Catalog: Archives (152)

This is a beautiful old Japanese Shusu (lustrous Satin-weave) obi with the finest embroidery work. Condition of the silk is excellent. It feels so soft, totally different from the newer obis. Color is a shiny deep blue. There is one seam in the center of the front and two in the back. Converted from Nagoya style obi to a flat obi of 11 1/8" wide x 80" long, all the works are done profesionally by hand. The design areas are balanced on each end of the front side this way...

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...

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...

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...

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 Girls Days Hina ningyo (doll) set that I grew up with was displayed in the steps style, which still could be a common way of displaying 15 dolls as long as you can afford the space. The style of all the Hina dolls are from Heian Period (794

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).

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 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

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)

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 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. In the background, there are...

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. Dotonbori has been the "Broadway of Japan" located in the distinctive trading city of Osaka where traders and m...

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.