Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian (87)

Ainu carved wooden doll of woman in traditional Ainu dress. H.12.25"(31cm) x W.4"(10cm.) Finely sculpted features show elements of Ainu traditional apparel & appearance; mouth tattoo, head band and kimono with traditional patterns, and large beaded necklace.

Akebi Hato Guruma, Vine Pigeon on Wheels; Nozawa, Nagano Prefecture. L.4.75"(12cm) x W.2.375"(6cm) x H.2.5"(6.5cm.) ca. 1972, woven akebi vine. The region of Nozawa has long been known for vine weaving craftsmanship, producing utilitarian items like hats, baskets, and teapot trivets. Vines were sourced from nearby mountains and then bleached naturally in local hot springs...

Hamada Shoji saku (made by Shoji Hamada,) Ryuukyuu Kamado (Okinawa Kiln,) Aka-e Chawan (Red overglaze enamel Tea Bowl,) 1972. H. 3”(7.75cm) x Dia. 4.5”(11.5cm.) Footring diameter 2”(5cm.) Weight 13.5oz(384g.) Signed wooden box included. Okinawan motif and color palette (red, green, ochre on white background) on bowl with 9 facets around (see enlargement #2, bottom view.) Small areas of glaze loss around rim (see enlargement photos & comments below) measuring from 30mm to 2.5cm in length...

Hirosaki Hato Bue, Clay Pigeon Whistle from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Painted clay; L.6"(15cm) x H.4"(10cm) x 2.5"(6.5cm.)ca. 1970's...

This tsumugi (raw, knobby silk, similar to tweed) purse was purchased at the well-known Kyoto antique textile shop Nakamura Chingiriya in 1972. It is unused and still has original box. H.6"(15cm) x W.6.25"(16cm.) Snap closes on one side, with eyelet for a hand, shoulder, or waist strap on the other. Indigo dyed folk materials and an elegant purse design make it suitable for kimono or jeans.

Kamakurabori, the lacquerware of Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture, is appreciated all over Japan. This set of pre-war "chataku" tea cup coasters is a fine example of this craft. They measure 15cm(6") in diameter, with a height of 2.5cm(1"). Plenty of references are available on this craft that has its origins in producing lacquered wood carving for the numerous Buddhist temples of Kamakura during the 11th & 12th centuries.

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Berry motif; Japan, early 20th C. 6-piece sweet mold. L.13"(33cm) x W.1.75"(3.5cm) x H.0.375"(1cm.) Condition Note: Bottom piece of mold only. No top cover. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production...

Kashigata, mold for making Japanese sweets, in the shape of a wasabi root. Carved wood, ca. early-mid 20th century. H.1.5"(3.75cm) x L.8.25"(21cm) x W.3.5"(8.75cm). Kashigata have long been in use for making molded sweets in Japan and many other parts of the world (especially Asia and Northern Europe.) In Japan, shapes often include felicitous or auspicious themes for luck, long life, wealth, etc. This one, shaped as a wasabi root, is unusual and interesting.

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Take (bamboo) motif, Japan, early 20th C. L.7.375"(18.5cm) x W.4.375") x H.1.375"(3.5cm.) This mold features a bamboo stalk with two groupings of leaves, and the sweetmaker has written "sa-sa-ba" (bamboo leaves) on the side of the mold. Bamboo's resilient nature makes it a symbol of resilience in hard times and was a traditional symbol used for many celebratory occasions, such as births and weddings...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Biwa (loquat fruit, Eriobotrya Japonica) motif, Japan, early 20th C. L.8.125"(20.5cm) x W.4.374"(11cm) x H.1.5"(4cm.) The image on this mold shows a bunch of loquat fruit, known as "biwa" in Japanese. Biwa are indegenous to SE China, and the Japanese name may refer to the oblong shape of mature fruit that resembles the shape of the musical instrument, lute (also "biwa" in Japanese.) In olden days, a type of cough medication was made from the syrup of the fruit...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Sakura (Cherry Blossom) motif; Japan, early 20th C. Paddle-type mold to make 2 pieces sweets. L.14.25"(36cm) x W.3.5"(8.75cm) x H. 0.75"(2cm.) The cherry blossom is a well-known symbol of spring, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life in Japanese culture. Most likely, these molds were used for sweets in the spring season. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Cherry Leaves motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.8.5"(21cm) x W.5.0"(12.75cm) x H.1.5"(4cm.) As a symbol of spring, the cherry is often depicted in blossoms. But in this case it is the leaves that are featured. There are actually sweets that are wrapped in cherry leaves. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold) with double Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif, early 20th C., Japan. L.8.75"(22.5cm) x W.4.25"(10.5cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) This mold has two chrysanthemum blossoms, a symbol of beauty and abundance in late fall and winter...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.6.625"(15.75cm) x W.3.5"(8.75cm) x H.1.375"(3.5cm.) The chrysanthemum is a symbol of late fall and was also a popular motif for celebratory occasions. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold produc...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.7"(17.75cm) x W.3.5"(8.7510cm) x H.1.375"(4.5cm.) The chrysanthemum is a symbol of late fall and also used for celebratory occasions. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production. Materials s...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.5.875"(15cm) x W.3.0"(7.5cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) The chrysanthemum is a symbol of late fall and was also a popular motif for celebratory occasions. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production....

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Hi No De Tsuru (Rising Sun Crane) motif. Japan, early 20th C. L.7.0"(18cm) x W.3.75"(9.5cm) x H.1.625"(4cm). The Crane symbolizes long life, as does the Tortoise, in many Asian cultures. In Japan, it was a popular traditional motif for celebratory events such as weddings, New Year's, and birth. This particular example shows the rising sun, a symbol of Japan, behind the crane. The sweetmaker has written "Hi No De Tsuru (Rising Sun Crane)" on the side of the sweet mo...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) kanji characters "Daiou" (Great) motif; Japan, early 20th C. 2-piece Paddle-type mold to make 5 sweets. L.16.75"(42.5cm) x W.2.375"(6cm) x H.1"(2.5cm.) "Daiou" could be symbolic of any type of "greatness," but was most likely a reference to the country during the Japanese Imperial era. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; co...