Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (197)

A Karatsu ware tea bowl with silver mending (gin-tsugi) which is mending technique, broken pieces are put together with urushi and then silver powder is applied. It has simple painting which is called E-karatsu. Karatsu ware has been produced in the east part of Saga and the north part of Nagasaki prefectures in Kyushu since late 16th century. This one is made of four fragments of Karatsu-yaki (yobi-tsugi). Probably 17th century. Diameter:13cm, H:4 to 5cm

Tsugaru kogin kimono made of vegetable indigo dye hemp whose warps and wefts are hand plied. It is made in Tsugaru region in Aomori prefecture in Tohoku district. This kogin is called "Nishi-Kogin" which has stripes in shoulders. It is for enforcement of shoulders for a charcoal maker who brings a burden. Kogin is a kind of sashiko and its yarn is white cotton, making the hemp kimono warmer with thick sashiko in the colder district. It has several different kinds of kogin pattern...

Rice bag made of fragments of hand-spun cotton with stripes, katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and checks, all vegetable indigo and brown dye. The cord is cotton. Kome-bukuro was used when people dedicated rice to temples or shrines. In excellent condition except for several mending. The first half of the 20th century. W:44cm, H:33cm

Hemp cloth for child's ceremonial kimono with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and hand-painting, the technique is called Kata-Yuzen. The weft and warp are hand plied. Both long cloths have cuts in the center for the neck and front cloth is narrower than back cloth. Generally, in good condition except for a bit of color fading. 19th century. Two short pieces, W:35.6cm, L:49cm, A short piece, W:35cm x 134cm, Two long pieces for a body part, W:35cm &27.5cm, L:236cm

Andon-sara which is a bobeche to receive oil in "andon", a paper shade lamp. It is made in Seto in Aichi prefecture, which is one of major six old kilns in Japan. It has hand-drawn flowers and a butterfly design. 19th century. In good condition. Diameter:22cm, H:1cm

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

Kataginu, a top part of kamishimo which is a formal wear of samurai, worn over summer kimono. It is made of hemp and vegetable indigo dye. The weaving technique is "mojiri-ori" (warp crossing). Family crest design is faded but in good condition. 19th century. 66cm x 66cm

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

Three gods of fire which are unglazed earthenware made of clay. Fire has been thought as sacred and gods of fire have been put near furnaces, cooking stoves (kamado) and open fireplace (irori) for protecting from disasters and uncleanness. It is not clear where they are from, probably Tohoku district. All in good condition, no chip or crack.19th century. Height:20cm, Width:11 to 12cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century, however one of mending paper has letters "Taisho 4 (1916). Top:87cm x 32cm, Bottom:75cm x 32cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century. Top:82cm x 32cm, Bottom:82cm x 56cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century. 32cm x 81cm

A woodblock print on washi with 29 ways of wearing tenugui which is the Japanese hand towel made of cotton. It has been using as hand towel as well as hat or scarf. In good condition except for a break in one of the corners. Printed by "Isetatsu which was founded in 1864, very late Edo period in kanda in Tokyo. The second half of the 19th century." 25cm x 37.5cm

Kicho made of kosode (meaning kimono with small opening of wrists) which is made of silk damask dyed with beni (safflower). All embroideries are also vegetable dye silk yarn and gold yarn. Kicho is a kind of screen used as blinder, wind guard and partition. It was used in the house of the aristocrats since Heian period (late 8th to 11th century). This one is recycled from kosode kimono possibly late Edo or early Meiji period (mid to late 19th century. The lining is also beni dyed silk damask...

Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with tsutsugaki auspicious motifs of seven treasures (takara-zukushi), which is made of hand-woven cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Tsutsugaki is paste-resist-dye and colors are added with mostly pigments. Treasures are: sacred jems, cloves, a lucky mullet, a hiding hat, a coat, citruses and so on. It is made in Kyushu in Meiji period (1868～1912)　In good condition except for three mending patches and some tiny holes. 94cm x 124cm

Han-juban, short under kimono, made of hand-spun cotton and dyed with benibana (safflower). The dye technique is Beni-itajime which is board-clamp dye. The cloth is folded in some layers between two boards which are pattern carved and generally about 12 boards are used to dye about 22m length of cloth. Beni-itajime was mostly dyed in Kyoto until the end of Edo period but it was practiced in other places later. The lining is also hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. In excellent condition...

