From the series: “Twelve New Tales from the Miserable Storehouse” issued 1859

Two uncut horizontal chuban prints – numbers eleven and twelve on one oban leaf. The upper print depicts a warrior battling demon ghosts and the lower is a shrine scene.

Upper and lower prints are both signed Yoshitsuya in red cartouches with aratame and date seal to 1859, good impression, color and condition, remnants of recent hinge paper on upper corners, a new narrow line of old backing paper on ...

Two Kabuki actors in a rather intense moment, issued ca. 1860

Published by Ise-ya Kanekichi, very good impression and color, light rubbing and slight wrinkling to edges, upper corners with small reinforcements, not backed.

Oban tate-e: 9 ¾ x 14 1/8 in.

Shini-e (memorial portrait) of the Kabuki actor Kikugoro, issued 1903

The actor died at age 60. He is shown holding a Buddhist sutra and his “death poem” in is cursive script above his head.

Signed Utagawa Toyosai, dated: 1903, fine impression and color, left margin slightly trimmed, small brown spot above sutra page, original paper backing possibly from time of issue.

Oban tate-e: 9 ½ x 14 in.

A kneeling fish seller beholding his coop with huge fishes. The earthenware figure painted in polychrome colors, the skin areas in matt glaze orange. Condition: Good. Dimensions: 10,7 cm high x 9,5 cm wide. Weight: 302 gram.

Japanese antique folk hina dolls, zuishin, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185). They are often called Daijin minister dolls. The dolls used to belong to the Hina festival (Matsuri) for Girl’s Day. The size of the dolls are 10" tall to the tips of the arrows.

Antique Japanese folk hina dolls, three servants (Shitei,Shicho) from the Heian Imperial Court (794-1185). The dolls are part of the Hina Matsuri festival for girls in Japan. The standing doll is 8 3/4" tall, and the other two dolls are 7 1/4" to 7 1/2" tall.

Antique Japanese folk hina dolls, ladies in waiting from the Heian Imperial Court (794-1185). The dolls are part of the Hina Matsuri Festival for girls in Japan. The approx. height of the tall dolls are 8 1/4" tall, the seated doll is 4 1/2". Made in Osaka, Japan (by NAKAGAWA Kiyojiro)

Meiji period, Japanese Kutani porcelain teapot and the sugar bowl with covers, finely hand painted in gold, red, black and green with beautiful various images of butterflies in foliate scrolls. Booth Pieces hand signed on the bottom by the artist in Japanese characters.
MEASUREMENTS: Height of the tea pot: 20,5cm (8in) Width: handle to spout: 21cm (8 ½ in) Height of sugar bowl: 14,5 cm (8in) Width: handle to handle 16cm (6 ¼ in)...

Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), original dark brown translucent lacquer finish, made of sugi (cryptomeria), iron hardware, one shelf on interior of slider compartment, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 43" high x 37 1/4" wide x 15 1/4" deep.

Wonderful old Japanese Imari boat, incense burner (koro) or a nice dish for ... sashimi with soy sauce and wasabi in one side, circa Meiji period (1868-1912).

8 1/4" long x 4 1/2" wide x 3 1/2" tall

Beautiful Japanese antique Imari charger, circa Meiji period (1868-1912).
Dimensions: 14 1/4 inches in diameter x 2 1/2 inches deep

Beautiful and dramatic antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Nihonmatsu area, 2-sections, made with keyaki wood front and sugi wood frame, safe box with key, lovely original deep red/orange translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 47 1/2" high x 45 1/4" wide x 18 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese Carpenter Reel, Sumi Tsubo, Ink Line. 9.25 x 3 inches, 23.5 x 8 cm. It is rare to see sumi tsubo (Japanese carpenter's reel or inkline used for layout) fully intact with all its parts, including line and original stick pin, like this one. The Japanese word for tools is Dogu, which was originally the word for an itinerant monk's belongings. It alludes to the spiritual value which craftsmen put on their tools...

Antique Japanese Carpenter Reel, Sumi Tsubo, Ink Line. 8.25 x 3.5 inches, 21 x 9 cm. It is rare to see sumi tsubo (Japanese carpenter's reel or inkline used for layout) fully intact with all its parts, including line and original stick pin, like this one. The Japanese word for tools is Dogu, which was originally the word for an itinerant monk's belongings. It alludes to the spiritual value which craftsmen put on their tools...

A rare oval und convex shaped Japanese iron sword guard with two amaryu in gold nunome. Condition: good. Dimensions: 6,9 cm high x 6,1 cm wide.

Rare quality nobori Japanese banner for Boy’s day; beautiful hand-dyed work of the samurais on cotton. The nobori banners were originally used in the battlefields to shift the troops and to show the warriors the location of their generals. The designs on the banners were much simpler then and some were quite large. They must have had a scaring effect on the enemy when they saw so many flying banners in the sky approaching towards them...

Antique Japanese samurai doll, a flag-bearer sitting on a chair, 15 inches tall to the top of his head. This is a popular retainer doll paired with a general doll for the Japanese Boy’s Day. All the retainer dolls are usually not handsome; some look quite funny contrary to the handsome general dolls. You can even see a size difference for some in the set; there will be a big handsome general doll and a small retainer doll with a funny face to enhance the difference...

Japanese tobacco pouch and kiseruzutsu pipe case in carved red and black lacquer (tsuishu, tsuikoku) with Chinese sages in a rocky landscape. The pouch is delicately hand embroidered in brown tones with the finest silk thread depicting flowers (morning glories?) and leaves with vines. The pocket inside is made out of a Sarasa fabric (treasured cotton fabric by tea masters from Edo period - they were originally brought from India during 16 - 17 centuries ) which is lined with a soft leather...