Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 7". This is an example of "Goroujou" tradition of Iwate Prefecture. It is also a rare example of extant pre-WWII kokeshi. It was made at Yumoto Onsen by the artisan, Fujiwara Masagoro, who was born in Meiji 16 (1883!) and passed away at the age of 64 on June 12th, 1947 (Showa 22.) For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero website.

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

Toshi Yoshida (1911~1995)
Depicting: Snowy street
Print size: 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
A woodblock print tipped at the top to a Japanese Christmas card from 1953.
Bears the Yoshida seal.
Condition: Excellent.

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...

An amazing wood sculpture of a standing lady looking at a mirror while fixing her hair. Sculpture was done by Owa Sakunai (1894- active 1987) originally Sakunai was a farmer in Nagano and did sculpture as a hobby. Sakunai received the opportunity to study at the Academie Julian when he was 65 years old. After his study in France, he submitted many of his works to the Nihon Bijutsu-in exhibition. The work shown may have been submitted to an exhibition during the 1960s - 1970s...

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...

Paul Jacoulet
Une Averse A Metalanim Ponape, Est Carolines (Downpour at Metalanim Ponape, East Carolines)
Date: October 1, 1935. First edition. This edition was issued without a title. The title label at the lower right was added by the original collector.
Size: Approximately 18.75 x 13.75 inches.
Jacoulet signature and watermark with mandarin duck seal.
Edition: 053/150 numbered in kanji. (The edition of 150 is the earliest...

9.5 feet long hand-painted Japanese carp banner (Koi-nobori) for Boy's Day. Here on this banner, a mighty little boy named Kintaro, is hitching a ride on a carp. Kintaro may be a creation from a theater play (jyoruri and kabuki) of the Edo period – although he is said to be a childhood figure of the 10th century samurai, Sakata no Kinsuke - he is extremely strong and still a popular hero figure for Japanese boys...

Paper mache Daruma Dolls from Tamashima district of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture by Ono Ichi, ca. 1972. Pair or single, smaller (FI-8b): H. 4.875"(12.2cm) x W.3.5"(9cm.); larger (FI-8a): H.5.25"(13.25cm) x W.3.375"(8.5cm.) Painted paper mache. These dolls were made in 11 sizes ranging from 11 - 45cm. The small one here is the second smallest size made, known as "9-go", and the larger is an "8-go" size...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.5". Naruko-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Made by Itou Shouichi (Matsuichi?), born on Feb. 13, Taisho 13 (1924). This kokeshi probably dates from the 1970's.

Naruko-kei Kokeshi by Tsugawara Wahei, born Sept. 13, 1945. Wood, Height 7". Although this is a typical Naruko stle kokeshi, the words "Kaizen Damashii" (Group Spirit) have been written over the normal decorative patterns. Also written is "Mogami Denki Kabushiki Kaisha" (Mogami Electric Company, Inc.) This was probably commissioned and given out to company employees at a corporate solidarity event or campaign. Probably dates from the 1980's.

Tsuchi Ningyo, Clay Doll. Kintaro with Giant Carp. ca. early 1900's. H.4.25"(11cm) x W.3.375"(8.5cm.) Signed on bottom "Yano." Body is 100% intact and in good condition, but most of the paint has flaked off of the fish...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.75". Kijiyama-kei, Akita Prefecture. Made by Abe Youko; born April 3, 1932. This kokeshi probably dates from the 1970's. Women kokeshi makers, such as Ms. Abe, are in the minority in Japan in this craft that is usually handed down from father to son. Also, unique & interesting about Kijiyama style kokeshi is the depiction of the apron ("maekake" or "maedare") on the body.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 12". Yamagata-kei classification of Yamagata Prefecture. Made by Kobayashi Koutaro of Yamagata City, born March 13, 1936. This kokeshi probably dates from the late 1970's. The very thin body of this kokeshi is an unusual and interesting characteristic.

Japanese Fukagawa porcelain vase decorated with the double arched bridge (Nijyu-bashi) of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Singed by the artist、Zippo Araki (1872-1944), in underglaze blue beside his two red seals. This bridge was the one of first place to have electric lights from gas lights in Japan. Mt. Fuji logo of Fukagawa on the base, with inscribed original wood box (tomobako). 8 1/4" (hight) x 7 1/8" (width)

Kawase Hasui
Woman walking in snow with dog
Date: Early postwar.
Image size. Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
The woodblock print is tipped at the top to an original early postwar Christmas card.
Condition: Print is excellent. Card is slightly worn.

Gorgeous blue clouded mottle lies over oribes vibrant green crackled glaze on this thick slab of clay by world famous artist Kato Shuntei (b. 1927-1995) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The upturned edges create a border where none exists allowing the dish to blend with other table elements and yet setting it apart as an individual work (asif the size alone were not enough!)...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 8.25". Naruko-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Made by Satou Minoru, born Dec. 27, 1932. This kokeshi probably dates from the 1970's.