The Nobori banners for Boy's Day in Japan are very eye-catching. It may be rare to see them actually used today but many that we have left feature colorful drawings of Samurai warriors, heroes from the past, or characters or animals from the stories.

The word NOBORU is to climb as in to climb up, amount to someone worthy or it could simply mean something visibly towering high in the battle field...

Satsuma Koro with Geisha Signed Kizan, Meiji Period (1868-1912)

It is 4.25 inches (11 cm) tall by 3.25 inches (8.25 cm) wide.

It is in good condition with no repairs, cracks, or chips.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid...

This is a Japanese fukusa, a gift cover with the design of the “Eight Views of Omi”. In the beginning of the 16th century, eight scenic spots in Omi (Shiga, Japan) were selected by closely following the Chinese “The Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers”...

A Late 18th Century Japanese suit of armor. This suit is an example of blue laced HON KOZANE NIMAI-DO GUSOKU. Seated height of 79" to tip of feather, 18" wide at the chest an 13" deep. Comes with storage box which is also used as seat.

Very nice old Maru Japanese Obi in excellent condition. Neutral colors throughout the delicate weave of repeat scenes of cart

This is “kataginu” (shoulder cloth), only the upper vest of kamishimo without a trouser. Kami-shimo simply means top and bottom in Japanese. It was a high ranking samurai’s formal attire when they attended official meetings at the Edo castle. It was worn over kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The shoulders are arch shaped and this was the style that developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Longer trousers (approx...

Antique Japanese pair of shakudo bronze vases, with very fine inlay of mixed metal, gold, and silver, design of small birds flying through branches which bear autumn leaves and gold vines with flowers and splashes of red. Finely chased and rendered in low relief creating a natural continuous scene of birds and flowers theme.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6" diameter x 12 3/4" height

From our Japanese Collection, a very fine satsuma vase, Meiji Period (1868-1912), most likely circa 1900 -1910, marvelously potted in an unusual but very elegant flared trumpet shape exhibiting definite Art Nouveau Period influences, and yet decorated in what would be considered restrained Japanese taste with simple and classic floral motifs...

Old Japanese Kogai, a hair pin made of tortoiseshell(bekko). It is 6 1/4 inches long, from the Meiji period (1868-1912).

Large Japanese temple cloth woven with cotton and strips of paper, great for a wall decoration. The dimensions are 107" x 47" (271.8cm x 119.4cm). Many things in Japan were made from paper, just like soy sauce was added in almost all cooking. Textiles were no exception. Some monks in Japan still make their own paper for their clothes. There are few beautiful samurai haori jackets made out of paper that still exist today in textile museums (which we have only seen in photos)...

Antique Japanese kuruma tansu, or wheeled chest, made from keyaki (elm) wood with a deep red lacquer finish, featuring an unusual back and sides with horizontal slats. The front features two sets of large drawers with vertical locking bars and a corner safebox. Set of keys included. Edo period (1615-1867) Size: 47" High 54" Long X 29" Deep

Heavily glazed Japanese katakuchi bowl in the shape of a “Sazae” turban shell. Written on the lid is “made by Matsuyama” and “kashiki” (dish for serving sweetmeats). On the reverse side, there is a signature, "Kei Ho-o En" with a seal. We are not quite sure if this is an original box. Meiji, late 1800s. Great bowl for the kaiseki cuisine? A hairline crack (enlarged photo #7) is a surface crack (does not go through to the other side). Approx...

This antique Japanese small drawstring fisherman's bag is woven from hand rolled cording using indigenous natural plant fibers. It would be used for carrying home the catch at the end of day. The bag shows some areas of staining and one small area near the bottom where a few fiber cords have split. these condition areas are to be expected of a folk art item of this age and use. ,,,,,

the bag is roughly 10 x 12 inches and has a generous amount of cording for adjustable straps.

Nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents' wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was, others were used to shift the troops...

This old Japanese hook would have been suspended over the hearth and used to hang cooking pots over the fire. Obviously used by a rural farm family, this pothook or jizai kagi would have been hung by a rope above the fireplace, and the hook has been "firepolished" from years of use.

Remember this vase. It is the only one like it in the world. It is stolen merchandise. The story behind how this vase was taken is terrible and the crud that did it needs to be nailed. The vase is very large for a Yabu piece, standing 12 3/8 inches tall. If it were not stolen Merchandise it would have a value of $50,000-$100,000. It was stolen in 2007 from a Doctor in Argentina and a case has been filed with Interpol. It is registered as stolen along with very descriptive images, Case #10451/05...

Beautiful antique Kanzashi, Kogai Japanese hair pin with gold maki-e on tortoiseshell with identical design on both sides, 5 1/4 inches long.

Japanese kanzashi hair accessory, Kogai hair pin. The quality of decoration is very good. It looks more antique than shown in photos. The material is, bone, hard and heavy as ceramics. 6 7/8 inches long.