The Japanese samurai dolls are part of the display used for Boy’s Day on every 5th of May in Japan. The dolls are the figures of historical heroes or legendary people to inspire the boys in the family (probably husbands are also included today) in their manliness and hopefully discipline and bravery to go with them. Samurai’s Yoroi armor, Kabuto helmet with swords, bow with arrows are popular items chosen today for the day.

Very large doll for this kind...

This late Meiji (1868~1911) 3 piece calligraphy lacquer box is 7 ¾ inches long, 6 ¾ inches wide and 1 ¾ inches high. The outside of the cover depicts an open winged eagle resting on a stand; autumn flowers and plants before a full moon appear inside. There are two movable pieces decorated with gold maple leaves in the box. Also, there is a small round metal container, maybe a water dropper, decorated with a gold and silver crane and plum blossom tree...

Chikubushima Moon - Tsunemasa (Chikubushima no Tsuki - Tsunemasa). Printed: 3.1886. Engraver: Yamamoto. Signature: Yoshitoshi. Seal: Taiso. Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Format: Oban tate-e. H. 12.75 x W. 8.75". Condition: Very Good impression and colors. Retains albimbacking. No condition issues to note. This print is also set in the battle between the Taira and the Minamoto clans...

The Moon of Yamaki Mansion - Kagekado (Yamaki Yakata no Tsuki - Kagekado). Printed: 3.1886. Engraver: Enkatsu. Signature: Yoshitoshi. Seal: Taiso. Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Format: Oban tate-e. H.12.75 x W. 8.75". Condition: Good Impression and colors. Some soiling, including an ink spot (from original printing?) on the lower portion of print. Slight margin trimming. "Karazuri" embossing on Kagekado's clothing and cartouche...

Gravemarker Moon (Sotouba no tsuki). Printed: 3.1886 Engraver: Yamamoto Signature & Seal: Yositoshi Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Condition: Very Good colors and impression, full margins. "karazuri" embossing on Ono no Komachi's robes. Format: Oban tate-e: H.13 x W. 8.75". Ono no Komachi was a famous beauty and poetess of the 9th century...

Suzaku Gate Moon - Hakuga Sammi (Suzakumon no tsuki - Hakuga Sammi). Printed: 1st day. 2nd month. 1886 Engraver: Yamamoto Signature: Yoshitoshi. Seal: Yoshitoshi no in...

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Subject: “Kyoudou Risshiki” (Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition)*, The Young Wife, Ukita, Guarding her husband, Lord Tomita Nobutaka Anozu no Shiru who is mounted on horseback. Signature: “taiso Yoshitoshi”. Artist’s Seal: Taiso. Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi. Date: Meiji 35* (1902), 8th month (August,) 5th day. Format: oban tate-e, H.12.5 x W.8.25". Condition: Very good colors and impression, album backing retained, no holes or tears, o...

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Subject: “Kyoudou Risshiki” (Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition), Toyotomi Hideyoshi seated on a tiger skin listening to a priest speaking on behalf of the Mouri clan. Text by Housai. No. 33 in a series of 52. Signature: “taiso Yoshitoshi”. Artist’s Seal: Taiso. Engraver: Kataoka (per Keyes, p 459.) Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi. Date: Meiji 18 (1885), 12th month (December.) Format: oban tate-e with printed borders, H.12.5 x W.8.25"(inc...

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Subject: Musha-e (Warrior print); “Yoshitoshi Musha Burui” (Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors): kurou [9th son] hangan Minamoto Yoshitsune and Musashibou Benkei under a cherry tree )#15 in this series of 33. Signature: “Yoshitoshi hitsu” (from the brush of Yoshitoshi). Artist’s Seal: Taiso. Engraver: Horikou Muneoka. Publisher: Tsunajima Kanekichi. Date: 1886. Format: oban tate-e, H.13 x W. 8.75". Condition: Very good colors with good i...

A storehouse (kura) lantern(andon) from late 19th century Japan, made of wooden base, and metal wire body, and hanging hook. Interior paper is a later addition. I have found a long Japanese medicine bottle that fits perfectly inside the lantern, making it suitable for flower arranging. H.17cm(6.7") x Dia.8cm(3").

Early 20th C. back pad from North Eastern Japan (Tohoku region, most likely Yamagata Prefecture.) In the local dialect, of the Echigo & Shonai Regions (current day Niigata & southern Yamagata Prefectures), these are referred to as "Bandori." Other areas call these back cushions "se-na-ate." This particular example is a "Koro [round[ Bandori" and is made from woven straw and encased in a marvelous webbing of "yamabudo" (mountain grape vine.) Coarse hemp rope also creates a striking design in fron...

A Japanese Samurai doll (ningyo) with the look of a Daimyo: feudal lord in the Edo period (1603-1868). The Kamishimo with long hakama trousers were only worn for special occasions in the Edo castle. The samurai's blue top kimono is made out of a wash paper (a liner to his original kimono). There is a beautiful patina on his face which is covered with a gofun mixture from the time. In the old time, doll makers used to let oyster shells sit outside for years before they could ground th...

Roof tile with a "tomoe-mon", a crest of circular repeating commas in a whirlpool pattern. Fired clay, 19th century. Diameter: 4", Width: 3/4". The round tiles such as this line the bottom roof line, above the eaves. Commonly, the crest of the family or temple was depicted on these tiles. Historically, a center of roof tile production was the town of Ogi, in west-central Japan.

Japanese samurai dolls, Yoroi and Kabuto (armor and helmet), swords, nobori and carps banner are all a part of the display used for the Boy's Day in Japan. The quality set like this will give a wonderful, rich flavor as a decoration to your home all year around. There is no Maruhei label label on the box but we are pretty sure that this was made by the Maruhei in Kyoto. The similar set that we had seen had the Maruhei label that indicates the set was made in early Taisho period (1912-1926)...

Waraji (straw sandal) Gata (mold). This mold was used to make the straw sandals worn by farmers. It is of solid carved wood. L. 50cm(19.75") x H.9cm(3.5") x W.9cm(3.5"). Acquired in Yamagata Prefecture in NE Japan (Tohoku), this piece exhibits the wonderful folk qualities of the region. Hung vertically, the "shelf" portion of the mold can hold a small flower vase, creating a lovely "wabi" arrangement for the tokonoma.

Large Itomaki, spool, for weaving. Wood with 6 arms. Late Meiji Era (1868-1912.) H.39cm(15.5") x Square Base of 37cm(14.5"). Good condition, has been cleaned and oiled.

Wooden saddle, "kura" made of wood and iron fittings. Meiji Era (1868-1912,) but the top board is a later addition. This flat board makes it ideal for display items, especially for flowers. H. 44cm(17.25") x W.68cm(26.75") x D. 32cm(12.5").

Jizo is one of the most beloved Buddhist Boddhisatva in Japan as a guardian of children and travellers. Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture was once ringed with Jizo statues, and its granite quarries made it a center of religious statue production and sales. This Jizo holds his hands in front of his chest in prayer, or in the traditional Indian greeting of "namaste." His face is well worn from the elements and time, but a faint smile seems to grace his lips. H.25cm(10") x W.13cm(5").