Japanese Tables from the Edo and Meiji eras

Japanese furniture became popular in the middle of the Edo era – 1603 to 1868. However, it gained its golden time from 1868 to 1912 during the Meiji period. Any Japanese table available from this period or from the Edo era is an antique Japanese table.

Design – Simple, functional and portable, these one of a kind Japanese antiques are highly decorative and so it integrates with almost every kind of the interiors. Whether Japanese arts like the flower arrangement or crafts like ceramics and lacquer wares, Japan has always excelled in art and designs right from ancient times and it is quite evident on these Japanese antique tables. Very artistic, they exude excellent charm wherever they are employed and are ready to accentuate the interiors.

Wood – The wood used in the making of these antiques are mainly timber or some lightweight wood like cedar and cypress. Often decorative woods like chestnut and cherry are also used for the top area which is a bit heavy. Overall, the tables are light in weight and are easily portable. Sometimes the highly prized yet very light weight wood, paulownia is also used in some of these antique tables.

Aesthetics – Full of beauty and charm, antique Japanese tables are often coated with lacquers to accentuate its grace. Alternatively, they are also sometimes left in its original state in case of paulownia wood. Elegant, well crafted and an epitome of Japanese art, the Japanese antique table induces the vicinity with its charm and beauty.

These mbrilliant and one of a kind table are something to watch for if you are an antique furniture collector because of its excellent features – design, functionality, quality and exceptional beauty.

Types of Japanese Antique Table

Kotatsu – One of the most popular and well known table in Japan, kotatsu is a low wooden table. It has a heat source – electric heater or charcoal heater beneath it which makes it very functional during winter season. Enclosed by blanket or futon, the table top looks attractive and can be decorated well.

Kura door tables – Kura door tables are the perfect tables which are crafted from traditional kura (storeroom) door. Well crafted they are an epitome of Japanese rich art and culture

Japanese Temple table or temple door table – Crafted elegantly from soothing wood like cypress the temple table is manufactured by focusing on the religious aspect while the temple door table is made from the rich wood of the temple door. Highly decorative and artistic, they are not only functional but also add beauty to your room.

Simple, attractive, functional and exceptionally beautiful, these magnificent Antique Japanese table is something really to behold!

Examples of these bronze antique items from Japan include:Antique Japanese bronze Okimono, horse –this is a item in the figure of a horse that has a rich chocolate bronze color and can be used by lovers of art to decorate the house.Antique Japanese bronze Okimono dragon-As the name suggests this is in the shape of a dragon which is very uniquely positioned and is dated the meiji period between 1868 and 1912.Bronze vase, bulb form from Japanese which is dated early mid 20th century and is shaped in the form of a bulb and can also be used to add beauty in ones living room.Antique Japanese bronze and cloisonné vase-this has very beautiful designs and has enamel accents in blue, red, green and white and is dated in the meiji period between 1868 and 1912.

The artisans who created these Antique Japanese bronze were able to infuse a sense of antiquity as well as a sense of modernity in them. Some of these items are also used for ritual purposes and this include bronze figure of Buddha, Lama and Guanyin. Most of these Antique Japanese bronze are dated between the edo and meiji era. Some of these items are surrounded with other precious metals such as gold and copper and this ends up protecting as well as decorating these arts.

Singing bowl is an example of an Antique Japanese bronze and is discovered to have numerous uses in the past as well as in the present. This is a type of bell popularly known as a standing bell and is used in many professions. It’s used by health professions, school teachers, those interested in music as well as spiritualists. In the field of psychology it’s used for meditation and stress management and is also used in massage therapy.
In order for one to be sure that the Antique Japanese bronze is original one should do the following:Hire an expert in Japanese antiques to help you not only identifies but also assess the piece.Read about Japanese antiques to help you assess the antique piece.Go to museum websites and look at their collection to determine if the price by which was sold to you was accurate.

Some of these Antique Japanese bronze are used for decoration, others are used for religious purposes such as those designed into religious objects while others create a romantic environment and some are used as lamp holders.

