A classic renditions of the Bodhidharma (more commonly known as the Daruma in Japan), this scroll from the Muromachi period (1336-1573) depicts the legendary monk who famously introduced Buddhism to China. Originally from India, he is said to have traveled across the Himalayas on foot to share the wisdom and knowledge from his studies of meditation which later spread to Japan, Korea, and other parts of the world...

This Edo period scroll depicts Meota Iwa—a famous Japanese landmark in Mie. Symbolizing the union between two divine deities, Izanagi (said to be the larger rock, though there is no consensus on this point) and his wife Izanami, the two are joined by a shimenawa (heavy straw rope used in Japanese Shinto ceremonies). This straw rope is quite massive and must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony...

Third son of the director of the Kano School of painting, Yasunobu was appointed head of the Kyoto branch at a young age after his father’s death. Meanwhile, his two older brothers went to Edo to take up prestigious positions painting for the Tokugawa Shogunate. In 1662 Yasunobu gained the honorific title of “Hogen,” and near the end of his life in his 70s he wrote a treatise on the art of painting that would server as a central doctrine for later generations of painters...

A collaboration piece between the famed poet/ nun of the late Edo period Rengetsu and her younger protege Tessai, this scroll depicts a frightened cricket making his way to the top of a stalk of grass on a windy day. Set in the fall season, the viewer can imagine a message of frailty, loneliness, and possibly the feeling of trepidation that accompanies the turning of the seasons towards the colder months...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of Buddha Amitābha also known simply as Amida Buddha. Here he stands with each foot on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds against a black void as he descents. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit). Amitābha (which means Infinite or Immeasurable light) is much loved for his gentle wisdom and his all accepting nature...

A fine example of Edo period Kano painting, this generously proportioned hanging scroll illustrates a late autumn scene from the Japanese countryside over 300 years ago. The poem on the scroll reads:

Solitary, with the color, of nothingness
A close to autumn, on a ring of mountaintops

The painter, Minenobu Kano (1662 - 1708), was greatly admired by the Ienobu Tokugawa shogunate who eventually promoted him to the position of inner-court artist...

Pair of folding screens with painted decoration on paper. The screens are made up of six leaves representing figures in a landscape decorated with pine trees and enhanced with gold leaf. On each of them is a cherry tree in bloom, indicating that the scene takes place in early spring.
On the first screen, several groups of figures, each holding a bunch of flowers in their hands, play and talk...

Large Japanese early Meiji period sumi ink on paper scroll by calligrapher Ito Keishu (aka Ito Shinpei), who was active circa 1870s to 1890s. Signed and with three red seals. Paper mount and wood scroll ends. The scroll measures 79” x 32 1/2" (painting size: 54 1/2" x 26”). Good intact condition with some rubbing and soiling evident. There is a small distressed area or repair to the paper mid-way down the scroll on the right side (see enlargement)...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a mountain scene. A pagoda rises in the distance, behind it, a misty mountain range. In the foreground a small figure crosses a bridge. Signed by Kano Tsunenobu (1636-1713). Sumi ink on silk. Provenance Collection of Vlasheslav Batov, Illinois

Age: Edo Period (circa late 1600's to early 1700's)

Dimensions: Total: 51 1/4" high x 29 3/4" wide (32 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 15 3/4" high x 25 1/2" wide.

Antique Japanese Zenga scroll painting of a scholar's cane or staff. Elongated vertical composition with calligraphy. Painted in sumi ink on paper...

Antique Japanese screen painting in 6 panels. Painted to resemble a samurai encampment space divider. The simple graphics of the curtain-like camp divider are painted in black and white and displays the kamon (crest) of the Takiyama Family. Narrow slits between the white and black sections of cloth were for the wind to pass through, preventing the curtain from becoming a sail. Thick striped rope securely ties the curtain to tall stakes in the ground...

A small cottage perched on the edge of a tranquil lake, fishermen heading out in the morning chill to secure their daily catch...

Antique Japanese 2-panel byobu screen. Covered with small squares of pale gold leaf. That this is antique is told by the size and quality of the gold leaf squares.

Dimensions: 35 1/4" high x 51 1/2" long

This tranquil winter scene showing a group of birds taking shelter in the snowy boughs of a tree was done by well-known Edo painter, poet, and tea ceremony devotee—Baiitsu Yamamoto.

