A good 19th century carved and lacquered wood Noh mask representing the character role of Ko Omote (young woman). The well oxidized wood visible on the inside of the mask exhibiting the knife strokes of the anonymous artist. Generally good condition and the lacquer strong and stable. In the interest of full and detailed disclosure: Some natural age checking of the wood on the figure's left side also conveying to the lacquered surface on the face. Similar age cracks in the lacquer on either side of the figure's nose, where the wood is thicker, not showing any checking to the wood at that point from the inside. Light lacquer loss under the lower lip, near each nostril and the top edge where the hair meets the rim. Some rubbing to the black lacquer where the later silk cords are now strung. The lacquered surface could stand for a light, professional cleaning (though not necessary) of some points such as nose tip, forehead and chin but care should be taken not to disturb patina. Height, 8 3/8 inches (21.28 cm). Width 5 3/8 inches (13.65 cm).

A good sized Imari porcelain bowl. Blue underglaze cobalt and Red, green, aubergine and gold overglaze enamel decoration. Good decorative impact. A "crows foot" crack inside the foot is stable and barely at all visible inside the bowl. Minor enamel losses. Diameter, 10 1/8 in. Height 3 3/4 in.

19th century imari covered vase. High cover with knop finial atop baluster urn form vase. The vase in good condition. The cover with finial restuck (see illustrations.) The finial is a relatively clean break that should restore tightly. Vase height 5 in. With cover on, 8 in.

A fine Japanese blue and white porcelain soba choko with decoration of prunus blossoms on branches rising above an active with breaking waves all over a comb pattern on double blue lines above the foot. A fret band decoration appears inside the foliate shaped rim and a flower head within double blue ring adorns the bottom inside. The clear glaze pools to a lovely pale celadon tone above the prunus and sea decoration and in a glazed recess centered inside the glazed foot ring and broad unglazed band. Uniquely Japanese design elements successfully portray the ephemeral qualities of sakura blossoms against the foil of a rythmic, eroding sea. Appreciating the moment. Good condition: A couple small points of distress on the foot rim appearing to be quite stable and possibly dating to the moment of firing. Early 19th to late 18th century. Height 2 5/8 inches (6.67cm). Diameter 3 1/2 to 3 5/8 inches (8.89 to 9.2 cm)

A Hirado style blue and white dish with peony decoration in the dish, cash symbols on the underside, the nabeshima manner continuing with typical comb pattern on the raised foot. The lack of raised decoration and the more muted blue may indicate other than a Hirado kiln. Early 20th century. A half inch hairline from the rim otherwise good condition. 8 7/16 inches (21.43 cm).

An unusual and interesting polychrome enameled studio porcelain mug signed by the Japanese artist - Fukako Sei. Decoration borrows from traditional Nabeshima and Kakiemon iro-e examples with blue underglaze partial decoration filled in with red, yellow-green, turquoise and magenta enamel depicting prunus and peonies (Spring flora.) The mug with a slight taper toward the rim and a loop handle. I am, being both a coffee drinker and a ceramics collector, tempted to keep this. Perhaps it will find an even more determined owner. Good condition. Height 3 1/4 inches.

An attractive Japanese blue and white porcelain soba choko with banana leaf, fence and chidori in mist decoration supported by single blue line all over double blue line. The inside rim with blue and white fret band and the bottom inside with a single flower within double blue line. The glazed foot ring surrounding a wide, unglazed band centering a recessed, glazed center. The white glaze very slightly blue tinged. The decoration exhibits some of those peculiarly Japanese qualities we have also come to very much appreciate in tsuba. Good condition. Early 19th to late 18th century. Height 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm). Diameter 3 3/8 to 3 1/2 inches (8.57 to 8.89 cm)

An Edo period Oribe sake bottle of simple but full proportions and with classically Japanese Zen decoration - austerely yet sensitively placed grass and blooms decoration in iron oxide on the softly crackled opaque off-white glaze ever so slightly scorched in the kiln on two sides where the body is almost slightly exposed and oxidized to a buff tone at those points. The cut foot also glazed save for a crescent reserve around the center where the warm gray body is exposed. The rim and neck glazed green with tinges leaning bluer and oxidizing to a reddish-brown where the glaze has pooled - all with a very slight hint of iridescence to the finely crazed glazed. Five, parallel incised rings around the shoulder before transitioning to the oatmeal colored opaque walls. Anonymous. Good condition. Height 7 inches.

An octagonal miniature Japanese bronze, bell metal mirror. Relief decoration of phoenix, kirin, pheasants and other birds among cloud wisps and floral decoration. The mirror forms one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan (the other two being the sword and magatama bead.) A small four character mark appears along the edge (have been told it is an Imperial Japanese mint mark but have not confirmed this.) Probably a presentation medal or token of appreciation. Diameter from flat edges 2 5/8" (6.67cm), from points 2 13/16" (7.14cm). A clear bell tone is heard when struck. Condition is very good with full detail of decoration but with distressed gilding (faint traces remaining on the front) and one deeper scratch (among other scratching) to the flat side of the mirror (perhaps noticeable because of the more extensive remaining gilt on that side.) Our camera and lighting apparently did not pick up on the traces of gilt. Note that while this is in the form of a traditional mirror, it was never intended as a functional mirror. The first enlarged view approximates actual size. The remaining enlarged views are larger than actual size. Seems to be mid 20th century.

