Late Edo Period (1850-1868) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) wearing an Eboshi, a court hat and robes with crests. He is seated in a court position and has a handsomely caved face. His silk fiber hairs are tied in a top knot. This is a well executed example. 11 inches (28cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) depicting the Legendary Toyotomi Hideyoshi, seated in court position wearing dramatic brocades and gold lacquered armor, a gembun fan in his right hand and wearing a classic winged cap. His face is finely carved with a regal expression. This Ningyô is Meiji craftsmanship at its best. 14.5 inches, 37 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Antique Japanese carved wooden ranma (decorative transom). Beautifully carved with blossoming lotus flowers on a background of swirling water. The lotus flowers range in different stages of blossoming, a Buddhist symbol for the different stages of enlightenment. Carved of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) wood and framed in brown and gold lacquered wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/2" high x 46 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese carved wooden figure of Nio (Buddhist temple guardian), carved of wood with wonderful details and intensity of expression, traces of original pigment, once guarded the exterior gate to Buddhist temple, on metal stand, Edo Period. Size of figure: 30" high x 17" wide x 7" deep. Size on metal stand: 32" high x 18" wide x 12" deep.

Antique Japanese carved wooden Kyōgen theatre mask of Zo-onna (middle-aged woman). Still beautiful, she is more serious than her younger counterparts. Her face is longer and narrower and she does not smile but her mouth is open, showing both rows of perfect teeth. Beautifully carved of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, signed on the inside.

The characters of the signature read 工藤則朝作 (作, saku, here means "work of _" / "made by _", and the name is 工藤則朝)...

Yokote Kasuri Yogi was used in the Akita region during the Meiji period. Dyed with natural indigo. In this regard, the cotton is hand-spun. The pattern is Urashima Taro. This pattern is extremely rare. Very good condition No stains or damage. Size 147cm x 140cm (57.8" x 55.1")

Cotton Kurume kasuri futonji with a castle motif. Kurume in Fukuoka Pref. in Kyushu has been one of the main product places of indigo dyed cotton kasuri since late Edo period (early 19th century). It is made of hand-spun cotton that means probably it was made before Meiji 15 (1882) and vegetable indigo dyed. In excellent condition except for minor brown stains only in the back. It has white cotton belt for hanging in the back. The second half of th 19th century. 129cm x 158cm

Oshi-e, litterally "pressed picture" which is made of fragments of antique European print and Japanese silk and the motif is a civilian man in Edo period. The history of Oshi-e date back to Heian period, found in Shosoin Treasures (around 10th century) It was very popular toy in Edo period with motif of Kabuki Theatre actors. The ground paper is "Itame-gami" which is ten layers of washi and has thin cotton lining so that it looks like a shallow relief. In good condition...

Fireman's hanten made of thick cotton and hand-stitched sashiko (quilting). It has hand painted "Edo Machi Hikeshi" (town fireman) with "Matoi" which was hold by fireman to show his own "Kumi", brigade. It also has hand painted birds and waves design inside. 19th century. In good condition. W:118cm, L:91cm

Two pieces of urumi-zome cloth which are made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Urumi-zome is katazome (stencil-resist-dye) imitating shibori-zome (tie-dye) and it requires more process than common katazome to make blurring like shibori. Both have rips but other part of the cloth is not weak. The right one has a patch in the back. The second half of the 19th century. Right one:75cm x 126cm, Left one:65cm x 126cm

Ca. 1800

This porcelain bowl, molded in chrysanthemum form, is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels in red, green and gold. The center of the interior is painted with a 16-petaled flower in underglaze blue, and the well is painted with various plant and landscape scenes. The exterior is surrounded with an underglaze blue floral pattern, and the base is painted with a Chinese “Chenghua” mark, as is often seen on 18th and early 19th Century Imari dishes...

Shimacho with more than 545 fragments which are mostly hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Some of them are silk or colored yarn are also silk. Shima means stripes in Japanese but also means an island. Cotton textiles were imported from south Asian countries from mid 16th century and the were called "shima momen", cotton textiles from islands. Kasuri or check patterns were also included in shima (stripes). It has kanji characters "安政 4，Ansei 4" 1857, very late Edo period...

Kajibanten (fireman's jacket) with sashiko, made of cotton. It has hand-drawn "shachi" motif, which is a mythical carp with the head of a lion and the body of a fish and it is an auspicious protecter. Generally, in good condition but some wear in the neck and brownish stain near hem. 19th century. W:122cm, L:87cm

Antique Japanese choba tansu from the Matsumoto area. Made of keyaki (elm) wood with dramatic grain. The top portion of the tansu has two drawers. Below this is a compartment on the left opened by two sliding panels with horizontal slats. On the right hand side of the chest and continuing on to the bottom portion of the tansu, is a series of various sized drawers, the lowest of which spans the width of the tansu...

This is a Japanese antique indigo dye cotton sakiori big thick apron textile.There is a very slight stain, but there is no damage.The indigo dyed sakiro is very beautiful. Size:length:60cm(23.6inch)Width：90㎝(35.4inch)

Cloth with katazome (stencil-resist dye) which is hand spun and vegetable indigo and pigment dye. In good condition, however slightly colors faded. 19th century. W:32.5cm, L:180cm

Japanese Beautiful zanshi and sashiko Stitch furoshiki Meiji era (1868-1912).It is made of hand-spun cotton.It has a few thin stains. However, The stain does not stand out.It is no damage.They are not disturbing, and as a whole it is in very good condition. size:136cm x 118cm(53.5" x 46.4")

In Japan, woven baskets such as this are often referred to as “karamono” (Chinese style) to denote their stylistic origins tending towards symmetrical proportions and tight weaves. Though the maker and date of production for this piece are unknown, judging from appearance it was likely crafted in Late Edo or in Meiji—with the box being furnished at the time Houn-sai granted his endorsement...