Catalog: Archives (152)

A Japanese lacquered agiro pipe case (kiseruzutsu) finely decorated with a cockerel and hen, signed Shinsen (?). The pouch is tooled leather with iron and silver cockerel and hen inlaid with a gold clasp. The ojime is shaped as Daikoku's mallet in unknown material. The actual color of pipe case is closest to the photo #11. 19th century, late Edo period. Dimensions: Pipe case, 8 1/2 " long, tobacco pouch, 5 1/4 " x 3 "

It is hard to make out the second character of the signature...

Fierce looking old Samurai ningyo (Japanese doll) in rare museum quality. His head is carved wood and the face resembles kabuki actors or Jyoruri ningyo (18th to 19th century puppet theater dolls) from the Edo period (1603-1868). It is definitely a work of art.

The Suoh, the outfit that the doll is wearing, was worn by different ranking samurais at various periods in history. The fabric is made out of Asa (Japanese hemp) and the rest is silk...

The fabric was probably cut out from an old kasuri futon blanket and made into Yu-age. What is Yu-age? When I purchased this beautiful wall hanger like piece (I thought), I was told that this was Yu-age, an old fashioned sounding name to me. This is a bath towel according to the Japanese dictionary. It has never been used, in case you are wondering. All the basting stitches are clean...

Hagi Yaki is a thick, grained pottery with a thin yellowish-white or bluish-pink glaze with large crackles. It is originated by a Korean potter as many other Japanese potteries are. Hagi ware is especially known for the beautiful changes that follow after each use...

This is an antique fukusa (Japanese gift cover) that the design came from the old folk tale called Urashima Taro. It is the story of a man who rescued a turtle from a group of cruel children. The turtle, who happened to be a princess of a dragon palace in disguise, returns later to thank him. The turtle invited him to tour the undersea world to her palace. He spends many days wined (with sake, I suppose) and dined, forgetting the time...

Antique Japanese kesa, purple satin silk brocade. Kesa was originally made from scraps of material donated to the priests. People who gave to Buddhist institutions were often keen to give very expensive items, so some fabulous kesa were created from wonderful silk brocades. This also could mean that the wealthier temples end up collecting the better fabrics or able to send out for the expensive custom made kesa as this...

I have never seen this type of Hina Goten (Palace) until I found this one. No longer a spring chicken myself, I asked several people in Japan if they knew anything about this style. No one knew. We may call this a rare find. The Hina ningyo (doll) set that I grew up with was displayed in the steps style, which is still a common way of displaying 15 dolls with furnitures as long as a space permits...

Very impressive Japanese clay doll, 17 inches tall oiran geisha ningyo (doll). When the hina dolls were limited only to a few wealthy people, these clay dolls were for regular people (more than 90 percent of the population)...

These 26 assortments of Japanese kasuri patchwork cloths came from old kimonos (some are new), thin to thick cotton. Some have tiny holes, fadings or repairs. One is lined with an ai dye blue fabric.

The largest one is 13 3/4" x 25 1/2"; the smallest 6" x 6 1/4". The total length together: 13 3/4" x approx. 23'(276 inches)

NEW BOOK: This is the most popular quarterly antique magazine published in Japan. It is from Gakken, Gakushu Kenkyu-sha. This is their the 25th edition, the latest edition, published in Feb 2002. I had a chance to purchase one of these series a year ago. Within a year I looked for others and purchased the next two books when they were available.

"Picture tells all" describes this book. You can enjoy this book without knowing the language...

Beautiful man's short jacket, hand painted on Asa(hemp). It is in excellent conditon, very rare to find this quality in this condition. This type of kimono is becoming very scarce every year.

NEW BOOK: This is the most popular quarterly antique magazine published in Japan. It is from Gakken, Gakushu Kenkyu-sha. This is their the 24th edition, published on Nov 15, 2001. I had a chance to purchase one of these series a year ago. Within a year I looked for others and purchased the next two books when they were available.

"Picture tells all" describes this book. You can enjoy this book without knowing the language. It shows the details in the pictures. This edition sh...

This type of tissue holder is called "Hakoseko". This is to be placed between Obi and Kimono with the chains dangling in the chest area. Hakoseko is still being used today for very special ceremonial occasions, but it is very difficult to find an old quality piece like this. Obviously, this has been stored for years without being used. The condition is new with some faint storage stains. It came with a paper bag filled with straws instead of tissue papers. From Taisho to early Showa,...

