Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (247)

Japanese altar cloth, uchishiki, decorated with sets of kara-shishi (Chinese-lions), peonies, rocks and clouds. Silk with cotton liner, some soiling and some stains 27" x 29" (68.6cm x 73.7cm)

The lion is the king of beasts and is considered a messenger for Monju Bosatsu. They are often found guarding either side of a Shinto Shrine in Japan. The peony is the sovereign of the flowers, which symbolizes wealth and honor...

This is an old silk satin obi in maru obi style (design runs on both sides from one end to the other). This obi was probably made from a uchikake gown. It is very soft and feather light with soft padding inside. The padding is wrapped with floss silk inside to keep the soft material and padding intact - you need many years of experience...

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...

During the Edo period, the daimyo (Feudal lords) from each region was required to live in Edo (today’s Tokyo) every other year. This type of Kamishimo (official attire for samurai) with small repeated patterns (komon) was like their uniform when they attended official function in the Edo castle or others. Each region had their own design made. The characteristic of kamishimo komon was that it looked plain (one color) when it was looked at in the distance...

Old kasuri (Japanese ikat) kimono worn on celebratory occasions. The fabric, which is woven with asa(hemp) and dyed in indigo (aizome), is coarse and stiff yet lustrous with an almost transparent look. The pattern is geometrical and pictorial; with flowering wisteria branches, stylized pines, Chinese style clouds, fans and phoenix-like birds. It shows some weakened area from neck to shoulder lines and the lower part of the kimono. There is a seam at 21.5"/22" from the bottom hem...

A fine silver kiseru (kizeru) pipe with natural bamboo body, the ends finely engraved with a dragon and tiger in the bamboo grove. The color of the central bamboo section is dark (almost black) with purple tint. The eye (eyes) is inlaid with gold (very small though). Circa 1900. 7 1/4” (18.8cm)

Japanese silver and copper pipe with a natural bamboo body. Mid Meiji period. 7 7/8" long.

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

Scruffy looking old Japanese warrior doll (musha ningyo). This doll is not so tall (11 1/2" tall) but heavily padded, solid and quite heavy. When we acquired this doll, his hair was already replaced once and most of it was; one side is painted in black. Old glass eyes. The checker design (ichimatsu design) on his clothes is very similar to "Enshu-donsu", one of the famous fabrics used for tea ceremonies in the Edo period. 11 1/2" high x 11" wide x 12" deep. Circa Meiji (1868-1912)...

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)...

Japanese silver mounted Satsuma buckle painted with a traditional pavilion besides the water's edge with mountains in the distance, Meiji period, circa 1910. The painting on Satsuma is very delicate and condition excellent. All obijime are new condition. 1 5/8" x 2 3/16" x 3/16" thick (4.3cm x 5.5cm x 0.7cm)

This is one half side of a pair that can be used as an accent piece (necklace, belt, etc)...

A set of old hanging ornaments for Buddhist temples or private settings. Decorated with gold leaves (genuine) over the lacquered wood and paper (small ornaments). The color of gold is soft, one or two strings are missing. The last photo shown here is Azabu Dai-Kannon in Chokoku-ji, Tokyo. Approx. length 15 inches long, Meiji period (1868-1912).

This is a wonderful set of Japanese bridal kanzashi (hair ornaments) from the Meiji to Taisho period, late 1800s to early 1900s, made out of tortoise shells. We assume that this kanzashi was decorated with the auspicious emblem, a phoenix bird in paulownia tree, with some elements (leaves, flowers and birds) altered to the family of the bride. It has an aura of nobility and power...

Thick cotton, Katazome stencil dye, aizome Japanese indigo dye with beni flowers. 70 1/2" x 13". The width changes to 12 1/2 after 39 1/2" where the fabric is torn. One 1/2" round stain (at 20 inches from torn end). Weakened at the seam (visible in some area from reverse side).

Antique Japanese fabric, Japanese indigo dye (aizome), Katazome stencil dye on loosely woven cotton, flowers in chained fuji (wisteria) Shippo design. Excellent condition (one hole, visible on reverse side). 56" long x 13 1/4" wide.

Hand stitched Japanese short jacket, 36" wide x 33" long.

Japanese hair comb decorated with a pair of love birds, Oshidori (Mandarin ducks) perched on a plum tree, raised gold makie with silver, kirikin and shells. The theme here is auspicious. We counted 33 teeth in 3 cm, amazingly skillful hand work. Excellent condition - actual color loss in the center area of wooden teeth is not so obvious as shown in the photos. Circa, Meiji period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 3 1/4" x 1 1/8"

Antique Japanese kanzashi, hair comb, hand carved on “urushi" lacquer (natural lacquer produced only from the threes that grow in certain parts of Asia) and decorated in make with a rooster on a drum surrounded by auspicious flowers. The design comes from an ancient Chinese poem that describes the era that was ruled by Emperor Yao who was known for his wisdom and fairness. The poem reads, “The drum for raising alarms is now covered in deep moss, and the fowls are left undisturbed”. Emp...