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 piec ...click for details
Japanese uchikake (wedding gown) with a colorful design of flowers and birds done in the Tsujigahana-zome (dye) style. The old Tsujigahana dye technique was used on the clothing of the Muromachi to Momoyama period elites. Inside the tie dyed area, flowers and birds were painted with blue, purple and black ink. Tsujigahana-dye was short lived and completely vanished by the early 17th century because of its extreme complexity. This gown is very beautiful with many woven metal threads; ...click for details
Japanese Hakata ningyo, unglazed clay doll of a young samurai (wakashu) with a dancing fan. This doll may have been modeled after a character in Kabuki (played by all males) or Takarazuka (played by all females). There were many play houses in Hakata during the late Meiji, Taisho and early Showa period. The Takarazuka theater (Fukuoka Takarazuka?) was also there. Live theater play was quite popular before play houses and theaters went through destruction in the form of fires, bombing or simply b ...click for details
Unglazed Japanese Hakata clay doll, Matsukaze. The noh Play, "Matsukaze (the wind in the pines)" is about a sad love story of two beautiful sisters, Matsukaze and Murasame. 16" (40cm) tall - 13 3/4" (35cm) doll on 2" (5cm) stand. The dimensions of stand: 14" (35.7cm) x 10 5/8" (27cm) x 2 1/16" (5cm)
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 Secret ...click for details
9.5 feet long hand-painted Japanese carp banner (Koi-nobori) for Boy's Day. Here on this banner, a mighty little boy named Kintaro, is hitching a ride on a carp. Kintaro may be a creation from a theater play (jyoruri and kabuki) of the Edo period – although he is said to be a childhood figure of the 10th century samurai, Sakata no Kinsuke - he is extremely strong and still a popular hero figure for Japanese boys. Kintaro (Kinta) figures are often seen carrying an ax, wrestling with b ...click for details
Miyazaki Shikki (lacquer wares) wood box, 10" x 12 5/8" x 4", new condition, circa late 1900s. The red is actually darker than shown in the pictures.
The high humidity and temperature in Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu (southern island, Japan) is perfect for drying lacquer wares. During the Pacific War, there was a group of people who migrated from Okinawa to Miyazaki. Among them were the artisans an ...click for details
Japanese Fukagawa porcelain vase decorated with the double arched bridge (Nijyu-bashi) of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Singed by the artist in underglaze blue beside two red seals. Mr. Fuji logo of Fukagawa on the base, with inscribed original wood box (tomobako). 8 1/4" (hight) x 7 1/8" (width)
A set of five Japanese Fukagawa porcelain bowls and covers, each decorated in gold, iron red and underglaze blue, with a delicate design of maple branches. Marked underneath with a Mt. Fuji (and river) logo of the Fukagawa Seiji Porcelain Company, circa 1920-1950.
Approx. Dimensions of Bowls 4" (10.1cm) in diameter and 2 3/8" (5.5cm) in height. Lids, 3.5" (9.5cm) in diameter. Total 3" (7.5cm ...click for details
