This is a striking Japanese Imari porcelain hexagonal plate boldly decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue large scale design reminiscent of a textile pattern, having a broad scalloped border rim, wavy potting on top of plate, very heavy, greige ground color, the base having a single spur mark, measuring 10 in x 11 3/4 in; Original condition, several rim chips.
This kura (saddle) was used in the rituals which took place on the first day of rice planting. The day is called hana-taue (daue), "the flower-rice planting" and it has been practiced in the southern part of Japan. The links to today’s hana-taue is listed at the end...
Antique aizome (traditional Japanese indigo dye) cloth taken from a Japanese bed comforter, thick cotton, circa Meiji Period (1868-1912). Excellent tapestry material. The condition is excellent; it was in new condition when we purchased. This was just washed (twice by mistake) prior to when the photos were taken. There are minor holes (shown in photo) concentrated on the top right side. Because of the size (62 1/2L x 58"W), the photos were taken from the bottom and sides.
Ca. late 1800s
Earthenware pair with mirror-image decorated overall with figures of Buddhist Arhats (enlightened followers of the Buddha). The Arhats are depicted in various enamel colors wearing brocade robes picked out in gold enamel. A dragon writhes among them, painted in slightly raised enamel and stylized rocks surround the vases beneath the Arhats’ feet. The Satsuma crest is seen in gold enamel on the shoulder of each vase...
Ca. early 1800s
This unusual vessel consists of a tall footed bowl of conical form and a ring-shaped stand encircled by carved ocean waves. The bowl is carved with characteristic Hirado key and triangular fretwork and is heavily potted for the necessary stability of its function to hold the tall branches of a flower arrangement. The interior of the bowl is set with a cylindrical collar 2 ¾ in...
Japanese antique Zuishin dolls (Ningyo). This set of dolls are often called Daijin minister dolls but they are actually the imperial guardsmen and escorts for the Heian court (794-1185). A beautiful quality set in the perfect size to decorate Hina Goten (Imperial Palace). Meiji Period (1868-1912). Approx. 5” tall, 4 ½” in width.
Enamel on copper, ca. late 1800s.
Although this item could have been used as a sauce pot, it was probably intended for replenishing water for grinding ink on a calligrapher’s ink stone The interior and base are both enameled.
Good condition, no dents or losses however there is some characteristic pitting to the enamel.
Height: 3 ¾ in.
Ink and pigments on paper with gilding, ca. early 1600s
Originally mounted as a fan and later remounted on a fusuma sliding door or folding screen...
Ink and pigments on paper with gilding, ca. early 1600s
Originally mounted as a fan and later remounted on a fusuma sliding door or folding screen...
Japanese Takeda Samurai doll from late Edo to early Meiji, 1800s. Takeda dolls were made to model Kabuki actors and puppet dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The doll is possibly Benkei, a faithful retainer to Yoshitsune (Minamoto).
Many stories were written based on Benkei and Yoshitsune (Minamoto, Genji family). They first met on the bridge of Gojyo in Kyoto when Benkei challenged Yoshitsune...
A Leaf from the album “Keinen Kacho Gafu” issued 1892
Published by Unsodo Co., title and printer’s name on left margin, very good impression and color, margins somewhat trimmed, light soiling, slight creasing in margins and wear to two corners, dated in Arabic numerals for export
Overall size: 9 ½ x 14 ½ in.
A Leaf from the album “Keinen Kacho Gafu” issued 1892
Published by Unsodo Co., title and printer’s name on left margin, good impression and color, margins somewhat trimmed, minor wear, very slight wrinkles, dated in Arabic numerals for export
Overall size: 9 ½ x 14 in.
Album leaf depicting an antique textile fragment, issued ca. late 1800s
The artist skillfully illustrates the fabric dyeing techniques of stencil printing and tie-dyeing (shibori) using the woodblock print medium
Very good impression and color, centerfold, some thinning of paper on margins
Overall size: 9 ¾ x 14 in.
Sen Sha Fuda—Pilgrim’s temple charm placard, issued early 1900s
Produced by the Tokyo Nai Fuda Club, Very good impression and color, good condition, light center crease, light glue residue on verso
Overall size: 6 ¾ x 8 ¼ in.
Sen Sha Fuda—Pilgrim’s temple charm placard, issued early 1900s
Very good impression and color, light staining in margins, light staining on verso
Overall size: 6 ½ x 8 ½ in.
Sen Sha Fuda—Pilgrim’s temple charm placard, issued early 1900s
Five individual “fuda” pasted side by side on a backing
Very good impression, good condition
Overall size: 6 ¼ x 10 in.