A native of Nagoya, a bustling Japanese center for shipping and trade in Late Edo, Baiitsu was heavily influenced by works of Chinese art, especially the naturalistic landscapes that made their way into Japan through this port city. Over time he came to paint almost exclusively birds in various landsc...

Japanese screen painting in two panels of butterflies and moths. The etherial quality of the fluttering creatures is conveyed by delicately painted details and movement. Painted in mineral colors on silk. Each rectangular silk composition has been mounted on a ground of gold leaf on paper. Seal mark on the left hand panel: Watanabe Kiyoshi.

Watanabe Kiyoshi (1778-1861) was born into a family specializing in embroidery in Nagoya. He studied painting in the Kano style under Yoshikawa...

Antique 2-panels screen painting from the interior of a wealthy home in Momoyama Period Japan. Each of these two rectangular shaped panels is painted with a fan shaped reserve. The fan on the left panel is painted with a branch of blossoming white flowers, possibly dogwood and is shadowed by another blue and gold fan shaped reserve. The fan on the right panel is painted in ink with a bird on a branch and shadowed with a green and gold fan. Both fan reserves are painted over a brilliantly col...

"Yacchimatta!" the lost soul seems to say as he slaps himself on the head, a sake cup and Tokkuri wine flask in front of him. Ink on dark paper with patterned dark cloth boarder with wide gray piping and featuring bone rollers. The skeleton and or skull have long been featured in Japanese art, both secular and Buddhist. It is used as a symbol of impermanence and as a Zen teaching tool. In this case, perhaps this fellow spent too much time in the bottle and not enough in more meaningful endea...

Japanese scrolled painting on silk by Kikuchi Yosai (1788-1878), also known as Kikuchi Takeyasu, depicting the sun rising behind Mount Horai. Signed in black ink at the lower left and with the artist's red Takeyasu seal below. A symbol for Japan, Mount Horai (Treasure Mountain) is a lofty mountain covered in pine, prunus, and bamboo on a mythical island of immortals in a distant sea. In the foreground swimming toward the rocky shore, a pair of tortoises whose backs are covered in seaweed, sym...

A kakemono presenting an example of calligraphy by Shunsui Rai, 1743 ~ 1813. Shunsui was a Confucian scholar of some influence in the Hiroshima district and an historian. He is the father of Sanyo Rai, 1781~1832, who also became a notable calligrapher and a painter and scholar.

Overall the dimensions are 170cm x 36cm. The picture size is 91cm x 25cm. The scroll ends are rosewood. Good condition overall with just minor horizontal creases noted.

Please study the photog...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a hawk standing on the branch of an oak tree. The hawk is detailed with great attention to every feather. Painted in sumi ink and light colors on paper. Signed Shunkei with seal, possibly Mori Shunkei (1775-1841).

Edo Period (Late 18th - Early 19th century)

Dimensions: Total 79" high x 27 1/4" wide (29 1/4" wide including ends) Art: 51 1/2" high x 21 1/2" wide

This is a wonderfully preserved Japanese Edo Period (Late 18th / Early 19th centuries) Tosa School Monogatari-e (painted subjects depicting scenes from the life at the Imperial Court in Kyoto) Six-panel. Gold-leaf Folding Silk Screen Painting. It shows twelve scenes from chapters of the novel 'The Tale of Genji', set in two sections per screen. It measures 110 inches wide and 48 inches tall. The inside panels are 18 inches and the two outer panels are 19 inches wide. Based on the age of the ...

Antique Japanese Scroll Triptych, signed Sumiyoshi Hirosada (1793-1862) , 7th head of the Sumiyoshi line of painters. Three paintings: One painting is of two men meeting on a mountain path, pines and blossoming plum trees dot the hillside and the rooftops of a fishing village can be seen emerging through the mist. Another scroll depicts a lady seated at her writing table by her pavilion window. Outside, the moon shines above pine covered hills. The third scroll shows a Tori gate and s...

