Samurai Yoritomo (Minamonoto) Japanese Doll, first Kamakura Shogun dressed in Suoh, high ranking Samurai's attire in Kamakura Period. The doll was possibly made by Maruhei in Kyoto. Circa Taisho period, 1920-1930. Damages in the black cloth hat.

The measurements: 14 inches to the tip of his hair and 13 inches across the sleeves at the bottom when the doll is displayed. The bow is a new addition.

Edo Period (circa 1750) Large Japanese Wood Sculpture of a Shrine Horse, a gift from an upper-class family to a shrine. Images of Horses are highly prized in Japan. It is commissioned and presented to protect a newborn male child. Rising up on its back legs, set to gallop, it strikes an animated, exciting, and beautiful pose that sets it apart from the usual static poses that these horses have...

Early Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Empress Hina Ningyô (Girls Day Doll) She really has quite a regal presence. She wears wears the many layered Kimono of Royalty, featuring elaborate embroidery. She has a beautifully carved face, covered with Gofun (Oyster Shell Lacquer). Her fantastic crown is something special. 11.5 inches (29 cm) high and 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Early Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Isho Ningyô of Sugawara no Michizane dressed in court attire. After his death, he was deified as Tenjin, the God of Literature and Knowledge. He gives an impressive appearance, elegant and commanding. His face bears an imperial expression. 28 inches, 71 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Edo Period (circa 1820) Japanese Musha Ningyo of Ushiwaka- maru, a brave boy who grew up to be the great warrior Minamoto Yoshitsune. This is a wonderful, rare early example with ail of his original accessories. He is wearing sumptuous brocades and lacquered armor and has a wonderful bearing and just a great face. 13.25 inches, (33.5cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Edo Period (circa 1800) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) in court attire. This early example is wearing a court hat and court robes of sumptuous brocades. He is holding a fan and sword at his side. It is of very high quality and likely made for a Daimyo family. 11.5 inches, 29 cm tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Late 19th Century Japanese Kazari-Uma (Battle Horse). This deluxe extraordinary example is attributed to Marurei, one of the most important Ningyô artists. He now has Japanese National Treasure status. This handsomely adorned military horse is displayed on a Boys Day stand. The body hair is done by a technique called Ke-Ue-Saiku "fine work of fur planting" in which silk hairs are pasted on. It has gorgeous silk and lacquer trappings. It is positioned on a fine lacquered stand...

Japanese Hai Hai Gosho Ningyô. This extremely rare form of Japanese Doll is one of the most sought after of Gosho (Palace Doll). They were presented to royalty and upper class at the birth of a baby, and placed in the baby's chamber to protect from bad spirits. This is a very large example of this type of Gosho. It is covered with many layers of Gofun (Oyster Shell Lacquer) over papier mache. The hair is made entirely of silk...

Rare Large Edo Period (circa 1830-1860) Japanese Gosho Ningyo Depicting a Sumo Wrestler, clothed in exceptional finely embroidered textile with a floral design and Shishi (guardian of Buddha) on chirimen silk crepe. This large scale, wood-carved Ningyô has a beautifully rendered expressive face lacquered with Gofun (Oyster Shell). The pose is most striking, as well. Really an extraordinary find for the Ningyô enthusiast. 18 inches, 46 cm...

Large Meiji Period (circa 1900) Japanese Arita Porcelain Charger. Blue and white with gold accents, featuring an elegant stylized landscape and using sticking glazes to create a wonderful work of art. 16 inches, 41cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society. Pristine Condition.

A Splendid Meiji Period Kyo Satsuma Vase with overglaze enamel decoration by the very well known potter, Taizan Yohei IX, and one of the Meiji Period's foremost painters, Kono Bairei. cf. Meiji Ceramics by Giesela Jahn, page 157, figure 81. Taizan was a renowned Kyoto potter who exhibited and won prizes at a number of international events, including the 1893 Chicago World Expo...

Large Japanese temple cloth woven with cotton and strips of paper, great for a wall decoration. The dimensions are 107" x 47" (271.8cm x 119.4cm). Many things in Japan were made from paper, just like soy sauce was added in almost all cooking. Textiles were no exception. Some monks in Japan still make their own paper for their clothes. There are few beautiful samurai haori jackets made out of paper that still exist today in textile museums (which we have only seen in photos)...

Antique musician dolls for the Japanese Hina Matsuri Festival (Girl’s Day) which is held every March third. Displayed with the ladies-in-waiting, ministers and servants dolls, they are the entertainers of the Imperial Court.

The dolls are from early 1900s, the late Meiji period to early Showa period. The body is made out of straw, old glass eyes and their faces (wood or wood powder) are covered with layers of gofun (white surface coating made out of ground oyster shell and animal glue)...

Beautiful Indian silver repouse bowl decorated with scenes from the life of Shiva in deeply hammered bas relief, 19th century. Weight 201 grams. Size: 11 1/2" wide x 8" high

Japanese pair of heavy pure silver vases decorated with incised chrysanthemums, copper overlay on leaves, raised chrysanthemum mon on neck of each vase with gold overlay, Meiji Period (1868-1912), signed: Migen Yoshihiku Koku. Size: 12" high each.

