A set of a bowl, tray, and chopsticks all done in Japanese lacquer and makie. The makie or gold painted designs contain motifs of willows and sparrows. The motif in general evoke the feel of late spring.
Age: Meiji Period.
Size: Bowl: diameter: 6.5" height: 3.5" Tray: length and width: 8" height: 0.75" Chopsticks: length : 8.25" width : 0.5" height: 0.25"
Satsuma ware contains a 300 year history which originates its roots in Korea. A potter by the name of Chin Jukan settled in Satsuma during the end of the 17th century and received patronage by the Shimazu family who were the rulers of the region of Satsuma. The simple motifs done on a white earthenware base became popular during the Edo Period.
It was during the Meiji Period when Satsuma Ware production and popularity exploded. Mostly the wares were made for export to satisfy the flood of orders coming in from the US, England, and most of Western Europe.
The vase shown contains two historical scenes from Chinese and Japanese history framed within a mix of traditional Japanese motifs and symbols. Although it is not known who the figures might be, but judging the way each figure is portrayed, they may have been based on traditional ukiyoe prints and printed books telling stories of brave generals in the history of China and Japan.
Condition: Overall the vase has been kept in amazing condition. There is a crack going through on one side of the body of the vase.
Age: 19th-early 20th century.
Size:Diameter 8" height 18.5"
A large size tsutsu chawan or a tea bowl specifically used during the winter season. The tea bowl is done in a glaze often seen in Hagi ware known as biwa yu or a glaze similar to the color of loquats.
The large size is rather unsual and not often seen in comparison to the standard size tsutsu chawan.
Age: Late 20th century.
Size: Diameter 4.3 in : Height 4.1 in
In Japanese the term used for glass was giyama or giaman. The term is thought to originate from either the Dutch or English (many terms were incorporated from Spanish, Portugese, Dutch, and English during the 18th and 19th centuries).
Cut glass technology first appeared in Satsuma in Kyushu during the late Edo Period around the 1840-1850 period. Satsuma was able to create a lucrative cut glass industry and works incorporating Japanese designs and European aesthetics became popular in Edo that Edo kiriko or cut glass appeared during the same period.
The Japanese love for cut glass continues to this day and various objects for tea and Japanese cuisine can be seen during the summer season.
The bowl is a Japanese cut crystal glass produced during the 1950-1970 period.
Diameter 8" Height: 2.75"
Fluted sterling silver bowl. Japanese silver crafts have known internationally for the quality and purity of silver used in its pieces. The bowl can be used in the way of tea as a container for sweets or to be used in the home for a special occasion.
Piece contains a mark reading jungin, the notation used to denote Japanese sterling silver which is close to 96-98 percent purity.
Age: Late Showa Period (1960-1970)
Size:Diameter 7.25". Height 2.25"
This scroll records the visit of the Zen master Arai to the island of Hawaii in the 1930s. Arai, a monk with some distinction, visits Nuuanu Pali, a battlefield. The scroll reads:
All the eight islands of Hawaii thinking like sages, everyone is past and rested is the debate on ethnicity, people were all originally from the surrounding ocean and from the womb.
The exterior of the box is inscribed with the title of the piece, Zen Master Arai's visit to Hawaii. The interior notes the date, December, 1932, and the artist's name, Gosuho.
Dimensions:Scroll Dimensions: 93 in. x 24 ½ in. Picture Dimensions: 70 ¾ in x 18 ½ in. Width of Roller Ends: 26 ¾ in.
A stylish and well crafted gourd flower container with black lacquer coated with the interior of the container. The vase comes with a tomobako with the inscription by the artist.
Age: Meiji Period.
Height: 9.25" diameter: 3.25"
Kutani ware, a popular type of ware produced in the Kanazawa region. The beautiful and colorful designs have defined the designs and art of the region for most of the Edo Period and onwards.
The pair of tokkuri or sake decanters were made by the noted artist Suda Seika who is thought to have strongly inspired Kitaoji Rosanjin to create his own line of pottery.
The Pair of tokkuri is emulating an old tokkuri design from the Edo Period. The pieces contain geometric motifs with a calligraphy inscription of pine, bamboo, and plum.
Age: 20th century.
Diameter 3" height 8.25"
A Meiji period wood carving of bodhidharma inscribed with the phrase, nana korobi ya oki or "To fall down seven times and to get up eight". No matter what the situation is one always has the power to recover.
Age: 19th-20th century.
Size: 16" H x 28" L x 1 1/2" thick
The term bajouhai has associations with the samurai culture. Uesugi Kenshin, war lord who ruled most of the region known as Echizen was known to use a bajouhai, not for tea, but for sake. The bajouhai, in a way appears in a chalice like form and water was drunken from such vessels.
It is not known when the first bajouhai tea bowl appears but odd objects such as these were used to enjoy the rather "uniqueness" of the bowl.
Work is made by Yoshimura Rakunyu, who for three generations have been producing raku ware. The kiln specializes in emulated works and painted raku pieces.
Size: Diameter 4.3 in : Height 4.5 in