Antique Japanese scrol painting of a landscape with boat. The water is very still and the moon is high over a mountain in the distance. A flock of geese swoops down from the sky on the right. On the far left, an outcropping of rocks partially obscures some rural houses. A willow tree drapes itself outward over the water. With signed tomobako. Signed Tan'yu and with the seal of his given name Moninobu. Certified by Eitoku, his grandfather. Kano Tan'yu (1602-1674) was one of the foremost...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a small bird, perching on the branch of a tall growth of flowers. Signed with red chop.

Size: 16" W 9 69" H (entire scroll) 10.25" W x 38" H (painting only)

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a horse, done in sumi ink, its legs kicked up into the air. Very disciplined calligraphy brush work is used, and may have been executed by a Zen Buddhist monk. This horse painting was possibly cut down from a larger screen and mounted as a scroll.

18th century Edo period (1603-1868)

Size: 17.5" W x 52" H (entire scroll) 14.25" W x 20.75" H

Here in Kyoto our gallery is located along the Kamo River in a district known as Shobu-en Machi, which roughly translates as “Iris Town.” As you can imagine, the scene depicted in this painting of irises and cranes is one that can be commonly witnessed in our neighborhood in the spring (May) when these flowers are in full bloom. Close inspection of the painting shows one crane amusing itself in the swirling eddies created by rocks on the river bed, while another lifts its head to admire the ...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a young woman with a younger girl , dressed in beautiful flowing kimono and standing below a cherry blossom branch. There are three chops altogether, one is of a very unusual shape of a vase. Beautiful calligraphy along the upper region with artist's signature below in corner. Tomobako is included.

18th century

Size: 61" H x 17" W (entire scroll) 33" H x 11.5" W (artwork only)

Antique Japanese framed floral painting, with silver and gold flake accent clouds, of grape clusters on vines and large leaves, with red chop, possibly by Ogata Korin (1658-1716), Rinpa School.

Size: (entire frame) 28.5" L x 25" H (artwork only) 18.75" L x 13.5" H

Antique Japanese scroll signed Rengetsu (1791-1875), with beautiful calligraphy poem, and small painted flying crane, painted in sumie, beneath. Grass writing calligraphy poem reads: Tsuki no , aki no tomoshi, saki no toki matsu hodo, shiru toki wa, hatsukari no shiru Along with The Autumn moon, Instead of waiting for its coming, The first geese Know already

Size: (entire scroll) 70" L x 12.5" W (artwork only) 38" L x 9.25" W

Antique Japanese Zen Buddhist calligraphy scroll painting, with three red chops. Meiji age (1868-1912)

Size: 70" L x 19.5" W (entire scroll) 53.5" L x 12.75" W (artwork only)

New Arrival

Japanese antique small and charming scroll painting and poem by Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875). The image is of a small hut with a thatched roof. The poem translates as follows:
春鳥 春寒み 榾火にねぶる 山賤の 夢おどろかす うぐひすの声

cold spring day, a worker naps, by an outdoor fire,
his dreams i...

Long a symbol of longevity, good luck, and support in many parts of Asia; in Japan the turtle has the added symbolism of being one of the cardinal protectors of Heian, the ancient capital city of Kyoto. This rendition of a turtle basking on a sunny riverbank was done by one of the most renowned and loved Waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Re...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a beautiful court lady with very long, flowing hair rolling up her screen door. To her right is a painting of cranes flying over seaside mountains and trees. In good condition. Circa 1800s Edo age (1615-1868) signed Totsugen Tanaka of the Tosa School. From Bay Area Estate. Size: (entire scroll) 63.5" H x 17" W (artwork only) 33.5" H x 9.75" W

A finely painted water colour , with gold leaf overlay, depicting a scene from the 11th Century classic "The Tale of Genji" written by noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. This item was made in Japan in the 19th Century during either the late Edo or the Meiji period (1868-1911). Condition: there is very minor "foxing" to the paper which probably predates the framing of this picture during the 1920s or 1930s. Frame: 32.5cm (12.75 inches) wide; 29cm (11.4 inches) high. Painting: ...

Based on a classical tale adapted into a popular Kabuki performance in late Edo, the story of the Fuji Musume or “Wisteria Maiden” is an often employed motif in Japanese art. In the story, the Wisteria Maiden is depicted in a painting holding a wisteria branch, until one day she becomes smitten with a young man passing by and steps out of the painting in an effort to capture his attention. Unfortunately, her attempts are futile. Her love goes unrequited, and she sorrowfully steps back into ...