This small wooden box has a charming scene with 2 happy dragons carved into the sliding top. All 4 sides are carved. Late Qing period, box is in good condition, and measures 5" x 3" x 1.5

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...

Late 1800s

Bubble-suffused apple green glass made to imitate jadeite, good condition.

Diameter: 3 ½ in. ext., 2 ¾ in. int.

Late 1800s

Bubble-suffused yellow glass in good condition still attached to original paper backing that reads: “Kwan Yick, Canton China.” Some minute speckled inclusions.

Diameter: 3 3/8 in. ext., 2 ¾ in. int.

Late 1800s

Turquoise blue glass in good condition still attached to original paper backing that reads: “Kwan Yick, Canton China.”

Diameter: 3 3/8 in. ext., 2 ¾ in. int.

Late 1800s

Deep, translucent cobalt glass in good condition.

Diameter: 2 7/8 in. ext., 2 ¼ in. int.

Beautifully carved powder horn from Chinese Miao ethnic minority over 90 years old from Guizhou Province. The underside of the horn is full of old writing. Unfortunately, no one can read the old writing. Around the turn of the century the forests around the Miao villages were full of game and the men would frequently hunt for game to provide family meals. Unfortunately, most of the game has diminished and many of the hunting skills are forgotten.

Ming Dynasty, 1500s

Male attendant figure made for interment to assist with the afterlife of the tomb’s upper-class occupant...

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. The bases are inscribed with the artist’s name: Hakuzan...

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. in diameter in which a pronged flower holder can be placed to support stems and branches of the ...

Meiji period, ca. 1880

The bronze disk forming the base is decorated with an evening floral scene with an inlaid silver moon with incised stylized clouds. The incised plum branch is set with inlaid gilt copper flower blossoms. The large blossoms in high relief are overlaid with silver and have inlaid gold leaves and copper leaves in relief. The well is finely woven to resemble bamboo basketry using thin strips of patinated copper and finished off with a rim in bronze convincingly cast to l...

Choson period, 1800s

Covered entirely except for the footring in a clear glaze with a bluish tinge. Open to the base to accommodate a stemcup. Very good condition. No cracks or chips. Some sand adheres to the foot and base.

Diameter: 4 5/8 in.; Height: 3 ¼ in.

Classical laos silk, hand woven and hand dyed. This silk comes with the feeling of subtlety found only in old textiles.

Age: Laos, circa early 20th century
Measurement: Length 276 C.M. / Width 78 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall (some expected degradation due to its age). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.

Koryo Dynasty, 1100s

Glazed entirely including the foot and base with a pale greenish-grey glaze, and decorated on two sides with bold stylized calligraphic designs. Good condition except for a small chip to the mouth rim. The foot retains evidence of at least eight spurs on which it was fired and possibly a dusting of wood ash from the firing adding character and a bit of visual texture to the upper body.

Diameter: 3 ½ in.; Height: 2 ¼ in.

Choson period, 1800s

Scene of three sailing boats on a sea surrounded by mountains and a rocky shore. The two curving sides have a line of stylized brushwork. The flat base has sand and kiln grit adherence. Very good condition, with only very minor wear.

Length: 3 in.; Height: 1 in.

Acquired in Osaka, Japan in mid 1970s.

Late Choson period, ca. 1900

Decorated in cobalt blue with a design of chrysanthemum and bamboo, stoutly potted and glazed with a clear glaze of faintly aqua tint. Very minor glaze pitting and surface scratches, slight wood ash dusting seen mostly on the shoulder of one side, small amount of sand adhering to the foot, otherwise very good condition.

Height: 10 ¼ 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. Probably produced in a Kyoto fan workshop by one of a number of Nara ehon picture book painters that migrated to Kyoto from Nara.

Condition is good considering age and original use as a fan, some surface wear to pigments, slight smudging, losses to gilding, light creases and wrinkles, old backing from door or screen mounting remains

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. Probably produced in a Kyoto fan workshop by one of a number of Nara ehon picture book painters that migrated to Kyoto from Nara.

Condition is good considering age and original use as a fan, some surface wear to pigments, slight smudging, losses to gilding, light creases and wrinkles, old backing from door or screen mounting remains

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. He had been challenging strangers to sword fights so that he could get their swo...

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

The body of this antique Miao Chinese powder horn is carved with large spider web, small foo dogs, and clouds. The stopper is carved into a lotus blossom. The Miao believe that passed relatives take the form of spiders to visit and watch family members, so spider webs are left undisturbed in the home. This horn is from Kali area and is in excellent condition. It is 80-90 years old and approx 9" long.

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. The upper image by Hiroshige is a temple scene.

Signed Kunisada and Hiroshige on respective images, aratame seal and publisher’s seal on left margin, very good impression and color, very light wear and minor thinning at edges, not backed.

Oban tate-e: 9 7/8 x 14...