period Japanese byobu painted screen of scholars in retreat. It is composed of 2 panels. The screen has a predominate gold leaf ground on gofun paper. Paint composition is a mineral rimpa paint. The subject matter is a belief of mythology made real. Shu-ton (a scholar's attendant) found a longevity turtle that is believed to be 1000 years old. This turtle is also known to be a messenger to the gods. The expression on the master's face reflects wonderment. He is able to find an... Click for details

Japanese 17th century Momoyama Period six panel Byobu painted screen of the Tale of Genji. This remarkable screen is in great form painted with rimpa polychrome mineral paint on gold gilt gofun paper. The composition is complex and it allows the viewers to have a bird's eye view of the scene and events amidst swirling clouds. The exaggerated foliage and scale of the courtly figures are dynamically composed with tranquility and balance.

The Tale of Genji is a masterpiece of Japanese... Click for details

A mid-century 18th C Japanese Tosa school six panel byobu painted screen. Rimpa paint of gofun paper with gold leafed clouds dividing each of the scenes. The screen begins by exposing us to the art of seduction by listening to poetry. The proper approach to a desired lady was through poems written on scented paper of the finest quality by an elegantly dressed go-between of appropriate social ranking. Gifts are exchanged & elegant conversation is followed with the female dressed within layers of... Click for details

A medium sized Japanese Oribe dish with a rich, brilliant green glaze and plum blossom brush painting. The crackle in the glaze adds to the design and the edging is painted. The bottom is unglazed and has 4 indented strips. Invented in Japan in 1605, Oribe ware introduced vivid pattern and color to a ceramics tradition that had previously favored somber, monochrome designs.

Dimensions: 9.5" diameter

Date: circa 18th C

Japanese Nabeshima ware porcelain dish decorated with a bird on a branch looking over a pond of omodaka (water plantian). The dish stands on a high, deeply recessed foot with outer "comb" cobalt blue design around its edges.

Dimensions: 8" diameter

Date: 19th Century

Ko-sometsuke porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). A small Japanese porcelain plate glazed with 3 images of a person on an island, a row boat and mountain.

Dimensions: diameter 6" X 1.5"

Date: 17th C

Antique Kraak ware charger from the 17th Century. Classic blue and white porcelain with a center image of 4 birds amidst flowers. The traditional 8 panels are divided by 8 identical images of nature and intersected with images of jars, banana leaves and cherry blossoms. The underside has whimsical circular lines and images of clouds. Kraakware was among the first Chinese export wares to arrive in Europe in mass quantities, and was frequently featured in Dutch Golden Age paintings of still life... Click for details