This lovely Imari sometsuke (blue and white porcelain) hibachi is heavily potted in ovoid form and dates to the early 20th century. The stenciled background on the body is decorated with a scrolling vine (tako karakusa) and pawlonia (kiri) leaf design against which are centered four white curvilinear medallions, two enclosing scenes of mountainous landscapes and the other two with chrysanthemums and birds...

This vibrant Japanese Kutani porcelain vase in ovoid form with elongated neck was created by Living National Treasure Tokuda Yasokichi III (b. 1933). The dark teal blue glaze on the thin neck continues over the top of the shoulder where it trisects through shimmering bands of green and yellow which flow over the rich aubergine (dark purple) glaze that covers the ovoid bottom of the vase...

This delightful porcelain plate with its brown-edged pie crust rim is boldly decorated in the traditional Kutani palette (green, iron red, turquoise, blue, aubergine, yellow and gilt) with understated elegance and a contemporary twist. Mid-late 20th century. Lush raised white camellia blossoms and leaves are beautifully hand painted with in overglaze enamels on a finely crackled white glazed ground and framed within a fluid border of gold, blue and yellow...

This classic early Japanese blue and white ko Imari sometsuke (blue and white porcelain) dish with scalloped edge is decorated with a handpainted “meijin karakusa” design around a central medallion of shochikubai (pine, plum and bamboo). Late 18th /early 19th century. The meijin karakusa pattern, which is one variation of the scrolling vine pattern, is in the form of delicate denticulate leaves and little m-shaped curls...

This most impressive deep Japanese “sometsuke ozara” (blue and white porcelain) charger with scalloped edge is hand painted with crisp underglaze blue designs of tightly-curled arabesque style tako-karakusa (scrolling octopus vines). It dates to the first half of the 19th century. The blue scroll pattern surrounds a central medallion of shochikubai (pine, plum and bamboo) framed by a flower head band...

This marvelous Japanese Imari porcelain plate is quite unique inasmuch as it was decorated in classic shonsui style but was done so with brilliant polychrome enamels and gilt in addition to the more typical underglaze blue design. Likely mid-19th century, but possibly earlier. On the reverse there is a four character underglaze blue mark that was used on Imari wares in the 18th century...

This unique large bronze personal hibachi or hand-warmer in the form of Daruma, the patron saint of Zen Buddhism, dates to the 18th century, possibly circa 1700 or earlier. The base is inscribed “Fujiwara saku” in katakibibori, the uneven engraving imitating brush strokes. The interior of the base also contains a relief cast family crest, the “hanabishi” (China flower) design of the “Takeda no Shingen mon,” which indicates that this piece may likely even be of 17th century production...

Japanese bronze water dropper (“suiteki”) in gourd form with handle and spout. Meiji period (1868-1912). Unsigned. The top surface is decorated with low relief casting of gourd leaves and vines, on which a slight copper colored sheen has developed. The diminutive bronze handle has been cast in “mokko” form.

A suiteki was an essential element of the scholar’s desk. It was used by calligraphers and painters to wet an inkstone with measured drops of water...

This wonderful large and heavy Japanese Arita “sometsuke ozara” (blue and white porcelain charger) is hand painted with lush cobalt blue reserves on a pure white ground filled with blue butterflies and floral decorations. Mid-19th century. The largest reserve, in rectangular shape, contains an extensive landscape scene with house, mountains and a lake. Below it is a lozenge-shaped reserve decorated with four horses...

This strikingly handsome Edo (Tokyo) style “naga hibachi” (long firebox) is made from wonderfully grained burled keyaki (zelkova) wood. Meiji period, late 19th century. The mortise-and-tenon, dove-tail and mitre joinery is indicative of very fine craftsmanship, and the keyaki wood has a rich mellow patina resulting from years of exposure to heat and smoke...

Transparent Chinese glass brush washer in globular form decorated with clear red glass overlay carved in relief to reveal the eight trigrams of the I Ching and the symbol for yin and yang...

Unusual Japanese red lacquer tray and four small dishes in the shape of Daruma. Ca. 1900. The tray represents the hooded Daruma enveloped in his robe. His face and the suggestion of his robe have been deeply carved, and his high relief eyes are piercing. The four small plates represent a slightly different pose of Daruma, also enveloped in his robe, and they are hand carved to show facial and robe details. As you can see from the photos, each face is slightly different. The backs of all five pie...