A vintage Japanese 2 section Kamo Kimono Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia). All original hardware with maker's name engraved into the main lock plate. Upper section features two large hinged doors behind which are 8 kimono trays for storing textiles. The lower section has 3 drawers for additional spacious storage...

Japanese framed print by sosaku-hanga artist Haku Maki (1924-2000) titled "Work 73-122". Depiction of a bright embossed persimmon against black background. Signed in pencil with red artist's cartouche. Set in a black and gold wooden frame. Size: 17.25" height, 14" width (entire frame) 11.25" height, 8.5" width

Oversized limited edition etching and relief print by Ouchi Makoto (1926-1989) titled “Yuki” (“Snow”). It is undated, but likely dates from the 1970s. The image is pencil-signed, numbered 13/35, and titled in kanji in the lower section. The paper size is: 37”V x 25”H. Very good overall condition. There is a small abrasion in the paper just under the penciled kanji title and the paper in the upper left corner is slightly wrinkled...

Rei Yuki (1928-2003)
Coincidence (Guzen)
Edition: 4/60
Pencil signed, titled and numbered.
Not dated.
Paper size: 12.5 x 10.25 inches.
Condition: The back has light tape marks. The paper is thinner at the upper right corner margin.

A vintage Japanese Sado Mizuya (kitchenette for tea ceremony) made of Hinoki (Cypress). Used for storing tea bowls, brush whisks, ladles, tea caddies and various tea ceremony accoutrements. Bottom left drawer is copper lined to hold water that is drained from the bamboo grill above that holds newly washed bowls. Various shelves and hanging posts used for organizing and storage...

A Beautiful Ode to Longevity by Watanabe Gashin, born 1944. Watanabe Gashin is a renowned calligrapher who has won many awards for his Japanese calligraphy. In this unique work, he spells out the joys of each decade, from the age of 60 to the age of 111. Frame: 36.5 x 18 inches, 93 x 46 cm; Calligraphy: 25 x 12 inches, 63.5 x 30.5 cm.

Indigo-dyed heavy cotton shop Apron, Unknown business. Stencil-dyed on both sides with shop name and address: “Takara;” braided cotton waist tie. Top line: “Saikou Kyuu Hin” (Top grade Excellent Goods,) logo: “Takara” (Treasure) character with image of Daikoku’s (one of the 7 Lucky Gods) hammer, 3rd line: “Daibenkyo no Mise” (A Shop with great discounts/bargaining opportunities.) This apron could be used generically for any type of business. Very good condition. Late1900’s...

Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) with Imperial Carts, flowers and gold color “maku” (outside cloth divider). The divider is used as a street on this gown leading the wagons to the large area at the bottom half. The background colors from the top are orange, light pink to dark gray at the bottom. The liner is red. The condition is excellent, like new.
53" W x 75 1/2" L (sleeve length 41")

Takamatsu Yomeiri Ningyo; Clay Bridal Trousseau Dolls from Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku Island. Set of 5 depicting auspicious images: Happy Couple, Dog, Rabbit, Ebisu with Tai (Sea Bream,) Dog with Tai. H. .75" to 1.125" (2cm-2.75cm) x W. .875" to 1.375" (2.25cm - 3.5cm;) painted clay, ca. 1972. Condition notes: .75cm paint chip on back of Ebisu, paint chipped away on fish of Dog with Tai figure. Others all in excellent condition...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. It was made by the artisan, Oonuma Hideo, who was born on February 17, 1930 (Showa 5.) It is dated September 15th, Showa 50 (1975,) but it is not clear if this was a production date signed by the maker, or a purchase date signed by the collector...

Asa (hemp）kimono with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) whose wefts and warps are hand-plied. Dyed with vegetable indigo. In excellent condition except for two rips in the center back (7mm and 5mm). The third quarter of the 20th century. 126cm x 134cm

This is a beautiful dark blue Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) made in Nishijin, Kyoto. The label states the name of Nishijin and the use of pure gold. The gown is woven with fans and Gosho (palace) flower carts which is one of the favorite motifs used for Japanese wedding gowns. They are remainders of the Heian period (794-1192) which was the last graceful era of the aristocrats. The gown is meticulously hand sewn to perfection as most Japanese kimonos are...

