Catalog (93)

Beautiful Japanese Wedding gown. The measurements are 52" wide and 73 1/1" long. The colors are red, blue, purple, green and orange. The condition is excellent, as new as it can get. Please e-mail or call me for questions.

This is a beautiful Japanese wedding gown (Uchikake) in high quality; it is soft but hangs well. This wedding gown looks more like a Noh costume. The colors are deep purple and light green in a gold background. The gold is not as shiny as shown in the photos unless it is placed under a bright light. The gown was made in the famous Nishijin textile district of Kyoto, Japan and the gown in this quality is very difficult to find in today's market. The price for this gown is the same price for ...

Wearable art: Beautiful Shibori hand tie-dye work on silk haori (short kimono jacket). It is lined with a white silk with some basting stitches still intact. This haori will make a gorgeous jacket.

This is a beautiful kimono, hand Tie-dyed Japanese silk haori jacket in excellent condition. Japanese haori makes a great jacket. There are numerous storage stains (faint brown spots) on the white lining which did not affect the front at all.

Strikingly beautiful Japanese Nishijin obi. The style of the obi is the most formal and expensive style which is called maru obi; the design covers front and back, from one end to the other end. This is an older obi than it looks. The colors are vibrant yet elegant. The design is for the joyous occasion with cranes, hand drums, flowers, pines and repeated pattern of waves (sei kai ha) in gold.

Measurements:

This is a striking Japanese uchikake, wedding gown. The design on this gown is the sacred pine tree, “Yogo no Matsu”, and golden clouds. Pines in gold or gold clouds are often painted on silk screens or used as the background for a noh play stage. The wall paintings in the Kyoto Nijo castle, Kyoto, which were painted by Kano, Tanyu (1602-74) when he was in his mid 20s, are quite famous.

There is no visible image of God in Shinto religion, the oldest form of religion in Japan. Natur...

Old Kyoto Nishijin obi. This obi is one of the 5 favorite obis from my collection - we have over 200 obis. It is almost impossible to find a obi like this today. The owner of the store in Tokyo where this obi was purchased once said that single good obi was coming out from one household when they go out knocking on the doors in the old town. The store had gone through changes since and no longer carries antique textiles. The designs of this obi are ancient Chinese mirrors, which covers f...

Amazingly beautiful antique Japanese obi. This is a very high quality Nishijin obi. The condition is new with basting stitches. Very fine gold threads are woven into the base silk adding a subtle but shinny look to this obi (tan color comes from this). Crystal clear sky to turquoise blue, beautiful earth tone shades of purple to pink and moss green, you must see to believe this beauty. The high quality gold was woven extensively throughout (not only in the design area) and it shines by pick...

Gorgeous antique kimono in the best condition. Lined with red gauze silk, it is completely reversible. The color of the black silk has changed over the years to a very dark brownish gray evenly. The colors of the design are very classic Japanese colors as Imari red (brownish red) and same earth tone in every other colors. There is one tiny hole (1/16" in size) right by a family crest, Mon. There is no color loss inside.

The term "Jyuban" came from the Portuguese word "gibao" (sleeveless garment). Jyuban is an undergarment worn under a kimono. You might be surprised to discover a piece of art, sometimes breathtaking bold in Juban. The condition of this old kimono is new. 100 percent pure silk. The measurements are 49" wide x 56-1/2" long.

Antique Japanese man's silk juban, an undergarment worn under a kimono. We can find true works of art hidden in this type of old kimono. The term "Juban" comes from the Portuguese word "gibao" (sleeveless garment). The design of hyotan sake (rice wine) gourds is out-lined with hand tie-dye. Interesting patterns inside the gourds. This is an old gown but the condition is like new except that the tie-dye has stretched out over the years. Circa, early 1900s. The measurements are; 52 1/2...

Beautiful silk Japanese wedding gown in excellent condition. The design on this gown shows fans painted (woven in this case) with clouds and plum blossoms floating on a golden river. The background color shifts back and forth gradually between dark blue and white pearl color. It seems that everything is floating endlessly, leading us back to the ancient town of Heian-kyo (old Kyoto) where the ladies in layered kimono hid themselves behind fans and screens, and the lovers spoke by exchangi...

