This very fine Late 18th Century Ningyo was made for the Daimyo Class. These rare pieces are highly regarded in Japan. This is an unusually large Musha- Ningyo of the hero Kato Kiyomasa, who accompanied Hideyoshi on his campaign against Korea. He was famous for his bravery. He has a great face of carved wood and finely burnished Gofun, and is dressed in the sumptuous textiles of a rich green velvet coat with gold dragons...
Antique Japanese two section 6ft Mizuya (kitchen tansu) make with Hinoki (cedar) wood, with Keyaki (elm) burl panels.
The top section has two sets of sliding doors, one with mesh, all with ornately carved panels across, the lower portion has eight small drawers with beautiful Keyaki burl.
The bottom section houses a single shelf behind two large sliding door panels. Its sides are reinforced with horizontal braces. Meiji period (1868-1912)
Size: 71.5" L x 20" W x 67.5" H
Antique Japanese Buddhist temple banner made of silk and woven with gold gilt paper weft (ginran or kinren) in a dynamic design of a pair of water dragons each facing the center where a burning pearl (woven with silver leaf) floats on a golden cloud. Dragons and pearls together in Buddhist art symbolize the endless cycle of transformation. The flaming pearl is one of the Eight Treasures and represents pure intentions as well as the sacred wish-granting pearl of the Buddhist faith...
Japanese woodblock print triptych by Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III, (1786-1864) titled "Hana no utage Murasaki no omokage" (Flower Party) published by Moriya Jihei in 1859. The print illustrates a scene with Prince Genji seated beside a lake on a raised platform with ladies at his side enjoying cherry blossoms and spring weather. Each panel measures 14 1/2" x 10" (the left panel is slightly more narrow). Very good color and good overall condition...
An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant small chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. 8 drawers of varying sizes used to store merchant wares for sale. Unusual wooden lip surrounding the top where seller showcased each item for sale to the buyer. Custom made tansu specific to the seller needs...
Ca. 1900
This is a design for a kimono with a leafing vine surrounding a lacquer calligraphy box with inkstone and brushes in tones of grays and black with only the calligraphy brushes having red and yellow handles. The grain of the woodblock shows through the background of the kimono. Printed on mulberry paper and probably a leaf from a design album. There is a stain above the upper right sleeve, and a repaired 2 inch tear at the top of the leaf. The paper has yellowed slightly...
From our Japanese Collection, a large and very regal pair of imari vases, Meiji Period 1868-1912, beautifully executed in traditional palette of iron red, orange, blue, and gilt on a white porcelain body, with kiln marks to the base.
Size and Condition: 12 1/4 inches tall, 6 1/2 inches wide. Some light rubbing to the gilt in places commensurate with age and handling, but essentially perfect condition.
Elegant, fine celadon porcelain flower vase dated Meiji Period 33 (c.1900). The delicate mouth and wings have buddhist cloud motif, and the legs have a juxtaposition of fading colors. In the original paulownia box, the kanji characters read: Sieji Kabin Ikko (celadon porcelain flower vase); Meiji 33 Nen Hachi Gatsu Ganjitsu Ko (Purchased on aug. 1, 1900); Hori-shi Yogu(commissioned by Mr. Hori). Ask for shipping quote. H:19cm; W:12cm
Let's continue with another treasure: rounded wan-shaped tea bowl with high foot of the bamboo node style. The body pinched in at the middle to a shape called tojinbue (Chinese flute). The light, little coarse clay with enclosures is expertly thrown and full glazed - incl. the foot - with a transparent glaze of wood ash with some feldspar over a white engobe in hakeme style. The glaze shows a fine little crazing over the engobe, which is just amazing...
The russet iron menpo depicts an older man's face with wrinkles and a long hair mustache (missing). The removable nose plate has small perforated holes for the insertion of horse hair for the mustache. The rivets are rendered in a plum blossom configuration, and the strap posts holder is in the form of petals and stems. The ears are pierced with plum blossoms. The yodare has four plates laced with blue, calico, and pale orange silk cords...
Exceptional Meiji Period wood carving of Daikoku, one of the seven lucky gods, known as the god of abundance. He stands on two full rice caskets and carries a bulging bag of treasures and happiness. 22cm tall x 13cm wide x 9cm deep. Ask for shipping quote.
From our Japanese Collection, a very fine assembled pair of Fukagawa imari porcelain chargers, Meiji Period (1868-1912). The blue Koransha mark on the reverse dates these more specifically to circa 1875-1880. One charger depicts figures set against a field of tall bamboo grass executed in mostly gilt and blue, along with very subtle use of green, orange and pink, while the second charger depicts just the bamboo grass...
Antique Japanese tansu chest with 4 drawers, each drawer is made of kiri (paulownia) wood that has been cut to display an unusual vertical pattern, each drawer is trimmed in persimmon wood and has a large iron lock plate with an oak leaf (kashiwa) mon, unusual shaped iron drawer pulls, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Rare Yonezawa area Isho Tansu.
Size: 36" high x 28 3/4" wide x 15 1/2" deep.
Charming antique Japanese small 2-panel byobu (screen painting), painted with blossoming chrysanthemums in raised gofun, on right panel is a blue bird in flight, delicately painted with wonderful detail, mineral colors and gofun on paper with gold leaf ground, signed and seal by Yano Yoshitaka (1800-1858). Edo Period...
This is an 18th century Japanese netsuke depicting a sleeping Sarumawashi or monkey trainer, who is unaware that the monkey trainer that he carries on his back is about to steal food from the trainer's basket. Excellent carving with lively expressions. beautiful wear and mellow patina. Deep, uneven himotoshi, common of netsuke from this period. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.65 inches (42cm) wide, and 1.08 inches (2.7cm) tall. It is in excellent condition, with just a couple of age hairlines.
This is a beautiful rare box signed by Honda. We have never seen a box signed by Honda before this one. As an added bonus, the box is in excellent condition. Has silver rims and measures about 5 x 4 x 2 1/2 inches.
Edo Period late 18th/early 19th Century Japanese Ningyo of Yamauba, the Forest Goddess, half woman and half spirit. She found Kintaro abandoned in the forest by his father, and saved his life. She raised him, and he became the Hercules of Japan. For sure one of the rarest of all Ningyo. Also the rarest of female images. Only a few of these may actually exist. She bares her breasts to nurse Kintaro, as seen in Japanese woodblock prints as a popular subject by artists such as Utamaro. She is holdi...
Rare box with 3 compartments in lacquered wood from the beginning of the Edo period, end of the 17th century, beginning of the 18th. Decor of chrysanthemums in a landscape. Some flowers are encrusted in solid gold. The decoration is in lacquer in light relief powdered with gold and silver on a nashiji background. Details in Kirikane. The silver is strongly oxidized and has turned greyish-black as on all very old lacquers of this period. In the bottom of the box on the base compartment we can dis...