A finely painted water colour , with gold leaf overlay, depicting a scene from the 11th Century classic "The Tale of Genji" written by noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. This item was made in Japan in the 19th Century during either the late Edo or the Meiji period (1868-1911). Condition: there are small marks on the paper and some losses to the gold leaf which predate the framing of this picture during the 1920s or 1930s. Frame: 32.5cm (12.75 inches) wide; 29cm (11.4 inches) high. ...

Antique Japanese 4-panel screen with delicate painted flowers over a gold leaf background. Clouds of gold flecks decorate the sky and the open valley. Unusual size for the long four panel.

Edo period (1615-1868) Dimensions: (entire screen) 100.5" L x 36" X (painting only) 94" L x 30" H

Antique Japanese two-panel gold leaf screen with elegant, simplistic landscape scenes in black, with calligraphy and artist's signature. Unusual small size, very charming. Edo Period (circa 1800's). Size: 65" L, 11" H

A late winter scene picturing a majestic white hawk alighting on a plum branch in full bloom. Hawks—which were used for hunting during the Momoyama and Edo periods (takagari)—are considered symbols of nobility, strength, and are thought to embody the samurai spirit. This piece is signed Kano Tanshin, though it is unclear exactly which Tanshin as there were several Kano painters who went by this name during this period.

Color on silk, this scroll is 71.5 inches tall (18...

Japanese scroll painting of a mountain landscape with a river leading into a waterfall, tree branches overhanging the edge of the mountain, a tent set up at the water's edge beside some flowers. Artist chop on side. Size: (entire scroll) 72" H x 18.5" W (artwork only) 41" H x 13" W)

Antique Japanese zenga calligraphy scroll with swirling wish-granting ball of flames, signed with artist's chop. Nicely colored mounting with porcelain scroll ends. Taisho period (1912-1925) Size: 77.5" L, 15.5" W (entire scroll) 46" L, 11.5" W (artwork only)

Antique Japanese zenga scroll painting of Bodhidharma, with calligraphy most likely done by multiple people, with artist chops. Date reads "7th year of Taisho" (1912-1925) circa 1918 Size: 79.5" L x 26" W (entire scroll) 52" L x 18" W (painting only)

Japanese scroll painting depicting a scene from the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji). A nobleman and a young man sit on tatame mats and look out onto a garden setting. They are surrounded by painted byobu screens and clouds of gold mist. The painting is rendered in traditional Tosa School manner with flattened over head perspective and fine lined brushwork. Painted in mineral colors, sumi ink and gold leaf flecks on paper. Edo Period. Size of scroll: 47" high x 19 1/2" wide. Size of pain...

Wonderful Japanese scroll painting of Mt. Fuji surrounded by mist, with small birds and reeds in foreground, painted in light colors on silk, signed: by Kazan, of Gaishi Studio. Total size: 33 1/2" wide x 69" high. painting size: 15 1/2" high x 26 1/2" wide. "Biog.:1793-1841 Painter. Born in Edo, son of a samurai. Served Lord Miyake, of the impoverished Tawara clan. In 1838 imprisoned on false charges by the Tokugawa government; death sentence commuted to permanent house arrest; committed suicid...

Japanese large scroll painting of a colorful bird seated on a persimmon tree branch, a bright persimmon hanging overhead. Signature and red seal in left corner. Provenance: Collection of Trotter's Antiques, Pacific Grove CA. Size: 88" H, 19" W (entire scroll), 31" H, 11.5" W (painting only)

Antique Japanese triptych print of a landscape with a port scene and mountains by Hiroshige Utagawa. Three individual woodblock prints compose this tranquil port scene at the base of a mountain range. Original condition. Each measures 16.5" tall by 9.75" wide, overall 16.5" by 29.5" wide. They are in very good condition with few signs of age. The first print bears seals in the upper and lower left corners. The second print bears seals in the upper and lower right corners. This is an Edo...

This tranquil pond scene is done in sumi on gold leaf and has a black lacquer wooden frame. Appearing to date from Meiji or early Taisho, the various cranes and songbirds are depicted with light and playful brushstrokes giving the piece an air of serenity and calmness. Especially eye-catching in low-light atmospheres, the gold leaf appears resonant and warm.