Fireman's hat with hand-stitched sashiko (quilting). The outside cloth is dyed with vegetable indigo and the lining is dyed with natural brown. Two belts are recycled from old cotton cloth with katazome. In good condition. Meiji period (1868～1912). W:33cm, L:55cm

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

Large furoshiki made of hand-spun cotton with tsutsugaki design which are auspicious motifs, such as fukura suzume (sparrow), bamboo, pine tree. plum flower and scrolls. Vegetable indigo and natural brown dye. In good condition except for some brown color faded parts and a rip (2cm). The second half of the 19th century. 130cm x 140cm

Kurume kasuri futonji (bedding) with geometric pattern. Kurume kasuri was invented by Inoue Den around 1800, a woman lived in Kurume in Fukuoka prefecture in Kyushu. This futonji is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Weaving of Kurume kasuri changed from handloom to machine weaving around 1883, so it may be woven before 1883. In excellent condition Late 19th century. 130cm x 144cm

Ema, a wooden pictorial offering on which writing one's wishes. This one is rare one with miniature iron swords which belong to Fudo Myoo (Cetaka). It has writings, "Fudo Myoo", " Ohshu, Sukagawa Nakamachi". It is the place in Fukushima prefecture in Tohoku district. In good condition. The first half of the 19th century. L:47cm, W:28cm

Futonji with tsutsugaki (paste-resist-dye with free-hand)) auspicious motifs, such as crane, treasure ball, plum flower, bamboo, pine, fan etc. It is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. In excellent condition except for a mending patch and a few tiny holes (4mm x 4mm). Meiji period (1968～1912). 126cm x 148cm.

Huge cotton cloth with dynamic and vivid Shishi (lion), peonies, waves and tachibana (citrus) with tsutsugaki (glue resist dye). The tsutsugaki technique is excellent and lines are very smooth and powerful by a prominent craftsperson. Judging from the shape and size, it might have been used for "Shishimai" (lion dance) at the festival, held in Fukui, Toyama or Ishikawa Prefecture. In excellent condition. Meiji period (1969～1912)

Baby's juban (under kimono) handwoven of hemp whose wefts are hand-plied but warps are machine-spun. It is dyed with benibana (safflower). In good condition. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:33cm, L:62cm

Chogappo made of fragments of ramie which is recycled from old 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). Hemp or ramie ones are for wrapping summer clothing. In excellent condition. Late 19th to early 20th century. 100cm x 104cm

Chogappo made of fragments of hemp which is recycled from old textiles. Both warps and wefts are hand-plied. Pojagi" is the general name for the wrapping cloth and "chogappo" is one kind of pojagi which is patchworked with asa (choma, ramie or hemp) fragments. (Reference source: "Korean Embroidery and Wrapping Cloths from the Choson Dynasty" published by Japan Art & Culture Association in 1995). The first half of the 20thHemp or Ramie ones are for wrapping summer clothing...

A bag made of deer skin which coins were put in. The money distributed in civil society was mostly coins in Edo period. Paper moneys were issued in Meiji period (1868~1912) All hand-sewn and in excellent condition. The first half of the 19th century. L:65cm, w:24cm

Three baby's kimonos, all three have lining with thin cotton for warmth. Two kimonos in yellow and brown stripes are from Akita prefecture where is the product place of Akita-hachijo, which is plain weave tsumugi (pongee silk) dyed with vegetable yellow and brown. Two of them have charm made of silk crepe in the back. Some of kimono for a baby or a child have charms in the back as evils believed to come from the back. The red kimono is made of cotton with katazome...

