Catalog: Archives: Regional Art (104)

This fabric came from an old kimono, beautiful old thick cotton with light brown stripes in dark blue dye. Some color fading but no visible damages or stains. The measurements:

2 pieces of 13 1/3" x 8'5", with 4" cut in the middle.
2 pieces of 13 1/3" x 46"
Total length: 23'5" x 13 1/3"

We learn how people lived in the Edo period (1603-1867) from the dolls (ningyo) that were left to us today. They are called Fuuzoku (customs and manners) ningyo or Ukiyo (floating world) ningyo. There are basically two types of dolls of young men among them.

Wakashu ningyo is one of them. Wakashu was used to refer to young men who had yet to experience the ceremonial rite of passage of becoming a man, commonly at the age of 12 in the old time...

This is a beautiful old Japanese Shusu (lustrous Satin-weave) obi with the finest embroidery work. Condition of the silk is excellent. It feels so soft, totally different from the newer obis. Color is a shiny deep blue. There is one seam in the center of the front and two in the back. Converted from Nagoya style obi to a flat obi of 11 1/8" wide x 80" long, all the works are done profesionally by hand. The design areas are balanced on each end of the front side this way...

These 26 assortments of Japanese kasuri patchwork cloths came from old kimonos (some are new), thin to thick cotton. Some have tiny holes, fadings or repairs. One is lined with an ai dye blue fabric.

The largest one is 13 3/4" x 25 1/2"; the smallest 6" x 6 1/4". The total length together: 13 3/4" x approx. 23'(276 inches)

WEARABLE ART: When this coat was tailored out of an old Japanese kimono, it was made to stress the lightness of the coat without the lining. Light coconut shell buttons were chosen for the same reason. Freshly made using the fabric from early 1900 to 1940. Black color with a slight green tint and silver thread stripes, medium size.

This type of tissue holder is called "Hakoseko". This is to be placed between Obi and Kimono with the chains dangling in the chest area. Hakoseko is still being used today for very special ceremonial occasions, but it is very difficult to find an old quality piece like this. Obviously, this has been stored for years without being used. The condition is new with some faint storage stains. It came with a paper bag filled with straws instead of tissue papers...

Through the Nanbansen trade, the Portuguese introduced two important things to the Japanese in the 17th century. They were the matchlock gun and tobacco. As the popularity of tobacco spread rapidly to all classes, there was the need for a tray or box to hold the utensils. Tobacco-bon came to be the "must have" entertainment piece in the Edo period (1614-1868)...

The fabric was probably cut out from an old kasuri futon blanket and made into Yu-age. What is Yu-age? When I purchased this beautiful wall hanger like piece (I thought), I was told that this was Yu-age, an old fashioned sounding name to me. This is a bath towel according to the Japanese dictionary. It has never been used, in case you are wondering. All the basting stitches are clean...

Beautiful Black Japanese silk kimono Uchikake (Wedding Gown): In Japan, there is a popular term that describes a very loving couple. They are called an Oshidori Couple. It must have come from seeing pairs tagging along so closely together near ponds or lakes. Many folk tales were told in different regions associating their affections for each other.

Here is a strikingly beautiful view of an Oshidori couple, flying over a pond and plum trees in a dark background...

When you look at an obi like this, you know why the name "Nishijin" is so known. This is a very formal obi, the biggest obi that I have seen, 13" wide and 154" long. Just a perfect piece for the formal dining room. It is large enough to cover two formal dining room tables. The colors are pastel, very gentle. When this obi was woven, the gold thread was woven in together. Every dot and line that you see in these pictures is the gold thread. It is a thick textile without a thick padding...