Catalog (416)

Futonji with two faces which are made of hand-spun cotton. One is katazome with chrysanthemum motif, dyed with bengala (red iron dioxide) and the other is checks dyed with vegetable indigo. Both sides have mending patches, breaks and holes. The first half of the 20th century. 144cm x 146cm

This is a piece of noh drama costume which is called "Choken". Choken is made of silk gauze or weft silk gauze with woven designs with gold and colored threads. It is worn by a dancer or noble man in the noh stage. This choken has woven design of Hagi ( Japanese clover ) and Nadeshiko ( Dianthus ) with gold threads. In excellent condition. 20th century. 40cm x 160cm

Ikkan-bari basket made of bamboo and paper. Ikkan-bari is a Japanese traditional craft which is: many layers of washi (Japanese handmade paper) are pasted on the bamboo or wood frame, or wood or clay mold. And then coated with urushi or kaki-shibu (persimmon juice) when it becomes dry and hard. It has paper(not Japanese paper) pasted on the bamboo basket and coated with kaki-shibu. Cloth hand-painted daruma and Benkei are collaged on both sides. In excellent condition. Contemporary. Diameter: 33...

Man's haori (jacket) made of tsumugi (pongee silk) with lining of scenery motif. In excellent condition. It has hand-braided cords in front. 20th century. 132cm x 94cm

Kokeshi made by Takahashi Akinori at Takahashi Hashime Studio in Sendai in Miyagi Pref. The body has beautiful urushi design. In excellent condition. 20century. H:37cm Diameter of the bottom:7.5cm

Urushi bowl made by Kizaki Tsukiho (1984~) who is an emerging urushi craftsman in Shiga Pref. He makes a wood bowl himself and paints urushi too, generally it is done by each craftsman. Texture is rather rough comparing with common urushi bowl but stronger. Contemporary. In excellent condition. Diameter:11.5cm H:8.3cm

Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with owner's name, made of asa (hemp) whose warps and wefts are hand-plied. It has 4 mending patches with same cloth as the ground. It has un-dyed cotton cloth for reinforcement in the middle and has sashiko. Used but in excellent condition. The first half of the 20th century. 132cm x 138cm

Minsa obi (sashi) made in Taketomi Island in Okinawa. The features of Taketomi Minsa obi are: both wefts and warps are machine-spun cotton and handwoven. It has four and five block warp kasuri pattern and both selvedges have uneven horizontal stripes which symbolize mukade (centipede). Minsa obi was a gift from a woman to a man meaning acceptance of engagement in old days. In excellent condition. 20th century. 8cm x 2m4cm u

A case for hemp seed made of hechima, sponge gourd, one kind of squash. It has writing "hemp seed" and the year "Showa 9", 1934. It has beautiful color of urushi and kakishibu by aging. L:83cm, Diameter:12cm

Lined woman's kimono made of high quality silk crepe with geometric pattern which is katazome (stencil-resist-dye). In good condition except for a few minor stains. 1920s or 30s. 124cm x 148cm

Woman's short cotton kimono (hanten) with stripes which is handwoven and vegetable indigo dye. It was worn for everyday kimono or noragi, however, it is in excellent condition. The sucnd half of the 20th century. 120cm x 80cm

Kurume kasuri futonji (bedding) with geometric pattern. Kurume kasuri was invented by Inoue Den around 1800, a woman lived in Kurume in Fukuoka prefecture in Kyushu. This futonji is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Weaving of Kurume kasuri changed from handloom to machine weaving around 1883, so it may be woven before 1883. In excellent condition Late 19th century. 130cm x 144cm

Winnowing basket called "箕（mi)"which is used by farmers to eliminate or blow out unnecessary stuffs. It is made of bamboo and covered with washi and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin). Bamboo mi is made in rather warmer region and bast of trees are made in colder region, however, it is not clear when these ones are made. Generally, in good condition but have some minor breaks or rips. 20th century. W:45cm to 43cm, L:36.5cm to 34cm. Possible to sell one piece for $40.

