Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (184)

This is a suo kamishimo ( top and bottom which were a formal kimono for samurai in Edo period ). The occasion when this suo kamishimo was worn is not clear ( ceremony or stage ). This suo kamishimo is made by hand-plied and hand-woven asa ( hemp ) cloth with bold tatewaku pattern which is katazome ( stencil-dyeing ). It has round bunches of asa threads for ornaments which are called "kiku-toji" or "kikuji". In excellent condition except for a small moth holes and a rip ( 11th and 12th photos )...

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

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

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...