Arai Yoshimune
Fishing Boat
Date: 1910s.
This edition late 1950s or later.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 11.5 x 8.25 inches.
Artist's seal at left.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. Seal at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top margin has faint yellowish spot.

Four volumes of sample books of mingei textiles which are all natural dye and handwoven from Aomori to Kagoshima prefecture. Some are designated as intangible national assets, however some haven't been woven anymore now, and some are reproduced. They include precious bast fibers such as fuji-fu (wisteria), shina-fu, kuzu-fu and so on. They also have natural dye textiles such as shikon-zome, akane-zome, indigo dye Arimatsu Narumi shibori, tsumugi and so on...

A fisherman's work wear hand-woven of hemp for the weft and cotton yarn for the warp. Stripes are vegetable indigo dye and also natural color cotton yarn. It is from Tsushima in Nagasaki prefecture, an island located between Korean Peninsula and north Kyushu, and the textile is called Tsushima-asa. It had been woven till 1930s, but not woven since then, so it is precious, especially in this excellent condition one...

Kawase Hasui
Chuzenji, Utagahama
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.55 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
6mm Watanabe publisher's seal indicating printing between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #264.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Original drying pinhole in margin. Pencil note at back bottom margin. A margin crease.

A bag made of hand-spun cotton with shibori (tie-dye) and katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern which is vegetable indigo dye. It has cotton lining with kasuri pattern which is also hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye and thinly padded with cotton. Generally in good condition except for a few stains. The first half of the 20th century. 30cm x 41cm

Nicely carved mask with refined features which suggest a feminine mask. Ivory Coast/Liberia, Dan ethnic group, early 20th century. Height: 24.5 cm. The mask is mounted on a custom stand. Ols insect infestation (no danger), old cracks, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old French collection.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Morning Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, 1936.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Doi watermark.
Carver: Ikeda. Printer: Onohiko. This seal combination indicates printing between 1948-1950.
Reference: Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-38.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A couple of very faint foxing spots in the sky.

Among the Naga, the libation is a religious ritual to offer a drink (milk, alcohol, ...) to a deity. The Naga tribes are located in East India, district of Aranuchal Praddesh, these areas have remained in a great isolation until at the end of the 20 th century These horns come from large wild bovids "Bos frontalis" locally called "gayal or even "mithan"...

Bamboo and rattan ikebana basket (hanakago), rectangular format stretched in its height and Chinese style. Thicker bamboo braids on the four sides. Includes a bamboo sheet vase intended to receive the floral arrangement.

Ikebana or Ka-do (the way of flowers) is a traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Contrary to Western floral art, ikebana does not aim at highlighting only the beauty of flowers and the harmony of colors...

Polychrome lacquered wood sculpture of a tanuki dressed as a pilgrim, carrying its baby on its back. Their eyes are in horn.

The tanuki is a kind of racoon dog which is part of the yôkai (spirits) of Japanese folklore. It is endowed with magical powers: it can metamorphose and take many different forms. This spirit is a symbol of luck and prosperity...

Kawase Hasui
Panoramic View of the Daisensui Pond (Kiyosumi Garden, Mitsubishi Fukagawa Detached Villa)
One of eight views commissioned by the Iwasaki family (owners of Mitsubishi).
Date: 1920.
Size: Horizontal nagaban 18.75 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Sealed Hasui and dated in the image...

Kawase Hasui
Guest House in the Pines on the Pond's Edge (Kiyosumi Garden, Mitsubishi Fukagawa Detached Villa)
One of eight views commissioned by the Iwasaki Family (owners of Mitsubishi).
Date: 1920.
Size: Horizontal nagaban 18.5 x 7.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed, sealed, and dated in the image.
Kiyozumien (Kiyosumi Garden) noted at bottom margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #50.
Condition: Top back co...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Shinagawa (Rainy Season at Ryoshimachi)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Round, black 6 mm seal at lower right, indicating a lifetime printing (1946-1957).
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #218.
Condition: Original drying pinhole in left margin. Slight fading.
"Shinagawa was the 1st station on the Tokaido." - Hotei.

Ikebana basket (hanakago) in wickerwork of polished bamboo of elongated cylindrical shape, with a twisted handle in shape of a bamboo.

Ikebana or Ka-do (the way of flowers) is a traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike Western floral art, ikebana does not aim to emphasize only the beauty of the flowers and the harmony of colours...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Lake Sai Sunset (aka. Mt. Fuji at Sunset OR Mt. Fuji from Lake Sai)
Date: 1938.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten, also bears Doi watermark.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates an early postwar edition (1950-63).
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-DH-49.
Condition: Old tear repair at right margin and image edge. Paper is thinner in this area.

A fine Noh mask, with strong features, representing the character of Ayakashi, the malign aspect of a general killed in battle. Wood, with polychrome and gold painting, eyes made of brass. The mask is signed. Japan, early 20th century. Height: 21.7 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: The name "Ayakashi" also refers to an apparition with mysterious spiritual powers, or a vengeful sea-dwelling spirit...

Three pieces of wood plates with red and black urushi (lacquer). The bottom two are same ones but the top one is a bit different. Generally in good condition but have some minor flaws. Top: 10.3cm x 3cm, Bottom two: 10cm x 2.5cm

A vintage Japanese Sado Mizuya (kitchenette for tea ceremony) made of Hinoki (Cypress). Used for storing tea bowls, brush whisks, ladles, tea caddies and various tea ceremony accoutrements. Bottom left drawer is copper lined to hold water that is drained from the bamboo grill above that holds newly washed bowls. Various shelves and hanging posts used for organizing and storage...