Furoshiki made of handspun cotton and natural brown dye. It has family crest and katazome asanoha (hemp leaf) and check design. Generally, in good condition but it has some brown color faded parts. It has brown cotton belt for hangong in the back. 19th century. 128cm x 132cm

A Karatsu ware tea bowl with gold mending. It has simple paintings which is called E-karatsu. Karatsu ware has been produced in the east part of Saga Pref. and the north part of Nagasaki Pref. in Kyushu since late 16th century. Age is not clear. It is possible that is made by modern artist. However, kintsugi (mending by gold) is enjoyable. Diameter:15cm, Height:5cm

"Muji Hakeme Chawan" which is brushed with white engobe over dark color paste containing iron, and then burned with clear glaze. It is made in Korea in 15th to 16th century during the Joseon Dynasty (1392∼1912). It has kintsugi (mending with urushi and gold powder). It has a paulownia matching box. Diameter:17cm Height:7.5cm

A pair of fireman's globes made of indigo dye cotton with sashiko (quilting) with cotton yarn. Used but in good condition. 19th to early 20th century. W:16cm, L:43cm

Uchishiki which is one of temple decorations put under the altar. This one is made of "hangiri" (pants), which is one of No costumes. It is made of blue ground silk satin with "hiun and uroko" (flying cloud and fish scale) design with gold treads. It has kanji letters "Meiji 5 (1873)"in the back, however it is the date when it was dedicated, so the age of the cloth might have been from late Edo period. Real gold thread is woven for the design...

Nirayama-kasa which was worn by samurai when they practiced artillery. It is made of washi (Japanese handmade paper) yarn and black urushi painted outside and kakishibu inside. It has hand-painted wave and bamboo design with gold but faded much. Nirayama-kasa was made in Ansei (1854~1860), very late Edo period. It was used in Kanto area, not in Kansai area, according to the "Kinsei Fuzokushi" written by Morisada Manko around mid 19th century. Generally in good condition but has some wear...

Shimacho with more than 545 fragments which are mostly hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye...

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of asa whose warp and weft are hand-plied. It looks choma (ramie) than taima (hemp), however it is not proven till it is looked by a microscope. Child's or baby's kimono was recycled from adult's and so did this one. It has some stains. The folded seam in the body is unseamed. The second half of the 19th century. 96cm x 115cm

A sample book of cotton stripes with 352 fragments in 29 pages which are handspun and vegetable indigo dye. The name of the owner: 南島隈衛、Minamishima Kumaei. Meiji 8 (1876), Shinano (Nagano prefecture). In good condition. 19.5cm x 11cm x 2cm

A mirror made of copper with wood stand which is one of "Sanshu-no-Jingi", the Three Imperial Regalia. In ancient time, all natural objects and phenomena were worshipped in Shinto, but three items such as mirror, jewel and sword are objects to be worshipped later. A mirror is often put in the shrine pavilion these days. This mirror is rather small, so it might have been put in a house shrine. In excellent condition with molded auspicious design with a crane, a turtle, pine trees and bamboos. Kan...

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes with 182 fragments which are mostly hand-spun and vegetable dye. The book is "daifuku-cho", a record book of a merchant. It has the age Keio 2nd, 1866. 11 pages with fragments. The second half of the 19th century. 16cm x 22cm

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

A piece of Iyo-zome cloth which was futonji (bedding). It is made of hand-spun cotton and has katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern. The name Iyo-zome is originated from Iyo sudare (bamboo screen) since the pattern looks like wood grain by looking through two layers of them. Stripes are dyed with two katagami (stencil paper), one is vegetable indigo and the other is natural brown dye. Two katagami are dyed by displacing them so that they make wood grain like pattern. Iyo-zome was very popular in...

A piece of Iyo-zome cloth which was futonji (bedding). It is made of hand-spun cotton and has katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern. The name Iyo-zome is originated from Iyo sudare (bamboo screen) since the pattern looks like wood grain by looking through two layers of them. Stripes are dyed with two katagami (stencil paper), one is vegetable indigo and the other is natural brown dye. Two katagami are dyed by displacing them so that they make wood grain like pattern. Iyo-zome was very popular in...

Omi-e-kasuri (pictorial kasuri) with double kasuri pine and bamboo motif. It is handwoven of taima (hemp) and weft yarn with pine tree pattern is clamp-board dye so that the textile has white bar-code like lines in both selvedges. Both choma (ramie) and taima (hemp) textiles were woven from 12th century in Omi region in Shiga prefecture, but kasuri textiles were woven of taima (hemp). In excellent condition but the white lining has light stains and very light two spots in the upper back. Late 19...