A late Edo iron tsuba with chisled decoration of a pine trunk and boughs on one side and flowering prunus blossom with bamboo on the other side. The three representations comprising the "Three Friends of Winter". The simplicity of the chiseled smooth surface successfully imitating sumi-e painting. Good condition - presenting more nicely than in the lighting used for our photography. Emits a clear tone when tapped. A pleasing piece that would add character to a prospective blade. The seppa-anna has about a 1 1/16 inch by 3/8 inch clearance for a nakago with low shinogi-ji.

A complete Edo period tantric sculpture of Dainichi Nyorai seated on original lotus throne and with original sun mandorla. The figure seated in the lotus position with crystal inlaid eyes and third eye; metal crown, bead jewelry and ornamentation; and hands held in Vajra Mudra. The lotus throne with petaled seat on raised, fenced plinth with decorative panels all on shaped base carved and textured to suggest clouds (inscribed on bottom.) The mandorla with openwork radiant son positioned behind the figure's head and with lotus and cloud decoration toward its base. This is consistent with reference to "the Great Sun Buddha". Expected moderate loss and distress to the lacquer surface, the sculpture and throne are in relatively good condition. The mandorla has old lacquer repair securing and stabilizing a few cracks or breaks (all original.) Overall height, 18 inches (45.72 cm). Height of figure on throne (excluding the mandorla) 15 1/2 inches (39.37 cm). Height of the figure only, 8 1/4 inches (20.95 cm).

An extraordinarily expressive, esoteric, Edo period lacquered wood sculpture of Monju Bosatsu (Bodhisattva Manjusri). The figure seated in relaxed posture. The lower hand likely held a sutra scroll while the right hand likely held a sword. The sutra signified enlightenment (which attribution was particularly ascribed to this Bodhisattva) and the sword signified wisdom cutting off delusion. The Shishi association represents power and wisdom. The finish contrasts between the burnished gold lacquer of the figure and the painted matte lacquer of the dramatically portrayed beast and rockery. A mandorla was once attached to the back (no dovetailed slot so unclear if a mandorla was originally intended.) All raised on a multipart gold lacquered plinth with decorative borders and base with ornately carved bas relief frieze of clouds centering a deer among roiled waters. Both the figure and beast with inlaid crystal eyes with dramatic affect - particularly the large eyes of the Shishi. Monju Bosatsu's eyes are casts toward his right hand as if to examine the sword which would have been held (an activity any samurai sword connoisseur can relate to.) Expected moderate loss and distress to the lacquer surface, the gold lacquered figure of Monju Bosatsu in particularly decent condition. Overall height, 14 3/4 inches (37.5 cm). Overall width 11 1/4 inches (28.58 cm). Height of figure, Shishi and rockery, 10 1/4 inches (26 cm). Height of the figure and Shishi only (together forming one piece), 8 7/8 inches (22.5 cm).

A small Japanese, Edo period bronze tsuba. Extensive traces of gilt remaining. Beautiful handiwork depicts a variety of blooming Spring flowers against a nanako (fish roe texture) ground. Patina rubbed, revealing the color of high copper content bronze. Extensive gilding remains on the blooms and leaves of the flowers but mostly worn from the rim. About 2 5/8 inches (6.67 cm) long. About 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm) wide. Little more than 1/8 inch (.33 cm) thick. If your looking for something to dress up a recent or future acquisition, this will do it. (The seppa-anna has an inch clearance by little more than a quarter inch width for the shinogi-ji on each side of a prospective blade. The bronze material should be easily enough worked, if needed, to suit a blade.)

Four Zohiko lacquer plates. Colorful leaf decoration sparsely applied on black ground with almost iridescent effect with gold and silver maki-e and red details. Zohiko marks in gold lacquer on the flat bottoms without foot rims. 20th century. Very good condition with only light rubbing on the bottoms (likely easily polished out by a professional.) 20th century. Diameters 7 3/4 inches (19.685 cm). Combine with other pieces from this set to save on shipping.

A Komai type hinged box with landscape decoration. Textured black iron box with damascene and inlaid metalwork of boat on lake in Mt Fuji landscape. Gold and tarnished silver or shibuichi details. Plover and butterflies sparsley adorn the interior. Boat sails sparsley adorn the sides in tarnished silver or shibuichi in low contrast as if suggesting a night scene. Signed on bottom. Good condition with very light wear. Length 4 3/4 inches. Width 3 3/8 inches. Height 1 7/8 inches