Antique Japanese calligraphy scroll painting by the Confucian scholar, poet, koto musician, calligrapher and artist, Ryū Kōbi (also called Ryû Sôro) (1714-1792). Sumi ink on paper. With three seals, one being his trademark Dragon seal.

This work is Waka poetry done in traditional 5-7-5-7-7 syllables or a 5-line wake poem. Which traditionally calls up an image of nature that then alludes to an emotion. This poem is one written long ago by the famous Chinese poet Zhang Ji... Click for details

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with all kiri (paulownia) wood on the front and sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the sides and top. The tansu has a full-width drawer on the upper portion above a compartment with sliding panels on the left and two small drawers on the right. The lower portion of the chest has two medium sized drawers on the left and a safe box above a small drawer on the lower right. The safe has a door with heavy iron hardware which opens to two small interior... Click for details

Antique Japanese small ko tansu made all of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with lovely raised akita sugi wood on the front. Three large drawers with squared iron drawer pulls and rectangular locks. On the lower right hand portion are two small drawers with ring pulls.

Late Edo/Early Meiji Period (circa late 1800's)

Dimensions: 21 1/2" high x 23 1/4" wide x 12 3/4" deep

Antique Japanese low Todana tansu with one large drawer and a compartment opened with sliding panels. Mostly made of Sakuranoki (Cherry) wood, the sliders have horizontal slats over Keyaki (Zelkova) wood panels. As well, the side panels of the tansu are also made of Keyaki. The sides and back of the tansu are reinforced with sakura wood bracing. Hardware includes iron Warabite drawer pulls and lock on sliding panels.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 20" high x 34 3/4"... Click for details

Antique Japanese Scroll of Two Quails amidst chrysanthemum flowers, painted with a delicate painterly touch. Signed and sealed by Tosa Mitsuoki (光起) (1617-1691). In 1654, Mitsuoki won back the position of edokoro-azukari for the family, which enabled him to revive the school.Mitsuoki rejuvenated the traditional Tosa style by introducing elements from Chinese painting. He is particularly noted for his elegant paintings of quail, as for example, the Chrysanthemum and Quail screens which he... Click for details

Japanese pair of shrine figures depicting two Lucky Gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. On the left is Ebisu, a popular god of business prosperity and abundant crops as well as the patron of fishermen. Carved from wood, he stands with a fish under one arm and a smile on his face. On the right is Daikoku, who represents prosperity and is the protector of crops. He is the patron of cooks, farmers and bankers. Carved from wood, he stands on bales of grain with a big bag slung over his shoulder. Ebisu... Click for details

Antique Japanese biwa, a plucked string lute instrument. Made of hardwood with kiri (paulownia) wood front, inlaid with bone and bamboo details. The four strings (missing) are struck with a wooden plectrum. This instrument is often used in narrative story telling. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, the goddess of music, eloquence, poetry and education.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" long x 12" wide

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a mountain scene. A pagoda rises in the distance, behind it, a misty mountain range. In the foreground a small figure crosses a bridge. Signed by Kano Tsunenobu (1636-1713). Sumi ink on silk. Provenance Collection of Vlasheslav Batov, Illinois

Age: Edo Period (circa late 1600's to early 1700's)

Dimensions: Total: 51 1/4" high x 29 3/4" wide (32 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 15 3/4" high x 25 1/2" wide.

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a noble courtier on horseback. He wears a green robe with swirling gold details and his horse is adorned in red tassels. His younger attendant hurries behind on foot. Both figures hold their long sleeves over their heads as they make their way through the snow. A tree in the background is partially obscured by a low mist. Painted in sumi ink and mineral colors on silk. Signed: Kiyohara shi onna Harunobu hitsu. Seal: Harunobu, Provenance Indianapolis... Click for details

Antique Japanese unusual funa tansu (funa-dansu, ship merchant's safe box). Rare side-by-side configuration with a safe on the right and a compartment with sliding panels on the left. The right side safe box opens with a hinged door heavily decorated with iron work. A ivy leaf in circle mon (Itowa-ni tsuta) in the center with a ring for opening and a fan motif on the lock itself. The interior has 3 drawers in a vertical row, all with square handles and the bottom drawer with a lock. To... Click for details