Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian (161)

Japanese Silk Temple Cloth, uchishiki, Phoenix Ho-o bird
Measurements:
Silk, woven, cotton liner
Condition: Never been used

Cranes symbolize fidelity. They are known for not leaving their spouse’s side after their partner’s death. When pine needles fall, they fall as a pair and the color is evergreen. A pair of cranes under an old pine tree signifies the union of a couple. It is a perfect wedding fukusa (gift cover). The design is beautifully drawn here in Sumi-e black ink style on Shioze silk. Circa, Taisho to early Showa period, 1930-1940. Dimensions: 25 5/8" x 29"

The Hina dolls palace is for the Japanese Girl's Day, Hina Matsuri festival. The Hina doll set that I grew up with was displayed in the steps style, which is a common way of displaying 15 dolls with furniture. I have never seen this type of Hina Goten (Palace) until I found several of these recently. It tells us how different things used to be (and still is to some extent) according to regions. The hina dolls were modeled after the Imperial Court from the Heian period (794-1192)...

An elegant ceramic obidome (obi clasp) with silver mount (guaranteed) formed as a leaf, glazed in mottled tones of red and blue, with a hand woven silk cord dyed in the same colors; all contained in original box from Matsumasa, Kyoto. Taisho/early Showa period.

The actual colors are gentle; red in blue/purple tint with a soft blue color. What did not show in the photos are the exact matching colors of the ceramic leaf and silk cord...

This is an antique men's silk juban, an undergarment worn under a kimono. For today’s standards, it is very odd to see such an extravagant hidden personal item. During the Edo period, which ended in 1868, common people were not allowed to wear silk. The growing economical power of merchants came along with social disorder and corruption. The Tokugawa government issued many sumptuary laws to limit the spending of the general people on luxury items...

Japanese Fukagawa porcelain vase decorated with the double arched bridge (Nijyu-bashi) of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Singed by the artist、Zippo Araki (1872-1944), in underglaze blue beside his two red seals. This bridge was the one of first place to have electric lights from gas lights in Japan. Mt. Fuji logo of Fukagawa on the base, with inscribed original wood box (tomobako). 8 1/4" (hight) x 7 1/8" (width)

Japanese baby's first formal kimono (miyagi), hawk on a pine tree hand painted in sumi-e (black ink) on silk, 32 1/2" W x 41" L.

This type of kimono is used during a newborn's first visit to the shrine. The ritual takes place about one month after his birth. Traditionally, the kimono was sent by the mother's side of the family to their daughter's new family, bearing the family crest of the husband's side...

This hair comb and kogai hair pin set is probably from the Taisho to early Showa period, 1920 to 1945. Tortoiseshell. There is an artist signature on the hair pin. Please wear this with a half of signature on each side for better fitting -- see enlargement6. Other than that, it is in good condition.

This is an old Japanese man's obi sash (belt for a kimono) with designs on both side. Many of the sashes are found with some damages, so they are often cut out and used to remake something else. Top quality silk in new condition, no damages.

A Japanese bronze vase with red splashed green patination with gold powders, the squat body with tall everted neck, signed on the base Shiho; signed tomobako. Taisho/early Showa period. Height: 7 1/2"

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: This man is Ninki Danjyo, the villain of the Kabuki play. The more awful the villain is, the lovelier the princess looks and the nice guy more angelic especially in Kabuki plays. Danjyo, with his magical power, is trying to transform himself into a rat...

A beautiful silver work with turquoise stones. The total of eleven large turquoise stones (oval cabochon cut) are mounted on the delicate silver filigree. Beautiful work. No damage to the stones; no cracks or chips. There is a “silver” mark on the silver clasp of the necklace.

The design is auspicious with the good luck charms such as a Chinese characters “shou” (coin-like small design) and bat...

Ceremonial jinbaori jacket made for Japanese Boy's Day. Jinbaori is a campaign jacket worn over armor by Samurai. They were first made to protect generals from the cold and rain and soon became more elaborate and fashionable by using rare materials such as wool, velvet and brocades.

This is a wool jacket made by Maruhei of Kyoto for boy's festival, Sekku. Founded in Kyoto in 1779, Maruhei (master craft man, Heizo Oki) has been one of the most influential doll makers in Japan...

This beautiful shibori (tie-dye) is already cut to make a haori jacket. The skinny pieces under the arms are cut and attached by someone who knows what he is doing. It has not gone through Yunoshi, the process to stretch shibori using steam. The size of this gown is extremely small at this moment because a regular haori (short jacket) roll is used to make into shibori fabric. 36 inches x 16 1/2 inches long with 9 inches hemming tacked inside...

A very elegant Japanese sand-cast iron tea kettle and brazier (furokama, fuuro-kama) of unusually small size (making water for one person). The round brazier (Furo) has an opening on each side; the kettle with a tapering top is finely cast with romping horses, loose ring handles and delicately shaped top with simple knob. The brazier with cast mark 'Nanbu, Morioka, sei(?) mitsu(koi) dou. Nanbu and Mizusawa of Morioka in Iwate prefecture (northern Japan) has been famous for cast iron wares...

Exquisite miniature music instruments in a small doll size, made out of bones (ivory like). They are more elaborate than shown in the photos. Dimensions of the box are 5 5/8” x 3 7/8” x 1 1/8”. Circa, Taisho to early Show period, 1920 to 1940.

This is a large Japanese samurai doll, "Kato Kiyomasa” (a warrior from the 16th century warring period) mounted on a horse. The quality is excellent. The dimensions of the box (assembled with wooden pegs): 19 1/4" x 21" x 9 1/4" deep. The condition: There are a couple of very faint hairlines (almost non-visible) between the eyebrows. The surface of this area is smooth in touch. The doll is sitting on an original cushion (very well-made) but a saddle (which would been hidden under his armo...

This is a Hina Goten (Palace) doll house for the Girl's day in Japan, also known as Hina-matsuri or Sekku. Traditionally it is the day to celebrate and honor the young girls in the family. I remember my days playing with our antique hina dolls. Unfortunately, ours were all destroyed over the years. I guess that our temptation was a little too strong to play around with these attractive removable attachments, including the swords.

The Hina house was not a very common style in many areas...