Once a person acquires these Antique Japanese bronze and does not take proper care of them they not only lose value but also lose their beauty. Ways of maintaining include keeping dirt from accumulating by washing them in hot soapy water. Avoid cleaning with the same cloth in the whole cleaning process and after cleaning use a soft cloth to dry it up.

What is the Significance of Japanese Pottery Marks?

While Japanese pottery has become known for the beautiful artwork featured on. However, pottery pieces from Japan decorated with pottery marks tend to convey the history of their creation. Apart from helping in identifying craftsman who created the pottery piece, markings on the pottery even specify the year in which they were created. From far away, the presence of markings tend to cause Chinese pottery appear the same as Japanese pottery. However, markings added to Japanese pottery also identify that the piece originates from Japan.

There are six main regions or “kilns” of Japanese pottery schools, namely Bizen, Echizen, Seto, Shigaraki, Tamba and Tokoname. “Rokkouyo” is the common term used to refer to these six major pottery schools in Japan, and the appearance as well as the style of pottery these schools created varies to quite an extent. Thus, the potteries created by these schools are marked with distinct and individual markings.

Usually, someone viewing Japanese porcelain pottery will read the pottery marks on them from right to left or from top to bottom. If the markings present on a pottery represent a signature, usually there is a suffix following them. Japanese pottery marks are known as “kamajirushi” and can be identified in many ways.

To view the mark of the maker on a Japanese pottery piece, the piece will have to be turned over. The lip or the side of a Japanese pottery piece also often contains the maker’s mark. Most Japanese craftsmen always add Japanese pottery marks in the form of an incision or marking on the pottery they create. However, there are also those craftsmen who consider their created pottery itself as their signature and do not mark the pieces. “Non-kamajirushi” is term used to refer to unmarked pieces of Japanese pottery.

The ability to read and accurately identify the marks on Japanese pottery pieces can help people gain a lot of insight regarding the pottery. For those who do not speak Japanese or have no knowledge of how to identify these marks often need to seek the assistance of reference books that contain information and pictures. Deciphering the meaning is often necessary for those who have an interest in collecting Japanese pottery since the markings help collectors identify the authenticity of the pottery and ensure that they are collecting the right pottery.

With so many types of Japanese pottery created by quite a lot of craftsmen, each decorated to look more unique than the other. Therefore, there are probably a myriad of Japanese pottery marks that have been added over the years on pottery created in Japan.

Antique furniture from Japan mostly comprised of shelves and chests. The trend changed during the 17th century when furniture became common among in homes. However, furniture still was seeing as a piece of utility than a decorative piece. The furniture had unpolished interiors that let the furniture gain the natural color of the wood. Round wooden pegs were used to assemble the drawers. Sometimes bamboo was used to make the pegs. Cypress and cedar wood was chiefly used to make the furniture. It is therefore common to see signs of weariness in antique furniture from Japan as cypress and cedar are softwoods that show signs of weariness with use and age.

The design of Tansu (storage cabinets) was mainly influenced by the contemporary lifestyles of the people. People did not wear shoes inside the houses. People preferred to sit on floor. Antique furniture from Japan did not have legs and the bottom drawer used to be low enough so that it could be opened easily while sitting on floor. The furniture often used to be made in square and rectangular patterns that made it easy to integrate it with other items in the house. However, some of the furniture carried asymmetrical designs too. Antique furniture from Japan often has side handles. These handles were mainly fixed to the trunks to make them easy to carry them during travelling. The handles also made it easy to move the trunks in case of earthquakes or fire.

Some of the common types of Tansu among antique furniture from Japan include Kuruma-dansu (Chest With Wheels), Katana-dansu (Sword Chest), Kaidan-dansu (Step-Chest), Isho-dansu (Kimono Chest), Funa-dansu (Ship Chest), Choba-dansu (Merchant Chest), and Cha-dansu (Tea Chest). It also includes Monoire-dansu (Storage Cupboard), Mizuya-dansu (Kitchen Chest), and Kusuri-dansu (Apothecary Chest). Tansu is usually available in three sizes – Large, medium, and small. Japanese antique furniture also includes tables and chairs. Zataku, Hibachi, Zataku, Tsukue, Saihodai are few of the table varieties that were used during early periods.