This is an old carp made with asa (hemp or bast fiber). It was probably used as a streamer called Koinobori for the Boy’s Day (renamed to Chilren's Day). The larger Koi can be bigger than 10

NEW BOOK: This is the most popular quarterly antique magazine published in Japan. It is from Gakken, Gakushu Kenkyu-sha. This is their 23rd edition, published on Sep 15, 2001. I had a chance to purchase one of these series a year ago. Within a year I looked for others and purchased the next two books when they were available.

"Picture tells all" describes this book. You can enjoy this book without knowing the language. It shows the details in the pictures. This edition shows...

When you look at an obi like this, you know why the name "Nishijin" is so known. This is a very formal obi, the biggest obi that I have seen, 13" wide and 154" long. Just a perfect piece for the formal dining room. It is large enough to cover two formal dining room tables. The colors are pastel, very gentle. When this obi was woven, the gold thread was woven in together. Every dot and line that you see in these pictures is the gold thread. It is a thick textile without a thick padding. ...

Kogai hair stick: 6 1/2" long. The metal is brass with silver petals. The orange flowers are coral. The decoration is both hammered into the metal with a dye and engraved using a chisel. This dates from the late Meiji or Taisho period.

This old pair of candle holders is called Shokudai. The large tweezers hanging from a hook is used to pinch the wick. Then, the wick will be stored in the small brass pot. The base of these holders and plates are beautifully shaped like lotus flowers which has been always associated with Buddha and the temples. It weighs over 10 pounds packed and 26.8 inches tall. Circa, Meiji period (1868 to 1912). Original wood box. The shipped directly from Japan, it usually takes two to three week...

Antique Japanese hair ornaments, Gin(Silver) Kanzashi with bira-bira danglings. This is an unusually large and heavy Kanzashi probably worn by Geisha. It was made for a very special occasion when a particularly elaborate hair style was needed. The ornaments are all made with silver and the bodies are plated on mixed metals. 16 petals chrysanthemum heads. This one is definitely for Kanzashi collector. Shorter one is tarnished more than the other

Long Kanzashi is 13" x 6". ...

Antique Japanese furoshiki wrapping cloth, dyed in aizome (indigo dye) with a paste-resist family crest. This type of fabric now belongs to the Mingei, folk art of Japan, and has been popular by many collectors. The fabric is thick but a soft cotton, all hand-sewn in excellent condition (3 to 4 tiny holes shown in last enlargement). The other white spots are from the cotton stuffing. Dimensions are 46" x 53 1/2" from Meiji period (1868-1912).

A pair of Japanese silk brocade temple banners with gold threads decorated with a dragon, a phoenix and floral roundels on a shippo background; the edges with white (aged to brownish beige) borders and brass mounts with engraved flowers.

The shape of the banners is almost identical to the banners (hundreds) that were discovered from Shoso-in, the repository of Todai-ji temple. The banners (called Nishiki Dojyo Ban) were used at a Buddhist memorial service held in 757, marking the firs...

This is a very high quality Kyoto Nishijin silk brocade obi, one of the best quality obi that we are currently offering. You may find the same type of designs in newer or even in old obis, but the quality of silk and the fine embroidery would not be the same. I have been always searching for the same obi after purchasing this obi in Japan. The seach is still continued. The originally white color is now aged to a beautiful creamy tan color, excellent condition. The total measurements are 12 ...

The design of this kimono is done in Kyoto Yuzen dye (famous paste resist dyeing method) and Bokashi (gradual shading). It is a formal wear with 5 mon (family crest). Top half of the lining is done with a beautiful red silk and the bottom half is done with the same black silk from the front. The design from the front goes throughout the inside lining! It is hand sewn with a top quality silk, amazing workmanship! The bottom is lightly padded which makes this kimono into a great decoration pi...

This Bizen yaki is an older pottery, the uninterrupted history of more than one thousand years, from Okayama prefecture, Japan. Bizen pottery is one of “Rokkoyou”, six famous potteries from Japan like Seto, Tokoname, Echizen, Shigaraki and Tanba. These types of hand made plates are mass-produced from the very end of Edo to early Meiji, early to mid 1800s. The designs are pressed in and baked in a very high temperature flame ‘til it becomes as dry as it could be.

Each side mea...

