Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (195)

Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. 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. This one is made of asa (hemp) and both warp and weft are hand-plied...

Young woman's katabira (unlined kimono made of asa, hemp or ramie) with long sleeves. It is made of Echigo-chijimi, which was woven in Echigo region, now Niigata prefecture. It is handwoven of choma (ramie) whose wefts and warps are hand-plied, and the surface has light shrinkage from twisted warps and wefts. It has hand-painted flower motifs. The lining of collar cloth is thin silk, probably dyed with benibana (safflower). In excellent condition, no hole or no stain. 19th century...

Juban (under kimono) made of three kinds of silk cloth. One is silk crepe with yamamayu (wild silk) stripes and the other is silk crepe with stripes. The third one is tsumugi (pongee silk) with katazome komon (stencil-resist-dye small pattern). All natural dyed. Yamamayu (wild silk) is rare and precious comparing with cultured silk. It is hardly dyed, so that it stands out shiny when woven together with silk crepe. It is sewn with very fine choma (ramie) thread so that it is rather old...

Rare item. Rokushaku Kanban which was worn by a palanquin bearer (kago-kaki) who was a servant worked for a feudal lord (tono-sama) and a bearer of a palanquin when the lord went out. There are various theories that the kimono is called "Rokushaku-Kanban": servants worked in the lord's residence or a castle are called "rokushaku" and the kimono has "kanban" which means a symbol or a family crest...

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...

Man's han-gappa which was worn over kimono when he went out and made of hand-spun cotton, both outside and the lining. It is in very dark green, dyed with natural indigo and vegetable yellow. It has beautiful two kinds of katazome (stencil-resist dye) for lining which is natural indigo dyed. The collar is made of imported wool...

This is a samurai's hanten ( jacket ) and maetate ( apron ) which are worn in case of fire. It is made of handwoven asa ( hemp ) cloth. In good condition except for some tiny moth holes in the back. Edo period ( 18th or the former half of the 19th century ). 118.5cm x 79cm

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...

Tenmokujawan, a tea bowl which is mended with kintsugi with seigaiha (wave pattern) makie. Tenmokujawan is a pottery tea bowl which is fired with Tenmoku glaze (iron glaze). It is made in Seto in Aichi prefecture, one of places where copies of Chinese potteries were manufactured. 17th or 18th century. Diameter:11.8cm, H:5.8cm

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 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

Twelve Shinsho are guardian Buddhas of Yakushi Nyorai and they are 12 worriors and armoured. They have 12 animal symbols on the head. This one looks "Sarugami", monkey judging from the apprearance. Early 18th century. In good condition but some parts are lost. Height:29cm Width:12cm

Wooden Buddhist statue, probably one of the 12 Shinsho who guard Yakushi Nyorai. Both arms and other parts are lost. 18th century or earlier. H:16.7cm W:6cm

"Muji Hakeme Chawan" which is brushed with white engobe over dark color paste containing iron, and then burned with clear glaze. It is made in Korea in 15th to 16th century during the Joseon Dynasty (1392∼1912). It has kintsugi (mending with urushi and gold powder). It has a paulownia matching box. Diameter:17cm Height:7.5cm

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...