Online shops are a good source of rich Japanese antique furniture collection. The furniture is categorized under different categories as per their types, and size. The prices and their availability are displayed next to each item. Prospective buyers can get complete information about the furniture including material, period, origin, and delivery fees.

People who have never collected antiques but would like to do so need to study a bit about the antiques of different cultures and they must also know how to go about buying Japanese antiques. Since it is closely related to the Japanese ancient culture and its fascinating history, one must study the history of Japan. Special attention should be paid to the Japanese handicrafts and creations during that period.

Some of the things that stand out when buying Japanese antiques are the Japanese dolls, Japanese swords, Japanese furniture (tansu) and their porcelain and pottery. One can find these vast collections at antique dealers or online as well. However, one should be careful about the authenticity when one is buying Japanese antiques online. Authenticity is the most important criteria when it comes to buying antiques.

The Japanese furniture, tansu has everything from the bamboo basket, bronze lanterns to hand-carved wood monk. The prices are anything ranging from $800 to $3000. One can find a vast collection of lanterns, cupboards, vase depending on what one wants to buy for their house. It depends on one’s budget because antiques are very costly and one should keep in mind what they want.

One should always study in detail before even considering buying Japanese antiques. This is because if one has decided to bring a cultural heritage in their homes, they need to respect it and keep it properly.

The Japanese dolls also have a rich history behind them. Even though one can find them in markets, getting authentic, ancient dolls is something different. The Japanese dolls have been a very intrinsic part of their culture and history and in fact, there are different categories of dolls. The cost of purchasing the Japanese dolls can be anything in the range of $300 to $3000 depending on the type of doll one has chosen.

If one has a garden at their homes then Japanese antique items like lamps, small stone statues and garden lanterns would look very good. Buddhism was the major religion and hence one can find animals and monks small stone statues in the Japanese antique collection. The Japanese folk art has masks, letter boxes, lanterns, etc.

Hence, one can see that one is spoilt for choice when one is buying Japanese antiques. However, one should always know what one wants to buy and what is necessary and what is not. This is not only because of the space available in the house but also because antiques are very costly and wasting money is something that should be avoided.

Therefore, if one purchases a garden post and has no garden in his or her house then it is a waste of time, money and the antique as well. On top of that, one should make sure that the antique is well taken care of. We would never like if someone did not respect our centuries’ old culture and values and we should always give culture and heritage the respect it deserves.

Collecting Kutani porcelain that is authentic is an expensive hobby. Collectors look for kutani porcelain that is a few hundred years old or from a certain period like the time of “Occupied Japan” which signifies Japan in the post World War II era. One may also prefer writings in Japanese rather than English on these wares to bring out the authenticity of the art. Several companies have now started producing cheaper varieties of this type of porcelain with newer designs and technology.

In 1810 when Kutaniyaki was re-established with the help of seven potters, new techniques of painting were incorporated into the development of the art. This led to six different over glazing painting techniques being introduced. These were:
Mokubei style that took its influence from Chinese ink painting techniques.Yoshidaya style that used colors like green, yellow, purple and dark blue.Eiraku style that had simplistic gold coatings on the first coat of red.Lidaya style and Hachirode designs that broke away from the conventional nature theme to minute paintings of human figures on a mixed red and gold background.Shoza style which was a blend of all four over glazing techniques.

There are certain things to keep in mind before buying Kutani ware. Most of the Kutani porcelain being exported today belongs to the Shoza style. The markings are to be paid close attention to. Web pages run by George Bouvier and John Woscher give a listing of specialist information on markings on Kutani art which may help serve those who are seriously collecting Kutani porcelain.

