Japan, Late 18th Century Gold Lacquer Inro by Kajikawa, Edo Period

Nice hand painted Porcelain charger in the Imari palette using underglaze cobalt bleu and iron red. Japan, Edo period, late 18th century.

Japan, Pair of Hokai boxes in lacquered wood, Edo period, 1829 Japan, Rare Pair of Hokai boxes in lacquered wood, Edo period, dated Bunsei 12, 1829. Hokai boxes are traditionally use...

A heavy and finely cast Japanese bronze mirror decorated with pines , cranes wich are longevity symbols, The handle in the center is a a tutle which also symbolize longevity. Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. The small, round mirror with high walls has been intricately and exquisitely cast with symbols . The turtle has a domed shell pieced to allow a cord to be strung through for handling or hanging. A five charactesr mark is cast on the border. Mirror is 12 ,3 x 1,6 cm Box is 14,2 x 5 cm Surrounding the turtle and inscription is a densely cast landscape featuring pine trees with fantastic needles, two cranes with their 3 youngs, dense stalks of leafy bamboo. and a blooming prunus on the left side. All are symbols of longevity. Bamboo also symbolizes resilience and prosperity. Bamboo asociated with prunus and pine are called the 3 frinds of winter. The other side of the mirror is undecorated, and would originally have been highly polished, allowing the user to see their reflection in the polished surface. The bronze with a wonderful, warm silver patina. This mirror is presented in its original lacquer box , hand decorated in the Kodaiji style with gold lacquer flowers...

This exquisite large Japanese porcelain bowl from Arita is in impeccable condition, boasting no signs of restoration. Its exterior showcases continuous karakusa scrolls inspired by t...

A four-case lacquered inro by Koma Koryu circa 19th century late Edo period. The inro features a pair of Chinese mandarin duck resting under a bundle of blooming irises on the pond. ...

This exquisite four-case lacquered inro was dated to the latter part of 18th century to early 19th century (Edo period) and made by Shigehide. The opposite sides of the inro together features a lavish flower arrangement in a bamboo basket (ikebana). The detailed craftmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Mostly Takamaki-e (high relief) were used to texturize the delicate petals of the chrysanthemums, on which different shades of gold were used to create contrast. Raden (mother of pearl) shells were also used to highlight some leaves, rendering the piece an interesting balance of color and material. The interior was completed in a mottled gold finish. It was signed Shigehide on the bottom with a Kao. There is a small carved rabbit ojime bead...

A three-case lacquered Inro by Yamada Family circa 18th-19th century Edo period. The inro with slight rounded form is of Kano style and vividly depicts a dragon slithering among the ink clouds on a gold background. Sumi-e togidashi (ink togidashi) technique, in combination with Hiramaki-e, were employed to create the dreamy ambience of this piece. The dragon has a painterly appearance inspired by Chinese ink painting that was often seen on the Japanese folding screens. The back of the Inro was sparsely decorated with the shifting patterns of the darkening clouds with an emphasis on the space intentionally left empty. Jokasai was signed to the base. On the front of the inro there is another miniature signature Hakugyoku Hogen, which is one of names used by Kano Michinobu (1730-1790). The dragon is evidently one of his designs (see reference below). Established by a member of Yamada family in the 17th century, the clan was one of the most prominent lacquer artisanal family for the next 200 years until the end of Edo period in the 19th century. Most members signed their work simply with Jokasai making the identification of the individual artists somewhat impossible. The current Inro on offer, compared to many other pieces by Jokasai, has an uncommon Kano style done in Sumi-e togidashi. Another unusual feature of this piece is that the interiors of the inro was decorated with an interesting gold mosaic inlays (kirigane) on a dark lacquer background, giving it a jewel like quality. For another Inro by Jokasai of a similar style using Sumi-e togidashi but depicts a tiger, see Wrangham collection, no.353, which was offered for sale as lot 256 in Bonham's London Auction: The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I. 9 Nov 2010. For an ink scroll...

Japanese Inro from the Edo period (1615-1868) created by Kajikawa. Beautiful Inro, created in Japan by one of the Kajikawa family during the Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1810. Has been carefully crafted in carved precious wood with applications of gilding maki-e and decorated with Japonism patterns. All dan trays are attached together with a himo cord. The detailed craftsmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Period: Edo period (1615-1868). Shogunate. Approximate Date: 1790-1810 Motif: A family of birds consisting of a cockerel, the hen and three chicks. Drawers: Five. Shape: Rectangular navette. Technique: Carved wood, lacquer and decorated in iroe-hiramaki-e on a gold ground. Ojime: 15mm 20mm, oval carved from natural translucent agate. Netsuke: None Weight: 47.70 Grams. Measurements: Inro is 78 mm by 55 mm by 18 mm (3.07 x 2.17 x 0.71 Inches). Signatures: Kajikawa Saku, in the underside with the signature KAJIKAWA. By a member of the Kajikawa family, signed Kajikawa 梶川 Japan, late 18th century to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868). The Kajikawa family Kajikawa family, flourished in the 19th century, they was Japanese lacquerware artists whose school in Edo (now Tokyo) flourished for more than 200 years. This family is perhaps the most famous of all the dynasties of Japanese lacquer artists, and certainly the name most often found on inro. The family is said to have been founded by Hikobei at Edo in the early 17th century, although some claim that the family’s great reputation really stemmed from his son and pupil Kyujiro. In any event, Hikobei worked for the shogunate, as did his successors until well into the 19th century. Kijirō excelled in designing particularly delicate lacquer inrō, portable medicine cases...