This is a beautiful old Japanese maru obi with the design throughout on front and back. It is the kind of obi that we no longer see them produced. The white area is rich white satin and is whiter than shown in the photos. 12-1/4" wide x 154" long. Early 1900.

It is a beautiful kimono in excellent condition. The black dye changed it's color to a current black which has a tint of brown. The silk is in a super good condition. The design is the favorite design of Kakiemon, the hoo bird and the leaves of the paulownia tree. The hoo bird has been associated with the Empress in Japan and her crest is an elegantly designed paulownia leaves.

This gown has an exceptionally beautiful red. It is satin but feels almost like velvet. The condition is new, probably never been used. The bottom padding was still covered with a white cloth when this Uchikake was purchased (Enlargement 5). The measurements are 53" wide and 73" long.

Beautiful Japanese wedding gown with fans and flowers. The gown looks better in real with details, new condition. It measures 51 1/2" from sleeve to sleeve and 72" in length.

Beautiful black Japanese wedding (Uchikake) in new condition, basting stiches still intact along the sleeves and other areas. The design is from the Heian Era (794-1192AD), imperial cart in pine trees. The gown is particularly well made and look better than our old photos. The colors are beautiful (no color loss), vivid yet elegant.

This is a beautiful example of an old Kyoto Yuzen dyeing. In this kimono, you can see the white lines around the designs, the very characteristic of Yuzen dye. This is where the rice paste is used to resist the dye and is later washed off. The dye on the silk bleeds. By outlining or covering the design area with the paste, the dye artists can work with the design more freely in detail than in the older pre-Yuzen method, which simply uses dip dying and/or embroidery. This is the revolutionar...

Please see Trocadero#38274 for details.

This is an old man's silk Jyuban, an undergarment worn under a kimono, a luxury from the past. Strange, but you will find quite a work of art in the undergarment, much more than finding them on the outer kimonos. The carps are tie-dyed. Other than a faint stain right above the right side carp, it is in excellent condition. This stain wil not show up unless you look at it under the sun. The measurements are 52" in width and 53" in length. No lining.

The condition of this Japanese Wedding Gown is new. The measurements are: 52" x 72L

Please see my other Uchikake gowns.

Taiko bashi (arched bridge) in very beautiful red! The condition of this Japanese wedding gown is very new. The measurements are: 51"w x 71"long

Please see my other Japanese wedding gowns.

Hand painted (dyed) long silk roll, long enough to make one full kimono; 14 1/4" wide x 44' long. The designs do not repeat, some are to be matched for the width. The base color is a soft creamy color with a slight color change on the edge. 100 percent pure silk. The detail is as it follows; 46" cream, 13" small design, 74" cream, 6 1/2" small design, 37" cream, 16" medium size design, 94" cream, 25" half design on one side, 58" cream, 21" large half design, 42" small cream, 8" small desi...

Beautiful Shusu (satin silk) Uchikake kimono from the Meiji period (1868 - 1912). All hand sewn with embroidery and gold couching work - overlaying of threads (real gold wrapped around thread) rather than going in and out of the base fabric.

The dimensions are 50 inches between from tip to tip of the sleeves, 60 inches long and 29 and half for the sleeve length. All the edges and openings are generously stuffed with raw silk. The photos shown here do not capture the true quality of this gow...

The beautiful green color did not show up well in the pictures. I think it is much prettier. Both sides of the sleeves are soiled at the bottom area (see Enlargement6). The picture is lightened to show the area of stains. Actual stains do not show up as much in the large picture blending in with designs in the darker green (see Enlargement 1).
Dimensions are:

This gown had been used as a rental. The condition is not new like most of my other gowns are. Some large stains are shown in the lower collar area (see Enlargement 9) and several small stains in the other areas - shown in the other enlargements. It is a whitish creamy color. Dimensions are: 51"w x 71"h with 41" sleeve length
Great decorating material.

Quality, Japanese lacquered wood kimono hanger. The hanger comes in the box with the old tissue paper inside. The writings on the box and the tissues (old with lots of storage stains - appeared new in the photos) indicate that it was "Made by Wajima", pre WWII. Wajima lacquer has been know for the best for it's superior quality. Very light (kiri wood inside?). Taisho to early Showa, 1920 to 1940. The condition is new (stayed in the box without being used). 25" long, 5/8" in diameter. ...

