Catalog: Archives (152)

These old bronze lanterns are used in Japanese temples. They are often called "Toro" (pronounced toh-ro). One side of the lock (shown in the photo) did not open (I did not force it open). 17 inches tall from the Meiji period (1868-1912).

This Imari dish is 18 5/8 inches in diameter, probably with the original "tomobako" box dated "the third year of Ansei", 1857. The design is divided into three repeated sections with Karako boys. The enameling is of good quality, underglazed blue with gold in a lovely soft tone which can only be found on pieces as old as the Meiji period. The date shown on the box is 3 years after the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry in the black ship demanding the opening of the county...

Beautiful pair of abumi horse stirrups made with iron and brass inlay. A little damage to the butterflies on the front showing that these are not made for decoration but have been used for riding a horse. Circa early to mid Edo Period, 17th/18th century.

During the Edo Period, there was a time when the puppet play became the most popular form of entertainment among the common people and especially the merchants. They were so popular that Kabuki actors even began mimicking the movement of the puppets.

The era of Ningyo Joruri (puppet play) began in 1684 when Takemoto Gidayu, a narrator, opened Takemoto theater in Dotonbori...

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 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...

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

This is a set of small but very unique Keshi bina musician dolls or they may be called as Kawari bina (different or strange looking). By placing them casually, you can create an interesting group. The size of the two dolls are 4 inches tall on 1 1/2 inches stool (new lacquered wood), the other three are approx. 3 inches tall.

When the peaceful life of Edo (1600-1868) continued without any major battles for years, the people's life in general became more affluent...

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 chigo ningyo (doll), Kyoto doll from 1920-1940. Chigo simply translates into a “young child” and the distinct hairstyle of this doll is called Chigo-mage. In the old days, there was a custom among the kuge (aristocrats) class families to send their young boys away to temple for early training. The dolls were made in late Edo period (1603-1868) portraying the looks of these young boys...

Many stories were written based on Yoshitsune (Minamoto family) and Benkei. The "Kanjincho", the Kabuki adaptation of the Noh play "Ataka" was first performed at the end of the Edo period in 1840. Danjuro VII played the roll of Benkei in the same costume that you see on this doll for the first time. Danjuro VII brought many fresh ideas and techniques to Kabuki play. This costume was one of the results which brought quality costumes to Kabuki from the Noh play...

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.

We learn how people lived in the Edo period (1603-1867) from the dolls (ningyo) that were left to us today. They are called Fuuzoku (customs and manners) ningyo or Ukiyo (floating world) ningyo. There are basically two types of dolls of young men among them.

Wakashu ningyo is one of them. Wakashu was used to refer to young men who had yet to experience the ceremonial rite of passage of becoming a man, commonly at the age of 12 in the old time...

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 color of this Japanese wedding gown (Uchikake kimono) is a deep cherry to scarlet red depending on the lighting. Please note the beautiful embroidery work on this gown, especially on the sleeves.

The kiku flowers crowd over the gold lattice with multiple colors of green leaves. Cranes, which symbolize family in Japan, fly over the plum and pine trees in the sky. In the designs of the lower half, there are flower carts and the seven wild flowers from autumn...