Japanese Gallery Kensington

Japanese Gallery Kensington Buy Japanese Art Online - Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, lacquerware, metalware, ceramics. Japanese Antiques and Contemporary Art.

Japanese Gallery Kensington holds one of the largest collections of Japanese antiques in the world. The gallery has a large variety of Japanese artefacts, such as 13th century Japanese swords, lacquer wares, ukiyo-e woodblock prints and exquisite ceramics. Entering the gallery is like visiting a museum, except it is possible to hold the objects that fascinate you in your hands. Established in 1977

, the gallery is currently located in the world renowned antiques district of Kensington. We regularly advise and assist in authentication for museums, auction houses and educational institutions. Information relating to Japanese art and antiques is available on our website as an educational resource.

Who was the greatest swordsman in Japanese history?Tsukahara Bokuden, the undefeated sword saint who mastered "Hitotsu n...
16/06/2026

Who was the greatest swordsman in Japanese history?
Tsukahara Bokuden, the undefeated sword saint who mastered "Hitotsu no Tachi", a legendary one-strike technique.
Miyamoto Musashi, the famed swordsman who wielded two swords and founded the Niten Ichi-ryū school.
Both are among Japan's most celebrated warriors, yet they never met. The two men lived nearly half a century apart.
In this print, Tsukioka Yosh*toshi imagined a duel between the two legends, showing Bokuden calmly blocking Musashi's attack with nothing more than a pot lid.
If this duel had really taken place, who do you think would have won?
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Artist: Yosh*toshi Tsukioka (1839-1892)
Title: Picture of the Duel between Miyamoto Musashi and Tsukahara Bokuden
More details about the print at japanesegallery.com.

One night in the imperial court of the Heian period, a nobleman suddenly felt something pull at his sword.When he turned...
10/06/2026

One night in the imperial court of the Heian period, a nobleman suddenly felt something pull at his sword.
When he turned around, a terrifying demon was standing behind him.
The figure shown here is Fujiwara no Tadahira, a court noble from the Heian period. Although he was known as a skilled politician, this print also shows him as a fearless man confronting a demon.
The scene is based on a story from the historical tale Ōkagami.
This type of ukiyo-e is known as “yokai prints”: artworks showing ghosts, demons, and other supernatural beings from Japanese folklore.

Artist: Yosh*toshi Tsukioka (1839-1892)
Title: 1. Sadanobu Threatening a Demon in the Palace at Night
Series Title: New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts

More details about the print at japanesegallery.com.

Printemps Asiatique Paris is almost here, and ahead of the fair, we would like to introduce two works by Katsushika Hoku...
02/06/2026

Printemps Asiatique Paris is almost here, and ahead of the fair, we would like to introduce two works by Katsushika Hokusai that will be presented during the exhibition.
The first print comes from Hokusai’s famous “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” series, where Mount Fuji appears quietly in the distance beyond figures, nature, and wooden beams.
The second work is from “One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse”, one of the last major woodblock print series created by Hokusai, inspired by classical Japanese poetry.
In addition to ukiyo-e prints, we will also present swords, samurai armour, Satsuma ware, and other Japanese works in Paris this June.
More information: printemps-asiatique-paris.com
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Printemps Asiatique Paris approche, et avant l’ouverture de l’exposition, nous souhaitons présenter deux œuvres de Katsushika Hokusai qui seront exposées pendant l’événement.
La première fait partie de la célèbre série « Trente-six vues du mont Fuji », dans laquelle le mont Fuji apparaît discrètement au loin, au-delà des personnages, de la nature et des structures en bois.
La seconde provient de « Cent poèmes racontés par la nourrice », l’une des dernières grandes séries d’estampes réalisées par Hokusai, inspirée de la poésie classique japonaise.
En plus des estampes ukiyo-e, nous présenterons également des sabres, des armures de samouraï, des céramiques Satsuma et d’autres œuvres japonaises à Paris en juin.
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Artist: Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849)
Image 1: Musashi Senju
Image 2: A Poem by Nakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason

JapaneseAntiques

Our gallery will be exhibiting at Printemps Asiatique Paris at Galerie Charpentier from 5–8 June. As a preview of the ex...
27/05/2026

Our gallery will be exhibiting at Printemps Asiatique Paris at Galerie Charpentier from 5–8 June. As a preview of the exhibition, we would like to introduce two works from Tsukioka Yosh*toshi’s “One Hundred Aspects of the Moon” series.
Consisting of 100 designs inspired by moon-related stories and legends, the series is especially known for its dramatic scenes, strong emotions, and striking moon imagery.
In addition to ukiyo-e prints, we will also present swords, samurai armour, Satsuma ware, and other Japanese works in Paris this June. More information: printemps-asiatique-paris.com
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Nous participerons à Printemps Asiatique Paris dans la Galerie Charpentier du 5 au 8 juin.
Après l’exposition, nous souhaitons présenter deux œuvres de la série « Les Cent Aspects de la Lune » de Tsukioka Yosh*toshi.
Composée de 100 estampes inspirées de récits et légendes liés à la lune, cette série est particulièrement connue pour ses scènes dramatiques, ses fortes émotions et ses remarquables représentations de la lune.
En plus des estampes ukiyo-e, nous présenterons également des sabres, des armures de samouraï, des céramiques Satsuma et d’autres œuvres japonaises à Paris en juin.
Plus d’informations: printemps-asiatique-paris.com
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Artist: Yosh*toshi Tsukioka (1839-1892)
Image 1: Title: A Buddhist monk receives cassia seeds on a moonlit night
Image 2: Suzaku Gate Moon

We are delighted to announce that our gallery will be exhibiting at the 9th edition of Printemps Asiatique Paris at Gale...
26/05/2026

We are delighted to announce that our gallery will be exhibiting at the 9th edition of Printemps Asiatique Paris at Galerie Charpentier from 5–8 June, as part of Paris Asian Art Week.

