Catalog (414)

Antique Japanese men’s silk juban, an undergarment worn under a kimono. The dimensions: 51 ½” across and 53” from shoulder to bottom hem.

The warrior’s armor and helmet, samurai sword, spears, banners and paper carps (later cloth) in the sky are all tools used to showcase boy’s day in Japan. This tradition started early Edo period (1603-1868) by samurai families wishing their son’s good health and studies to be honorable samurai.

This set is made in Kyoto, Japan and is called “Kyo-armor”. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. The culture there was developed to serve the best for the emperor...

This is a fairly large set of “hayashi” doll, court music entertainers, all dressed in samurai’s attire with a sword. Three seated dolls in the front row are approx. 5 1/2” (14 1/2 cm) tall x 9 1/2” (23-23.5 cm) wide, excluding hat and stand. The taiko drummer is 11 1/4” (29cm) wide, a little bigger. Two in back row, seated on stools, are 7 1/2” (19cm) tall x 9 3/4” (25cm) wide. The stands are lacquered wood.

When you tap this Mokugyo (wooden fish) with your hand, it has a deep, hollow sound. It sounds really good. Approx. 9 ½” long x 9 3/4” wide x 8” high (24.5cm long x 25cm wide x 20cm high)

A beautiful silver work with turquoise stones. The total of eleven large turquoise stones (oval cabochon cut) are mounted on the delicate silver filigree. Beautiful work. No damage to the stones; no cracks or chips. There is a “silver” mark on the silver clasp of the necklace.

The design is auspicious with the good luck charms such as a Chinese characters “shou” (coin-like small design) and bat. Both symbolize happiness, longevity and likely is to protect the wearer from evils by ...

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.

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...

There is no visible image of god in Japan's oldest religion, “Shinto”. People look for the image of gods in their daily surroundings and found the divine spirits to dwell in pine trees. For this reason, pine trees are considered sacred and many wonderful artworks of pine trees were created. Cranes are said to live one thousand years. They are considered auspicious as their distinctive high pitched voices can reach to the heaven. Pine trees and cranes symbolize longevity and a harmonious...

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 ...

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.

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 the most formal and elaborate style of obi called maru obi. The designs run through the entire obi from one end to the other on both sides. The dimensions: 12" wide x 12'5"(161") long. The cost of making one maru obi is substantially higher than a typical obi. The design here include chrysanthemums, wild flowering plants of autumn, fans and Genji wheel that implies the presence of graceful aristocrats from the Heian period(794-1185). The chrysanthemums by the water (old bridges here)...

This is an old Japanese silk obi. The style of the obi is called Chu-ya (day and night) obi – it’s made with two different fabrics sewn together. As the name suggests, two sides of the obi can be worn for totally different social functions. Both sides are absolutely beautiful on this obi.

The front side of this obi is subtle but quite tasteful. As for the black side, it is ‘Nyogen’ silk fabric from China; there are two characters, ‘nyo gen’ and their distinctive red logo (p...

A set of old Japanese wooden combs with a cloth comb holder. These are hair styling combs used when most women had the hairdo of today’s geisha. Each comb had a different function which was basically to comb, style and clean the hair. The combs here are all hand cut and it appears that some were added later. All combs are cleaned.

The outside of the folder is covered with a fabric called sarasa. Sarasa is a Japanese term for the Indian Chintz which was first introduced to Japan in t...

This is a beautiful vintage kasuri kimono in new condition. The color is dark Japanese indigo blue (aizome) and white. The fabric is thicker and loosely woven, all hand sewn. Dimensions: 47 3/4" (sleeve to sleeve) x 52" long

Large antique furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth), aizome Japanese indigo dye decorated in sashiko stitches on four corners. 57 1/4" x 61 1/4"

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

Antique kasuri hanten jacket with sashiko stitches, 48 1/4" wide x 37 1/2" long.

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

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

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.

Antique Japanese kanzashi, hair comb, hand carved on “urushi" lacquer (natural lacquer produced only from the threes that grow in certain parts of Asia) and decorated in make with a rooster on a drum surrounded by auspicious flowers. The design comes from an ancient Chinese poem that describes the era that was ruled by Emperor Yao who was known for his wisdom and fairness. The poem reads, “The drum for raising alarms is now covered in deep moss, and the fowls are left undisturbed”. Emp...

Japanese hair comb decorated with a pair of love birds, Oshidori (Mandarin ducks) perched on a plum tree, raised gold makie with silver, kirikin and shells. The theme here is auspicious. We counted 33 teeth in 3 cm, amazingly skillful hand work. Excellent condition - actual color loss in the center area of wooden teeth is not so obvious as shown in the photos. Circa, Meiji period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 3 1/4" x 1 1/8"

Hand stitched Japanese short jacket, 36" wide x 33" long.