Various designs for textiles, issued late 1800s
Good impression and color, center fold, wrinkle to lower right corner, minor stain on center of upper margin, not backed
Album leaf: 9 ½ x 14 in.
Design for woodblock print or a preliminary sketch for a painting, ca. mid 1800s
Ink on thin paper mounted on an old backing, centerfold, light toning, generally good condition
Shita-e: 10 ½ x 15 in. overall; drawing size: 9 ½ x 12 ½ in.
Illustration of ceremonial flower arrangements, issued early 1900s
Very good printing and color, very heavy paper with remnants of thin backing, very minor soiling overall
Overall size: 9 ½ x 14 ¼ in.
Illustration of a sculpture of the Wind God from the Sanjusangendo in Kyoto, and a design of a lacquer box, issued ca. 1890
Good impression and condition
Album leaf: 9 ¼ x 12 in.
Flowering branch in spring, issued ca. late 1800s
Very good impression and color, original album backing, center fold, minor wrinkling to lower corners
Album leaf: 9 ¾ x 14 ½ in.
Illustration of an early textile fragment, of the Tang Dynasty, Chinese, one of the Shosoin treasures, issued late 1800s
Very good printing (to simulate age and wear), color and condition
Overall size: 8 ¾ x 14 in.
Woodcutter pausing for a drink of sake, issued ca. early 1900s
Hirafuku Hyakusui was a noted painter and illustrator in Nihon-ga style, and was a professor at Tokyo School of Fine Arts and a member of Imperial Fine Arts Academy.
Publisher’s information on lower left with the number 21, good condition
Shikishiban: 9 ¼ x 9 ¼ in.
Kabuki actor portrait of Ichimura Uzaiemon VIII, issued 1861
Signed Toyokuni Ga (Toyokuni III) on lower right, very good impression and color, repaired hole on upper left margin, light soiling and wear, penciled on verso (incorrectly), “Toyokuni II 1785-1864”
Oban tate-e: 10 x 14 ½ in.
Five vignettes of designs by Hiroshige, probably issued the year of his death, 1858
Signed Hiroshige, good impression and color, small glue stains on upper corners, very minor wear, small mark on lower right corner, not backed.
Oban tate-e harimaze-e: 8 7/8 x 13 in.
Yoshimori (1830-1884), pupil of Kuniyoshi
Scene depicting a bizarre tale about dolls, issued 1864
Two chuban size images that form one oban tate-e size print
Signed Yoshimori, title and publisher’s seal on right margin, aratame censor’s seal (1864), good impression and color, very minor wear, not backed.
Oban tate-e: 9 ¾ x 14 ½ in.
Interior scene of a courtesan and attendants from the series “Junshoku Sanjuroku Kasen” issued 1881
Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu, dated Meiji 14 (1881), good impression and color, not backed.
Oban tate-e: 10 x 14 1/8 in. including margins
Interior scene of three women in the Winter from the series “Junshoku Sanjuroku Kasen” issued 1881
Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu, dated Meiji 14 (1881), good impression and color, very light and even toning, full margins, minor creases to corners, not backed.
Oban tate-e: 9 7/8 x 14 ½ in. including margins
Album leaf illustrating “antique” textile designs for Tang Dynasty China and later, printed ca. 1900
The characters beside each design describe the motif and type of fabric.
Very good impression and color, vertical center crease, minor wear, remnants of old backing.
Overall Size: 9 ¾ x 14 in.
Album leaf illustrating “antique” textile designs for Tang Dynasty China and later, printed ca. 1900
The characters beside each design describe the motif and type of fabric.
Very good impression and color, vertical center crease, minor wear, remnants of old backing.
Overall Size: 9 ¾ x 14 in.
Kunisada (1786-1864) collaborating with Hiroshige (1797-1858)
From the series: “Kannon Reigen Ki” (Account of the miracles of Kannon) issued 1859.The larger image by Kunisada depicts a miracle performed by Kannon...
Kunisada (1786-1864) collaborating with Hiroshige (1797-1858)
From the series: “Kannon Reigen Ki” (Account of the miracles of Kannon) issued 1860. Main image by Kunisada depicting the miracle occurance
Signed Toyokuni (III), publisher’s seal and censor’s seal on left margin, very good impression and color, very minor wear and light stains on the margins.
Oban tate-e: 10 x 14 ½ in.
