Noh Mask (noh-men), Hanakobu Akujyo (Akujou), bumpy nosed fierce old man. Besides the distinctive nose, he has a deep V-shaped crease between his eyebrows and the veins on his temples to his forehead, piercing bulging eyes, teeth painted in gold, with a tan colored horsehair beard and mustache. Not an ordinary face of an old man, he appears to possess something supernatural. This men(mask) is very lightweight. Written on the reverse side is "Hana kobu Aku jyo" in gold...

Japanese antique Jizai or "J" hook, made for hanging a large kettle by rope from rafters over fire pit, made of keyaki (elm) wood, wonderfully rough hewn and sculptural, carved with eight sides, great patina from smoke and use, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 30 1/4" high x 15" wide x 4" think (10" wide including small cross beam at top).

Lovely antique Japanese large rectangular tray with a scene of a woman gazing at the moon (inlaid mother of pearl), she is sitting near a small stream with flowers and grasses, misty clouds above, the tray is made of kiri wood and the decoration is made of beautiful cherry wood bark, outer sides are also covered in cherry bark, Taisho Period. Size: 24 3/4" long x 15 1/4" wide x 3 1/2" deep.

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) dated 1854 depicting a beauty of the nobility practicing the art of painting. Signed at the left "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche surrounded with yellow snow." 14 3/8"V x 10"H. Very good color and in clean overall condition with lacquer and embossed highlights. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back. No tape or tape stains...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) featuring a beauty serving tea to another beauty who is resting in a palanquin smoking a pipe from Act 6 of "Chushingura e-kyodai" (Matching Pictures of Chushingura) dated 1859. "Chushingura" is also known as the "Tale of the Forty-seven Ronin." The censor's seal and the seal of the publisher, Moriya Jihei, are at the lower left portion of the print...

Illustration of a scene from the Noh theater titled “Ohara Goko” by Kogyo Tsukioka (1869-1927) from the series "One Hundred Noh Dramas" published by Daikoku-ya in 1923. Very good impression quality with silver and gold metallic highlights and extensive embossing on the blue robe. Standard vertical oban print measuring about 14 7/8"V x 10"H. Very good overall condition. There is a slight wrinkle in the paper at the upper right corner.

The actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX in a scene from kabuki theater from the series "100 Roles of Ichikawa Danjuro IX" by Toyohara Kunichika 1835-1900) dated in the left margin "5th month of Meiji 31" (1898). Deluxe edition with extensive gauffrage accents to the yellow background, cartouches, margin and hair. There are mica highlights in the background. The blue robe is decorated with a keyfret motif pattern produced through the use of pale silver pigment...

Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) dated in the left margin Meiji 30 (1897) 1st month 11th day. The series depicts various scenes and events surrounding kabuki theater. This image depicts several actors and musicians on stage. One actor, holding a fan above his head, dances in bare feet. The red fish peering from behind his back suggests he might be a fisherman...

Sensational 'ichibori' one knife carved block representation of Hotei, one of the seven lucky gods of Japan. He holds a Gumpei in his right hand, the magical standard and in his left hand the Hoju, the sacred wishing gem. Carved in the early 1900's out of keyaki or japanese elm and lacquered and painted with vine swirls. Exellent condition. Ask for shipping quote. H:7" x W: 10"

A set of old Japanese wooden combs with a cloth comb holder. These are hair styling combs used when most women had the hairdo of today’s geisha. Each comb had a different function which was basically to comb, style and clean the hair. The combs here are all hand cut and it appears that some were added later. All combs are cleaned.

The outside of the folder is covered with a fabric called sarasa...

Unusual Edo period safe box, 1800-1850. Original hardware and finish. Kiri leaf design on hardware with mon character, original hand forged hardware. Number 18 on front of box. Box made to be carried there is an inset handle on the back of the box. It measures 20" long by 6.25" wide by 8" tall.

Meiji period, 1868-1912, medicine konban made of wood, incised characters painted with gold. #1 Eye Medicine - Seikisui (Japan's first eye medicine developed by Kishida Ginko, Rakuzendo from a formula learned in America by Prof. Hepburn) Tokyo, Ginza, Seal reading The Kishida. #2 Superb Effectiveness Hotan. Three cartouches on back. Two gold and red cartouches on front. It measures 27.5" tall, 9.5" wide, 1.2" deep. Overall excellent condition.

Large shrine board (known as an ema) of Bishamonten chasing after a demon. Polychrome pigments, gold, and sumi ink on wood.Dated Second year of Enki, year of the wooden bull (kinotoushi):1745, November (Shimotsuki). Board was donated by Omiya Souhachiro, who was living in the Kudara-cho district of Osaka City (near the vicinity of Shinsaibashi area). The board was painted by Hanai Bunsen Tsunemine (active early 18th century)...

Antique Japanese mask used in Kyogen or Kagura theater. The mask is invoking the spirit of a joyous spirit or god and often used in plays such as sambaso, a play which is often performed during New Years. Age: Meiji Period. Size: Height: 7" Width: 3.5" Length: 5"

Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting a beauty preparing to wash titled "Yellow" from the series "Five Colors of Ink" (Goshikizumi) by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) published by Aritaya Seiemon between 1843-1846. A pupil of Eizan, Eisen is perhaps best known for his prints of sensual women. The artist's signature, Yoshimura Gentaro censor's seal, and seal of the publisher all appear at the lower left. Vertical oban print measuring nearly 14 3/8"V x 10"H. Very good impression quality and color...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting a beauty standing under a pine tree viewing a bustling scene of boats on a waterway by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting a young salt-water gatherer by Kikugawa Eizan (1787-1867) from the series "Seiro Niwaka" (Yoshiwara Nikawa festival). Eizan, who was the master of Eisen, specialized in designing prints of beautiful women. The "kiwame" censor's seal and the seal of the publisher Yamaguchiya Tobei are at the lower right. The artist's signature is at the lower left. Dates from the 1810s to 1820s. Vertical oban print measuring 13 5/8"V x 9 1/8"H. Very good overall co...

Early 1900s

This is a design for a kimono textile that has skillfully incorporated the stylized woven fabric texture as part of the design as seen in the central field of flowering iris plants. The upper field appears to be a design of snowflakes, and the lower of an abstract water pattern. This was probably a leaf from an album of kimono designs. The print is of very good color, impression and condition on very thick paper, with some odd nicks and small tears on the edges, but not affecti...