Catalog (429)

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of machine woven cotton with hand-painting with motif of noble people. It has se-mamori (charm) with silk thread. The diagonal stitches to the left means it is boy's kimono ( to the right is girl's ). In old days, it is believed that evils come from back and a baby is vulnerable without seam in the back, so se-mamori is put. In good condition but a bit dusty from aging. Dry cleaning only. Late 19th to early 20th century. 62cm x 76cm

Very large furoshiki with many mending patches which are all original and beautifully done. It is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed, ground cloth as well as mending patches. In good condition. The second half of the 19th to early 20th century. 164cm x 164cm

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes. It has more than 600 fragments, mostly hand-spun and vegetable dye but some warps are chemical dye and also some fragments have silk threads. The second half of the 19th century. In good condition but some fragments are mildewy. 38 pages. 18.5cm x 13cm x 2cm

Sodenashi (vest) made of silk crepe fragments which are: katazome (stencil-resist-dye), stripes with yama-mayu (wild silk), itajime (clamp-board dye), plain etc. All vegetable dye such as indigo, benibana (safflower), shikon (root of purple grass). In excellent condition. The second half of the 19th century. 37cm x 57cm

Pilgrim's cotton hanten (hakue) with many stamps of sacred places in Shodo-shima in Kagawa prefecture. They are called "Shodo-shima Hachiju-hachi Kasho", 88 Sacred Places in Shodo Island. It is said Kobo-Taishi (Kukai) had ascetic practice and prayer at those places, who founded Shingon Mikkyo in late 8th century. In good condition except for light stain in the upper back sleeve. The first half of the 20th century. 128cm x 93cm

Small rug or zokin made of cotton fragments recycled from old kimono or futonji, which are hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye. It has sashiko (quilting) and two to four layers of cloth. The first half of the 20th century. 43cm x 49cm

A carpet made of recycled washi fragments which were daifukucho (merchant's record book) or letters, and kakishibu (persimmon tannin) painted for strength and waterproof. It was generally put over tatami mats protecting them from sun beam or dust. It has letters "Kanei 6 (1853)", very late Edo period. It has rips, holes and moth bites. 204cm x 192cm

A Karatsu ware tea bowl with silver mending (gin-tsugi) which is mending technique, broken pieces are put together with urushi and then silver powder is applied. It has simple painting which is called E-karatsu. Karatsu ware has been produced in the east part of Saga and the north part of Nagasaki prefectures in Kyushu since late 16th century. This one is made of four fragments of Karatsu-yaki (yobi-tsugi). Probably 17th century. Diameter:13cm, H:4 to 5cm

A pair of goldfish lantern made of washi (handmade paper) and bamboo strips which is the origin of Nepta (or Nebuta) used at Nepta festival in Hirosaki city in Aomori prefecture. The goldfish lantern made of paper and bamboo strips were used till around 1980s, but now it is replaced to one made of vinyl and wire. In good condition except for some brownish spots in the white parts. Large one: H:35cm W:34cm, Small one: H24cm W20cm

Wood bowl (shikarinpah) with bird motif, made by Ainu craftsman in Hokkaido. All hand-carved and in excellent condition. 20th century. L:24cm W:10.5cm H:5cm

Junrei's hakui (pilgrim's hanten) with many stamps of holy places in Shikoku, which is made of white hand-spun cotton. The ink letters reads "Shikoku Hachiju-hachi-ka-reisho" which means eighty eight holy places in Shikoku. It seems that the pilgrim visited all the eighty eight holy places. In good condition. The first half of the 20th century. 114cm x 87cm

Yukata (cotton unlined kimono) with shibori (tie-dye) whose motifs are tomoe (three-way), aboshi (fishing net being dried) and a logo with the character uma (horse). The shibori techniques are: Miura shibori and Ori-nui shibori (folded and stitched). It is hand-sewn and all tie-dye is by hand. Vegetable indigo dyed. In excellent condition. 20th century. 126cm x 131cm

Noren made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable dyed (probably kakishibu) and all hand-sewn. It has "Yotsume" family crest. In excellent condition. The second half of the 19th century. 122cm x 126cm

A bag for backpack made of Miyama Kansuge, "hiroro" by dialect which is a group of carex. It is made in Aizu region in Fukushima prefecture. It has purple and dark indigo cotton cloth interknitted in the cord. 20th century. In excellent condition. 40cm x 39cm.

Silk meisen kimono with double kasuri apple and strawberry pattern on yellow ground. Kasuri pattern was dyed with stencil-resist-dye (katazome) for both weft and warp yarn (heiyo-kasuri). Generally in good condition but has some brownish stains and some in the lining too and the silk tape in the hem is a bit dirty. Mid 20th century. 126cm x 146cm

Asa (hemp) noragi (work wear) with fine kasuri pattern which is katazome (stecil-resist-dye) and vegetable indigo dye. Both weft and warp are hand-plied. This kind of thick hemp textiles are found in Tohoku district. Generally in good condition but has some mending patches and stitches and wear in shoulder lines. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:116cm x L:76cm, Measurement of details, please inquire.