No. twelve from the series: “Ukiyo Juni Ka Getsu” (Twelve Months of the Floating World) issued 1890
Signed Gekko with artist’s seal, dated 1890 in a red cartouche on lower left, margins intact, fine impression and color, some wear and light creasing, very light soiling, not backed.
Oban yoko-e: 9 x 13 in.
From the series: “Twelve New Tales from the Miserable Storehouse” issued 1859
Two uncut horizontal chuban prints – numbers eleven and twelve on one oban leaf.
The upper print depicts a warrior battling demon ghosts and the lower is a shrine scene.
Upper and lower prints are both signed Yoshitsuya in red cartouches with aratame and date seal to 1859, good impression, color and condition, remnants of recent hinge paper on upper corners, a new narrow line of old backing paper on ...
Two Kabuki actors in a rather intense moment, issued ca. 1860
Published by Ise-ya Kanekichi, very good impression and color, light rubbing and slight wrinkling to edges, upper corners with small reinforcements, not backed.
Oban tate-e: 9 ¾ x 14 1/8 in.
Shini-e (memorial portrait) of the Kabuki actor Kikugoro, issued 1903
The actor died at age 60. He is shown holding a Buddhist sutra and his “death poem” in is cursive script above his head.
Signed Utagawa Toyosai, dated: 1903, fine impression and color, left margin slightly trimmed, small brown spot above sutra page, original paper backing possibly from time of issue.
Oban tate-e: 9 ½ x 14 in.
A kneeling fish seller beholding his coop with huge fishes. The earthenware figure painted in polychrome colors, the skin areas in matt glaze orange. Condition: Good. Dimensions: 10,7 cm high x 9,5 cm wide. Weight: 302 gram.
Japanese antique folk hina dolls, zuishin, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185). They are often called Daijin minister dolls. The dolls used to belong to the Hina festival (Matsuri) for Girl’s Day. The size of the dolls are 10" tall to the tips of the arrows.
Antique Japanese folk hina dolls, three servants (Shitei,Shicho) from the Heian Imperial Court (794-1185). The dolls are part of the Hina Matsuri festival for girls in Japan. The standing doll is 8 3/4" tall, and the other two dolls are 7 1/4" to 7 1/2" tall.
Antique Japanese folk hina dolls, ladies in waiting from the Heian Imperial Court (794-1185). The dolls are part of the Hina Matsuri Festival for girls in Japan. The approx. height of the tall dolls are 8 1/4" tall, the seated doll is 4 1/2". Made in Osaka, Japan (by NAKAGAWA Kiyojiro)
Meiji period, Japanese Kutani porcelain teapot and the sugar bowl with covers, finely hand painted in gold, red, black and green with beautiful various images of butterflies in foliate scrolls. Booth Pieces hand signed on the bottom by the artist in Japanese characters.
MEASUREMENTS: Height of the tea pot: 20,5cm (8in) Width: handle to spout: 21cm (8 ½ in) Height of sugar bowl: 14,5 cm (8in) Width: handle to handle 16cm (6 ¼ in)...
Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), original dark brown translucent lacquer finish, made of sugi (cryptomeria), iron hardware, one shelf on interior of
slider compartment, Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Size: 43" high x 37 1/4" wide x 15 1/4" deep.
Wonderful old Japanese Imari boat, incense burner (koro) or a nice dish for ... sashimi with soy sauce and wasabi in one side, circa Meiji period (1868-1912).
8 1/4" long x 4 1/2" wide x 3 1/2" tall
Beautiful Japanese antique Imari charger, circa Meiji period (1868-1912).
Dimensions: 14 1/4 inches in diameter x 2 1/2 inches deep
Beautiful and dramatic antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Nihonmatsu area, 2-sections,
made with keyaki wood front and sugi wood frame, safe box with key, lovely original deep red/orange translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware, Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Size: 47 1/2" high x 45 1/4" wide x 18 1/2" deep.
Antique Japanese Carpenter Reel, Sumi Tsubo, Ink Line. 9.25 x 3 inches, 23.5 x 8 cm. It is rare to see sumi tsubo (Japanese carpenter's reel or inkline used for layout) fully intact with all its parts, including line and original stick pin, like this one. The Japanese word for tools is Dogu, which was originally the word for an itinerant monk's belongings. It alludes to the spiritual value which craftsmen put on their tools...
Antique Japanese Carpenter Reel, Sumi Tsubo, Ink Line. 8.25 x 3.5 inches, 21 x 9 cm. It is rare to see sumi tsubo (Japanese carpenter's reel or inkline used for layout) fully intact with all its parts, including line and original stick pin, like this one. The Japanese word for tools is Dogu, which was originally the word for an itinerant monk's belongings. It alludes to the spiritual value which craftsmen put on their tools...