This summer obi is made out of soft "Ro" silk with a gold tint. The silk on the front side is in mint condition (never been used) with an antique looking silk liner. Soft and high quality obi. It comes with basting stitches all around. The design on the silk is a picture of Karuta cards with beautiful calligraphy of old “waka

This is a newer Hakata doll. Hakata doll was originated by a roof tile maker in the early 17C during the construction of Fukuoka castle. Hakata is located on the Kyushu island (southern island in Japan), famous to other porcelain makers such as Satsuma, Imari, Nabeshima and Hirado.

She looks quite different from the 50’s Hakata export dolls, looking more like a dancer with an umbrella than a Geisha. She is 15 ¼” tall and her "Kanzashi" hair accessories and the umbrella are removal...

Japanese antique hair accessary with a beautiful design of the iris and leaves created by using sheets of silver. The bells at the bottom of each chain jingles when you shake your head. It is guaranteed to bring a charm to your look, but refrain yourself from overdoing it (shaking) if you are to attract a man's heart. This Kanzashi is dated from the mid to late Meiji period (1868-1912). 7 inches long.

This is a Japanese lacquered hair comb and pin set. The dimensions of the comb are 2 1/4 inches by 4 1/12 inches long. The length of the hair pin is 6 1/2 inches long. It is probably from the Taisho to early Showa period.

Antique Japanese Dolls, Takeda Samurai Ningyo:

There was a glorious golden era of Japanese theater from the mid to late Edo period (1603-1868) led by a group of puppet ningyo (dolls) plays called Joruri (Bunraku today). The play writer (the first professional one in Japanese history) was Chikamatsu Monzaemon; the stage narrator was Gidaifu and the stage director and business manager/owner was the Takeda family. The sophisticated stage effects and mechanical dolls, Karakuri ningyo we...

Three Ashigaru (foot soldiers), "inaka" country samurai dolls, expressive gofun face with glass eyes, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Approx. heigth of each doll is 12" tall.

Japanese cute kimekomi ningyo, zuishin imperial guard hina dolls. The dolls are 4 inches in height.

This is an interesting collection of 54 Japanese hair ornaments dating back to the Meiji period (1868 to 1912), in lacquer, ivory, bone, tortoiseshell (bekko), coral, jade, crystal, celluloid and metal; all displayed in a glazed frame. Additional free Kanzashis are added to this collection (see the last enlargement picture). Dimension: 21 3/4" x 25 3/4"

This item will be shipped from Japan. Please allow two weeks for the delivery to the US. There will an extra charge if it is to be d...

Beautiful screen, the quality did not show here. The measurements are 66"L x 36"H. Hand painted on silk with silk matting and framed in the black lacquered wood. Condition is excellent except in the areas shown in the pictures. One dent did break the paper but not so visible (enlargement 5), small scratches on the right side corner in the matting area (enlargement 6)is minor. The damage in the back (done by a cat) is worse than the picture (enlargement #8).

These are worn with kimono and obi under Uchikake gown for the traditional Japanese wedding ceremony. There is a small area on the tissue holder and tanto bag with some power like stains. It is in new condition other than that. Great accent pieces for your home; two obi-jime (fat strings) can be used to tie the curtains, or use them with obis to create a wall décor. Be creative and have fun!

Japanese Antique Hina Doll with a face of Gosho ningyo (Imperial Palace doll), late Edo period. Very few servant dolls have survived from this period. Not only the flimsy nature of thin silk and the light coloring of their clothes, but a few dolls in this quality were made at the time (late 1700s to mid 1800s). The doll is 9 inches tall; a large servant doll, very good condition.

Japanese woman's kushi comb with beautiful Aogai shell inlays on tortoiseshell. Taisho to early Showa period. Amazing work of art! Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 2 1/8" (center)

A delightful metal Japanese hair kanzashi, mix metal. Some parts brass, others gilded, silver and yet more plated with silver to give a wonderfully rich feeling to this traditional Japanese hair accessory. The tiny coral beads used at the center of the flowers, as well as between the bira-bira dangling, add to the feeling of richness. The Hoo bird (Chinese phoenix), with its long tail feathers, flying across the paulownia leaves is a symbol of a peace and prosperity. 9 1/2 inches long. ...

The black dye changed its color to a dark gray which is nice in its own way. It is a formal wear with 5 mon (family crest). Top half of the lining is done with a white silk and the bottom half is done with the same black silk from the front. The design from the front goes throughout the inside lining! The bottom is lightly padded which makes this kimono into a great decoration piece. Beautifully hand sewn, again it is the work of art itself. The design is done in Yuzen dye and in excell...