Large furoshiki made of hand-spun cotton with tsutsugaki design which are auspicious motifs, such as fukura suzume (sparrow), bamboo, pine tree. plum flower and scrolls. Vegetable indigo and natural brown dye. In good condition except for some brown color faded parts and a rip (2cm). The second half of the 19th century. 130cm x 140cm

Sakiori sodenashi (vest) hand-woven of strips for wefts which are recycled from old indigo dye cotton cloth and warps are asa (hemp) threads. It has some mending patches and wear. The first half of the 20th century. 35cm x 63cm

Korean wrapping cloth, chogappo which is made of recycled ramie (choma) fragments. All hand sewn except for a blue belt. The frame cloth is silk gauze."Pojagi" is a general name for wrapping cloth and "chogappo" is one kind of pojagi which is patchwork with silk as well as asa ( reference source: "Korean Embroidery and Wrapping Cloths from the Choson Dynasty" published by Japan Art & Culture Association in 1995 ). Generally in good condition except for some color bleeding parts. The first half o...

Design book of Japanese traditional patterns which are originally designed by Katsushika Hokusai (1760?~1849), a notable and prominent Ukiyo-e-shi. The title is "Shin-gata Kommon-cho", a new komon design book. It has a pair of two designs, which are woodblock print, black line in one page and colored in the other and each has a name. 74 patterns in a ciecle. In excellent condition. Published in Taisho 14 (1925) by Okamoto Ihei in Kyoto. 22cm x 17cm x 2cm

Wa-sarasa futonji made of cotton and dyed with pigments. Wa-sarasa is Japanese calico which is first made in Edo period immitating calico from abroad and stencil-resit dye or woodblock print. The product places were Nabeshima (Saga Pref. in Kyushu), Sakai (Osaka), Nagasaki (Kyushu) etc, however it is not clear where this futonji was made. In excellent condition. The latter half of the 19th century. 130cm x 168cm

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

Futonji or shikimono (carpet) made of many pieces of hand-spun cotton cloth except for the lining. Most of pieces are vegetable indigo dyed and some with chawata (natural brown cotton)It has some holes and mending patches. Late 19th to early 20th century. 120cm x 130cm

Cotton Wa-sarasa produced in Kyoto, called Kyo Sarasa. The word "Sarasa" means cotton cloth with designs which are hand-painted, woodblock printed and copper plate printed, Those sarasa cloth were brought by trade from India, Europe, Persia (Iran), Java etc. in 16th and 17th century. Cotton with colorful and exotic design fascinated Japanese people, especially tea ceremony masters and rich civilians. Many kinds of imitated sarasa were produced in Japan and they were named according to their pro...

Boro hanten noragi made of cotton with stripes and plain which are vegetable indigo dye. It has two layers of cloth and sashiko all over. The shape of sleeves is "makisode. The frist half images are inside out. The first half of the 20th century. 128cm x 87cm

A pair of "Ashimoto andon (foot lantern) made of cedar board, bamboo and washi (Japanese hand-made paper). The paper is replaced from shoji-gami (white paper for paper screen) to recycled washi which was a record book of a merchant in late Edo period. Washi is made from paper mulberry bark and very strong. With a carton box for a pair. 20th century. In excellent condition. 18cm x 18cm x 47cm (with a handle).

A pair of hina dolls, Obina (male,right) and Mebina (female, left) which are displayed on Hina Matsuri on March 3rd . It is also called "Momo-no-sekku" or "Girl's Day" History of Hina dolls can trace back to Heian period (A.D.794~1185), but Hina doll display began in early Edo and became more gorgeous later. Paper Hina dolls were made in early Edo period (early 17th century) They have beautiful hand-painting of women on their costume. In good condition but have some damages. 17th century. 21cm x...

A pair of wood sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku which are two of seven gods. Ebis is for good business and Daikoku is for luck with money. They are put on the ouse shrine. In good condition but some parts are missed in Ebis (left). Late 19th to early 20th century. Base:15cm x 5cm, Height:12cm

Noragi (work wear) made of asa (hemp) whose both wets and warps are hand-plied. The sleeves are vegetable indigo dyed cotton. A few holes with mending patches. Late 19th to mid 20th century. 109cm x 71cm

A gun powder container (kayaku-ire) made of twisted paper string and urushi (lacquer) is painted. It is very sturdy and light-weight so that it was made to many living wares such as a bowl, a sake cup, jingasa (hat), tobacco pouch, trunk, etc. from Edo period. In excellent condition with a deer skin pouch. 19th century. W:7cm H:16.5cm

A piece of Iyo-zome cloth which was futonji (bedding). It is made of hand-spun cotton and has katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern. The name Iyo-zome is originated from Iyo sudare (bamboo screen) since the pattern looks like wood grain by looking through two layers of them. Stripes are dyed with two katagami (stencil paper), one is vegetable indigo and the other is natural brown dye. Two katagami are dyed by displacing them so that they make wood grain like pattern. Iyo-zome was very popular in...

