Catalog: Archives (152)

Kogai hair stick: 6 1/2" long. The metal is brass with silver petals. The orange flowers are coral. The decoration is both hammered into the metal with a dye and engraved using a chisel. This dates from the late Meiji or Taisho period.

Japanese antique hair accessary with a beautiful design of the iris and leaves created by using sheets of silver. The bells at the bottom of each chain jingles when you shake your head. It is guaranteed to bring a charm to your look, but refrain yourself from overdoing it (shaking) if you are to attract a man's heart. This Kanzashi is dated from the mid to late Meiji period (1868-1912). 7 inches long.

This is a very high quality Kyoto Nishijin silk brocade obi, one of the best quality obi that we are currently offering. You may find the same type of designs in newer or even in old obis, but the quality of silk and the fine embroidery would not be the same. I have been always searching for the same obi after purchasing this obi in Japan. The seach is still continued. The originally white color is now aged to a beautiful creamy tan color, excellent condition...

Very impressive Japanese clay doll, 17 inches tall oiran geisha ningyo (doll). When the hina dolls were limited only to a few wealthy people, these clay dolls were for regular people (more than 90 percent of the population)...

Japanese chigo ningyo (doll), Kyoto doll from 1920-1940. Chigo simply translates into a “young child” and the distinct hairstyle of this doll is called Chigo-mage. In the old days, there was a custom among the kuge (aristocrats) class families to send their young boys away to temple for early training. The dolls were made in late Edo period (1603-1868) portraying the looks of these young boys...

A Japanese kanzashi (hair ornament) - two pronged brass pin decorated with impressed stylized waves and flower heads, applied with natural coral and silver cherry blossom, 6 5/8 inches.

A pair of Japanese silk brocade temple banners with gold threads decorated with a dragon, a phoenix and floral roundels on a shippo background; the edges with white (aged to brownish beige) borders and brass mounts with engraved flowers.

The shape of the banners is almost identical to the banners (hundreds) that were discovered from Shoso-in, the repository of Todai-ji temple...

A delightful metal Japanese hair kanzashi, mix metal. Some parts brass, others gilded, silver and yet more plated with silver to give a wonderfully rich feeling to this traditional Japanese hair accessory. The tiny coral beads used at the center of the flowers, as well as between the bira-bira dangling, add to the feeling of richness. The Hoo bird (Chinese phoenix), with its long tail feathers, flying across the paulownia leaves is a symbol of a peace and prosperity. 9 1/2 inches long...

This is a Japanese lacquered hair comb and pin set. The dimensions of the comb are 2 1/4 inches by 4 1/12 inches long. The length of the hair pin is 6 1/2 inches long. It is probably from the Taisho to early Showa period.

This old pair of candle holders is called Shokudai. The large tweezers hanging from a hook is used to pinch the wick. Then, the wick will be stored in the small brass pot. The base of these holders and plates are beautifully shaped like lotus flowers which has been always associated with Buddha and the temples. It weighs over 10 pounds packed and 26.8 inches tall. Circa, Meiji period (1868 to 1912). Original wood box...

I have never seen this type of Hina Goten (Palace) until I found this one. No longer a spring chicken myself, I asked several people in Japan if they knew anything about this style. No one knew. We may call this a rare find. The Hina ningyo (doll) set that I grew up with was displayed in the steps style, which is still a common way of displaying 15 dolls with furnitures as long as a space permits...

Antique Japanese furoshiki wrapping cloth, dyed in aizome (indigo dye) with a paste-resist family crest. This type of fabric now belongs to the Mingei, folk art of Japan, and has been popular by many collectors. The fabric is thick but a soft cotton, all hand-sewn in excellent condition (3 to 4 tiny holes shown in last enlargement). The other white spots are from the cotton stuffing. Dimensions are 46" x 53 1/2" from Meiji period (1868-1912).

This is a newer Hakata doll. Hakata doll was originated by a roof tile maker in the early 17C during the construction of Fukuoka castle. Hakata is located on the Kyushu island (southern island in Japan), famous to other porcelain makers such as Satsuma, Imari, Nabeshima and Hirado.

She looks quite different from the 50’s Hakata export dolls, looking more like a dancer with an umbrella than a Geisha. She is 15 ¼” tall and her "Kanzashi" hair accessories and the umbrella are removal...