Yuteki black slips down over the pourous, crackled white of this bold work by Taniguchi Ryozo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 8-1/2 inches (21.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition. The box is darkened with age.
Ryozo (1926-1996) studied initially under Kiyomizu Rokubei VI...

This plate is a fine example of the work of Hamada Shoji, a well known Japanese master potter. It is 7 ¾ inches in diameter. It carries a letter of authenticity from Mr. Barry Till who is curator of Asian Art, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. It was purchased in 1967 from a dealer in Hawaii. It is in very good condition.

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold) with image of Jou (old man from the Noh play "Takasago.") Early 20th C, Japan. L.7.75"(9.5cm) x W.3.375"(8.5cm) x H..75'(2cm). Bottom portion of mold only. The image of Jou, the old man raking leaves and the companion of Uba, is from the ancient Noh play "Takasago." Alone or accompanied by Uba, Jou is a symbol of a long married life and fidelity. Such sweets could have been used for marriages and New Years...

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...

Elegant Japanese uchikake (traditional wedding gown) sewn in the style of the twelve layered court attire (juni-hitoe) from the Heian period (794-1160). The longing for the beautiful, culture rich era of the aristocrats that existed so long ago never seems to cease in people's mind even after 1000 years. Here on this red background, the classic design of the ox-cart in a pine forest is beautifully woven in gold. The layer of robes could have gone up to 15 or even more...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Shiitake Mushroom motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.5.25"(15cm) x W.3"(7.5cm) x H.1"(2.25cm.) Condition Note: Bottom piece only, no cover piece. The wrinkled cap of the mushroom symbolizes old age and long like. It was used for celebratory occasions that called for such symbolism. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia...

An interesting tubular shaped Mashiko ware vase by Hasegawa Tsugio. The vase is done in the ash glaze method where the ash that circulates inside the kiln covers the fired piece creating interesting patterns and colors, late 20th century. Size: Height: 8" Length: 5" Width: 2.25"

White splashes into the pale terracotta of this large basin by world renowned artist Suzuki Osamu enclosed in the original signed kiri-wood box. The bowl measures almost 12 inches (28.5 cm) diameter, 3-1/2 inches (9 cm) tall and is in excellent condition, stamped on the base with the character Su in a square cartouche...

Beautiful peonies on a soft pure silk (sho-kinu, 100 percent silk) kimono roll. Hand dyed design (Yuzen zome) went through to the reverse side. The fabric (marked as Tango chirimen) is treated with some new chemical for easier maintenance, wrinkle free, washable (?), etc. Some designs are dyed to be matched for the wider width. Gentle, pale (smoky) purple color, 14 1/2 wide, full roll (enough to make a kimono).

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. Tokugawa government issued many sumptuary laws to limit the spending of the general people on luxury items...

A colorful Japanese Art Deco man's juban (under kimono), comprising a crazy quilt pattern of wonderful period hand-woven silk crepe fabrics in rich colors of indigo, red, green and purple, and brown, circa 1930, decorative trim and frog clasp, hand stitched, blue silk lining. Measurements: Sleeve tip to tip-48", shoulder to bottom hem-49"; A beautiful example of Art Deco fabrics in fair condition with frayed silks and lining fading, easily restored. Taisho or early Showa period

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold) with double Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif, early 20th C., Japan. L.8.75"(22.5cm) x W.4.25"(10.5cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) This mold has two chrysanthemum blossoms, a symbol of beauty and abundance in late fall and winter. On the side, the sweetmaker has written "an iri no natsume" (sweet red bean paste filled jujube) to indicate for which of type of sweet this mold was used...

A large cloth, silk brocade, lined with cotton with ties on one side. Dimensions: 104 1/4” long x 45” in width (2.65m x 1.14m). There are four 26” panels sewn together (sewing machine), each panel is decorated with a pair of phoenix birds one parched on a paulownia tree and the other on a rock. Although the fabric is of high quality silk, it actually is older than it appears - you need to handled gently. The gold sparkles when it is hit by lights...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Sensu (fan) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.9.375"(23.75cm) x W.4.125"(10.5cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) Condition Note: one of the posts connecting the top to bottom pieces is missing. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production. Materials such as w...

A bottle form vase by important 20th century artist Yagi Kazuo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vase is 4 x 4-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches (10 x 11.5 x 19 cm) and in excellent condition.
Volumes have been written about pioneering artist Yagi Kazuo (1918-1979) and I am sure he needs no introduction. His birth on Independence Day seems to have been a portent of things to come. He was the son of the ceramicist Yagi Isso, and grew up surrounded by the characters of the Goja-zaka potter...

Toshi Yoshida (1911~1995)
Depicting: Night snow scene
Print size: 5.5 x 4.0 inches.
A woodblock print tipped at the top to a Japanese Christmas card from the 1950s.
Bears the Yoshida seal.
Condition: Light foxing at roof on left. Inside of card has tears.

Silk obi with a grey-green background and gold thread cherry blossoms in honeycomb patterns. It features several images of two cranes with crossed beaks and wingtips touching, one with green, navy and orange feather and the other with yellow and blue feathers beside the branch of a pine tree and bright red, orange, and white flowers. Taisho period (1912-1925) Size: 168" length, 12.75" width

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Japanese Imperial Army Emblem, early 20th C. L.6.375"(16.25cm) x W.3.625"(9.25cm) x H.1.5"(4cm). This unique kashigata features an emblem of the Imperial Japanese Army; the Star over two crossed swords, with a hammer and chain. The overall outline shape is that is a war fan.This item shows how even nationalism came into the designs of Japanese sweets in the Imperial era at the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century. The back is stamped with the sweet...