Large furoshiki made of hand spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has tsutsugaki (freehand drawing with paste-resist-dye technique) crane and turtle motif. Used and has some stains and tiny holes. The second half of the 19th century. The crest is "Ken-ni-Katabami Mon, (sword and oxalis). W:132cm, L:145cm

Meisen haori (jacket) with dots pattern, which are double kasuri. Both warp and weft kasuri yarns are stencil-resist-dye. It has hand-braided cords in front. Mid 20th century. Generally, in good condition except for a few stains in the white silk lining. W:123cm, L:90cm

A large basket handmade of bamboo strips. In excellent condition except for a minor break, however no problem for use. 20th century. Diameter:43.5cm, H:17cm

Mingei wooden box with carving. In good condition but has some dents and scratches on the lid. 20th century. 13.5cm x 29cm x 5.5cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century. Top:82cm x 32cm, Bottom:82cm x 56cm

Wooden urushi Bento-bako (lunch box) made in Wajima in Ishikawa Pref. Wajima-nuri has been made in the region since mid 17th century. It has removable two pieces for a partition between rice and dishes and one plate. In excellent condition except for some hairline in the bottom. 20th century. 25.5cm x 15.5cm x 6.3cm

Asa (hemp) baby's kimono with hand-painted pine tree motif whose wefts as well as warps are hand-plied. It has se-mamori in the back which is a charm with silk threads and this one is boy's kimono as they are in the left as well as in the center (girl's one is in the right). Evils are believed to come from back in old days and it protects a baby from diseases. The second half of the 19th century. In good condition but some stains in front and holes in two belts made of thin raw silk. 76cm x 90cm...

Ainu woman doll made of clay with cotton clothing which might be "ru-unbe" or "kaparamip". The Ainu pattern is hand-drawn. In excellent condition. 20th century. H:25.5cm

4 sheets of Chiyo-gami with autumn leaves designs which are woodblock prints. The paper is washi, a handmade paper made from mulberry fiber. Chiyo-gami was originated in Kyoto and developed in Edo later. It was used for paper dolls and paper crafts. Generally the larger one is the older. Clockwise from top left: 53cm x 37cm, 52cm x 37.5cm, 41cm x 32cm, 53cm x 37cm The top left one has rather thick texture and others have thin texture. The fourth one has a break in the corner. The first half of...

Four sheets of Chiyo-gami which is woodblock print on washi (handmade paper). It is originated in Kyoto and developed in Edo later. It is used for paper dolls and paper crafts. The first half of the 20th century. 53cm x 38cm (the largest one)

Silk meisen kimono with double kasuri block pattern. It has red cotton lining so that it was made in early Showa, 1930s. In excellent condition except for tiny moth holes in wool muslin cloth in the wrists inside. 126cm x 144cm

Cotton cloth which used to be obi (sash) for a casual kimono. It has hand-drawn tsutsugaki design. It was "Nagoya obi" which was invented in early 20th century to make it easier to tie in the traditional style. In good condition but has folded line in the center (about a half length ) and some stains in the back. Mid 20th century. 32.5cm x 4m28cm

A cloth made of 4 pieces of cotton cloth with sashiko which are vegetable indigo dye and hand-spun cotton. The sashiko yarn is cotton. 20th century. 62cm x 55cm

Silk meisen kimono with colorful geometric stripes. It has thin cotton lining and red silk cloth in the hem of sleeves. In good condition except for a few mending patches in the lining. 1930s. 124cm x 150cm

A Back-pack bag made of hemp which was used by a mountain worker. In excellent condition. The second half of the 20th century. W:33cm, H:36cm

Wood tray mended with metal hinges. It has beautiful annual growth rings and grains. The first half of the 20th century. W:27.5cm, L:40cm, H:4.8cm, Weight:1100gm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century. 32cm x 81cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century, however one of mending paper has letters "Taisho 4 (1916). Top:87cm x 32cm, Bottom:75cm x 32cm

