Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art (166)

A stylish cloisonné (shippo) beaker vase by Ando, 10” in height, circa 1950 – 1970. It has the original box with a pamphlet issued by the Ando Cloisonne Company, the leading cloisonné company in Japan. The note briefly introduces the company, how their cloisonné are made (with photos) and a photo of the very famous enameled mirror discovered in *Shoso-in.

*The Shoso-in was originally the storehouse of the Todaiji temple...

The nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords are all a part of the display used for Boy's Day in Japan. They reflect the parents' wish to inspire their sons in manliness and bravery. This nobori is hand painted (dyed) on cotton, dated from 1920-1950. Excellent condition except one missing handle from the top. Dimensions: 29" x 245" (20'5"), 73.7cm x 6.2m. The length of the design area: 189"(4.8m) long...

Japanese cloth taken from an old futon bed cover, decorated with an auspicious motif of pine, bamboo and plum blossoms. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; plum blossoms are the purity, subtle beauty and inner strength of women. Bamboos are often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo, it could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent...

This is a stunningly beautiful Hakata ningyo (doll) made by a Hakata ningyo artist. It is not one of the mass produced Hakata dolls. The softness of the colorings and detail in her kimono (in Kyoto Yuzen dye) did not fully come out in the photos. This doll was modeled after oiran, a courtesan from the Edo period, or we may simply call her Genroku bijin (a beautiful woman from Genroku era in Edo)...

Japanese armor Yoroi and Kabuto helmet in classic style, wearable, adult size from early to mid Showa period (1926~1989). The armor is lined with hemp in most area. Dimensions: 67" tall. Box: 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 24"H

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...

The finest servant dolls, Shitei (Shittei,Shicho,Shiccho) from Kyoto, Japan. They are the court servants from Heian Imperial Court and part of Hina dolls displayed for the Girls Day (Hina Matsuri Festival) in Japan. Some damages in the toes of one doll and clothing. The tallest doll is 8 inches tall.

A set of Japanese tsuge (boxwood) combs in delicate hand-cut design, ca 1950, never been used. The combs made out of tsuge wood has been known to be gentle on the hair and scalp without causing static. They were treasured by the women and men for many, many centuries. For maintenance of the combs, camellia (tsubaki) oil has been used (but good vegetable oil should work as well?). The color of tsuge deepens as they were used from natural oil from our hair and the camellia oil...

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.

Japanese wedding gown with a pair of oshidori (Mandarin ducks), flowers and maple leaves in the background colors of red and gold. This is a newer gown in very pretty cheerful colors and it's in excellent condition like new.

Dimensions: 51"W x 74 1/2"L

Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) in red and soft gold color. Because of the heavy use of silky gold thread in design, the gown, over all, looks orange than red, thick and the liner with the design of chrysanthemums. Approx. 40 to 50 years old), almost in new condition.
Dimensions: 51"W x 70 1/2"L (sleeve 40 1/2")

Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) with Imperial Carts, flowers and gold color “maku” (outside cloth divider). The divider is used as a street on this gown leading the wagons to the large area at the bottom half. The background colors from the top are orange, light pink to dark gray at the bottom. The liner is red. The condition is excellent, like new.
53" W x 75 1/2" L (sleeve length 41")

Japanese silk wedding gown with beautiful embroideries of flowers, cranes and the imperial gosho-carts. This is an older and top quality gown that is probably dated early to mid Showa period, 1930-1950; it belongs somewhere between antique gowns and newer gowns. The quality is different from later Showa period when most of the gowns were made for rental...

Japanese Kimekomi hina ningyo (dolls), Dairi bina, emperor and empress doll. Kimekomi dolls were originally carved out of willow trees growing on the riverbank of the Kamo River in Kyoto. They were made using the leftover material from Kamo Shrine. Today, the dolls are made out of paulownia sawdust mixed with glue. This method was developed by Kanabayashi Mataro (1897-1984). Each section is divided by grooves and each block is covered with brocades...

Beautiful hand painted Fukagawa Vase from Arita, Japan. It has a landscape of rural scenary of Japan on a matte finish. Fukagawa company is well known for translucent white porcelain. The under glazed blue signature at the bottom reads "made by Fukagawa" and there is an artist's signature on the lower half of the vase. Mint condition, circa mid 1900, 9 1/4" in diameter and 6 3/4" tall.

