Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (182)

Outside cloth of yogi which is one kind of futon in the shape of kimono, made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has tsutsugaki (glue-resist dyeing) "takara-zukushi" (various treasures) design. In good condition as a whole but has three mending patches in front and a few stains. Meiji period (1868~1912) W:148cm, L:129cm

Girl's ceremonial kimono with hand-painted auspicious motifs such as plum tree with flowers, pine trees and bamboos. It is made of asa (taima or choma, hemp or ramie) and both wefts and warps are hand-plied. It has a charm with silk threads in the back. The second half of the 19th century. In excellent condition except for minor wear in the white lining in the wrist. 69cm x 75cm

Sample book of fragments which are mostly hand-spun cotton with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and also has ramie and hemp with kasuri pattern and bashofu with katazome. It has about 80 different fragments. In good condition. The second half of the 19th century. 8cm x 24cm x 3cm

Cotton futonji with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) whose motif is paulownia flower but the design looks more western painting rather than traditionl katazome paulownia flower. Made of hand-spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo and partly sumi (ink) is used in the plant. Generally in good condition but has some mending patches and slightly indigo faded panels. Also, washed but still has some light stains. Late 19th to early 20th century. 124cm x 142cm

Ema, a wooden pictorial offering on which writing one's wishes. This one is rare one with miniature iron swords which belong to Fudo Myoo (Cetaka). It has writings, "Fudo Myoo", " Ohshu, Sukagawa Nakamachi". It is the place in Fukushima prefecture in Tohoku district. In good condition. The first half of the 19th century. L:47cm, W:28cm

Kappa (cape) which was called "hikimawashi" or "maru-gappa" in old days. It is made of cotton with warp kasuri checker board pattern on one side and cotton stripes on the other side. It was worn on the occasion of travel over kimono. It has wool collar, probably imported. The word "kappa" came from Portuguese "capa". The Portuguese first came to Japan in 17th century. This collar also shows the influence of the western fashion design. The second half of the 19th century. Partly sewn by machine...

Futonji with tsutsugaki (paste-resist-dye with free-hand)) auspicious motifs, such as crane, treasure ball, plum flower, bamboo, pine, fan etc. It is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. In excellent condition except for a mending patch and a few tiny holes (4mm x 4mm). Meiji period (1968～1912). 126cm x 148cm.

Hemp furoshiki with tsutsugaki tai (sea bream) and bamboo design, whose wefts and warps are hand plied. The family crest is Maruni-Katabami-Mon. Katabami is perennial plant, named oxalis. Hand-sewn but both hems are machine sewn. The sewing machine was already imported in late Edo period and probably it was used widely in Meiji period (1868∼1912). In good condition except for a few spots. Meiji period. Made in Kyushu. W:95cm, L:110cm

Asa (hemp) cloth with tsutsugaki shrimp which is an auspicious motif. It symbolizes longevity showing that one can live long till having the waist bended. It is made of asa (hemp) and the wefts and warps are hand-plied. It is colored with pigments. 19th century. In good condition but has some wear, stains and indigo color faded parts. 90cm x 65cm

Yogi (futon in the shape of kimono) made of hand-spun cotton with tsutsugaki wave pattern and a family crest, which is vegetable indigo dye. Yogi is seen more in colder districts as shoulders are wrapped for keeping warmth. Generally, in good condition but has some stains and spots near the hem, and also some mending patches. Meiji period (1868~1912) W:136cm, L:146cm

Amazing boro cloth which is one side of body part of noragi (farm wear). The ground cloth as well as mending patches are hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. Sashiko thread is also indigo dyed cotton. Asa (hemp) thread is seen in the side seam and that means it is rather old. The second half of the 19th century. 32cm x 184cm

Furoshiki with tsutsugaki auspicious motif, sho-chiku-bai which are pine, bamboo and plum blossoms. It is made of hand-spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo and colored with pigments. In good condition but has a hole (2cm x 5mm) which is mended and pigment in plum blossoms is faded. Late 19th to early 20th century. 130cm x 142cm

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...

Samurai's kaji-haori (jacket), mune-ate (breast pad) and ate (ornament in the back waist) and all pieces have Tomoe kamon (three-way family crest). The ground fabric is not sure, looks mixture of cotton and wool and the lining is cotton European print. There were many massive fires in Edo in 17th and 18th century. Edo government organized the fire prevention system by samurai and then by civilian firefighters (hikeshi) later...

Kappa (cape) made of cotton kasuri on both sides which are hand-spun and natural indigo dyed. It is called "maru-gappa" or "hiki-mawashi" in old days. It was worn on the occasion of travel over kimono. It has washi (Japanese handmade paper) between two cotton cloth which is washed out and soft. The word "kappa" came from Portuguese "capa". The Portuguese first came to Japan in 17th century. The piping　is made of handwoven hemp. Generally in good condition but has some holes and wear in cords...

Asa (hemp) wrapping cloth with hand-drawn tsutsugaki noshi design. Noshi is an auspicious motif which used to be flattened abalone strips and was decorated on a gift. The wefts and warps are both hand-plied. It is colored with pigments. In good condition except for some wear and stains. 19th century. 84cm x 103.5cm

Shimacho with more than 545 fragments which are mostly hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Some of them are silk or colored yarn are also silk. Shima means stripes in Japanese but also means an island. Cotton textiles were imported from south Asian countries from mid 16th century and the were called "shima momen", cotton textiles from islands. Kasuri or check patterns were also included in shima (stripes). It has kanji characters "安政 4，Ansei 4" 1857, very late Edo period...

Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with tsutsugaki auspicious motifs of seven treasures (takara-zukushi), which is made of hand-woven cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Tsutsugaki is paste-resist-dye and colors are added with mostly pigments. Treasures are: sacred jems, cloves, a lucky mullet, a hiding hat, a coat, citruses and so on. It is made in Kyushu in Meiji period (1868～1912)　In good condition except for three mending patches and some tiny holes. 94cm x 124cm