Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (204)

Cotton Wa-sarasa produced in Kyoto, called Kyo Sarasa. The word "Sarasa" means cotton cloth with designs which are hand-painted, woodblock printed and copper plate printed, Those sarasa cloth were brought by trade from India, Europe, Persia (Iran), Java etc. in 16th and 17th century. Cotton with colorful and exotic design fascinated Japanese people, especially tea ceremony masters and rich civilians...

Beautiful Okinawan uchikui which is a furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with cherry blossom design. The dye technique is tsutsugaki and bingata-zome which is traditional Okinawan dyeing technique adding colorful vegetable color or pigment. Uchikui is dyed with either tsutsugaki or katazome (stencil-resist-dye). Uchikui is used for not only wrapping but also covering gifts. This uchikui is two panels sewn together. Wefts are choma (ramie) and warps are cotton...

Hagi-isho juban (under kimono) made of silk in many kinds such as silk crepe, figured silk, pongee silk and wild silk. The patterns are: komon (stencil-dyed small pattern), stripes, checks, kasuri (ikat) and solid color. The lining is indigo dyed pongee silk and floss silk in the hem. All the dyes are vegetable such as benibana (safflower), indigo, purple grass root and so on. In excellent condition. Mid 19th to early 20th century. 127cm x 138cm

Noren, a shop curtain made of hemp (taima) whose wefts and warps are hand plied and dyed with kakishibu (persimmon tannin). It has the shop logo "Tawara (俵）”with sumi. All hand sewn. In good condition but has some stains and a hole (1cm x 0.5cm) and mending stitches. The second half of the 19th to early 20th century. W:125cm, L:147cm

Chogappo made of fragments of asa (choma,ramie or hemp) whose wefts and warps are hand-plied. "Pojagi" is the general name for the wrapping cloth and "chogappo" is one kind of pojagi which is patch-worked with asa or silk fragments.(reference source: "Korean Embroidery and Wrapping Cloths from the Choson Dynasty" published by Japan Art & Culture Association in 1995) Late 19th to early 20th century. In excellent condition except for one hole in the longest belt. All hand-sewn...

A bag made of asa (hemp) and dyed with kakishibu (persimmon tannin). Warp and weft are hand-plied. It has and cotton lining. Late 19th to early 20th century. 27cm x 60cm

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes and checks (check pattern was also called "shima" before. Some has both stripes and kasuri. Mostly vegetable indigo dyed but some of colored warps are chemical and some fragments are machine woven. 40 pages with 613 fragments. In excellent condition. Meiji (1868~1912) 24.5cm x 18.5cm x 2.5cm

Kimono, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. "Suzu" means bamboo grass. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. It is made of thick cotton and dyed with sumi (ink)...

Large bag made of vegetable indigo dye hemp which looks recycled from hemp mosquito net, whose warps and wefts are hand-plied. The second half of the 20th century. 63cm x 88cm

Chogappo made of fragments of choma (ramie), one of bast fibers, which is recycled from white and dyed ramie textiles. Pojagi is the general name for the wrapping cloth and "chogappo" is one kind of pojagi which is patchworked with asa (choma or hemp) fragments. (Reference source: "Korean Embroidery and Wrapping Cloths from the Choson Dynasty" published by Japan Art & Culture Association in 1995). Both warps and wefts are hand-plied for all fragments...

Futonji (bedding) with tsutsugaki phoenix and paulownia tree design which is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye and colored with pigments. Phoenix is an imaginary and sacred bird by Chinese lore which perches on paulownia tree and eats fruits of bamboo. Tsutsugaki technique is excellent with fine freehand line. In excellent condition. Meiji period. 134cm x 162cm

This is possibly a card or ticket case made of rare piece of bingata cotton cloth. Bingata is katazome ( stencil-dyeing ) produced in Ryukyu islands ( now Okinawa ). This bingata was produced in 19th century, but this case might have been made later, early 20th century ( sewn by machine ). The lining is silk. In excellent condition. 13cm x 7.7cm