A rare oval und convex shaped Japanese iron sword guard with two amaryu in gold nunome. Condition: good. Dimensions: 6,9 cm high x 6,1 cm wide.
Rare quality nobori Japanese banner for Boy’s day; beautiful hand-dyed work of the samurais on cotton. The nobori banners were originally used in the battlefields to shift the troops and to show the warriors the location of their generals. The designs on the banners were much simpler then and some were quite large. They must have had a scaring effect on the enemy when
they saw so many flying banners in the sky approaching towards them.
When Ieyasu (Tokugawa) took a control an...
Antique Japanese samurai doll, a flag-bearer sitting on a chair, 15 inches tall to the top of his head. This is a popular retainer doll paired with a general doll for the Japanese Boy’s Day. All the retainer dolls are usually not handsome; some look quite funny contrary to the handsome general dolls. You can even see a size difference for some in the set; there will be a big handsome general doll and a small retainer doll with a funny face to enhance the difference. The armor and clothes on ...
Japanese tobacco pouch and kiseruzutsu pipe case in carved red and black lacquer (tsuishu, tsuikoku) with Chinese sages in a rocky landscape. The pouch is delicately hand embroidered in brown tones with the finest silk thread depicting flowers (morning glories?) and leaves with vines. The pocket inside is made out of a Sarasa fabric (treasured cotton fabric by tea masters from Edo period - they were originally brought from India during 16 - 17 centuries ) which is lined with a soft leather. ...
Old Japanese Arita vase painted with peonies, plums and chrysanthemum flowers with leaves, tree and rocks in under-glazed blue. Mint condition, circa Meiji period (1868-1912). 9 1/4" in diameter x 12 1/4"H
Antique Japanese samurai doll of the epic hero Yoshitsune Minamoto. Seated with one foot forward, wonderful suit of armor, fantastic face with glass eyes and wonderful heroic expression, long hair gathered in the back.
Size: 25" high
Japanese futon cover with design of crane and turtle, design of Shouchikubai (the Three Friends: pine, plum, and bamboo) in the background, colorful paste resist on cotton, 2 panels, tabs added at top, signed.
Size: 62 1/2” high x 52 1/2” wide
Condition: one nice repair, very good condition
Gorgeous and dramatic antique Japanese Satsuma ware lidded container, stands on 3 legs, decorated with three lively fu-dogs, body is decorated with
designs of noblemen on one side and children playing on the other, minor repair to one leg, Meiji Period (c. 1880's).
Size: 17 1/2" high x 13" wide.
Rare and massive 4-colour (white, blue, black and red) hand painted porcelain Hibachi, top condition, Pine branch tips and Crane motif. This piece has smaller key fret designs encircling the top and the bottom as well as very elegant and decorative diaper patterns. Pre 1920, Japan, size: H. 24cm x 30cm diameter
A small eggshell-thin dish with a decoration of two birds and two fan-shaped panels - one with a landscape, the other with a poem (?), all in a variety of colours, 19th c. Wing of one bird has been painted as to conceal a glaze bubble, an indication of age. Overglaze red marks: Hirado san, Mikawachi. Diameter "5 ½/ 13 cm. Condition: fine.
Japanese fukusa, a silk satin gift cover depicting the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. The development of the Japanese fukusa is closely associated with their custom of gift giving. Japan has been a farming country until recently and crops were directly affected by nature (draft, floods, etc). The rituals were held within their own communities and fresh crops were offered to god. To irrigate and lay the roads, they needed the better their work relationship. The custom of eating and drink...
Antique Fukusa, a Japanese gift cover with a pair of cranes and pine Tree. This type of silk fukusa was used as a gift cover at the time of a gift-giving ceremony held prior to a wedding. This was one of the rare occasions that the recipients were expected to keep the fukusa as a gift since any return associated with a wedding was considered a bad omen.
The crane and pine trees are both regarded as the symbol of harmonious marriage and longevity in Japan. The design on this fukusa ...
Fukusa, Japanese Gift Cover, Pine, Bamboo and Plums on Fans: This type of fukusa is a covering placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. This is an elegant old satin silk Fukusa in excellent condition. It is not as shiny as it looks in photos. The lining is an old, red (light red color, not orange as it appears in some photos) crepe silk with padding on the rims. Exceptionally beautiful work of embroidery and silver couc...