Embossed limited edition etching by Japanese artist Mayumi Oda (1941-present) titled "Treasure Ship on the Great Lake", #11/30. It is signed at the bottom in pencil. The treasure ship is usually depicted with the Seven Lucky Gods aboard it, however Mayumi believed only in goddesses and thus created her treasure ship collection depicting only females riding aboard it. Mayumi is known as the 'Matisse of Japan'...

A unique Japanese kanban (shop sign) in the shaped of a pipe, with gilt kanji. It hangs from a length of iron chain. A very fun and attractive piece. Vintage age c1950 Size: 8" height (17.5" hanging) 26.5" length

This is a beautiful Japanese wedding gown (uchikake). Featured on brownish orange (when you looked at it where the gold does not take over, the basic color looks more like brownish red) silk are flocks of white cranes and stylized water in roundels of gold. The tone of the gold is rich but soft. The design is unique, elegant, artistic and well executed with excellent workmanship. The condition is almost new. The color is ligher than shown in the photos but it can change to soft to strong depen...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 10". Made by Sugawara Toshi, born Showa 13 (1938) and passed away in December of 1992 at the age of 55. Akiu Onsen is a hot spring resort not far from the city of Sendai. It is thought to be one of the oldest kokeshi-making locales in the Tohoku region where all traditional (dentou) kokeshi originate.

3 robed figures appear decidedly relaxed on the edge of a rock-strewn river lost in dark mountains. Above a poem reads:
Furusato ha Arukiteyukeru Tokoro ni-te, Yama ari, Mizu ari, kataru yuujin ari (Walking through my home(town) I find mountains, water and friends for conversation).
Ink on paper bordered in patterned silk with bone rollers. It is 59 x 129 cm (23 x 51 inches) and is in overall fine condition, with some toning due to age. Shimizu Hian (1883-1975) was a popular poet...

Nepalese Middle Hills Janus Mask, 13.5 inches, 34 cm.

Cotton and silk, mixed weave haori with shibori asanoha (hemp leaf) pattern which is dyed with the root of murasaki or murasaki-sou (lithospermum), one kind of grass. It is called "shikon-zome". Murasaki was grown since Asuka period (very late 6th to early 8th century) and purple was thought as the noble color. Shikon-zome was promoted by Nanbu-han (Nanbu Domain, now part of Iwate and Aomori prefecture) in Edo period but fell into a decline because of the chemical dye in Meiji period, however it...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.25". This is an example of "Kijiyama-kei" tradition of Akita Prefecture. The artisan was Abe Heishirou. It is not dated, but was most likely made in the 1960's to 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our website, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Yuasa Koufuu is an accomplished Japanese calligrapher. She is the recipient of many honors and prizes in Japan. Her style is very graceful and reminiscent of the famed Edo Period master, Rosetsu. In this delightful piece, Yuasa Koufuu describes the beautiful scenery in a mountain river. Frame: 20 x 14 inches, 51 x 35.5 cm; Artwork: 13 x 9 inches, 33 x 23 cm.

Japanese framed sumi print by abstract artist Toko Shinoda (1913-present). This print is titled "The Shade", with very light shadows and intersecting calligraphy lines with a streak of red. Number 14/50, signed in pencil. Size: (entire frame) 16.75" length, 13.75" width, 1" thick (artwork only) 11" height, 8" width

Four-panel kon (dark-blue) indigo-dyed cotton bed cover, red and white threads woven into warp and weft creating patterns of circles , squares, and checks. Top cover only, no backing or wadding, very good condition. Early 1900’s. L.69”(175cm) x W.55”(140cm.) Futonji, bed covers, were a common bridal trousseau item in feudal and early-modern Japan. They may have been made by the bride before marriage (in very rural areas,) or more likely commissioned by the bride’s family. The bed cover...