A piece of Iyo-zome cloth which was futonji (bedding). It is made of hand-spun cotton and has katazome (stencil-resist-dye) pattern. The name Iyo-zome is originated from Iyo sudare (bamboo screen) since the pattern looks like wood grain by looking through two layers of them. Stripes are dyed with two katagami (stencil paper), one is vegetable indigo and the other is natural brown dye. Two katagami are dyed by displacing them so that they make wood grain like pattern. Iyo-zome was very popular in...

Cotton cloth, called "yu-age”, which is used for a newborn baby. It is ordered by parents of a mother as a congratulatory gift. It has tsutsugaki auspicious motifs, such as a crane, a turtle, pine tree, plum blooms and bamboos. Red part in the top corner is for wiping baby's face, because red color is thought to be good for baby's eyes. It is from Izumo region in Shimane prefecture. In good condition, but the red and indigo blue are a bit faded. Meiji period (1868∼1912）65㎝ x 103cm

Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. The crest is hand-drawn by tsutsugaki technique. It has sashiko on the four corners. In excellent condition except for a cut (1cm) in the crest. The second half of the 19th century. 135cm x 137cm

Han-gappa (short jacket) made of kuzdu-fu whose wefts are kudzu fiber and warps are cotton. Kudzu is one kind of leguminous plant. The collar is made of imported wool. Han-gappa made of kudzu-fu was worn in summer and other ones with lining was for winter. The design of the straps show it was made after Tenpo era (1830∼1844）in Edo period, according to the "Kinsei Fuzoku-shi" Buttons are made of the horn of the water buffalo. Kudzu-fu has been produced mainly in Kakegawa in Shizuoka prefectur...

Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with sashiko which is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. It has the sashiko owner's name. The first half of the 20th century. In excellent condition. 124cm x 124cm

A piece of Narumi-Kongata (also called Urumi-zome) cloth which is hand-spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo. Narumi-Kongata is one kind of katazome (stencil-resist-dye) imitating shibori. It had been produced from late Edo to Meiji period but not produced anymore. It has auspicious shrimp motif with intricate pattern which requires high dye and stencil making technique. In excellent condition. 35cm x 172cm

Cotton woman's kimono (yukata) with shibori pattern which is chemical indigo dye. Shibori techniques are Orinui shibori (folded & stitched) and Hiranui-makiage shibori (stitched & bound). In good condition. Mid 20th century. 130cm x 146cm

A Karatsu ware tea bowl with gold mending. It has simple paintings which is called E-karatsu. Karatsu ware has been produced in the east part of Saga Pref. and the north part of Nagasaki Pref. in Kyushu since late 16th century. Age is not clear. It is possible that is made by modern artist. However, kintsugi (mending by gold) is enjoyable. Diameter:15cm, Height:5cm

A fragment of washi with mending patches, groud paper as well as mending patches are kakishibu (persimmon tannin) dye for waterproof and sturdiness. It has several layers of used old washi. The original usage is not clear. Late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji). 40cm x 32cm

A fragment of washi with mending patches, whose ground paper as well as mending patches are kakishibu (persimmon tannin) dye for waterproof and sturdiness. It has several layers of old recycled washi. The original usage is not clear. Late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji). 40cm x 40cm

Iwai-Bandori which is a backpack pad for carrying household items on wedding, made in Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku. It is made of cotton rags. In good condition. The first half of the 20th century. L:110cm, W:28cm

Floor cushion cover (zabuton-gawa) made of choma (ramie) whose warps and wefts are hand-plied. It has beautiful katazome (stencil-resist-dye) bamboo motif. The white ground katazome is called "Jishiro" which is rather rare than indigo ground one. It has also nice cloth with stripes for lining, whose warps are cotton and wefts are ramie. Probably made in Echigo, now Niigata prefecture. In excellent condition. The second half of the 19th century. 64cm x 68.5cm

A small bag made of deer skin with shibori (tie-dye) pattern. The brown color is dyed with the technique called "fusube-gawa". The deer skin is smoked with burning rice straws and gets brown color. Fusube-gawa is used for armors or wallets in Edo period. It has silk cords and lining. In excellent condition. Late 19th to early 20th century. 15cm x 18cm

