Catalog (414)

Japanese tobacco pouch and kiseruzutsu pipe case in carved red and black lacquer (tsuishu, tsuikoku) with Chinese sages in a rocky landscape. The pouch is delicately hand embroidered in brown tones with the finest silk thread depicting flowers (morning glories?) and leaves with vines. The pocket inside is made out of a Sarasa fabric (treasured cotton fabric by tea masters from Edo period - they were originally brought from India during 16 - 17 centuries ) which is lined with a soft leather. ...

The delicate ladies in waiting Japanese hina dolls for the Japanese Girl's Days in February. They are extremely beautiful with delicately detailed gofun (crushed shell with paste) faces and hands. The photos could not caputured it. Their face, hair, hands and costumes are superior to many other "Jyokan" dolls, obviously the work of first rated Kyoto made dolls. The standing dolls are 8 7/8" tall. One of the sleeves on the standing doll is soiled (enlargement 8). Circa Taisho to early Sho...

The fabric is thick, silver brocade that appears to be taken from a Japanese woman's old obi from late Edo period. The liner is cotton. During the Edo period (1602-1868), there was a custom that the family of a deceased woman would donate her favorite kimono to the temple; some beautiful temple cloths were created from those wonderful fabrics. The custom was likely to have continued after the period. The design on the fabric is the four benevolent animals of Chinese mythology; qulin, drag...

Japanese Takeda Samurai doll from late Edo to early Meiji, 1800s. Takeda dolls were made to model Kabuki actors and puppet dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The doll is possibly Benkei, a faithful retainer to Yoshitsune (Minamoto).

Many stories were written based on Benkei and Yoshitsune (Minamoto, Genji family). They first met on the bridge of Gojyo in Kyoto when Benkei challenged Yoshitsune. He had been challenging strangers to sword fights so that he could get their swo...

Top quality Kyoto Nishijin obi in maru obi style (design on both sides). We think this obi is from 1930-1940. No damages. Dimensions: 12 5/8" x 13'5"(161.5")

Strikingly beautiful Japanese Nishijin obi. The style of the obi is the most formal and expensive style which is called maru obi; the design covers front and back, from one end to the other end. This is an older obi than it looks. The colors are vibrant yet elegant. The design is for the joyous occasion with cranes, hand drums, flowers, pines and repeated pattern of waves (sei kai ha) in gold.

Measurements:

A formal Japanese maru obi with auspicious designs; containers for an old shell matching game, hand drums, fans, ho-o Chinese phoenix bird and kiri leaves. It is made with a thick silk brocade and thick padding. The gold color (genuine gold) is particularly beautiful in this obi. Excellent condition. This obi will make a beautiful addition for your home. Dimensions: 12 5/8” wide x 13’6” (162”) long

This is a very elegant and high quality Japanese silk obi from Nishijin, Kyoto. The dimensions of the obi are 12 1/4" wide and 160 3/4" (13'4 3/4") long. About two-thirds of the front (104" long) is woven with gold. There are 2 full designs of an ox-cart with pine branches in the center area – only one of them is shown in the first photo – the other one is on the other side.

Silk textiles, particularly when they are woven with gold, can look very different in depending on the envi...

This is a Japanese silk obi with a painting of men transporting lumber down the river. It is a scene that became obsolete as new technologies, such as trains, trucks and the creations of dams, developed. It is hand painted on silk with an artist’s signature and seal. We will bring more photos once the obi is flattened from the Nagoya style obi – currently, this obi is being worked on (hand sewn) by a professional.

This is a beautiful Japanese obi. The style of obi is maru obi which is the most formal obi in recent years. It is made out of one long fabric that is folded in half. The dimensions of the obi are 12 3/4" wide and 13'3" (159") long. It is a large obi but very soft and light for its size – it weighs 3.5 pounds. The colors are all gentle including the gold threads. The design includes flowers (chrysanthemums and others), bamboo and a palace wagon over the multi layers of fans. This is a ...

Wearable art: Beautiful Shibori hand tie-dye work on silk haori (short kimono jacket). It is lined with a white silk with some basting stitches still intact. This haori will make a gorgeous jacket.

This is a beautiful kimono, hand Tie-dyed Japanese silk haori jacket in excellent condition. Japanese haori makes a great jacket. There are numerous storage stains (faint brown spots) on the white lining which did not affect the front at all.

