Catalog: Archives (152)

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Kamishimo has been the Samurai’s official attire in Edo period (1615-1868). It also became the attire for performers of traditional music and dance, especially in Kabuki theatre during the latter part of the Edo. For rare occasions, it could still be made for something traditional up to present time.

This Kamishimo is made out of hemp and is beautifully hand sewn. I am not quite sure of the age and who this belonged to in the past...

Kozutsu (koh-zutsu) is a stick incense container used for Japanese "Sencha" tea ceremony. The pine tree is carved on bamboo with exceptionally artistic quality. The tips (end pieces) of the tube are made from red sandalwood. Signed "Chikusou" with a gourd emblem. It is 10 3/4 inches long. No damages. Circa, Meiji period (1868-1912)

This antique fukusa (Japanese gift cover) carries a message wishing the receiver of the gift a long healthy life. The Mino-game, a long tailed turtle, is said to live 1000 years and is shown here with an imaginary island of Mt. Horai on his back. To the Chinese, Mt. Horai was where all the immortals had lived. The land where no one gets sick or dies...

This painting is done by Sosen Kano (1813-1897), a well-known painter in the late Edo period who was the Edo Shogunate’s designated painter.

Here is a peaceful scene of a child sitting backwards on the back of an ox strolling under a weeping willow tree. This painting shows the monotonous scene of the country and the trust between the two catching the expression of the ox beautifully. Painted on silk, it is in the excellent conditionwith with some repair on the silk mounting...

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...

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...

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...

The Kiseruzutsu (pipe case) is delicately engrave with a goose and grass, bone ring to the top. The clasp to the leather pouch shows a tiger and dragon in brass. When seen together, they represent the concept of duality in the cosmos. There is a repair (sewn together) on the left side of leather pouch. This dates from the first years of the Meiji period (1868-1912).

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...

These scroll weights, FUUCHIN in Japanese, have the design of TOMOE MON on the ends of a drum which is typical of Meiji scroll weights. Beautiful old silk tassels.

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). Most of the clay dolls in the mid Edo period (1603-1868) have their roots in the Fushimi clay dolls of the Kyoto area which were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the way to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. While the early clay dolls in the Edo period sti...

The areas of plain tortoiseshell are effectively combined with intaglio relief to create a dramatic design. The gold area has a dense covering of very finely ground gold powder in lacquer - the technique is known as fundame and creates a surface that is dull in finish. Dimensions of this lovely comb are: 3 3/4 inches x 1 1/2 inches Artist signed. This is from the Meiji period and probably dates to circa 1900.

A Japanese kanzashi (hair ornament) - two pronged brass pin decorated with impressed stylized waves and flower heads, applied with natural coral and silver cherry blossom, 6 5/8 inches.

Enameled brilliant red kimono with lotus flowers in yellow and white, the shaped leaves in tones of turquoise and green. Obi is larkspur blue, black, turquoise and pink; folded fan has green flowers and gold clouds. Inner kimono collar is also gold.

The lady is 10 1/2" high, probably dates from the Taisho period (1912-1926)

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 ...

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.

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).

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.

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. The name must have come from the words, 'Yu' which means warm to hot water and the word, Ageru or agaru, ...

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. As he finally realizes the time and is ready to return,...

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...

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. ...

Japanese Gin kanzashi metal hair ornament; the two pronged gilt pin with applied large natural red coral, silver and silver gilt plum blossoms with coral beads 7 1/8"

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...

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". ...

This is a very unique and beautiful Gin (silver) Kanzashi from Meiji Period (1868-1912). It has Samurai's Kabuto helmet and the plum blossoms resting on an open fan which moves to adjust the angle as the bells on the chains jingles. You can only imagine what the occasion was for. The first four photos were taken after it was polished, the rest were taken before. It truely looks beautiful now 5-6 months after being polished. The length of this Kanzashi is 9 1/2" with a leg cap on, 8 1/2" ...

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)

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.

Beautiful Black Japanese silk kimono Uchikake (Wedding Gown): In Japan, there is a popular term that describes a very loving couple. They are called an Oshidori Couple. It must have come from seeing pairs tagging along so closely together near ponds or lakes. Many folk tales were told in different regions associating their affections for each other.

Here is a strikingly beautiful view of an Oshidori couple, flying over a pond and plum trees in a dark background. The finest em...