The size of Bowl: 6" Dia x 1 3/4" High. Nice Japanese Ko Imari sometsuke Bowl. The bowl is made from nice quality porcelain which was molded in the design of Shippo at the rim area. It has sometsuke decoration of Yoraku and landscape design in the center. Back has leaf design. The condition of bowl is excellent, no chip, no crack and no hairline. One little Kamahi line at the edge 3 o'clock but it is in the glazing. One gosu blue spot at the edge, 7 o'clock...
Japanese early 20th century period bronze USUBATA. This USUBATA is wonderfully designed with rabbits and a utensil to pound rice cakes with. The rabbits, one on each side form unique handles for the USUBATA flower container. Unsigned. It measures 11 1/2" tall, 11 1/2" in diameter at the top and 6" in diameter at the bottom.
Beautiful antique Japanese bronze vases with raised design of dragons on one side and phoenixes on the other, each vase inscribed, label states that these vases were presented by Members of Congress of Fukuoka Prefecture, Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Size: 11 1/2" high x 6" wide.
Japanese woodblock print by Yoshitoshi, from "100 Aspects of the Moon" series.
Japanese early 20th century bronze Ikebana flower container. The container has a pair of dragons done in high relief on the front and back. The entire piece sits on 4 legs. The container is signed by the artist on the bottom. The piece measures 16 1/2" long, 14" wide and 6" tall.
This is a large antique fukusa, Japanese gift cover, 34 inches long and 26 inches wide, without including the tassels. The lid of the wooden box (hiro buta) that carried gifts was often placed upside down to display the gifts. The length of the Fukusa may have been adjusted for the tray.
The design of this Fukusa is based on the old Japanese folk tale, Yoro(Yohro) Waterfall. The waterfall was known as the Fountain of Youth and instead of water falling, Sake wine was falling...
This is an antique fukusa, Japanese gift cover with cranes. A pair of crane is a symbol of longevity and harmony. The embroideries on this fukusa are particularly beautiful. One small hole in the front (smaller than the one in the back) did not show in the photos...
This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as the "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; the plum blossoms represent purity, subtle beauty and the inner strength of women. Bamboo is often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent...
This is a large doll, probably dated from Meiji to Taisho period, modeling a maiden from the Genroku era (1688-1703). Genroku culture which was the beginning of uprising power of the merchants in the Osaka area was glamorous and quite a contrast to the stiff culture of the samurai. Partially green lipstick that is shown on this doll became fashionable at the time. Her hair style is called Taka (high) Shimada or Bunkin Taka-Shimada...
Rare pair of shrine guardians in the shape of foxes, both sitting on a two tiered elevation. The right one holds a moving jewel in its mouth, the left one a stick. Middle brown, dense wood with a beautiful patina where hands touched the backs and heads of the foxes and the bases. Red staining on inside of ears, inside the mouths, in nostrils. Crystal eyes. Bases made of the same wood...
These are very unique Japanese zuishin dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The dolls are commonly called Daijin minister dolls but they are actually figures of the Toneri, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185). The clothing of the dolls is rich and elaborate just like Kabuki actors on stage...
Two stacks of each 5 flat boxes or trays for storing kozuka, fuchi-kashira or other small and flat objects, the tops both covered with a lid. Both stacks stand on a rectangular bottom plate, tied with a braided silk rope. Shitan (sandal wood). Meiji period, around 1900.
Bottom plate: 9 7/8 x 8 5/8 in. (25 x 21.8 cm). Each tray 8 3/8 x 4 ¾ x 1 1/16 in...
A superb quality set of court musician dolls for Japanese Girl’s Day, Hina Matsuri.
The Hina festival takes place every March 3rd in Japan and it is a day of celebration for the well-being of every girl in the family. In earlier days, people were more susceptible to natural disasters or diseases, so in order to keep evil spirits away, this day was spent giving offerings to God. This custom was adopted from the 7th century Chinese ceremony that originally took place on the beach. The Ja...
Japanese Takeda doll, Benkei. We originaly thought this doll was Benkei but somehow he was changed into to Samurai Kiyomasa (16 to 17th century samurai general). We should be correcting or leave him as is with a tiger. Circa Meiji period (1868-1912). 15 inches tall, 14 1/2 inches across platform.
Japanese silk and gold embroidery depicting two cockerels and peonies.
The peonies are a symbol of wealth. This imagery can also be interpreted as a father and son motif of passing on knowledge with a moral compass symbolism.The gold thread is 24-karat gold hand-hammered onto the thread.
Meiji period Circa 1860's.
67-1/2" high, 44-3/4" wide
Japanese Meiji Period large bronze vase. The vase is a stylized chrysanthemum blossom, with the leaves at the base and the long petals reaching up and forming the main portion of the large vase. Unsigned. The vase measures 23 1/8" tall and 10" in diameter at the widest.
Elegantly modeled Satsuma teapot of Cherry Blossom Viewing, Scene encircling body of teapot with diamond shaped top border in a dark green. Very good condition with some wear to gilt and signature. Signed"____ZAN". 5 inches high. Taisho Period.
A powerful drawing of Shoki, a demon queller, is hand painted over two nobori banners (each has two panels sewn together) on a thick and loosely woven cotton. The size of two panels together is huge; approx. 66 inches wide (5.5 ft, 1.68 meters) and 166 inches long (13.8 ft, 4.2 meters) without counting the loops on a side and top!
Many Japanese custom start with the purification ceremony; beginning the year with New Year's ceremony followed by the Setsubun in February, which takes place be...