A Hikeshi-Banten Fireman Jacket decorated with protective images of waves and birds outside in various dyed colors and sashiko stitching, the inside emblazoned with a dragon and tiger; symbols respectively of wisdom and protection (the dragon is a water god) and ferocity and bravery as the tiger knows no fear. The handmade coats were fashioned from several layers of highly absorbent quilted cotton fabric...

Boro small rug or a part of it which is made of almost countless fragments of vegetable indigo dye cotton. In cold districts, such as Tohoku and along the Japan Sea area, cultivation of cotton was difficult and cotton cloth was precious in old days, so that people bought fragments of cotton and made them to noragi, futonji, rugs and so on. This one has 7 to 8 layers of cloth. The late 19th to early 20th century. 91cm x 96cm. 1550gm

Antique Japanese fireman's hood. Made of layers of indigo cotton sashiko and decorated on the inside with a scene of a tiger and lightening storm.
Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel...

Maekake, apron made of Ohmi jofu, which is asa (hemp) with kasuri pattern. Weft kasuri yarns are board-clamp dye, so that both selvedges have bar-code like white lines. All hand-sewn and in excellent condition. It has red cotton belts. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:49cm, L:73cm

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

This is han-jyuban in Edo period(1800-1867). Silk tsumugi itajime of the safflower dye is an arabesque motif in the lion. The shoulder surrounding is scenery of the travel (Tokaido) in Edo period. The katazome is very exact and beautiful. The material of katazome is wool. There are a little color variation and a small hole. The state is very good. It is very rare han-jyuban. size:90cm x 85cm (35.4" x 33.5") Size:Length:86cm( 33.8") / Cuff to cuff, across the back: 91cm (35.8")

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

Katsugi or Kazuki which is worn over the head down and fully covers the body, which is made of hemp, whose wefts and warps are hand-plied. Originally, the kazuki was worn by a noble woman when she went out from Heian to Kamakura period (about 9th to 13th century) over kimono. The collar is lowered to cover a head. This one is probably made in early Meiji period (the latter half of the 19th century) in Shonai region in Yamagata Prefecture and worn at the wedding...

Girl's hanten worn at the festival or ceremony with the girl's name "Kimiko" in front. Itis made of hand-spun cotton and cotton lining with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) crane motif. In excellent condition except for two tiny holes in front. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:73cm, L:53cm

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

A 19th Century embroidered tabako-ire with a dragon amidst water, the kanamono of silvered metal in shape of a dragon, and the kagamibuta with a dragon in silvered metal and an imitation ivory bowl.

A 19th Century embroidered tabako-ire with a flower pattern. The kagamibuta is carved with a figure.

This Umakake was used in the Shinshu region during the Edo period, and Umaya-zaru was drawn with Tsutsugaki. Umaya-zaru was believed to be the guardian deity of horses. These days, it is a very rare item that is rarely seen. Cotton cloth is hand-spun and thick. The cleverly designed Umaya-zaru is interesting. There is no stain damage at all. Size:Width 33cm x Length 178cm Box G.

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 motifs of the picture are auspicious ones such as crane, turtle, large sake cup and sea birds, and also the name of boat in the banner with katazome (stencil-resist-dye). It is vegetable indigo dye and colored with pigments...

"Sorihiki-happi"from Yusa in Yamagata prefecture which was worn for sleigh pulling. It has cloth with sashiko for reinforcement diagonally, from shoulder to one side of the body, and also both sides. It was worn when sorihiki pull down a sleigh with firewood from the mountain to the foot of the mountain. Yusa sashiko is one of Shonai sashiko in Yamagata prefecture. This happi has fine horizontal as well as vertical sashiko on whole ground cloth...

This is a japanese antique 1920-1940 cotton Buddhist Shugensha hanten coat worn by Shugen practitioners who practiced Shugendo. Shugendo is a unique Japanese religion that combines Buddhism, Shinto and the worship of nature (mountains). It has some light stains , but is in very good condition. Size::Length :80 cm (31.4 inch) / Sleeve to sleeve :130cm (51.1 inch) / Back width :65cm (25.5inch)

This is tsutsugaki textile from the Edo period. A design of lions and peonies in the midst of silent falling snow. It's not flashy, but it looks like a fusuma painting from the Edo period. Both the indigo dye and the cotton are from the Edo period, and they have a very nice texture. There is one slight repair mark on the upper left corner. There are some light stains, but overall the item is in very good condition.Size:Length:170cm (66.9inch)inch / Width:150cm(59inch)

A sample book of wa-sarasa (Japanese sarasa) with 106 fragments on 43 sheets of paper board, mostly made in Meiji period (1869～1912) and some from early Taisho period (1910s). Originally it has 45 sheets, but 2 (3rd and 20th) are lost. The dye techniques are katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and print. The book is published by Kyoto Shoin in Showa 42 (1967). The 4th among limited 60 issues. 27cm x 35cm x 5cm.