Nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents' wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was, others were used to shift the troops. ...

Description:

A Lapis Lazuli Carving was exquisitely done by master craftsmanship.
Depicting a mountain view with pine trees and pagoda when old man riding a deer up to the winding road, it was a picture the scholars would always be dreamed of.

Date: Qing Dynasty, 18th Century.

Width without wood stand: 9.3cm.
The wood stand is newly made.

A SIMILAR PIECE WAS IN THE NAGEL AUCTION, 2009.

Inscriptions: Man San Train Fon(the mountain is full of joyful ...

The warrior’s armor and helmet, samurai sword, spears, banners and paper carps (later cloth) in the sky are all tools used to showcase boy’s day in Japan. This tradition started early Edo period (1603-1868) by samurai families wishing their son’s good health and studies to be honorable samurai.

This set is made in Kyoto, Japan and is called “Kyo-armor”. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. The culture there was developed to serve the best for the emperor...

A female dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated ...

A male dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated fr...

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamam...

Four finely carved wooden (maybe sandalwood) masks with lacquering and most with glass bead eyes. Showing different types of theatre masks as Hannya, Oni etc. Condition: minor rim frits, the Hannya mask with few lacquer losses. Dimension: c. 5.1 cm long x c. 3.5 cm wide.

STATUE OF BUDDHA

Buddhist wood carving image, Edo-Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. H 23 x W 8.5 x D 5cm (9.05 x 3.34 x 1.96in). Been more aesthetic and attractive with such defective but refined withered condition. Wabi-Sabi.


selected by ONEN




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This old Japanese Noh theater mask has the expressive face of an old man. The mask is carved from paulownia wood and dates to middle Edo period, around 1750. The patina is wonderful.

Mask measures approx 8 inches high and 6 inches wide

A large and very impressive tomb pottery horseman, Chinese, 1368-1644 AD. The type has been thoroughly tested and was burnt approx 500 years ago, placing it in the mid Ming period, c. early-mid 16th. century.

The pottery horseman, a higher-ranking officer, was probably originally equipped with a standard of wood, that has now decayed. He is clad in body armor in blue and torquise and wears a cone- shaped helmet. He is riding a white horse with details in torquise.

A rare to...

Exquisite set of Japanese Dairi bina (hina), the emperor and the empress dolls from early to mid Showa period. This is not a large set of dolls. The measurements of the wood box are 17” wide x 12 3/4” tall x 13 1/2” deep. We should add the approximate sizes of dolls. The label indicates that they are from Matsuzaka-ya, a major department store. Matsuzaka-ya started as a kimono store in late 16th century, pre Edo period. The beautiful details are packed in the small dolls - photos could n...

Munga Ningyo of a Samurai in Court Attire by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Late Edo Period. Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

Japanese antique nobori banner, hand painted on cotton, a tiger in bamboo grove. The style of the painting is derived from ancient Korean paintings of tigers. It is a style that became popular in Japan from the 16th century and you will see many screens and scrolls of tigers painted in this manner. The popularity of these paintings in this style continued throughout the Edo period(1608-1868) and into the Meiji era. The quality of the artwork tells us that this nobori is likely to have been done ...

A Zuni Polychromed Wood Kachina Group, depciting three Koyemsi, or Mud Heads, of classic articulated form and decoration, one, carrying Kianakwe Shikan’ona, White Kianakwe of the East on its back, dressed in a cloth manta, the white painted case mask with concentric bands in numerous colors with white dotted details, the other, carrying a bowl in his hand; possibly a depiction of the Kianakwe Ceremony. Heights: from 10" tp 13.75".

DESCRIPTION: A skillfully lacquered suzuri-bako (writing box) from the Meiji Period, early 1900’s. The lid of the rectangular box is decorated with a takamakie floral design in gold, silver and shu (a hue of red-orange) lacquer on a black ro-iro ground. The interior of the lid and box are sprinkled in a nashiji cloud motif. This suzuri-bako is a complete set, fitted with the original water dropper and inkstone and its original kiri (paulownia) wood box with inscription. Excellent conditio...

Circa 1880, Chinese red cinnabar circular box with stand. The box is presented on a carved wood stand having several coats of cinnabar lacquer, giving it the appearance of a solid carved cinnabar stand. Extremely well done and deeply carved, the scene depicts a well known Chinese story about Kuan Ti’s defense of Lin Bang's wife before the advance of Hsian Yu. Please note the beautifully carved horse. In excellent condition, the box including stand measures 5.5" diameter x 5.5" high. The b...

Unusual mask with flat top, small forehead, relief pierced through eyes, protruding nose, open mouth showing pierced through teeth, short rounded chin. Wood, dark patina. Remnants of thin superimposed layers of polychrome pigments. Himalayan Region, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 10 1/4" (26 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand which enhances its strange beauty. Old accident at base of chin, some erosion and flaking, otherwise very good condition. Note: this pie...

A pair small Chinese porcelain jars with lids, each decorated with two foo dogs among peony flowers and scrolls in the "wucai" palette with underglaze blue. Bases without glaze. Rare to find a pair with matching lids and with so fresh colors. Including two later reticulated wooden stands. Dimension with lid: 14.3 cm high, on stand: 17.3 cm high. Condition: one cover with glued area and rim chips. One jarlet with minor kiln dust and the other jar with negligible rim fritting. The wood stands with...