Sakiori obi hand-woven of cotton strips recycled from old cloth as wefts and hemp yarn as warps. Generally good condition for the age, but has some wear, thin parts. The first half of the 20th century. 12cm x 2m40cm

Meisen haori with colorful stripes which is double kasuri and both wefts and warps kasuri yarns are dyed with stencil (Heiyo-Kasuri). In excellent condition. 1950s to 60s. W:126cm, L:74cm

Han-gappa which is a kind of jacket worn over kimono. Wefts are silk yarn and warps look cotton yarn. The collar is made of black wool which might be imported, and straps are made of wool cloth and vegetable indigo dye silk cords. In good condition except for a few moth holes in the wool collar and a rip in the shoulder. The second half of the 19th century. 129cm x 98cm

Small furoshiki, made of hand spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has tsutsugaki auspicious motifs, "Sho-Chiku- Bai", the pine tree, the bamboo and the plum bloom. In excellent condition. Late 19th early 20th century. W:69cm, L:77cm

This is possibly a card or ticket case made of rare piece of bingata cotton cloth. Bingata is katazome ( stencil-dyeing ) produced in Ryukyu islands ( now Okinawa ). This bingata was produced in 19th century, but this case might have been made later, early 20th century ( sewn by machine ). The lining is silk. In excellent condition. 13cm x 7.7cm

This is a meisen kimono with geometric pattern in white, red and black. In good condition except for the blackish part in the back ( not stain but weaving flaw ) and some stains in the front lining. 1950s 128cm x 150cm

Cotton cloth with shibori (tie-dye) seigaiha (waves) pattern and dyed with akane (madder). In excellent condition but akane color is faded and one mending patch and a few tiny holes. The first half of the 20th century. 35cm x 136cm

Trunk box made of wicker, bamboo and leather. It has washi (Japanese handmade paper) lining with kanji letters. It has black leather for reinforcement. In good condition but has some wear in the leather. It is tight when the lid is put on the box, so better to use separately. The first half of the 20th century. 44cm x 31cm x 24cm

A set of 5 chataku (saucer for tea cup) made of brass and black checker pateern looks painted with urushi. In good condition but some parts where black urushi came off and hair lines. It has engraved mark, "Shobido" in the back. 20th century. Glass tea cup is not included. 11cm x 11cm x 1.2cm

Bamboo tray handmade of bamboo strips. It is for uchiwa fan to be put in, which is one kind of fan used in hot summer. In excellent condition except for a loose strip in the bottom of th oval part. 20th century. 28cm x 33cm x 2.5cm

Bamboo basket container coated with urushi. It is handwoven of bamboo strips and covered with washi (Japanese handmade papaer), and then painted with black urushi. It has a label inside which says "Kataji kawago" which used to be a basket made of bamboo or wicker and covered with deer skin, or covered with washi later. It also says it was made in Ise in Mie Prefecture. It has vegetable indigo dyed washi lining. Generally in good condition but has many parts urushi came off, breaks and wear. 1...

A small bag made of ohyo fiber, one kind of elm. It is made in Asahikawa in Hokkaido. Warps and wefts are hand-plied. It has a wood carved decoration. In excellent condition with an original carton box. 20th century. 20.5cm x 10.5cm x 5cm

Cotton lining for narrow sash (obi). Most of the fragments are hand-spun cotton cloth, such as plain cotton indigo dyed, itajime mame-shibori (clamp-board dye), katazome (stencil-resist-dye) etc. The second half of the 19th century. 15cm x 4m50cm

A pair of miniature wood sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku which are two of the Japanese Seven Dieties believed to bring good luck. Ebisu is a diety of fishery which brings plentiful catch and Daikoku is a diety of agriculture which brings good harvest. Both are in excellent condition with an original wood box. 20th century. H:5cm each, w:3.6cm each.