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1970 to 1990, 12” tall on ...

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1970 to 1990.

The doll is f...

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1910 to 1930. This is not a ...

Beautiful Japanese Satsuma mint dishes with Japanese price tags on the back. They are signed and in new condition, circa 1950 to 1960.
SIZE: 4 3/4 inches x 3 1/8 inches x 3/4 inches deep

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 ...

Beautiful Japanese maru obi! Obis can be used as a belt to hold a kimono together. The classic design from the Heian Period (794-1192AD) of ox carts, fans and court music instruments run throughout the front and back. The gold is woven into the fabric almost entirely and sparkles when it is hit by light – it has much gentler tones in the dark. The earth tone green and rusty brown are particularly pretty on this obi. With a thick padding inside, this obi will make a great decoration pi...

Japanese silk obi, Nagoya style, dyed with the design of Chinese Empress and court attendants in the bamboo grove. It appears that this was converted to current Nagoya style obi (from kimono?). The design of this obi is unique. The wide and narrow area of this obi has different designs on both sides and all seams appear clean. By taking one side of the seam apart, you have a large fabric to work with (double in size with one seam in the center). Making into a tapestry, wall hanging on c...

Beautiful Japanese tama (ball) kanzashi with a pink agate ball above a twin pronged gilt mixed metal pin in the original box with a seal. Taisho period. Length 6 3/4"

Beautiful Japanese Wajima lacquer stand with gold maki-e painting on a nashi-ji (pear skin) background. The designs are scrolling vines with stylized chrysanthemums and paulonias, which are the crests of the emperor and empress. The style of sparkling nashiji lacquer work and the theme were popular in the Taisho period (1912-1926) to the beginning of the Showa era, sometime after the return of the throne to the emperor.

The stand was made for a Tokonoma as a base for a flower arrangement...

A Japanese tooled leather tobacco pouch decorated in low relief in gold and colors with shaped panels of boys at play, roosters, peonies, ducks, etc, silver peony shaped clasp; the pipe case in pressed fiber in imitation of rattan; agate ojime. Meiji period.

Shell shaped Japanese lacquer container. This is not something that was made quickly or should I say, "well layered". It comes with a beautiful luster, indescribable. It is beautiful.

The measurements: 8 2/3" x 8 1/4" x 3 2/3"H

Japanese makie lacquer sake wine Dishes with an auspicous design of Sho-Chiku-Bai (pines,plums & bumboos). This design is a happy ceremonial symbol for the gold taka-makie (raised design) designs with kirigane (small gold leaf squares) on brownish red (with purple tone) lacquer. Each piece is very thin and light and in new condition. There is no wear to the gold and lacquer except one small repair on one dish. This type of set is often used as a set of three. Each dish is numbered 1 to 5 i...

Elegant old lacquer towel rack, makie on black lacquer. The dimensions are 25" across at the top, 20 1/4" at the bottom and 22 1/4 inches in height.

Beautiful Kutani porcelain vase; hand painted with a scene of Chinese men in the rocky mountains in underglaze blue. The glaze has slightly blueish tint. Signed Kutani. The dimensions of the vase is 9 3/4 inches in height, 5 3/8 pounds in wood box (appears solid). The dimensions of box: 9" x 9" x 11 1/2". Circa, mid 1900s.

A Japanese Kutani plate with flat base and short rim, finely painted with a pair of sparrows on a red leafed maple branch, the reverse marked "Kutani". Late Meiji/Taisho period, early 1900s.

Dimensions: Approx. 12" (30.4cm) in diameter, 3/4" (2cm) deep.

Japanese kasuri kimono made in high skilled workmanship throughout, excellent condition. 49 1/2" wide x 53” long, shoulder length 24 1/2"

These kasuri kimono are very durable, and made to be worn as casual work clothes. I hope you can see the tiny round patches used to strengthen the areas where the sleeves meet the body. There are no company or designer's labels on these kimonos, but the quality of the workmanship are superior. The fabric is still very starchy and stiff. It will take some washings before it becomes soft. The more washing it goes through, the more the fabric will become softer and show the true colors of a be...

This is a good quality kasuri fabric; it has a body but is not stiff, medium in the thickness, 13 3/4" in width x 34 feet (408") long. White kasuri area is light blue color, not white as it appears in the photos. This will be sold by yards.