Although collecting Kutani porcelain can be through many sources such as dealers, auction houses, online shops and classifieds in the newspapers, one must focus on authorized and authentic dealers and procure a receipt on purchase of the item. The receipt must have information such as age and value of the antique, details of any restoration work done, and any damage prior to sale. Kutani porcelain was put to everyday use by people in the past. However, it has now gained a rightful place among those interested in collecting Kutani porcelain items because of their beauty in colours and style.

The tea set usually comperise of many components each with specific functions. Some of these components include; tea cup. This is usually a small cup that can easily be held wioth one hand and is mainly used for drinking tea. They are usually decorated with different designs. Some tea cups may have handles while others are handle less. In most cases, the tea cup is normally used together with the saucer, this is used for supporting the cup.

Another important component of this set is usually the sugar bowl. This is used to hold sugar that is usually served with the tea. Depending on the material used to make the set, the sugar bowl should always be of the same material and very durable. Some of the tea sets may even include pitchers that are used to handle liquids like milk. These always have handles and spout that makes pouring its contents very easy.

These sets are prefered by many people since it performs the purpose of heating the water and brewing tea. Majority of them usually have simple and very attractive designs on their surfaces. Some people even argue that the cast iron tea pot have the health benefit of adding small elements of iron to one’s tea. These pots also heats up evenly ensuring that the tea is uniformly prepared giving it a perfect taste.

These sets and usually very strong and long lasting. However, they need to be handled with a lot of care as they can always break when they fall down several times. They also have the advantage of retaining heat for very long durations of time. This means that the tea may be kept hot for the entire period that it is being consumed. Apart from brewing tea, these pots are also very versatile and may be used for other purposes like heating water or even preparing chocolate drinks.

Since most of these sets are always made of cast iron, they can easily be decorated on their surfaces. This normally make them very attractive and suitable for serving one’s special guests. The Japanese tea sets are also very affordable compared to tea sets made from other materials. This has made it available in most homes. They also have low density meaning they heat up very fast thus saving alot of energy and time. Because most of these pots are usually made from different materials, they have different prices thus one is always free to chose what they can easily afford to pay for.

Collectors like to purchase different antiques from Japan, such as kimonos,
swords, pottery, sculptures, paintings and furniture. Many of these antiques
have been preserved through generations and they have historical and cultural
value.

Cultural Importance

These antiques represent culture and history of Japan. They are widely studied
and collected by antique collectors and museums. They have a high level of
details and craftsmanship. Some examples of precious antiques are chiseled jade
decorations and hand-carved wooden furniture.

Different Types Of Japanese Antiques

The most popular types of antiques are textiles, porcelain, traditional dolls,
weapons and tansu furniture.

Many hand-crafted Japanese artworks are popular among collectors. These artworks
are origami, pottery and paintings. Origami is a special skill of folding the
paper. It is unique to Japan and it represents creativity and artistic skill.

There are many Japanese old weapons, such as swords, shields, spears and bows.
Japanese soldiers used these weapons to protect their lives and land from their
enemies.

Japanese old wooden furniture is a perfect decoration. There are many different
types of furniture, such as cabinets, tables, benches and room dividers. This
furniture can bring the spirit of Japan to any home.

Important Periods

Most of the antiques from Japan that you can purchase on the market are from the
eighteenth to twentieth century. It is difficult to get older antiques. Japan
used to be an isolated country and this influenced their rich cultural heritage.
Japanese painting from this period are focused on some specific themes, such as
Buddhist temples, geisha houses and landscapes. Landscapes represent the natural
beauty of Japan.

Antiques from the twentieth century show signs of Japan’s gradual modernization.
Sculptures and paintings from this period include vehicles, sporting events and
many new styles of clothing and hair.

Identification of Japanese Antiques

You will be able to identify genuine antiques by their highly detailed pieces
that are usually hand-carved and painted. Most of the antiques are made of
porcelain, metal or wood. Some of them are lacquered and this gives them a
special artistic touch. Japanese screen paintings and wood-block prints are
commonly found among many of antique Japanese artworks.