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 silk Japanese Uchikake, wedding kimono, from Taisho to Early Showa period, early 1900s. When the peaceful life of Edo (1600-1868) continued without any major battles for years, the lives of the people became more affluent. The merchant's economical power was getting stronger. Some very wealthy merchants were even supporting the different types of art and their extravagant lifestyle was influencing all the social rankings. Threatened by their increasing power, the Tokugawa governme...

This is “kataginu” (shoulder cloth), only the upper part of kamishimo without a trouser. Kami-shimo simply means top and bottom in Japanese. It was a high ranking samurai’s formal attire when they attended official meetings at the Edo castle. It was worn over kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The shoulders are arch shaped and this was the style that developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Longer trousers (approx. 1.5 times longer) were chosen for special occa...

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...

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 ...

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....

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...

Thick, coarse asa (hemp) kimono in beautiful condition: The collar is made out of an old cotton Kasuri, all hand done. Rare find from the Meiji period (1868-1912).

38 inches (sleeve to sleeve) x 36 inches (shoulder to bottom hem)

Antique Japanese wedding kimono gown, black silk brocade with flying cranes over pine, plum and bamboo (Sho Chiku Bai). They are celebrative motifs that are almost always seen in the Japanese wedding and New Year. The beautiful color combination of gold threads (wrapped in real gold leaf) and white shiny silk threads are woven into the background of black Shusu, satin silk with the contrasting color of a red silk liner. This is an absolutely gorgeous wedding gown. With the detailed phot...

Breathtakingly beautiful Japanese silk wedding kimono gown, Meiji/Taisho period, lined with the contrasting color red, very soft silk. It has a beautiful, rich texture woven in a mixture of flat, diagonal and shusu satin ori (weave). Under the sun, you can see the diagonal lines of woven gold threads crossing inside (photo #5). Gowns made in the early Meiji period are not only shorter but the colors are darker with a combination of earth tones (Shibui) comparing to brighter modern gowns. ...

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 ...

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. The fabric of this gown has silver pine branches woven throughout, with some large branches embroidered (?) This textured background gave the ...

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 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

Beautiful Uchikake (formal gown worn over a kosode kimono by the wealthy women of the Edo period) with a pair of peacocks and peonies, "the flowers of riches and honors". I am not sure how this gown was worn- with a loose belt or no belt, with the hem up or down? The gorgeous gowns that I have seen in photos (Mitsui Collection?) were maternity gowns for the Mitsui princess in the late Edo to Meiji period. Their maternity gowns had a skinny belt attached in the back. This gown has a skin...

Beautiful old Japanese woven silk uchikake gown in new condition. The size of this gown is small (much shorter) and light in weight. We are not sure how gowns in this style were worn but our humble guess would be that they were either made into jackets for upper class women (style is similar to kosode from late Edo period), Noh custumes or wedding gowns (though the sleeves are short). Subtle but beautiful, will make a great wall decoration. Dimensions: 47 1/2"(120.7cm)W x 61"(154.9cm)L, sle...

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. The newborn will be held in the arms of his mother-in-law and accomp...

This is “kataginu” (shoulder cloth), only the upper vest of kamishimo without a trouser. Kami-shimo simply means top and bottom in Japanese. It was a high ranking samurai’s formal attire when they attended official meetings at the Edo castle. It was worn over kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The shoulders are arch shaped and this was the style that developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Longer trousers (approx. 1.5 times longer) were chosen for special occa...

This is “kataginu” (shoulder cloth), only the upper vest of kamishimo without a trouser. Kami-shimo simply means top and bottom in Japanese. It was a high ranking samurai’s formal attire when they attended official meetings at the Edo castle. It was worn over kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The shoulders are arch shaped and this was the style that developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Longer trousers (approx. 1.5 times longer) were chosen for special occa...

This is an a beautiful Uchikake (Japanese wedding gown) covered with embroideries on satin. The workmanship shown in this gown is truely amazing. It is in new condition.

The pair of loving birds are Oshi-dori (Mandarin ducks) which are popular subjects relating to weddings. The theme of this gown is probably from Chapter 5, "Lavender" (Waka Murasaki) in "The Tale of Genji". When Genji was traveling the countryside for the first time, he saw a beautiful young girl crying. She was cr...