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

Old Japanese Silk Temple Cloth #2, Uchishiki
Measurements: 26 1/2" W x 23 " L without the white cloth area
Liner: Paper like fabric
Age: 1900-1940
Condition: Front side is in new condition

This Japanese doll looks like a woman from Ukiyo-e (pictures of the "floating world") wood block prints. She is sensual and inviting; posing to fix her hair with a hair pin. To do so, she would need to tilt her head sideways and gently pull out the hair pin so she wll not make a mess of the hairdo. The process takes delicate movement of the fingers and is also a chance to show off the area behind her neck which is considered to be the most sensual place to show for a women wearing a kimono...

This is a beautiful dark blue Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) made in Nishijin, Kyoto. The label states the name of Nishijin and the use of pure gold. The gown is woven with fans and Gosho (palace) flower carts which is one of the favorite motifs used for Japanese wedding gowns. They are remainders of the Heian period (794-1192) which was the last graceful era of the aristocrats. The gown is meticulously hand sewn to perfection as most Japanese kimonos are. The gold picks up and shines...

Elegant Japanese kimono wedding gown (Uchikake) designed by Hanae Mori. The gown displays the designer’s logo without a signature; her butterflies and initials are woven all over the red liner. Hanae Mori is truly the first and most famous international Japanese designer of the 20th century. She not only contributed to the Japanese clothing industry but to many other areas since the rebuilding time of Japan after WWII. A year after she opened a boutique in Paris, she became the only asian w...

This is a vibrant and beautiful Japanese uchikake (wedding gown) design by Yumi Katsura, a top bridal ware designer from Japan. Her name and ‘Japon’ are woven on a large black square located on the lower part of the center edge. After graduating from college, Yumi Katsura studied in France and in 1964, she opened the first bridal ware rental shop in Japan. She designs ready-wear and haute couture bridal gowns both in western and kimono style and currently has her shop in Paris along ...

Antique Japanese Doll by Kyoko: Dancing Sanbaso Ningyo Doll. This gorgeous doll with a face of Ichimatsu ningyo (doll) is approximately 18 inches tall on a 3/4 inch stand. The dimension of the stand is 13 inches x 10 inches x 3/4 inches. The crane is hand painted on the fabric. There are some fabric damages on the left side of her upper kimono (cloth) as shown.

Lovely Japanese Musician Dolls, high quality dolls made in Kyoto. The faces of the dolls are different from each other and they have more delicate feature than shown on the photos. Their clothings are made from beautiful brocades specially woven for dolls. The color of red is deeper than shown here. The size of the two dolls are 6 1/4 inches tall and the other three are approx. 5 inches tall. Circa 1930 to 1950.

Cute Japanese kimekomi hina dolls, three servants ningyo (dolls). 3 3/4 inches in height. There is one faint hairline crack going across the top of one doll (shown in the photo #6).

Cute Japanese hina ningyo, ladies-in-waiting, Jyokan doll. The dolls are 3 3/4 inches in height.

The three sitting dolls are 3 1/4 inches and the two standing dolls are 4 inches in height.

The delicate ladies in waiting Japanese hina dolls for the Japanese Girl's Days in February. They are extremely beautiful with delicately detailed gofun (crushed shell with paste) faces and hands. The photos could not caputured it. Their face, hair, hands and costumes are superior to many other "Jyokan" dolls, obviously the work of first rated Kyoto made dolls. The standing dolls are 8 7/8" tall. One of the sleeves on the standing doll is soiled (enlargement 8). Circa Taisho to early Sho...

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.

A fabric in new condition (never been sewn), 13 7/8" in width. The remaining length is 3 yrds + 31 inches = 11'7" (3.53 meters).

Kasuri (Japanese ikat) roll with rabbits, flowers and geometric designs. The measurements: 14 1/4" width x 454"

These kasuri kimono are very durable, and made to be worn as casual work clothes. I hope you can see the tiny round patches used to strengthen the areas where the sleeves meet the body. There are no company or designer's labels on these kimonos, but the quality of the workmanship are superior. The fabric is still very starchy and stiff. It will take some washings before it becomes soft. The more washing it goes through, the more the fabric will become softer and show the true colors of a be...

