Catalog: Archives (152)

This fabric came from an old kimono, beautiful old thick cotton with light brown stripes in dark blue dye. Some color fading but no visible damages or stains. The measurements:

2 pieces of 13 1/3" x 8'5", with 4" cut in the middle.
2 pieces of 13 1/3" x 46"
Total length: 23'5" x 13 1/3"

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

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...

This is a current Nishijin textile, a very pricey item in Japan. This is an authentic one, it is woven thick like an obi sash. I have two hangings listed here. This is the larger one. The details, especially the gold thread, did not show up in the pictures. The theme is the aristocrat's graceful life in court during Heian Era (794-1192AD). You see a princess figure wearing 12 layered kimonos...

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 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...

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...

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).

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.