Saiho-hinagata (or hinagata), the sewing sample which is a miniature sample to learn sewing. It was invented by an educator for saving time and textile using a special measuring rod. It was practiced in a girl's school from Meiji 7, 1874). Reduced scales were one-third in the beginning and one-quarter, one-half, one-fifth etc. The sewing technique was exactly same as the real size in details. Saiho-hinagata was designated as a significant tangible folk cultural asset...

Hanten with sashiko (quilting) which is made in Shonai in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku District, which is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has 2 layers of cloth with sashiko. The collar cloth is also hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye cotton with stripes. In excellent condition. The first half of the 20th century. W:88cm, L:75cm

Hanten with sashiko and mending patches which is from Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture. It is made of many indigo dye cotton fragments as cotton was precious in regions with cold climate. It has beautiful vegetable indigo faded and worn-out parts. The first half of the 20th century. W:85cm, L:90cm

A fragment of washi with mending patches, groud paper as well as mending patches are kakishibu (persimmon tannin) dye for waterproof and sturdiness. It has several layers of used old washi. The original usage is not clear. Late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji). 40cm x 32cm

Maiwai-gi which is a festive kimono of fishermem. It was given to fishermen from a master of fishermen or an owner of a fish boat on the occasion of large catch. It is mostly made of cotton with auspicious motifs with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and partly hand painting. The original location of the Maiwai-gi is Boso peninsula in Chiba prefecture since late Edo period and spread along the Pacific Coast. This one has thick cotton lining so that it is made into yogi (kimono shaped bedding)...

A fragment of washi with mending patches, whose ground paper as well as mending patches are kakishibu (persimmon tannin) dye for waterproof and sturdiness. It has several layers of old recycled washi. The original usage is not clear. Late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji). 40cm x 40cm

Very RARE early 1930’s Japanese dark brown textured silk jacket with a hand painted lining commemorating the flight of the Clasina Madge flown by American pilot, Cecil Allen, in a race from Japan to the United States. Cecil A. Allen, 1904-1935, was a well known racing pilot whose heroic deeds were admired by the Japanese, as evidenced by this kimono. Allen’s plane, formally the Emsco* renamed Clasina Madge, is shown flying by Mt. Fuji with two Japanese planes accompanying him...

Silk meisen kimono without lining. It has double ikat checker board pattern. In excellent condition. Mid century (1930s to 1940s) 128cm x 148cm

Bashofu kimono made of several different pieces of bashofu with stripes. It is roughly sewn together, so it might be worn for a work wear. Both weft and warp are hand-plied. In good condition except for some stains. The first half of the 20th century. 124cm x 126cm

A fascinating piece of world history is depicted on this stunning Japanese men’s silk haori. The hand woven back panel is divided into 3 scenes; the most dominate being a peaceful scent of Mount Fuji with a Japanese coin centered below it. The lower left scene is 1920s New York City skyline with coins. On the lower right is a scene with 1930 Montreal, Canada skyline, a Queen Victoria coin, and the R100 zeppelin...

Noragi (work wear) made of asa (hemp) whose both wets and warps are hand-plied. The sleeves are vegetable indigo dyed cotton. A few holes with mending patches. Late 19th to mid 20th century. 109cm x 71cm

A minimal mask carved in very hard wood, note that eyes , noose and mouth are concentrated in the middle of the mask, leaving empty the rest of the mask, carved trisul and colors power offering. From early 20th H 29cm Few more information on local origin on request

Sakiori sodenashi (vest) whose weft is cotton strips recycled from old indigo dye kimono. warp is asa (hemp) yarn. It has beautiful mixed vegetable indigo color. In good condition but has some wear. The first half of the 20th century. 43cm x 75cm

Amazing boro tabi made of hand-spun cotton with mending patches. All original condition. The first half of the 20th century. 22.5cm x 11cm (sole)

Sakiori sodenashi (vest) hand-woven of strips for wefts which are recycled from old indigo dye cotton cloth and warps are asa (hemp) threads. It has some mending patches and wear. The first half of the 20th century. 35cm x 63cm

This is an antique men's silk juban, an undergarment worn under a kimono. For today’s standards, it is very odd to see such an extravagant hidden personal item. During the Edo period, which ended in 1868, common people were not allowed to wear silk. The growing economical power of merchants came along with social disorder and corruption. The Tokugawa government issued many sumptuary laws to limit the spending of the general people on luxury items...

Long cloth with shibori which is worn by a woman when she worked in the fields to protect skin from sunburn or bug bites, which covers a head with only an opening for eyes. It was mainly used in the southern part of Tohoku district. It is made of cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo. The fronthead part has double cloth. In good condition but the white stitches have some ravels and a few small holes. The first half of the 20th century. 34.5cm x 170cm

Small rug or zokin made of cotton fragments recycled from old kimono or futonji, which are hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye. It has sashiko (quilting) and two to four layers of cloth. The first half of the 20th century. 43cm x 49cm