This kasuri kimono appears to be hand woven (to my eyes) and another Tsukurioki kimono in new condition. Tsukuri-oki means that it has been left unused after it was made into a kimono. This was caused by the drastic changes in their clothing especially after the World War II. In modern days, Kasuri kimonos have been associated with old women from the country-side, definitely for the non-fashionable group. These kasuri kimono are very durable, many were made to be worn as casual work clothes....

Very large Samurai doll from the late Showa period with beautiful brocade costumes. This is a hero or musha ningyo doll for Boy’s Day (May 5th) in Japan. Some dolls are made to depict a hero or warriors from the past. This doll is a quite impressive size of 22” in height without the hat and 15” in width

Beautifully hand sewn ka-gasuri summer kimono, partially lined with black and blue cottons, the color is dark blue to almost black, new condition with basting stitches. This is another Tsukurioki kimono. Tsukurioki means that it has been left unused after it was made into a kimono. These Kasuri kimonos have been associated with old women from the country-side, definitely for the non-fashionable group. These kasuri kimono are very durable, many were made to be worn as casual work clothes. I ...

New Condition, hand sewn. I don't have a close up photos here, but I think this is hand woven. The katazome (stencil dye) cloth for the liner in the shoulder area. (I will try to take some close up photos sometimes later). Dimensions: 45 1/2" sleeve to sleeve, 23" shoulder and 36" long.

Japanese Wedding Gown with embroideries, some stains. There is no trace of being worn on this Uchikake wedding gown. The outer fabric is white (creamy, light tan) silk and the liner is also high quality silk which makes it very light in weight. There are some color migrations from the embroidery yarns. You can look at it as a bokashi (gradual shading), with the color change right around the embroideries. The one on the left shoulder is visible and the coloring spreads to the front shoulder...

This type of tissue holder is called Hakoseko. They are still being used for very special ceremonial occasions. The older one in this quality is now a collecter's item. Hakoseko will be placed between a kimono and an obi sash with the chains dangling from the chest area. Circa, early to mid 1900s. Dimensions: 4 1/2" x 2 3/4"

Beautiful Japanese Wajima lacquer stand with gold maki-e painting on a nashi-ji (pear skin) background. The designs are scrolling vines with stylized chrysanthemums and paulonias, which are the crests of the emperor and empress. The style of sparkling nashiji lacquer work and the theme were popular in the Taisho period (1912-1926) to the beginning of the Showa era, sometime after the return of the throne to the emperor.

The stand was made for a Tokonoma as a base for a flower arrangement...

A stylish cloisonné beaker vase decorated with a yellow rose on a blue ground by Ando, a leading Japanese cloisonné maker since the beginning of Meiji period. Impressed Ando and 'jyun-gin' (pure silver) marks on the bottom rim, dated from 1950 to 1960. Original square black stand and pamphlet issued by Ando with some brief notes about the company and a photo of the famous enameled mirror discovered in Shoso-in. 11" tall (vase alone) and 7 1/2" in diameter at the opening. Absolutely no dam...

Japanese hair comb and Kogai hair pin in a Wakasa-nuri Lacquer finish on wood, circa early 1900s. Wakasa-nuri lacquer is a unique urushi lacquer technique that uses stones (coarse to soft) to scrape and reveal different layers of lacquer coatings which are painted on wood using many different colors. The dimensions of the comb are 1 1/4 inches and 3 1/4 inches, pin 5 3/4 inches long.

Quality Japanese Hina Ningyo with unique faces. These Jyokan dolls are a part of the Hina doll set displayed for the Japanese Girls Day, Hina Matsuri Festival, also called the Peach Festival, held in every March. The peach blossoms are often associated with a woman’s beauty and inner strength. When the blossoms start to open by breaking through the snow from February to March, it is the announcement of the arrival of spring. Being a farming country until recently, it meant the beginning fo...

Beautiful thick Kasuri cloth almost in new condition. Hand sewn with four panels, little cotton stuffing on reverse side. Dimensions: 51 inches x 62 inches

This is a Rikyu doll, one of the Hakata clay doll made in the Fukuoka, Japan. Rikyu (Sen Rikyu) is a 16th century influential tea master who perfected the Cha-no-yu, way of tea. He served two historically powerful figures, Nobunaga (Oda) and Hideyoshi (Toyotomi), and eventually being forced to commit Seppuku by Hideyoshi. Sen Rikyu is a given name by the Emperor. 10 inches tall.