Japanese uchikake (wedding gown in kimono shape) in red and gold, thick Shioze silk, very new condition. 52" (sleeve to sleeve) x 75" long

Japanese uchikake (traditional wedding gown in kimono shape), embroidered flying cranes, thick red satin, new condition. 53" (sleeve to sleeve) x 73" (6'1") long

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. It is a work of art from the Kyoto area; ceramic possib...

Unique Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown), embroidered in thick light blue silk, the liner is red silk without padding except at the bottom hem. The embroidery and gold couching (some silver) work are all done by hand. The pattern is from ancient Chinese "Shokko nishiki". The colors of silk looks different on different parts of the gown. We laid the gown under the sun light when we took extra photos. The light changed everything. It picked up the gold from gold threads (threads are wrapped in...

This is a Japanese Nishijin obi made in exceptionally high quality. The obi is old but almost in perfect condition. It is beautiful to look at even without using a magnifying glass. The soft colors have an earth tone and the use of the dyed threads tells us that this is a superior work of Kyoto Nishijin. The scenery is of the mountains of Kyoto but if you look closely, you might notice that there is a foreign look to some of the structures. The size of each structure is 1" to 2.5". The...

Silk Japanese obi, tapestry weave with a considerable use of genuine gold (Rinpa style as indicated) and some silver (it is either treated or some other metal). This obi is fukuro obi; the design on one side continues 9 feet from one end, 46 inches in a simpler geometric design before it ends with 18 1/4 inches long complicated design at the other end. The reverse side is a plain black satin silk without any design. Total measurements: 12 1/4" wide x 14'4" long.

Beautiful Japanese obi with a woven design of Mt. Fuji above golden clouds. The design has more details than shown in the photos. The length shown in the photos was adjusted to 6'2". The total length of the obi is 14'6" long and 12 1/4" in width. The silver sky (touched up with brown painting) end when the obi is folded in half (7’1”) is followed by the other design in the same silver background. The front side is entirely coated -- which makes this obi more desirable for decorative ...

Very attractive Japanese Yogi (bed comforter) with a pattern of chrysanthemums and scrolling vine, rice paste resist Katazome stencil dye. The cotton is not as thick as the other yogi. Excellent condition, It is an another "tsukurioki" (it had not been used after it was made - t just sit in the storage as a spare bedding for guests. One of the photo shows where the cotton wadding was taken out before the shipment. The seam at the center of the liner was opened. This will be left open ope...

Antique Japanese “Yogi” bed comforter, hand-spun cotton with "tsutsugaki" paste resist dye in aizome Japanese indigo dye. The design is auspicious symbol, Sho-Chiku-Bai (pine, bamboo, plums). The shoulder and collar areas are accented with "kasuri" cotton. Excellent condition - no holes on the front except one small L shape cut (3/4"x3/4") on the lower area, some repairs on the liner. Cotton wadding was taken out and cleaned (but not washed). Approximately 57" wide x 77" long, ...

Antique Japanese yogi, thickly woven cotton, trimmed and lined with dark aizome (Japanese blue dye). There is a opening in the center of the liner where the cotton wadding was taken out. Excellent condition (old but new). The accent piece (dyed in Katazome, stencil dye) on the collar and shoulder area were added (remove and wash purpose) and slightly soiled. Late Meiji to early Showa. Dimensions: 63" x 68" L

Japanese silk obi, Nagoya style, dyed with the design of Chinese Empress and court attendants in the bamboo grove. It appears that this was converted to current Nagoya style obi (from kimono?). The design of this obi is unique. The wide and narrow area of this obi has different designs on both sides and all seams appear clean. By taking one side of the seam apart, you have a large fabric to work with (double in size with one seam in the center). Making into a tapestry, wall hanging on c...

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 pi...

This is an uchikake robe (outer kimono gown) probably used as Kabuki stage costume. The bottom and the openings of sleeves are thickly padded with cotton stuffing. The design is large paulownia leaves and flowers. The exterior and liner are both thick cotton. This robe is old, and a little soiled but the fabrics still have not lost it’s strength. It is an attractive display piece. One small tear (hole) in red liner in the back, some broken couching stitches.

48” (1.22m) wide...