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

Antique Japanese fabric, Japanese indigo dye (aizome), Katazome stencil dye on loosely woven cotton, flowers in chained fuji (wisteria) Shippo design. Excellent condition (one hole, visible on reverse side). 56" long x 13 1/4" wide.

Thick cotton, Katazome stencil dye, aizome Japanese indigo dye with beni flowers. 70 1/2" x 13". The width changes to 12 1/2 after 39 1/2" where the fabric is torn. One 1/2" round stain (at 20 inches from torn end). Weakened at the seam (visible in some area from reverse side).

This is a wonderful set of Japanese bridal kanzashi (hair ornaments) from the Meiji to Taisho period, late 1800s to early 1900s, made out of tortoise shells. We assume that this kanzashi was decorated with the auspicious emblem, a phoenix bird in paulownia tree, with some elements (leaves, flowers and birds) altered to the family of the bride. It has an aura of nobility and power. The family crest on the box is three ivy leaves. There is always a chance that the box may not be original but ...

A set of yoroi and kabuto for Boy's Day in Japan. The condition is almost new except the color (salmon pink) of strings is not so reddish (dull, faded color). There is a straight crack along the wood grain on the lid - did not show up well in the last photo. Total height is 30 1/2". The dimensions of wood box are 16 1/2" wide x 13" long x 12 3/4" high.

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"

Japanese silver mounted Satsuma buckle painted with a traditional pavilion besides the water's edge with mountains in the distance, Meiji period, circa 1910. The painting on Satsuma is very delicate and condition excellent. All obijime are new condition. 1 5/8" x 2 3/16" x 3/16" thick (4.3cm x 5.5cm x 0.7cm)

This is one half side of a pair that can be used as an accent piece (necklace, belt, etc). We added a decorative string, obijime (a tie for Japanese obi) to make this into a soft...

Fine old zuishin dolls from the Meiji period (1868-1912), approx. 8” (20.3cm) tall. Zuishin dolls are commonly called daijin (minister) dolls; the elder man on the right (facing) is called "left daijin" and the younger man, right daijin or ya (arrows) daijin. They were created as an addition to the emperor and empress Dairi-bina sometime in the mid 18th century by Kyoto doll makers. Armed with a sword, bow and arrows, they were the toneri (zuishin) from the Heian court (794-1185). Th...

Wonderful chagama, cast-iron hot water pot for Japanese tea ceremony decorated with a heron on each side, late Show period, 1970-1980. Signed Seiko (Sato).

Kama: 8 3/4" high x 8 1/2" diameter (22cm x 21cm)
Box: 9 11/16" x 9 7/8" x 9 1/4" (25.3cm x 25cm x 23.5cm)
opening: 4 1/8" (10.5cm) diameter

Japanese silver pipe with brown bamboo body, the mouthpiece with design of engraved bamboo. Length: 7 1/2" Circa 1900, Meiji period.

Japanese silver and copper pipe with a natural bamboo body. Mid Meiji period. 7 7/8" long.

A fine silver kiseru (kizeru) pipe with natural bamboo body, the ends finely engraved with a dragon and tiger in the bamboo grove. The color of the central bamboo section is dark (almost black) with purple tint. The eye (eyes) is inlaid with gold (very small though). Circa 1900. 7 1/4” (18.8cm)

Old kasuri (Japanese ikat) kimono worn on celebratory occasions. The fabric, which is woven with asa(hemp) and dyed in indigo (aizome), is coarse and stiff yet lustrous with an almost transparent look. The pattern is geometrical and pictorial; with flowering wisteria branches, stylized pines, Chinese style clouds, fans and phoenix-like birds. It shows some weakened area from neck to shoulder lines and the lower part of the kimono. There is a seam at 21.5"/22" from the bottom hem. Looking at ...

During the Edo period, the daimyo (Feudal lords) from each region was required to live in Edo (today’s Tokyo) every other year. This type of Kamishimo (official attire for samurai) with small repeated patterns (komon) was like their uniform when they attended official function in the Edo castle or others. Each region had their own design made. The characteristic of kamishimo komon was that it looked plain (one color) when it was looked at in the distance. The pattern of the Tokugawa s...

This is the upper part of a kamishimo; samurai's formal attire without the trousers. It was worn over a kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The texture is hemp like; coarse, slightly translucent, thick threads (thicker than other kamishimo). The family crest is the feathers of a hawk. Kami-shimo (upper-lower) that we currently have are quite dandy and fashionable. The amazing thing is the work that is involved when making these fabrics. You can make a kamishimo top into a g...

Old Japanese Tsumugi fabric, silk pongee with a dragon design, 14 1/2" x 110". There is a 4 1/2" cut half way (location of the cut is 55" from one end), damage on the edge (runs on 30" from one end) is shown in photos #1, 9, #10.