This is a full set of quality Karuta game cards, traditionally played on New Year's day in Japan. It consists of 100 famous Waka poems from the Heian Period selected by FUJIWARA no Teike later in the 13th century. These poems are called Ogura Hyakunin (100 people) Isshu (one neck or head). The life and history of the old time is passed on to the new generations over the years through the beautiful waka poems in the karuta (origin "carta", Portuguese card) game.

The way that the game ...

Old Japanese Kanzashi comb and hairpin set with lovely prunus and birds on a tortoiseshell. Late Edo to Meiji. One hairline shown in the last photo is very minor. We had more than one occasion that we had difficult times locating it. The comb is 3 1/4" x 1 5/16"; hairpin is 6 1/4" long and 11/16" wide at the ends.

WEARABLE ART: This skirt is made out of an old Japanese man's obi belt, chrimen crepe silk with hand tie-dye "shibori". Freshly made out an obi from early 1900 to 1940. Medium size with elastic waist.

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 wonderful cabinet or desk top wood box. It looks nice enough to place in your living room. New condition. Dimensions: 7 1/2 inches wide x 9 1/2 inches tall x 8 1/2 inches deep

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. The fabric is a good silk, an older silk wit...

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 kimono roll (for short kimono) is used to make into shibori fabric. 36 inches x 16 1/2 inches long with 9 inches hemming tacked inside. The fabric is a good silk, an older sil...

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as "Yui-noh" which is prior to a wedding. A pair of cranes on the rocks by an ocean may symbolize the couple's long journey together. This is a wonderful work of art, beatiful dye work is enhanced with embroideries that are so skillfully added. Taisho to early Showa, 1920 to 1940.

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1970 to 1990.

The doll is f...

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1970 to 1990, 12” tall on ...

Orange Fukusa, Japanese gift cover from mid Showa, 1930 to 1960. Some color loss but in excellent condition otherwise, no damage, stains or tear. The photos shows it little newer than actual. 19 1/8" W x 20 3/4" L

Japanese Kyoto Nishijin silk obi roll. This is a soft, medium thick, high quality silk fabric with genuine high grade gold leaves woven in. Stamped Kyoto Nishijin and nishiki with a couple seals for passing quality checks. Some stains at the end (very left edge) - not likely to affect. The base silk is cream color. 28 1/2" x 163".

Beautiful hand painted (dyed) iris on soft 100 percent silk. Some designs are dyed to be matched for the wider width. This is probably from mid Showa, 40 to 60 years old, no color loss. The spots and the design that run sideway are part of the woven design. Full roll and good quality silk. I will get the measurement.

Beautiful peonies on a soft pure silk (sho-kinu, 100 percent silk) kimono roll. Hand dyed design (Yuzen zome) went through to the reverse side. The fabric (marked as Tango chirimen) is treated with some new chemical for easier maintenance, wrinkle free, washable (?), etc. Some designs are dyed to be matched for the wider width. Gentle, pale (smoky) purple color, 14 1/2 wide, full roll (enough to make a kimono).

Finely hand carved Japanese Obidome in the shape of a Hannya Noh mask with horns and shiny metal eyes. A Hannya mask in Noh represents a mad woman who turns into a demon out of jealousy. She is vicious and haunts the “other woman” to death. The term, 'Hannya' is used today by a husband who happens to come home late without good enough excuses. He could say (to his buddy) that his wife looked like a Hannya mask when she greeted him at the door.

Obidome is an accent piece used on the ...

An exquisite old Japanese hair comb, lacquered on wood (kiri, boxwood?), practical yet ornamental with make design of wisteria like flowers. It is almost like new, never been used condition. The shape of this comb is unusual, irregular from one side to the other side. The shape is called Shin-bashi shape/style. Shinbashi is located in Minato-ku in Tokyo. The shape came out in early Showa period (end of 1928 to beginning of 1986). 4 1/2"

Old Japanese clay doll, a lovely standing girl with a flower bouquet, 14" tall from early 1900s. This doll is signed and dated (the date that sold or given to) at the bottom, March of the third year.

This type of clay dolls are somehow all originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early Edo period (1600-1868). When the hina dolls were...