Hisao Yamagata

Japanese Contemporary porcelain beckoning cat, a uniquely and intricately gilded and hand painted porcelain piece from the Kutani region of Japan. The cat raising his left paw is adorned with multiple golden medallions and is covered with raised loops characteristic of the Kutani “mori” style. While the origins of the Japanese beckoning cat are unclear, contemporary woodblock...

Exquisite Japanese Contemporary porcelain beckoning cat, a uniquely and intricately gilded and hand painted porcelain sculpture from the Kutani region of Japan. The cat raising his left paw is adorned with multiple golden medallions and is covered with raised loops characteristic of the Kutani “mori” style. While the origins of the Japanese beckoning cat are unclear, contemporary woodblock prints show they were being widely sold as good luck charms by the 1850s. The beckoning cat comes in two varieties. The more common right-handed beckoning cat (with right paw raised) is said to bring money and wealth to its owner, and are to this day frequently seen in shops and restaurants in Japan. The less common left-handed cat is said to be inviting friends and acquaintances to hearth and home. The “mori” style refers to raised loops and other decorative motifs applied by squeezing a tube of slip onto the body of the cat much like applying frosting to a cake. The cat boasts the traditional Kutani colors of bright green, red and yellow presented against an dark blue background, and is generously accentuated with gold. The red kerchief with a knotted amulet in the back and two bells on the side also identify this as a traditional Kutani piece, as do the perked ears turned outward. A stamp indicating it is produced in Kutani region of Japan appears at reverse side of this beckoning cat scultures...

A large and impressive woven bamboo sculpture by Japanese bamboo artist Yamaguchi Ryuun (born 1940-) entitled "Black Wave". The piece was made in 2000 and originally purchased from Tai Modern...

Exquisite Japanese contemporary porcelain Rugby bear, hand-painted in blue and white in an auspicious traditional Japanese bamboo pattern by Japanese artist from the historic Imari-A...

1970s Sensual Stone Sculpture by abstract artist sculptor Japanese Masatoyo Kishi Kuki San Francisco, California Signed Kuki and numbered. Carved a...

"Purple Dawn", a ceramic sculpture piece by Japanese potter Kiyoharu Ichino (1957-). Purchased from Touching Stone, Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2003. Tradition meets renovation, this scu...

Japanese contemporary porcelain Rugby bear, hand-painted in blue and white in an auspicious traditional Japanese bamboo pattern by Japanese artist from the historic Imari-Arita regio...

Limited edition painted bronze clown sculpture entitled "The Dreamer" by Hiro Yamagata, circa 1988. This piece has amazing detail and weight and is in good vintage condition (there i...

This hand-carved wooden kimono sculpture is a contemporary piece of art made by award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa. Entitled “Hagi”, this piece was cre...

Stunning Japanese contemporary porcelain Rugby bear, hand-painted in blue and white in an auspicious traditional Japanese pattern by Japanese artist from the historic Imari-Arita reg...

Extraordinary Japanese contemporary porcelain bear sculpture, hand-painted in gold and red in a dramatic auspicious traditional Japanese pattern, by Ja...

A contemporary hand-woven bamboo sculpture in an organic form by Japanese bamboo artist Mimura Chikuho (1973-). Named "Cloud on the Peak", the piece was made as one of his series in 2004. Entirely hand-woven in irregular plaiting, the artist challenged the traditional bamboo basket making and elevated it into modern abstract sculpture. The minimalist donut form resembles the hat-shaped cloud formed around the peak of the mountain (often seen on Fujisan in Japanese art). It displays a wonderful subtle undulation and irregularity in its organic shape, achieved by a mastery of the traditional technique. The irregular plaiting appears chaotic in its busy crossing patterns yet as a whole, the piece strangely quiet and introverted, demanding contemplation from the viewer. Signed "Chikuho" underneath in Kanji. The piece comes with its original storage paper box and a silk bag. Provenance: Purchased from Tai Gallery/Textile Arts now (Tai Modern) in Santa Fe. Mimura Chikuho was born in 1973 in Tokyo. He studied under Yufu Shohaku...