Beni-itajime-zome (board-clamped dyeing with safflower) han-juban (short under kimono). The body part is hand-spun cotton and the sleeves are figured silk and the wrist parts are wool muslin. In good condition but the dirty line in the neck, rips in the front sleeve and some moth holes in the wrists. Late 19th to early 20th century. 125cm x 66cm

Wood Sumikiri-bon with red urushi. Summikiri means a tray whose four corners are cut. Four sides have painted in Negoro style which has partly black urushi. Used and some scratches and chips in both sides . Late 19th to early 20th century. 36.5cm x 36.5cm x 3.5cm

Futonji with tsutsugaki (glue resist dye by free hand) made of hand spun cotton. It has traditional "Karajishi-Botan", imaginary lion and peony motif. The green ground cloth is dyed with vegetable indigo and natural yellow, the painting is colored with pigments. It is remade to futonji from originally yogi, which is a futon in the shape of kimono. The tsutsugaki technique is excellent and in excellent condition. Meiji period (1868~1912).

Two pairs of fireman's gloves made of cotton and hand-stitched sashiko. Long ones are used but in good condition. Short one look almost new. The second half of the 19th century. Long gloves L:40cm, W:17cm. Short gloves L:24cm, W:14cm

This is a gorgeous hagi-isho juban ( under kimono ) which is made of many kinds of silk such as plain silk with katazome ( stencil-dyeing ), silk crepe with itajime ( board-clamp-dyeing ) and katazome ( stencil-dyeing ) and shibori ( tie-dyeing ), wild silk and so on. This piece was exhibited in the show in Japan. It has thin cotton lining inside. Late Edo or early Meiji period ( ca. mid 19th C to early 20th C ). In excellent condition except for a few tiny moth holes...

Cotton futonji with tsutsugaki tsuzumi (hand drums) and cherry blossom design, which is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. The cherry blossoms look "shidare-sakura", weeping cherry. Meiji period (1868~1912). In excellent condition, no hole or no stain. W:130cm, L:144cm

Cotton cloth, called "yu-age”, which is used for a newborn baby. It is ordered by parents of a mother as a congratulatory gift. It has tsutsugaki auspicious motifs, such as a crane, a turtle, pine tree, plum blooms and bamboos. Red part in the top corner is for wiping baby's face, because red color is thought to be good for baby's eyes. It is from Izumo region in Shimane prefecture. In good condition, but the red and indigo blue are a bit faded. Meiji period (1868∼1912）65㎝ x 103cm

Amazing boro made of hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye cotton fragments. It used to be the lining of yogi, which is one kind of futon, in the shape of kimono. It is from the Japan Sea side district in Kansai, such as Fukui or Kyoto. It is partly sewn with hemp yarn. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:95cm, L:165cm

Large furoshiki made of hand spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has tsutsugaki (freehand drawing with paste-resist-dye technique) crane and turtle motif. Used and has some stains and tiny holes. The second half of the 19th century. The crest is "Ken-ni-Katabami Mon, (sword and oxalis). W:132cm, L:145cm

Outside cloth of yogi which is one kind of futon in the shape of kimono, made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has tsutsugaki (glue-resist dyeing) "takara-zukushi" (various treasures) design. In good condition as a whole but has three mending patches in front and a few stains. Meiji period (1868~1912) W:148cm, L:129cm

Bag made of taima or choma (hemp or ramie) whose warp and weft are hand-plied. It has the business mark and the year, Meiji 40 (1908) and the owner's name. Also, it has the place, Kusu-machi in Oita prefecture in Kyushu. In excellent condition. W:33.5cm, L:106cm

Hagoita (battledore) with oshie which is the Japanese traditional craft. Motifs are figures, kabuki actors, flowers, birds etc. They are made into raised pictures with silk crepe with lining of cotton and attached on the wood or paper board. Hagoita is used for the game "hane-tsuki" played on the New Year's Day. Two persons hit a shuttle with hagoita. This one has oshie woman in traditional kimono. It has letters that show it was made in Meiji and in Tokyo...

