Catalog (216)

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground. It has butterfly family crests (mon) in the center of a scrolling leaf and flower border, the interior in red lacquer.

The butterfly design was a favorite among the aristocrats and was seen in their belongings, ox-carts and attire during the Heian period (794-1192). They were also seen in armor of the Heike (Taira family) before power was shifted to the Genji (Minamoto family) samurai. It ...

Japanese antique gift cover, fukusa, with the design of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichi Fuku Jin), tsuzure-ri tapestry weave with wide borders (1 3/4"). The liner is made of chirimen crepe silk, Meiji period (1868-1912), 26 1/4" W x 29 1/2"L

This is a beautiful fukusa even with obvious stains. It shows the quality and professional workmanship everywhere. This fukusa is woven in tsuzure-ori. With tsuzure-ori, the weaver weaves over the drawing with their finger nails that ar...

Beautiful Japanese ginbari cloisonne vase. At 9 1/2", this is an unusually large and desirable example among the same group. It probably dates from the Meiji period (1868-1912) when the art of Japanese cloisonné enamels reached its highest point. Technological improvements enabled artists to create wonderful examples, including one of the most desirable techniques called "ginbari" (silver foil foundation) shippo as you see it here.

In this vase, the impressed silver foil ground acc...

Two characters on this Japanese banner are Yoshitsune (Minamoto family) and Noritsune (Taira family). It was towards end of the Genpei War (1180-1185), Yoshitsune (Minamoto family) flying high on the top escaping the attack of Noritsune (Taira family). Yoshitsune was said to hopped eight boats at this scene. With the victory of the Minamoto clan here in Dan-no-ura concluded the decades old fuel between the two clans; almost all the members of the Taira family, including six years old Emperor ...

Nobori banners, samurai Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, carps, musha ningyo (warrior doll) were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed to Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents’ wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes that are associated with them.

This is an old Japanese nobori banner with Hideyoshi (Toyotomi), retainers, and a streamer in the background. A golden gourd (yellow dye) with small gourds underneath i...

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

Toyotomi Hideyoshi has been one of the popular characters for Boy’s Day. He was born in a peasant family and worked his way all the way up to top commander of Japan. His wa...

Japanese nobori banner, hand painted (dyed) with samurai Yoshinaka (Kiso no) and Tomoe Gozen, a woman warrior. Dimensions: 15 3/4" wide and 147 1/2" long. Hand woven soft cotton with hand spun yarn. Early 1900s. Excellent condition but please expect some minor stains because of the age. It may hang better without the side handles on the wall.

Yoshinaka is a member of the Minamoto family (Genji) from the late Heian period (794-1185). He was raised on the mountain of Shinano (N...

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.

The family crest shown on this nobo...

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

Originally, nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was, others were used to shift the troops. ...

The nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were 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 (at the time that they were made) to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, Nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was. ...

Japanese antique nobori banner, hand painted on cotton, a tiger in bamboo grove. The style of the painting is derived from ancient Korean paintings of tigers. It is a style that became popular in Japan from the 16th century and you will see many screens and scrolls of tigers painted in this manner. The popularity of these paintings in this style continued throughout the Edo period(1608-1868) and into the Meiji era. The quality of the artwork tells us that this nobori is likely to have been done ...

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). The doll has a Kosode (kimono with small sleeves worn during the Edo period - 17 to mid 19th ...

This panel was taken from Japanese "futon" bed cover. It is decorated with a chagama and other utencils used in the tea ceremony. They are drawn in the paste resist dying technique called tsutsugaki. The green area appears to be dyed with two colors, "ai" indigo blue first then yellow dye. The fabric (cotton) is loosely woven with one repair as shown in the photos. Meiji Period(1868-1912). Dimensions: 61" x 48"

Japanese wood zuishin figures probably from early 1900s. They are figures of the Toneri, the imperial guardsmen from the Heian period (794-1185). Later in the Kamakura period, they became the gate keepers of the Shinto shrines. Zuishin are sometimes called sa(left)-daijin and ya(arrows)-daijin (arrow-minister). The first character 'dai' means large or great and the second character means 'god'. There are zuishin dolls in Japanese Hina doll - the Minister of the Right and the Left - the ...

Takeda dolls are modeled after the characters from 17th to 19th century Japanese theater. They are known for exaggerated postures and often with a vivid facial expression of the Kabuki actors or Jyoruri puppets on stage from the period.

This doll is holding up a "takafuda" bulletin board in one hand and a brush in the other. "takafuda" was an official bulletin board for Tokugawa government (1603-1868) to announce any regulations, or changes etc.

Little was known about Takeda do...

Large Japanese temple cloth woven with cotton and strips of paper, great for a wall decoration. The dimensions are 107" x 47" (271.8cm x 119.4cm). Many things in Japan were made from paper, just like soy sauce was added in almost all cooking. Textiles were no exception. Some monks in Japan still make their own paper for their clothes. There are few beautiful samurai haori jackets made out of paper that still exist today in textile museums (which we have only seen in photos). The paper m...