Hand spun, hand woven Japanese Tsumugi silk obi. This obi was made from a full obi roll without being cut; the front fabric was turned into the back and the sides of obi were simply sewn together without padding inside. The design area covers exactly half of the front. New Condition (almost). Dimensions: 11 3/4" x 10'8" (128")

This is an old silk satin obi in maru obi style (design runs on both sides from one end to the other). This obi was probably made from a uchikake gown. It is very soft and feather light with soft padding inside. The padding is wrapped with floss silk inside to keep the soft material and padding intact - you need many years of experience. The design is auspicious with cranes, chrysanthemums and sho-chiku-bai (pine, bamboo, plum blossoms), all delicately woven with floss (untwisted) silk yarn...

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).

Antique Chinese fan with two lovely women hand painted on feathers. The body of the fan appear to be made of bone. The colors of the peacock feathers are beautiful.The light reflected in gold (frame), took away the age. All and all, It has more antique look than shown in the photos. We just had the nails (that hold the glass to the wooded frame) checked, and hanging wire and brackets changed. 30 1/4" W x 18 1/4" H x 2 1/4"D

Beautiful Kyoto Nishijin silk obi, decorated with flowers, ribbons and mirrors. Gold is genuine and used in two different methods; strips of gilt paper (machine cut) and gold leaf wrapped around the silk threads. Some gold leaf are natually missing from the strips of paper - this did not show up in most photos (see enlargement photo). This obi looks older (clean) than shown in the photos. Circa 1920-1940. Dimensions: 12 3/4" x 170"

The theme on this fukusa (Japanese gift cover) is “Kin ki Sho ga”, four accomplishments of noblemen. For a man to be well balanced and eventually become a good leader, practicing (and become good at) of “Kin ki Sho ga” was encouraged during their leisure time; ‘Kin’ (Jp. Koto, string music instrument), ‘ki’ (jp. ‘Go’, Chinese chess), ‘sho’ (calligraphy) and ‘ga’ (painting). This started in China and was brought back to Japan by traveling monks studying Buddhism...

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...

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")

Takeda dolls are modeled after the popular characters from the theater play during the Edo period. They are known for their exaggerated posture and facial expressions of the puppet dolls and kabuki actors on stage. The dolls in this style, with the distinguished Kabuki actor’s makeup called ‘kumadori’ (first created by Danjyuro Ichikawa I, 1660-1704) were made in late Edo to early Meiji period. The dolls might have been sold in large cities such as Osaka and Edo(Tokyo) where the...

Old oxcart for Hina Matsuri, the Japanese girl's festival. Decorated in makie on lacquered wood, this style of the carriage was used by the aristocrats during the Heian period (I794-1185). This can be displayed with the "shittei (shitei)", three servants dolls and/or other small dolls. The carriage is tied to the stand in original condition which needs to be untied after the shipment. The strings have been putting pressure on the two front legs of the ox. The legs can be easily straight...

This is an impressive set of Emperor and retainer dolls for the Japanese Boy's Day. The decorations for this day include Carps, Yoroi and Kabuto (Samurai's Armor and helmet), swords, arrows and some famous hero and legendary figures from the past. The Emperor doll is 17 inches tall and 15 inches wide (sleeves stretched as shown), the retainer is 11 inches tall. Circa Taisho to early Showa.

Sets of Emperor or Empress with the retainer dolls were particularly popular in the Meiji to Taisho pe...

This is an uchikake robe (outer kimono gown) probably used as Kabuki stage costume. The bottom and the openings of sleeves are thickly padded with cotton stuffing. The design is large paulownia leaves and flowers. The exterior and liner are both thick cotton. This robe is old, and a little soiled but the fabrics still have not lost it’s strength. It is an attractive display piece. One small tear (hole) in red liner in the back, some broken couching stitches.

48” (1.22m) wide...

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...

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.

A Japanese leather tobacco pouch with pipe case (kiseruzutsu) and ojime made out of stag horn. The pipe case is finely carved in relief with an eagle on a pine branch above a waterfall; the ojime is engraved and decorated with a key fret design; the pouch with a patinated copper clasp modeled as a frog. All and all, it feel muscular (large) and detailed with quality. Pipe sold separately (Listed, item # 1036417). Meiji period (1868 - 1912). To search by the item numbers, just enter the num...

This doll is a Hakata clay doll, “Matsukaze” design by the well known Japanese artist, Yoshio Matsuoka.

Matsukaze is a story of two beautiful sisters who met and fell in love with a young courtier in exile at the seashore of Suma Bay. The sisters were “shio kumi”, the saltwater bearers who made their living by ladling seawater (before it was boiled down to salt). Matsukaze is the name of the older sister and literally means “wind through the pine trees”. Matsu (pines in...

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 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...