Hagoita (battledore) with oshie which is the Japanese traditional craft. Motifs are figures, kabuki actors, flowers, birds etc. They are made into raised pictures with silk crepe with lining of cotton and attached on the wood or paper board. Hagoita is used for the game "hane-tsuki" played on the New Year's Day. Two persons hit a shuttle with hagoita. This one has oshie woman in traditional kimono. It has letters that show it was made in Meiji and in Tokyo. In good condition with an original box...

Cotton kimono with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern butterfly crest and dancer. It is made from cloth for tenugui (towel). It has rather thick texture and in good condition except for some dirty line in the neck. The first half of the 20th century. 118cm x 131cm

Elementary student's uniform made of wool and probably blended. It has Longer pants has mending. 1940s. Jacket: W:41cm L:53cm, Long pants: W:38cm :L64cm, Short pants: W:31cm L:50cm

A small rug or ashifuki (foot dryer) made of hand-spun cotton and indigo dye shibori pattern, one is sekka shibori (clamp-board dye) and Kumo-shibori. It has two layers of cloth with sashiko. The first half of the 20th century.In good condition except for a stain. 69cm x 46cm

Three baby's kimonos, all three have lining with thin cotton for warmth. Two kimonos in yellow and brown stripes are from Akita prefecture where is the product place of Akita-hachijo, which is plain weave tsumugi (pongee silk) dyed with vegetable yellow and brown. Two of them have charm made of silk crepe in the back. Some of kimono for a baby or a child have charms in the back as evils believed to come from the back. The red kimono is made of cotton with katazome. Both Akita-hachijo have cotton...

Baby's juban (under kimono) handwoven of hemp whose wefts are hand-plied but warps are machine-spun. It is dyed with benibana (safflower). In good condition. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:33cm, L:62cm

A folding pillow made of wood used on travel. It has two cushions made of cotton velour. Women had a largely fixed hair with wearing kimono, so this kind was used. It has carved letters "Beppu" and the scenery, so that it was made or sold there. Beppu is famous for onen, hot spa, located in Oita prefecture in Kyushu. In good condition. The first half of the 20th century. L:21.5cm, W:5.8cm (folded)

A wood bowl used by a lacquer ware maker. It has layers of red and black urushi. It is used by a craftsperson of Aizu-nuri, from Aizu in Fukushima in Tohoku district. The first half of the 20th century. Diameter:15.8cm, H:6.5cm

A wood plate used by a lacquer ware maker. It has layers of red and black urushi. It is used by a craftsperson of Aizu-nuri, from Aizu in Fukushima in Tohoku district. The first half of the 20th century. Diameter:16.4cm, H:4cm

A tiny handbag handmade of bamboo strips. It is all handmade of bamboo, such as body, handles and clasp. Generally in good condition but has two tiny holes in the corners in the bottom. The first half of the 20th century. W:17cm, H:13cm, D:9cm

Large bag made of vegetable indigo dye hemp which looks recycled from hemp mosquito net, whose warps and wefts are hand-plied. The second half of the 20th century. 63cm x 88cm

Wood urushi plate with kin-makie (gold lacquer) of "Yajirobeh"", a balancing toy motif. In good condition except for a mending, however, it is done by a professional and no serious problem. Meiji period (1868~1912) Diameter:16.5cm, Depth:2.7cm

A baby's kimono made of cotton with katazome (stencil-resist-dye), which is imitating shibori pattern. It has thick cotton lining which is from the cold district, such as Tohoku. Generally, in good condition but two belts are damaged and stains in the lining. The 20th century. W:69cm, L:64cm

Zabuton, a floor cushion made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. One side has kasuri pattern. It has four layers of cloth and sashiko (quilting) with white cotton yarn. Generally, in good condition but has wear or breaks in hems. Early 20th century. W:58cm, L:59cm.

Girl's kimono made of hamp, made in Ohmi region in Shiga prefecture, and it is called Ohmi-jofu. It has kasuri pattern, whose motifs are phoenix, cloud and flower. Warps are machine-spun and wefts are hand-plied. Red cloth inside is silk. Meiji period (1868~1912) In excellent condition. W:97cm, L:107cm