This hair comb and kogai hair pin set is probably from the Taisho to early Showa period, 1920 to 1945. Tortoiseshell. There is an artist signature on the hair pin. Please wear this with a half of signature on each side for better fitting -- see enlargement6. Other than that, it is in good condition.

Thick antique cotton futon fabric, Aizome Japanese indigo dye and the design is drawn in Tsutsugaki paste regist. Color Loss. 49" wide x 61" long.

New Condition, hand sewn. I don't have a close up photos here, but I think this is hand woven. The katazome (stencil dye) cloth for the liner in the shoulder area. (I will try to take some close up photos sometimes later). Dimensions: 45 1/2" sleeve to sleeve, 23" shoulder and 36" long.

Quality Japanese Hina Ningyo with unique faces. These Jyokan dolls are a part of the Hina doll set displayed for the Japanese Girls Day, Hina Matsuri Festival, also called the Peach Festival, held in every March. The peach blossoms are often associated with a woman’s beauty and inner strength. When the blossoms start to open by breaking through the snow from February to March, it is the announcement of the arrival of spring. Being a farming country until recently, it meant the beginning fo...

Hakata ningyo, unglazed Japanese ceramic doll, signed by the well known Hakata ningyo artist, Genzo Soda. The words "early spring" is written next to the artist's signature. This could be the name of the doll or the time of the year that this doll was made. Mr. Genzo Soda is designated as an intangible cultural property holder of Fukuoka prefecture and is the recipient of numerous awards such as the Japanese Prime Minister's award, International Trade and Industry Secretary’s award, Fu...

Japanese gosho ningyo (doll) from the Noh play "Shojo". 11" tall on 1/4" wood stand. The box: 8 1/2" x 13 5/8" x 5 3/4" deep, Kiri(boxwood) stand: 5 5/8" 7 3/4" x 1 1/4"

Silk Japanese obi, tapestry weave with a considerable use of genuine gold (Rinpa style as indicated) and some silver (it is either treated or some other metal). This obi is fukuro obi; the design on one side continues 9 feet from one end, 46 inches in a simpler geometric design before it ends with 18 1/4 inches long complicated design at the other end. The reverse side is a plain black satin silk without any design. Total measurements: 12 1/4" wide x 14'4" long.

Beautiful Japanese ginbari cloisonne vase. At 9 1/2", this is an unusually large and desirable example among the same group. It probably dates from the Meiji period (1868-1912) when the art of Japanese cloisonné enamels reached its highest point. Technological improvements enabled artists to create wonderful examples, including one of the most desirable techniques called "ginbari" (silver foil foundation) shippo as you see it here.

In this vase, the impressed silver foil ground acc...

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as "Yui-noh" which is prior to a wedding. A pair of cranes on the rocks by an ocean may symbolize the couple's long journey together. This is a wonderful work of art, beatiful dye work is enhanced with embroideries that are so skillfully added. Taisho to early Showa, 1920 to 1940.

There is no visible image of God in the Japanese Shinto religion. For this reason, people naturally find the spirit of God in their surroundings. From the ancient times, God was said to dwell in pine trees and as a result, we find many Meiji fukusa today that are decorated with pine trees. Many of them have their roots in Noh play. Japanese Noh, which was patronized by Muromachi and Edo Shogun, and performed exclusively for the Samurai class, was actually developed from a dance that farmers...

Cranes symbolize fidelity. They are known for not leaving their spouse’s side after their partner’s death. When pine needles fall, they fall as a pair and the color is evergreen. A pair of cranes under an old pine tree signifies the union of a couple. It is a perfect wedding fukusa (gift cover). The design is beautifully drawn here in Sumi-e black ink style on Shioze silk. Circa, Taisho to early Showa period, 1930-1940. Dimensions: 25 5/8" x 29"

Decorative Japanese summer kake fukusa (gift cover) with a pair of carps(koi) in the water. Circa mid Showa, 1960-1980. Dimensions: 22" x 19 3/4" (58.5cm x 50.2cm)

Decorative Japanese summer kake fukusa with a pair of carps(koi). Circa 1960-1980. Dimensions: 30" x 25 1/2" (76.5cm x 64.5cm) The condition is clean all and all with some small stains in the lower right corner and some faint storage stain (shown in the photos).

Japanese Fukagawa, Koransha baluster vase decorated in underglaze red with a leaping carp, on a shaded blue ground, Koransha orchid mark to the base, original wood box (13" x 9" x 9"). Dimensions of the vase are 12" in height and 7" in diameter (at the widest).

