Catalog: Archives (152)

This Bizen yaki is an older pottery, the uninterrupted history of more than one thousand years, from Okayama prefecture, Japan. Bizen pottery is one of “Rokkoyou”, six famous potteries from Japan like Seto, Tokoname, Echizen, Shigaraki and Tanba. These types of hand made plates are mass-produced from the very end of Edo to early Meiji, early to mid 1800s...

This antique fukusa (Japanese gift cover) carries a message wishing the receiver of the gift a long healthy life. The Mino-game, a long tailed turtle, is said to live 1000 years and is shown here with an imaginary island of Mt. Horai on his back. To the Chinese, Mt. Horai was where all the immortals had lived. The land where no one gets sick or dies...

Kozutsu (koh-zutsu) is a stick incense container used for Japanese "Sencha" tea ceremony. The pine tree is carved on bamboo with exceptionally artistic quality. The tips (end pieces) of the tube are made from red sandalwood. Signed "Chikusou" with a gourd emblem. It is 10 3/4 inches long. No damages. Circa, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The Kiseruzutsu (pipe case) is delicately engrave with a goose and grass, bone ring to the top. The clasp to the leather pouch shows a tiger and dragon in brass. When seen together, they represent the concept of duality in the cosmos. There is a repair (sewn together) on the left side of leather pouch. This dates from the first years of the Meiji period (1868-1912).

Kamishimo has been the Samurai’s official attire in Edo period (1615-1868). It also became the attire for performers of traditional music and dance, especially in Kabuki theatre during the latter part of the Edo. For rare occasions, it could still be made for something traditional up to present time.

This Kamishimo is made out of hemp and is beautifully hand sewn. I am not quite sure of the age and who this belonged to in the past...

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.

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.

Beautiful man's short jacket, hand painted on Asa(hemp). It is in excellent conditon, very rare to find this quality in this condition. This type of kimono is becoming very scarce every year.

This is an antique fukusa (Japanese gift cover) that the design came from the old folk tale called Urashima Taro. It is the story of a man who rescued a turtle from a group of cruel children. The turtle, who happened to be a princess of a dragon palace in disguise, returns later to thank him. The turtle invited him to tour the undersea world to her palace. He spends many days wined (with sake, I suppose) and dined, forgetting the time...

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...