One of the best side-effects of a global marketplace is the exposure to fine art and unique pieces from all corners and cultures of the world. Along with the booming interest in Asian art, Japanese antiques have caught the attention of home décor professionals, art collectors and amateur appreciators alike. The traditional view of Japanese works of art includes that hard, shiny black or red lacquer and little else. Nowadays, however, we’re seeing all sorts of interesting and inspired pieces, such as antique Japanese woodblock prints and traditional vases, which add a touch of earthy charm to a room or complete a uniformly Japanese style. Conversation starters like a Japanese puzzle box, a set of hand-painted plates or an antique Japanese sword can spark drama in an otherwise neutral living space. 

Traditional Japanese prints bring with them the utterly unique experience of representing an ancient art form that dates back to the first human inhabitants in Japan. Paintings on pure silk, long scrolls of hand-spun paper so delicate it’s transparent and the rough, grainy textures of watercolor paper add a purely Japanese element that cannot be duplicated in any other art form. Traditional Japanese art is characterized by polarities such as light and dark, earth and water and feminine and masculine, and it is these opposing yet complimentary elements that have influenced 19^th century western painting and 20^th century architecture. 

The ancient practice of pottery reveals that form does not necessarily heed function, as anyone who has seen a hand-crafted antique Japanese bowl or porcelain vase can attest. This concept can also be found in the painstakingly precise yet seemingly effortless brush strokes of Japanese calligraphy. When it comes to illustrating the delicate line and vivid coloration of Japanese art, though, it is Japanese woodblock prints that remain unchallenged. Like snapshots of a moment long before our time, these prints depict nature in all its silent beauty and cruelty. 

Whether you’ve always had an interest in antique Japanese pieces or you’re new to the world of Japanese art, please take a moment to browse through our vast and varied collection of rare and unparalleled antiques. Any piece would make a unique gift for the person who has everything, or create an artful yet functional addition to your own home. Our prices are of the best you’ll find online and off, and you can skip the fruitless search through musty antique stores and click through the items from the comfort of your home.