Catalog: Antiques (248)

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground with dragonflies (some with aogai inlay) within scrolling leaf background, the interior in red lacquer, different necks, some chips, cracks (on red) and retouching. Edo period (17th/18th century). 11 1/2" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12 3/4" long.

Heavily glazed Japanese katakuchi bowl in the shape of a “Sazae” turban shell. Written on the lid is “made by Matsuyama” and “kashiki” (dish for serving sweetmeats). On the reverse side, there is a signature, "Kei Ho-o En" with a seal. We are not quite sure if this is an original box. Meiji, late 1800s. Great bowl for the kaiseki cuisine? A hairline crack (enlarged photo #7) is a surface crack (does not go through to the other side). Approx...

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

Beautiful Japanese antique Imari charger, circa Meiji period (1868-1912).
Dimensions: 14 1/4 inches in diameter x 2 1/2 inches deep

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

Japanese Kanzashi hairpin, maki-e on hand carved wood. A dadaiko (large drum used for court music) and maku (outdoor fence made out of cloth) under the maple trees. They are pictorial subjects from chapter 7 of The Tale Of Genji, Momiji no Ga (An Autumn Excursion)...

This is a beautiful old Chinese necklace made out of genuine natural corals. The color is salmon pink. Approx. 63.5cm (25 inches) long and weigh 66.3 grams. The measurements of the center coral are: 1.4cm x 1.7cm in diameter. Circa 1930.

Note: In our photos, orange/brown tone had shown up a little too strong and hid a pink tone.

Rare quality nobori Japanese banner for Boy’s day; beautiful hand-dyed work of the samurais on cotton. The nobori banners were originally used in the battlefields to shift the troops and to show the warriors the location of their generals. The designs on the banners were much simpler then and some were quite large. They must have had a scaring effect on the enemy when they saw so many flying banners in the sky approaching towards them...

Each plate has the design of a single chrysanthemum (kiku) shifted towards the left side of the plate … but they were carved in a way that each has a life of its own. None of them look the same. The design is sharply cut into thick layers of black urushi lacquer – tsuikoku. It is known to be a difficult job – this later lead to Kamakura bori(carving) which is a technique of lacquering on carved wood. The plates are very light. It indicates a high quality, matured wood inside...

This kind of Kanzashi is called Gin (silver in Japanese) Kanzashi. The body is usually made out the stronger mixed metal as this one. The darkened metal flowers are tarnished silver, I believe. The bira bira Kanzashi started to become fashionable in late 18th century, Edo Period and this set is from late Meiji to Taisho period, early 1900s. The chains are very light weight so you can wear as a set if you like...

Large Japanese antique oshi-e ningyo(doll), Geisha playing the koto: Matsumoto Oshi-e bina (hina ningyo in Oshi-e style) was originally made by the Samurai family who served in the Matsumoto Castle to supplement their income sometime in the mid Edo period (1603-1868). They became quite quite popular in the 1800s, 400 million dollars sale (in current currency) was recorded in 1888...

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...

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)...

Antique Japanese fukusa (gift cover), Yuzen-zome (paste regist dye) on silk kabe-ori (coarse crepe silk), early 1900s.

For a man to be a well balanced nobleman, there were requirements to be filled. 'Kin Ki Sho Ga', the four accomplishments of gentlemen, were chosen at an early time in China, practicing Kin (koto, music instrument), ki (go, Chinese chess), sho (calligraphy) and ga (painting)...

Large silver geisha kanzashi (hair pin) with a family crest of three Kikyo (bellflower) blossoms within the kikko (tortoiseshell) hexagonal frame...

A Chinese informal robe with mandarin collar, decorated using couched silver threads, with auspicious symbols of baskets with flowers, double eternal knots, scattered fruit and flowers and a central floral roundel above stylized waves and water, all on a dark blue silk ground (near black); lighter blue lining. Circa 1900 - 1920.

This is an old mitsuore ningyo (triple jointed doll) from the Meiji period (1868-1912) or possibly earlier (late Edo period). The body of this doll was made with the Ikkanbari method. In this method, layers of washi (Japanese paper) were glued (lacquered) together over a wooden mold to form the shape of the body parts. It was then coated with layers of gofun, the mixture of ground oyster shells and animal glue. The eyes of the doll are painted from the inside, the arms can be shaped to a c...

The Tachi bina is an older form of Japanese Hina dolls from the early Edo period(1603-1827). The earlier Tachi bina were not made to stand up, instead they were made to lay down or lean on the display. The faces of this set appear to be old with a beautiful sparkle on white gofun crashed/ground oyster shell, Kyoho-bina from mid Edo period. The silk brocade has washi paper backing (with washi hand made Japanese paper). The hair of empress doll is original but very brittle and almost all det...