Acquiring Japanese Antiques

You can purchase antiques from Japan online or in many specialty antique shops
all over the world. Genuine antiques can be expensive because they are hard to
find their price is increasing over time. Prices of the best Japanese antiques
range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. If you are not sure about
the authenticity of these artworks, you can hire an expert to help you.

Collecting antiques from Japan can be an interesting hobby. Many of the Japanese
antiques have reasonable price. You will have a chance to enjoy the beauty and
uniqueness of these antiques. They can be a part of your home’s decoration.

Antique Oriental Furniture

Generally oriental furniture features unique designs and construction techniques including lacquering to provide a smooth and shiny finish and chinoiserie which represents incredible and imaginative motifs and designs.

Oriental furniture from South Asia is an emerging trend in interior design and home decor.People love collecting oriental furniture as the beauty and intricacy of designs not only appeals to them but also it adds a richness and a sense of aesthetic appeal to their homes.

There are many antique furniture dealers that specialise in oriental furniture.  Oriental furniture is considered to be very collectable these days. The most popular types of antique oriental furniture being collected are Chinese and Japanese pieces.

Chinese furniture is typically fabricated from uncarved bamboo or wood with a heavy lacquer used to create various unique styles.  Japanese furniture is identified by its extensive use of wood to implement elaborate, decorative work  and intricate craftsmanship.

Apart from specialist dealers, the internet is also a reliable source to buy and collect even the most rare of oriental furniture pieces.

Collecting oriental furniture is considered by many to be a worthwhile investment.  However in order to know whether the piece you are buying is worth the price being asked, it is advisable to develop some knowledge in this specialist field before buying for investment purposes.  Many people develop their initial experience by acquiring antique oriental furniture for their own pleasure before moving on to acquiring for investment return.

Japanese Antique Furniture

Some of the most exotic woods were used in Japanese furniture making. Cypress, Japanese elm and Paulownia are a few examples of the beautiful timber that is native to Japan and used to create chests that were passed down through generations. Often outfitted with dark metal hardware and hand carved motifs, these items were used throughout a home in unique designs. Used as desks, dressers, pantries and storage, it is not hard to know when you have found a piece worth buying from the rare wood and simple straight skilled construction.

Japanese Antique Vases, Scrolls and Bowls

Often associated with the orient, black lacquer was used in protecting ceramic bowls, jewelry boxes and other small decorative pieces. Clear lacquer was also used on wood and ceramics, portraying a mirrored image. Lacquer used by the Japanese is not like the synthetic forms of Western society but starts with sap from the local urishi tree. Well preserved and lustrous, you will not see Japanese lacquered pieces losing their finish or discoloring with age.

Scrolls of polychromatic calligraphy or nature scenes are one of the most intriguing types of finds when buying Japanese antiques. The silk or paper backing lets you know that you could have an original. Many date back to the 18th century or earlier and make a flowing addition to decor that reflects a peaceful existence.  Locating and buying Japanese antiques in the form of porcelain vases is a great way to enjoy the tender natural scenes of the orient. Many artists used soft or neutral colors as a background and painted floral or country scenes around the vase. Some may have a crackled finish, ribbons of gold or raised lips along the top. Look for a signature hidden in the picture and not on the bottom.

Metal Works

Cast iron or copper metal teapots that have an elegant motif are examples of how the Japanese can take any media and shape into an art form. There are also small statues that depict the Buddhist religion. Anything from children’s metal banks to swords and armor can be found when looking for crafts of Japan that have existed since the beginning of time. Bronze was a favorite in molding shapes and scenes into delicate vases and stands for the home.

Buying Japanese antiques is a hobby that can quickly turn into a profession because of all the amazing finds that exist. Each time you think you have found the ultimate is craftsmanship, another irresistible item shows up. Japanese antiques cannot be compared to anything found in the Western world because of the significance of the country. Each item tells a story of beauty and serenity found no other place on earth. Study the different time periods of Japan in order to appreciate each new antique. Collecting Japanese antiques can be costly but also addictive so measure each piece carefully before purchasing.