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

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

Asa (hemp) noren (shop curtain) with "Mitsui" which is a logo of a noted general trading company and was a successful kimono textile dealer in Edo period. Both warp and weft are hand-plied and all hand-sewn. In good condition and has some wear on the selvedge from heavy use and washing. Late 19th early 20th century. W:144cm, L:132cm

Tenmokujawan, a tea bowl which is mended with kintsugi with seigaiha (wave pattern) makie. Tenmokujawan is a pottery tea bowl which is fired with Tenmoku glaze (iron glaze). It is made in Seto in Aichi prefecture, one of places where copies of Chinese potteries were manufactured. 17th or 18th century. Diameter:11.8cm, H:5.8cm

Amazing boro which used to be noragi (work wear). It is made of many fragments of vegetable indigo dye and hand^spun cotton cloth. It is from cold areas such as Tohoku or Japan Sea Side where cotton could not be cultivated and cotton cloth for kimono was expensive so that people bought fragments which were brought from warm areas such as Shikoku , Kandsai or Chubu districts. The second half of the 19th century. Measurement: Approx. 160cm x 150cm

Uma-gake (horse cover) made of hand-spun cotton and has hand-drawn tsutsugaki design whose motifs are hyotan (gourd), tassel and kanji letters. Letters can be either the place or horse's name. This colorful one was used for a festival or a ceremony. It has red cotton lining. In excellent condition. 19th century. 31.5cm x 2m36cm The last image is one hint how uma-gake was used from the woodblock print, ukiyo-e by Katsushika Hokusai (1760～1849).

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

A fragment of cotton cloth with tsutsugaki turtle and crane design which is an auspicious motif. The cloth is hand-spun cotton and natural dye. It is probably a fragment of nobori (banner). It has calligraphy in one of the hems, but not readable. In good condition. The first half of the 19th century. 32cm x 74.5cm

Kohai, a halo made of metal (copper). Very little bit of gold plate is left. 19th century. L:38.5cm, W:13cm

Two Saga-men, Okame and Hyottoko which were sold in front of temples in Saga region in Kyoto since late Edo period (the first half of the 19th century). They were sold as charms against bad luck and evil but interrupted in early 20th century and revived in 1950s. Both are made in late 19th to early 20th century. Many layers of wastepaper are pasted on the plaster model and colored. Hyottoko-men is not finished. Okame mask has some paint came off. Okame: L:20cm, W:13.5cm Hyottoko: L:18cm, W:14...

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). Kanji characters read "Hakkai-san" which is a group of cragged mountains and has been worshipped since ancient time, located ...

Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. 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. This one is made of asa (hemp) and both warp and weft are hand-plied. Red stamps of holy places are much faded but the kanji character read "Omine-san" that is located in southern Nara prefecture and a par...

Two pieces of urumi-zome cloth which are made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Urumi-zome is katazome (stencil-resist-dye) imitating shibori-zome (tie-dye) and it requires more process than common katazome to make blurring like shibori. Both have rips but other part of the cloth is not weak. The right one has a patch in the back. The second half of the 19th century. Right one:75cm x 126cm, Left one:65cm x 126cm

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. It was performed...

Large cloth which is recycled from hemp maku (shroud) with Tomoe-mon crest (three-way), dyed with vegetable indigo and painted with sumi (ink). Both warp and weft yarn are hand-plied. The original maku might have been used in the temple or shirine, or on the occasion of rites and festivals. Generally in god condition but has a few mending patches and the indigo blue faded parts and wear. 19th century. 148cm x 2m80cm

A gun powder container (kayaku-ire) made of twisted paper string and urushi (lacquer) is painted. It is very sturdy and light-weight so that it was made to many living wares such as a bowl, a sake cup, jingasa (hat), tobacco pouch, trunk, etc. from Edo period. In excellent condition with a deer skin pouch. 19th century. W:7cm H:16.5cm

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. In good condition with an original box...