This screen stands 67 inches tall (170.5 cm) and each panel measures 25.2 inches in width (64 cm) for a total length of 151.2...

This poem, inscribed with Rengetsu’s unmistakeable flowing calligraphic script, is set on a backdrop of colored washi paper decorated with gold flecks and intricate renderings of magical forest spirits. The spirits are drawn using “gofun”—a calcium carbonate powder obtained by heating and grinding oyster shells collected around the Inland Sea coast. Due to the luminiferous properties of gofun, the spirits seem to appear and disappear depending on the light and the angle of viewing—add...

Antique Japanese door with a beautiful painting of a playful looking geisha holding the folds of her robes and carrying a maple branch in her hand. Her robe is navy blue with a turquoise obi, with intricate auspicious symbols accented by red. A low hanging maple branch with fall colored leaves and mushrooms hangs above her head. Splashes of gold flecking surround her. The opposite side of the door has been painted with a wonderful scene of boats and mountains. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 71" ...

Antique Japanese door with beautiful painting of two beautiful geisha. One holds a black and gold lacquer tray while the other kneels beside her. Flecks of gold accent the space surrounding the painting. The backside of the door has a monochromatic painting of waterside scenery. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 71" height, 37" width, 1.25" depth

Signifying strength and resilience, bamboo—together with pine and plum (sho chiku bai)—is an auspicious symbols running through the heart of Japanese art and culture. The young bamboo depicted here—sprouting from a patch of rocks—were composed by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Rengetsu was born into a Samurai family but was soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family. From the age of seven to sixteen s...

A symbol of health and prosperity, these ripe eggplants were painted by Hasegawa Gyokuhou (1822 - 1879), a disciple of one of Kyoto’s leading Shijo school artists, Matsumara Keibun (1779 - 1843). The attached stylized calligraphic poem, which speaks of accomplishment and being productive in one’s endeavors, was done by one of Japan’s most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century—Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by...

This poetry and artwork, done by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century—Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875), tells the story of a personal moment of joy and contemplation upon returning home one autumn evening accompanied by the brilliant moon above.

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Rengetsu was a lady in waiting at Kameoka castle where she was trained in the arts and courtly gr...

This soulful image of a Japanese hamlet in the depths of winter was done by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Rengetsu was a lady in waiting at Kameoka castle where she was trained in the arts and courtly graces. Due to her rumored great beauty, she soon married but after the death of her husband in 1823, ...

This playful image of a Japanese raccoon dog (tanuki) enjoying a flask of saké was done by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Rengetsu was a lady in waiting at Kameoka castle where she was trained in the arts and courtly graces. Due to her rumored great beauty, she soon married but after the death of her hu...

A wonderful Japanese scroll painting showing one peahen strutting underneath the cascading tail feathers of a peacock, standing upon a small rock structure. Pink and red peonies bloom around the two majestic birds. Attributed to artist Tani Bunchō (1763-1841). Size: (entire scroll) 88" height, 35.25" width (artwork only) 51.5" height, 28.5" width

Antique Japanese 6-panel folding screen, or "byobu", with a wonderful painted ocean scene and pine trees over a gold leaf background. Mild damage is hardly noticeable and does not detract from the gorgeous paintings. 19th century SIze: 66.75" height, 145" length

A pair of Japanese Edo Period scroll paintings by the painter Sumiyoshi Hiroyuki (1755-1811) , one of a dragon in the clouds and another of a tiger in a bamboo thicket, skillfully painted in sumi ink on silk and signed by the artist. The painter, Hiroyuki was as disciple of the painter, Hiromori and a of successor of the Sumiyoshi School which worked primarily for the Shogunate of Edo Period. The Sumiyoshi school was founded in 1662 when Emperor Gosai (1637-1685 ordered Tosa Hiromichi (156...

Antique Japanese four-panel screen of a pine tree bearing flowers, overlooking an ocean cliffside, covered slightly in snow, with a gold leaf background. Size: 67" height, 101" width

Antique Japanese small 6-panel screen painting for table top, painted with a scene of stream and flowers, painted in mineral colors on silver leaf, the silver has oxidized a beautiful dark color, Edo Period, 18th century. Size: 18" high x 50 1/2" long