Catalog (216)

Takeda dolls are modeled after the popular characters from the theater play during the Edo period. They are known for their exaggerated posture and facial expressions of the puppet dolls and kabuki actors on stage. The dolls in this style, with the distinguished Kabuki actor’s makeup called ‘kumadori’ (first created by Danjyuro Ichikawa I, 1660-1704) were made in late Edo to early Meiji period. The dolls might have been sold in large cities such as Osaka and Edo(Tokyo) where the...

The fabric is thick, silver brocade that appears to be taken from a Japanese woman's old obi from late Edo period. The liner is cotton. During the Edo period (1602-1868), there was a custom that the family of a deceased woman would donate her favorite kimono to the temple; some beautiful temple cloths were created from those wonderful fabrics. The custom was likely to have continued after the period. The design on the fabric is the four benevolent animals of Chinese mythology; qulin, drag...

The theme on this fukusa (Japanese gift cover) is “Kin ki Sho ga”, four accomplishments of noblemen. For a man to be well balanced and eventually become a good leader, practicing (and become good at) of “Kin ki Sho ga” was encouraged during their leisure time; ‘Kin’ (Jp. Koto, string music instrument), ‘ki’ (jp. ‘Go’, Chinese chess), ‘sho’ (calligraphy) and ‘ga’ (painting). This started in China and was brought back to Japan by traveling monks studying Buddhism...

This is the upper part of a kamishimo; samurai's formal attire without the trousers. It was worn over a kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The texture is hemp like; coarse, slightly translucent, thick threads (thicker than other kamishimo). The family crest is the feathers of a hawk. Kami-shimo (upper-lower) that we currently have are quite dandy and fashionable. The amazing thing is the work that is involved when making these fabrics. You can make a kamishimo top into a g...

Beautiful Japanese antique Imari charger, circa Meiji period (1868-1912).
Dimensions: 14 1/4 inches in diameter x 2 1/2 inches deep

Antique Japanese men’s silk juban, an undergarment worn under a kimono. The dimensions: 51 ½” across and 53” from shoulder to bottom hem.

Old Japanese Kutani dishes placed in the carved wood tray. Each dish is hand painted and signed at the bottom, "Gyokuzan". The diameter of the tray is 14 inches. Some gilt wear at the rim of some dishes.

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:

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...

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...

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.

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.

The carps and nobori Japanese banners, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords are all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parent's wish to inspire their boys in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, Nobori was used in the battle field to identify the troops, some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was. The others were to ...

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...

Japanese one-piece tree trunk heavy wood stand, almost big enough to display a life size statue. 23" x 23" x 23" in triangle, 2 1/2" to 3" thick. It will be great to show off armors, flower arrangements, bonsai or your treasures (tall?).

Old Japanese teppo (pistol) style candle holders which appear to be made from old pieces. Each piece is 21 inches long and quite heavy. These will probably work well along the wall of a country style room.