Asa (hemp) wrapping cloth with hand-drawn tsutsugaki noshi design. Noshi is an auspicious motif which used to be flattened abalone strips and was decorated on a gift. The wefts and warps are both hand-plied. It is colored with pigments. In good condition except for some wear and stains. 19th century. 84cm x 103.5cm

Wood oke, a container with a handle. The strips around it are made of bamboo. Generally in good condition. It has carved character in the bottom but unreadable. The second half of the 19th century. Diameter:20.3cm, Height:23.3cm

Girl's kimono made of hand-spun cotton with flower motif which is Yuzen-zome (hand-painting). The ground cloth is benibana (safflower) dye. Benibana was grown in Yamagata prefecture in Edo period, and it was very precious. It was traded to Kyoto and dyed there for kosode kimono or others for women of a family of high-ranking samurai or merchants. Benibana dye has faded in upper back, but generally in good condition. Late Edo period (mid 19th century) W122cm, L:124cm

Maiwai is a kimono having been given to fishermen from a fish boat owner on the occasion of the large catch. It is seen along the Pacific Ocean, from Aomori to Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. The motif of the picture in the lower part is “Gonin-dachi Kashima Odori”, five people performing Kashima dance which is the group folk dancing originated from Kashima-jingu Shrine in Ibaraki Pref. The design is katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and vegetable indigo dyed and pigments...

Han-gappa which is a kind of jacket worn over kimono. Wefts are silk yarn and warps look cotton yarn. The collar is made of black wool which might be imported, and straps are made of wool cloth and vegetable indigo dye silk cords. In good condition except for a few moth holes in the wool collar and a rip in the shoulder. The second half of the 19th century. 129cm x 98cm

Kappa (cape) made of cotton kasuri on both sides which are hand-spun and natural indigo dyed. It is called "maru-gappa" or "hiki-mawashi" in old days. It was worn on the occasion of travel over kimono. It has washi (Japanese handmade paper) between two cotton cloth which is washed out and soft. The word "kappa" came from Portuguese "capa". The Portuguese first came to Japan in 17th century. The piping　is made of handwoven hemp. Generally in good condition but has some holes and wear in cords. ...

Cotton futonji made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has tsutsugaki auspicious motifs such as crane, turtle, plum blossom, bamboo and pine tree. Tsutsugki technique is excellent. In good condition but has a mending patch causing the lacking part of design and re-sawn by machine, a mending patch and also a snag (2cm) in the upper part. 19th century. W:130cm, L:186cm

Cloth with katazome (stencil-resist dye) which is hand spun and vegetable indigo and pigment dye. In good condition, however slightly colors faded. 19th century. W:32.5cm, L:180cm

Han-juban (short under kimono) made of hand-spun cotton and katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and shibori (tie-dye) pattern which are vegetable indigo dye. Shibori is made in Yokote in Akita prefecture. Late 19th to early 20th century. 56cm x 59cm

This is a set of woman's tobacco case and pipe case which are made of deer skin and has fine katazome ( stencil-dyeing ) komon pattern. The motif is pine needle. It has beautiful clasp of green bean motif which shows prominent craftsmanship in this age. The set also has a pipe, but it seems that it is not an original one as it is shorter than the case. 19th century. In good condition except for some patina. Tobacco case: 12cm x 6.7cm Pipe case: 2.7cm x 20cm

Cotton cloth with tsutsugaki flower motifs which is hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye. Originally it might have been used as 'yutan' (cover for drawers or a chest) with crests, however this one is used for futon cover as it has cotton dusts in the back. In excellent condition except for a minor beige stain in the white part. The second half of the 19th century. 160cm x 65cm

A carpet made of recycled washi fragments which were daifukucho (merchant's record book) or letters, and kakishibu (persimmon tannin) painted for strength and waterproof. It was generally put over tatami mats protecting them from sun beam or dust. It has letters "Kanei 6 (1853)", very late Edo period. It has rips, holes and moth bites. 204cm x 192cm