A set of five Japanese Fukagawa porcelain bowls and covers, each decorated in gold, iron red and underglaze blue, with a delicate design of maple branches. Marked on the bottom with a Mt. Fuji (and river) logo of the Fukagawa Seiji Porcelain Company, circa 1920-1940.

Approx. Dimensions of Bowls 4" (10.1cm) in diameter and 2 3/8" (5.5cm) in height. Lids, 3.5" (9.5cm) in diameter. Total 3" (7.5cm) in height.

Kasuri (Japanese ikat) roll with rabbits, flowers and geometric designs. The measurements: 14 1/4" width x 454"

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.

Exquisite set of Japanese Dairi bina (hina), the emperor and the empress dolls from early to mid Showa period. This is not a large set of dolls. The measurements of the wood box are 17” wide x 12 3/4” tall x 13 1/2” deep. We should add the approximate sizes of dolls. The label indicates that they are from Matsuzaka-ya, a major department store. Matsuzaka-ya started as a kimono store in late 16th century, pre Edo period. The beautiful details are packed in the small dolls - photos could n...

Japanese cotton obi from mid to late Showa period, 1980s(?). This obi was sold from the Mitsukoshi Department Store (2 logos attached at the corner). 100 percent cotton, new condition with some color loss. 12 1/4" wide x 141" long; it weighs approx. 1.2 pounds.

Japanese kimono with Kikko turtle shell design, mid Showa, new condition. 49 1/4" wide x 57" long.

Elegant Japanese Cotton Jacket with sashiko hand stitches, slits on the sides, new condition. The small stitches go through from the front to back or back to front. The stitches on the front were sewn right along the stripes that they do not show up much but it gave a nice, gentle texture to the front. Dimensions: 37" wide x 39" long

Old Japanese stripe cotton jacket in new condition. Dimensions: 53 1/4" wide x 38 3/4" long

A stylish cloisonné (shippo) beaker vase by Ando, 10” in height, circa 1950 – 1970. It has the original box with a pamphlet issued by the Ando Cloisonne Company, the leading cloisonné company in Japan. The note briefly introduces the company, how their cloisonné are made (with photos) and a photo of the very famous enameled mirror discovered in *Shoso-in.

*The Shoso-in was originally the storehouse of the Todaiji temple. It has 9000 rare articles well preserved from the 8th t...

A nicely enameled Japanese cloisonne box with a raised design (moriage) of Mandarin ducks. This box dates from the 1960s to the 1980s and was probably made by the Inaba Company of Kyoto, Japan. The mark at the bottom is not the maker’s mark; it is probably the mark of the retail or outlet store. The dimensions are 5 1/2 inches x 4 inches x 1 1/2 (a bit shorter) inches.

This is a Japanese clay doll, Mingei folk art of Japan. Samurai Warrior doll in armor for the Japanese Boy's Day in May. 9 inches high and 6 inches wide. Signed at the bottom. Circa 1930 to 1950.

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: Ooishi Kuranosuke, a historical hero as a leader of the 47 Ronin (samurai without their master) who avenged their master's death and then all committed Seppuku suicide. Artist signed and dated (in 1942) on the back. Measurements are: 12 3/4"h x 7 3/4"w at the widest

All the clay dolls are somehow originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou ...

Japanese farmer's folk art, clay doll from early Showa: 10 3/4"h x 6"w Artist's signature on her back, dated in the 15 years of Showa Period (1940). Excellent condition.

Old Japanese clay doll, a lovely standing girl with a flower bouquet, 14" tall from early 1900s. This doll is signed and dated (the date that sold or given to) at the bottom, March of the third year.

This type of clay dolls are somehow all originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early Edo period (1600-1868). When the hina dolls were...

Japanese clay doll, Kabuki doll with a dragon. 13"h x 9 1/2" at the widest.

This type of clay dolls are somehow all originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early Edo period (1600-1868). When the hina dolls were still very limited to a few wealthy people in early 1900s, these clay dolls were for the regular people. They were made by o...

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: 11 1/2"h x 5 3/4"w

All the clay dolls are somehow originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early Edo period (1600-1868). By the end of 19th century, these dolls were made all over Japan. 90 percent of the Edo population were farmers who could not afford nor were allowed to have hina dolls dressed ...