This kura (saddle) was used in the rituals which took place on the first day of rice planting. The day is called hana-taue (daue), "the flower-rice planting" and it has been practiced in the southern part of Japan. The links to today’s hana-taue is listed at the end. You can hear where the Dengaku (oldest form of Japanese music) came from in the video.

One side of the saddle is decorated with Shishi (lions) and peonies with a crest of “kiri no mon” (crest of Japanese empress ...

Antique aizome (traditional Japanese indigo dye) cloth taken from a Japanese bed comforter, thick cotton, circa Meiji Period (1868-1912). Excellent tapestry material. The condition is excellent; it was in new condition when we purchased. This was just washed (twice by mistake) prior to when the photos were taken. There are minor holes (shown in photo) concentrated on the top right side. Because of the size (62 1/2L x 58"W), the photos were taken from the bottom and sides.

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...

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

Rare quality nobori Japanese banner for Boy’s day; beautiful hand-dyed work of the samurais on cotton. The nobori banners were originally used in the battlefields to shift the troops and to show the warriors the location of their generals. The designs on the banners were much simpler then and some were quite large. They must have had a scaring effect on the enemy when they saw so many flying banners in the sky approaching towards them.

When Ieyasu (Tokugawa) took a control an...

Japanese fukusa, a silk satin gift cover depicting the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. The development of the Japanese fukusa is closely associated with their custom of gift giving. Japan has been a farming country until recently and crops were directly affected by nature (draft, floods, etc). The rituals were held within their own communities and fresh crops were offered to god. To irrigate and lay the roads, they needed the better their work relationship. The custom of eating and drink...

Antique Fukusa, a Japanese gift cover with a pair of cranes and pine Tree. This type of silk fukusa was used as a gift cover at the time of a gift-giving ceremony held prior to a wedding. This was one of the rare occasions that the recipients were expected to keep the fukusa as a gift since any return associated with a wedding was considered a bad omen.

The crane and pine trees are both regarded as the symbol of harmonious marriage and longevity in Japan. The design on this fukusa ...

This is a large antique fukusa, Japanese gift cover, 34 inches long and 26 inches wide, without including the tassels. The lid of the wooden box (hiro buta) that carried gifts was often placed upside down to display the gifts. The length of the Fukusa may have been adjusted for the tray.

The design of this Fukusa is based on the old Japanese folk tale, Yoro(Yohro) Waterfall. The waterfall was known as the Fountain of Youth and instead of water falling, Sake wine was falling. Whoever d...

This is an antique fukusa, Japanese gift cover with cranes. A pair of crane is a symbol of longevity and harmony. The embroideries on this fukusa are particularly beautiful. One small hole in the front (smaller than the one in the back) did not show in the photos.

24 inches x 26 1/2 inches
Sioze silk front and back.
Circa: Early Taisho period (1912-1926)
Occasion: Wedding or related

At the time of gift giving, the fukusa gift cover was used only with limited pe...

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as the "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; the plum blossoms represent purity, subtle beauty and the inner strength of women. Bamboo is often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bam...

This is a large doll, probably dated from Meiji to Taisho period, modeling a maiden from the Genroku era (1688-1703). Genroku culture which was the beginning of uprising power of the merchants in the Osaka area was glamorous and quite a contrast to the stiff culture of the samurai. Partially green lipstick that is shown on this doll became fashionable at the time. Her hair style is called Taka (high) Shimada or Bunkin Taka-Shimada.

The doll looks older than shown in some of the photos; h...

A powerful drawing of Shoki, a demon queller, is hand painted over two nobori banners (each has two panels sewn together) on a thick and loosely woven cotton. The size of two panels together is huge; approx. 66 inches wide (5.5 ft, 1.68 meters) and 166 inches long (13.8 ft, 4.2 meters) without counting the loops on a side and top!

Many Japanese custom start with the purification ceremony; beginning the year with New Year's ceremony followed by the Setsubun in February, which takes place be...

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 ...

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. ...

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...

Antique Japanese warrior doll, 20" Empress Jingyo ningyo(doll) set. Clad in armor is a beautiful young widow, Empress Jingo doll with her faithful minister, Takenouchi no Sukune, holding her baby Ojin. Over time, many of the baby dolls were lost or intentionally thrown away by later generations, probably because of the lack of historical understanding. An old Samurai holding a baby is simply inconceivable and uncharacteristic of a Samurai warrior. The Empress, after losing her hair, was...

Antique Japanese doll, a head of a samurai festival ningyo(doll), rare find; dashi (festival float) ningyo or Kiku festival doll. The measurement of this featured head (used for Dashi float or kiku ningyo festival) is approx. 15 inches (38 cm) long from the top to the bottom (stick included), life slightly larger than life size and light in weight, inside wood is carved out. Most of the weight is within the bottom pole. The painted eyes are looking down, indicating the higher position of t...

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)

The Nobori banners for Boy's Day in Japan are very eye-catching. It may be rare to see them actually used today but many that we have left feature colorful drawings of Samurai warriors, heroes from the past, or characters or animals from the stories.

The word NOBORU is to climb as in to climb up, amount to someone worthy or it could simply mean something visibly towering high in the battle field. The designs of earlier Nobori banners were much simpler; they were used to identify thei...