A pair of snow shoes made of rice straw which is from Tohoku district in Japan Sea side prefecture such as Yamagata or Akita. In excellent condition. 20th century. L:28cm, W:11cm, H:12cm

Sakiori obi for an everyday kimono. It is handwoven of cotton and silk strips of old kimono and cotton yarn for warps. Some wefts are from kimono with kasuri. In excellent condition. 20th century. W:16.5cm, L:2m92cm

Sakiori obi (sash) for casual kimono. Wefts are strips recycled from silk kimono and warps are black cotton. In excellent condition. 20th century. 13.5cm x 2m40cm

Set of six (6) Chinese chairs made from pearwood, with beautiful simplicity. All four legs and the underside of the seat are connected with horizontal wooden panels, carved with attractive sloping. The pearwood has a wonderful, warm glow with very attractive patterns in the grain. Comes with six tassled seat cushions. Size: 43.75" height, 20.75" width, 18.25" depth

Chinese porcelain vase of a wide, rounded form and a long neck, with a robin's egg blue underglaze, decorated with a cluster of dimensional pink and yellow chrysanthemums on gold stems. The opposite side has four small pink and yellow butterflies. Qing Dynasty Signature on bottom. Size: 9.75" height, 5" width

Large Japanese Gigaku demon mask, covered with red, gold, and black lacquer. The colors gold and red are associated with the underworld, especially when apparent in a demon's eyes. This mask sports long fangs, a stubby ridged nose, and furrowed brow. The inside of the mask has rice paper with kanji signature of the sculpting artist. Dates from the Tiasho age c1920. Size: 17.25" height, 13" width

Chinese censor made of copper, three legs, two looped handles, round bulb form, lovely mottled patina on outside, interior has green patina. Republic Period early 20th century. Size: 6" wide diameter x 5" high (including handles)

Japanese uchikake (wedding gown) with a colorful design of flowers and birds done in the Tsujigahana-zome (dye) style. The old Tsujigahana dye technique was used on the clothing of the Muromachi to Momoyama period elites. Inside the tie dyed area, flowers and birds were painted with blue, purple and black ink. Tsujigahana-dye was short lived and completely vanished by the early 17th century because of its extreme complexity. This gown is very beautiful with many woven metal threads;...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.625". This is a Yajiro-kei (Yajiro-classification) kokeshi, generally crafted in the vicinity of Shiroishi City in southern Miyagi Prefecture. However, this particular craftsman, Sato Seikou (?), lives in the next prefecture of Fukushima, on the coast in Iwaki City. He was born on February 22, Showa 22 (1947). This kokeshi probably dates from ca. 1980.

A beautifully painted porcelain blue and white Chinese vase with four maidens in elaborately designed robes, holding various objects such as flower baskets, a paint brush, and a book. Scholar's objects have been painted around the neck. The body has an interesting raised speckle texture. Unusual signature on bottom with beautiful floral design outline. Comes with hardwood stand. Dimensions: 17 1/4" Tall X 7 1/2" Wide (without hardwood stand) 1" Taller with Stand. Republic period (circa 1...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.75". Yajiro-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Made by Niiyama Hisaki, born Feb. 7, 1942. This kokeshi probably dates the early 1980's.

Chinese meiping porcelain vase with blue and white design of scrolling vines, flowers and 5 dragons. Narrow at the base, tapering outward with high, wide shoulders and very narrow neck. A band of waves decorates the neck and foot. Meiping vases are traditionally used to display flowering plum branches. Quinlong reign mark on the bottom in blue.

Age: circa 1980

Dimensions: 12 1/4" high x 7 1/2" wide

Kazak hand knotted rug made of wool from the middle east. Beautiful central medallion with blue, red and green design on a pale yellow/cream colored ground. The border has unusual medallion shaped design in red with blue, blue with yellow, and light pink with green. It measures 8' by 10'8".