Catalog (414)

This is a stunningly beautiful Hakata ningyo (doll) made by a Hakata ningyo artist. It is not one of the mass produced Hakata dolls. The softness of the colorings and detail in her kimono (in Kyoto Yuzen dye) did not fully come out in the photos. This doll was modeled after oiran, a courtesan from the Edo period, or we may simply call her Genroku bijin (a beautiful woman from Genroku era in Edo). The doll has a Kosode (kimono with small sleeves worn during the Edo period - 17 to mid 19th ...

Beautiful Katazome stencil dye work on thick, lightweight, coarsely woven cotton. It is decorated with auspicious motives; crane and long-tailed turtle in the framework of sho-chiku-bai (pine, bamboo, plum blossoms), the symbols of longevity and happiness. Bamboos, canes and pines are hidden, actually all over here in the form of scrolls. Three rolls of 13.1/2" (width) x 123 1/4" (long), roughly 98cm wide x 313cm long. Excellent condition with some color loss, very little holes or stain...

This panel was taken from Japanese "futon" bed cover. It is decorated with a chagama and other utencils used in the tea ceremony. They are drawn in the paste resist dying technique called tsutsugaki. The green area appears to be dyed with two colors, "ai" indigo blue first then yellow dye. The fabric (cotton) is loosely woven with one repair as shown in the photos. Meiji Period(1868-1912). Dimensions: 61" x 48"

Japanese wood zuishin figures probably from early 1900s. They are figures of the Toneri, the imperial guardsmen from the Heian period (794-1185). Later in the Kamakura period, they became the gate keepers of the Shinto shrines. Zuishin are sometimes called sa(left)-daijin and ya(arrows)-daijin (arrow-minister). The first character 'dai' means large or great and the second character means 'god'. There are zuishin dolls in Japanese Hina doll - the Minister of the Right and the Left - the ...

Takeda dolls are modeled after the characters from 17th to 19th century Japanese theater. They are known for exaggerated postures and often with a vivid facial expression of the Kabuki actors or Jyoruri puppets on stage from the period.

This doll is holding up a "takafuda" bulletin board in one hand and a brush in the other. "takafuda" was an official bulletin board for Tokugawa government (1603-1868) to announce any regulations, or changes etc.

Little was known about Takeda do...

Ceremonial jinbaori jacket made for Japanese Boy's Day. Jinbaori is a campaign jacket worn over armor by Samurai. They were first made to protect generals from the cold and rain and soon became more elaborate and fashionable by using rare materials such as wool, velvet and brocades.

This is a wool jacket made by Maruhei of Kyoto for boy's festival, Sekku. Founded in Kyoto in 1779, Maruhei (master craft man, Heizo Oki) has been one of the most influential doll makers in Japan. Todayâ...

The finest servant dolls, Shitei (Shittei,Shicho,Shiccho) from Kyoto, Japan. They are the court servants from Heian Imperial Court and part of Hina dolls displayed for the Girls Day (Hina Matsuri Festival) in Japan. Some damages in the toes of one doll and clothing. The tallest doll is 8 inches tall.

Samurai Yoritomo (Minamonoto) Japanese Doll, first Kamakura Shogun dressed in Suoh, high ranking Samurai's attire in Kamakura Period. The doll was possibly made by Maruhei in Kyoto. Circa Taisho period, 1920-1930. Damages in the black cloth hat.

The measurements: 14 inches to the tip of his hair and 13 inches across the sleeves at the bottom when the doll is displayed. The bow is a new addition.

Large Japanese temple cloth woven with cotton and strips of paper, great for a wall decoration. The dimensions are 107" x 47" (271.8cm x 119.4cm). Many things in Japan were made from paper, just like soy sauce was added in almost all cooking. Textiles were no exception. Some monks in Japan still make their own paper for their clothes. There are few beautiful samurai haori jackets made out of paper that still exist today in textile museums (which we have only seen in photos). The paper m...

Antique musician dolls for the Japanese Hina Matsuri Festival (Girl’s Day) which is held every March third. Displayed with the ladies-in-waiting, ministers and servants dolls, they are the entertainers of the Imperial Court.

The dolls are from early 1900s, the late Meiji period to early Showa period. The body is made out of straw, old glass eyes and their faces (wood or wood powder) are covered with layers of gofun (white surface coating made out of ground oyster shell and animal glue)...

A set of Japanese tsuge (boxwood) combs in delicate hand-cut design, ca 1950, never been used. The combs made out of tsuge wood has been known to be gentle on the hair and scalp without causing static. They were treasured by the women and men for many, many centuries. For maintenance of the combs, camellia (tsubaki) oil has been used (but good vegetable oil should work as well?). The color of tsuge deepens as they were used from natural oil from our hair and the camellia oil. There are still eno...

This kura (saddle) was used in the rituals which took place on the first day of rice planting. The day is called hana-taue (daue), "the flower-rice planting" and it has been practiced in the southern part of Japan. The links to today’s hana-taue is listed at the end. You can hear where the Dengaku (oldest form of Japanese music) came from in the video.

One side of the saddle is decorated with Shishi (lions) and peonies with a crest of “kiri no mon” (crest of Japanese empress ...

Antique aizome (traditional Japanese indigo dye) cloth taken from a Japanese bed comforter, thick cotton, circa Meiji Period (1868-1912). Excellent tapestry material. The condition is excellent; it was in new condition when we purchased. This was just washed (twice by mistake) prior to when the photos were taken. There are minor holes (shown in photo) concentrated on the top right side. Because of the size (62 1/2L x 58"W), the photos were taken from the bottom and sides.

Beautiful Uchikake (formal gown worn over a kosode kimono by the wealthy women of the Edo period) with a pair of peacocks and peonies, "the flowers of riches and honors". I am not sure how this gown was worn- with a loose belt or no belt, with the hem up or down? The gorgeous gowns that I have seen in photos (Mitsui Collection?) were maternity gowns for the Mitsui princess in the late Edo to Meiji period. Their maternity gowns had a skinny belt attached in the back. This gown has a skin...

Exquisite miniature music instruments in a small doll size, made out of bones (ivory like). They are more elaborate than shown in the photos. Dimensions of the box are 5 5/8” x 3 7/8” x 1 1/8”. Circa, Taisho to early Show period, 1920 to 1940.

Japanese wedding gown with a pair of oshidori (Mandarin ducks), flowers and maple leaves in the background colors of red and gold. This is a newer gown in very pretty cheerful colors and it's in excellent condition like new.

Dimensions: 51"W x 74 1/2"L

Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) in red and soft gold color. Because of the heavy use of silky gold thread in design, the gown, over all, looks orange than red, thick and the liner with the design of chrysanthemums. Approx. 40 to 50 years old), almost in new condition.
Dimensions: 51"W x 70 1/2"L (sleeve 40 1/2")

Japanese silk wedding gown with beautiful embroideries of flowers, cranes and the imperial gosho-carts. This is an older and top quality gown that is probably dated early to mid Showa period, 1930-1950; it belongs somewhere between antique gowns and newer gowns. The quality is different from later Showa period when most of the gowns were made for rental. The fabric of this gown has silver pine branches woven throughout, with some large branches embroidered (?) This textured background gave the ...