During the fair, we will present a wide selection of Japanese works, including ukiyo-e, samurai armour, swords, and Satsuma ware.

We look forward to welcoming visitors to the fair in Paris this June.

More information can be found on the official website printemps-asiatique-paris.com

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Nous sommes ravis d'annoncer que notre galerie participera à la neuvième édition du Printemps Asiatique Paris à la Galerie Charpentier, du 5 au 8 juin, dans le cadre de l'Asia Week Paris. À cette occasion, nous présenterons une large sélection d'œuvres japonaises, notamment des ukiyo-e, des armures de samouraï, des sabres et des faïences Satsuma.

Nous nous réjouissons d'accueillir les visiteurs à Paris ce juin.

Plus d'informations sur le site officiel printemps-asiatique-paris.com

Waves, dragons, and an almost supernatural presence.This figure is Nyu'unryu Kosonsho, the Daoist mystic from the Chines...
21/05/2026

Waves, dragons, and an almost supernatural presence.
This figure is Nyu'unryu Kosonsho, the Daoist mystic from the Chinese classic Water Margin, known in Japan as Suikoden.
Known for summoning wind and storms through mystical powers, he was one of the legendary heroes of Liangshan.
During the 19th century, Japan experienced a huge Suikoden boom, and Utagawa Kuniyoshi became especially celebrated for his dramatic warrior prints inspired by these stories.
The swirling dragon, crashing waves, and intense movement in this work show the powerful style that made Kuniyoshi so iconic.

Artist: Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1798-1861)
Title: Nyu'unryu Kosonsho
Series: One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden
Publisher: Yamazaki Kimbei
Date: c. 1828
Size: 38.3 x 26.3 cm

More details about the print at japanesegallery.com.

Their master was unjustly forced to commit sepukku.In response, 47 masterless samurai spent nearly two years hiding thei...
15/05/2026

Their master was unjustly forced to commit sepukku.

In response, 47 masterless samurai spent nearly two years hiding their identities and waiting for the right moment to take revenge.

Chushingura, the story of the 47 ronin, remains one of Japan’s most famous historical tales.

Among them, Horibe Yasubei (Oribe Yasubei) became especially celebrated as a master swordsman, admired for both his bravery and unwavering loyalty.

More than a revenge story, Chushingura came to symbolise honour, duty, and the spirit of the samurai, continuing to inspire kabuki theatre, films, and ukiyo-e prints for over 300 years.

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Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861)
Series: Stories of Faithful Hearts and True Loyalty
Publisher: Ebiya Rinnosuke
Date: 1847–1848

Slide 1: Oribe Yasubei Taketsune
Slide 2: No. 19 Uramatsu Handayûi Takanao
Slide 3: No. 8 Yukugawa Sampei Munenori
Slide 4: No. 44 Mase Chudayu Masa-aki

We have many other Chushingura prints by Kuniyoshi.
Please visit japanesegallery.com for more details.

This antique Juyo Katana (重要刀剣) is from the early 14th century (Nambokucho-era). The sword is attributed to the Aoe smit...
23/04/2026

This antique Juyo Katana (重要刀剣) is from the early 14th century (Nambokucho-era). The sword is attributed to the Aoe smiths in Japan, who possessed striking characteristics not seen in other provinces. The Kozuka for the sword has a unique feature, as the Kozuka itself is stored within a small case. The sword is unsigned and comes accompanied by a Koshirae, both in great condition.

This item is available in our next auction, which will take place on Saturday, 2nd May at 1:00 PM BST. The catalogue for the auction includes antique Japanese woodblock prints and 3D items such as tsuba and ceramics.

LOT 1: Katana, NBTHK Juyo, Aoe, Early Nambokucho Era

Register to bid online via JGAUCTION.COM

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Kiyochika's portrait of Kikuchi Takemitsu is a study in defiant survival. The warrior stands over a fallen enemy, grippi...
16/04/2026

Kiyochika's portrait of Kikuchi Takemitsu is a study in defiant survival. The warrior stands over a fallen enemy, gripping a severed head in one hand and a sword between his teeth, his richly decorated armour battered from battle. His long hair is loose and windswept, the gaze sharp and cold despite his injuries. Behind him, a dark horse stands calm and steady, draped in vivid red tassels, contrasting with the chaos of arrows scattered on below where the enemy lies in defeat.

Artist: Kiyochika Kobayashi (1847-1915)
Title: Kikuchi Takemitsu
Series title: Instruction in the Fundamentals of Success
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Date: 1880s - 1890s

More details about the print at japanesegallery.com.

Address

66E Kensington Church Street
London
W84BY

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 5pm
Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+442072292934

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