Silk meisen kimono with geometric design, whose colors are yellow ground with black, white and red triangles. Kasuri pattern for both warps and wefts are stencil-resist-dye (heiyo-kasuri). In excellent condition except for minor spots in front. 1950s Probably made in Isesaki city. 126cm x 146cm

Sake (or water) container made of hyotan painted with kakishibu (persimmon juice) many times. It has hand-bladed silk cord for decoration and carrying. In excellent condition except for a bit of wear in the tassels. Late 19th to early 20th century. L:44cm Diameter:8cm

Boro furoshiki with many mending patches with various cloth and interesting mending stitches. The ground cloth is thin cotton cloth in gray. The first half of the 20th century. 126cm x 126cm

Cotton kimono with shibori (tie-dye) pattern which is paulownia flower motif. All hand-tied and dyed with vegetable indigo. In excellent condition. Mid 20th century. 126cm x 140cm

Silk meisen kimono without lining. It has double ikat checker board pattern. In excellent condition. Mid century (1930s to 1940s) 128cm x 148cm

Wood board used by a "nushi", a lacquer-ware artisan in charge of lacquering urushi. It has natural dripping and dried glue(natural) while lacquering. Both sides are beautiful. In good condition. The first half of the 20th century. 9.5cm x 91cm x 0.9cm

Yuki-boshi (snow hat) made of weed and from Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district. It is said it was worn by "matagi", a hunter. It has fragments of washi dyed with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for waterproof. The second half of the 19th to early 20th century. In good condition. 45cm x 50cm

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of Echigo-jofu which is hand-woven of choma (ramie) and dyed with indigo. The fine kasuri pattern is yoko-gasuri (weft kasuri) and bamboo, pine tree and plum bloom motifs. Echigo jofu was first woven asa kasuri in mainland Japan having been influenced by Ryukyu (Okinawan) kasuri. The dye is called Ai-sabi which is very dark blue dyed with vegetable indigo mixed with shoen (burnt pine shoot) or other catalysts. It has rare charms, one is ribbons made of red silk crep...

Hanten remade from Echigo-jofu kimono which is handwoven with choma (ramie) and both weft and warp are hand-plied. Echigo-jofu has been woven in Echigo region in Niigata prefecture since ancient time. Especially, pictorial and cross double kasuri patterns were very popular and much produced in late Edo period (the first half of the 19th century). Those Echigo-jofu with cross double kasuri kimono are seen many in Ukiyo-e. This hanten has double kasuri pattern and stripes. 19th century. In good co...

Two pieces of urumi-zome cloth which are made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Urumi-zome is katazome (stencil-resist-dye) imitating shibori-zome (tie-dye) and it requires more process than common katazome to make blurring like shibori. Both have rips but other part of the cloth is not weak. The right one has a patch in the back. The second half of the 19th century. Right one:75cm x 126cm, Left one:65cm x 126cm

Kimono, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. "Suzu" means bamboo grass. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. It is made of thick cotton and dyed with sumi (ink). Kanji characters read "Hakkai-san" which is a group of cragged mountains and has been worshipped since ancient time, located ...

A baby carrier belt made of indigo dye cotton for warp and washi (Japanese handmade paper) yarn for weft. It is made in Shonai region in Yamagata district in Tohoku. In good condition with beautiful tassels but the seam loose part in one selvedge (30cm). The first half of the 20th century. 13.5cm x 3m60cm

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes with 182 fragments which are mostly hand-spun and vegetable dye. The book is "daifuku-cho", a record book of a merchant. It has the age Keio 2nd, 1866. 11 pages with fragments. The second half of the 19th century. 16cm x 22cm

A pair of fireman's globes made of indigo dye cotton with sashiko (quilting) with cotton yarn. Used but in good condition. 19th to early 20th century. W:16cm, L:43cm

Tokimono (kimono textile, unseamed and washed) of unlined summer kimono with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) Ryusui-mon (running water) design. It is made of hemp and gauze weave. Two pieces of cloth for bodies have tow slits (10cm) in the middle, for necks. Generally, in good condition but one panel, one front side has some light stain, however not serious from outside, and also one of a sleeve has a brown spot. Early 20th century. Body cloth:33cm x 2m84cm x 2pieces, Sleeve cloth:33xm x 142cm x 2...

Yuki-boshi (snow hat) or yuki-kabuto (snow helmet) made of palm tree fiber and vegetable indigo dye cotton inside. It has washi painted with Paulownia oil for waterproof, between outside and cotton indigo lining. It is from Shonai region in Yamagata prefecture in Tohoku district. It is said it was worn by "matagi", a hunter. The second half of the 19th century. In good condition with belts inside are left, which is rather rare. 40cm x 57cm