Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (184)

Boro small rug or a part of it which is made of almost countless fragments of vegetable indigo dye cotton. In cold districts, such as Tohoku and along the Japan Sea area, cultivation of cotton was difficult and cotton cloth was precious in old days, so that people bought fragments of cotton and made them to noragi, futonji, rugs and so on. This one has 7 to 8 layers of cloth. The late 19th to early 20th century. 91cm x 96cm. 1550gm

Maiwai is a kimono having been given to fishermen from a fish boat owner on the occasion of the large catch. It is seen along the Pacific Ocean, from Aomori to Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. The motifs of the picture are auspicious ones such as crane, turtle, large sake cup and sea birds, and also the name of boat in the banner with katazome (stencil-resist-dye). It is vegetable indigo dye and colored with pigments...

Sample book of the Japanese sarasa, whose title is "Kame Jirushi Sarasa Book" It has 56 fragments of silk gauze with katazome (stencil-resist dye) designs. Generally, in good condition. Early 20th century. W:22cm, H:16cm

Rice bag made of fragments of hand-spun cotton with stripes, katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and checks, all vegetable indigo and brown dye. The cord is cotton. Kome-bukuro was used when people dedicated rice to temples or shrines. In excellent condition except for several mending. The first half of the 20th century. W:44cm, H:33cm

"Sorihiki-happi"from Yusa in Yamagata prefecture which was worn for sleigh pulling. It has cloth with sashiko for reinforcement diagonally, from shoulder to one side of the body, and also both sides. It was worn when sorihiki pull down a sleigh with firewood from the mountain to the foot of the mountain. Yusa sashiko is one of Shonai sashiko in Yamagata prefecture. This happi has fine horizontal as well as vertical sashiko on whole ground cloth...

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...

Girl's hanten worn at the festival or ceremony with the girl's name "Kimiko" in front. Itis made of hand-spun cotton and cotton lining with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) crane motif. In excellent condition except for two tiny holes in front. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:73cm, L:53cm

Tsugaru kogin kimono made of vegetable indigo dye hemp whose warps and wefts are hand plied. It is made in Tsugaru region in Aomori prefecture in Tohoku district. This kogin is called "Nishi-Kogin" which has stripes in shoulders. It is for enforcement of shoulders for a charcoal maker who brings a burden. Kogin is a kind of sashiko and its yarn is white cotton, making the hemp kimono warmer with thick sashiko in the colder district. It has several different kinds of kogin pattern...

Cotton kimono with tiny shibori which is "Fundo-tsunagi" pattern, the continuous pattern of the weight for the balance scale. It is dyed with vegetable indigo. The shibori is called "Asamai-shibori" which is made in Asamai in Akita prefecture in Tohoku district. In excellent condition. The first half of the 20th century. W:124cm, L:124cm

Tamba-yaki tokkuri (bottle for sake) with hand-drawn letters of the sake maker. Generally in good condition. Early 20th century. H:22cm, Diameter:11cm

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.

A bag which is hand-plaited with indigo dye hemp string. It is carried on the back with various items. 19th to early 20th century. One string is cut. W:15cm, L:62cm

Thick shima-cho, a sample book of cortton shima (stripes) with about 870 fragments. The age is written on the cover "Meiji 3 (1870), however the age of the fragments range from very late Edo (mid 19th century) to Taisho (1920s). The first 770 fragments are late Edo and Meiji (the second half of the 19th century) and the second 101 fragments are woven in Taisho period (1912~1925). In excellent condition. 16cm x 21cm x 5cm

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

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.

Maekake, apron made of Ohmi jofu, which is asa (hemp) with kasuri pattern. Weft kasuri yarns are board-clamp dye, so that both selvedges have bar-code like white lines. All hand-sewn and in excellent condition. It has red cotton belts. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:49cm, L:73cm

Omi-e-kasuri (pictorial kasuri) with double kasuri pine and bamboo motif. It is handwoven of taima (hemp) and weft yarn with pine tree pattern is clamp-board dye so that the textile has white bar-code like lines in both selvedges. Both choma (ramie) and taima (hemp) textiles were woven from 12th century in Omi region in Shiga prefecture, but kasuri textiles were woven of taima (hemp). In excellent condition but the white lining has light stains and very light two spots in the upper back...

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...

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

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

A bag made of asa (hemp) and dyed with kakishibu (persimmon tannin). Warp and weft are hand-plied. It has and cotton lining. Late 19th to early 20th century. 27cm x 60cm

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

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

A pair of tabi with sashiko which is made of white cotton cloth. In good condition but has some stains (washed). Late 19th to early 20th century. L:23cm W:10.5cm H:16cm

Asa (hemp or ramie) baby boy's ceremonial kimono, whose wefts and warps are hand plied. It is worn by a newborn baby about one month later of the birth, on the occasion of "Omiya-mairi" that is the first visit to the local shrine wishing for the healthy growth. It is not actually worn but put over a baby. It is hitoe (no lining) kimono, so that it is used in summer. It has beautiful wave and crane motif which is hand painting. In excellent condition. Late 19th to early 20th century...

Noren, a shop curtain made of hemp (taima) whose wefts and warps are hand plied and dyed with kakishibu (persimmon tannin). It has the shop logo "Tawara (俵）”with sumi. All hand sewn. In good condition but has some stains and a hole (1cm x 0.5cm) and mending stitches. The second half of the 19th to early 20th century. W:125cm, L:147cm

Cotton futonji with tea utensil motif, which is hand-drawn with tsutsugaki technique and made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Futonji with tea utensil motif was produced in the regions where tea ceremony was active such as Iyo (Ehime Pref.), Sanuki (Kagawa Pref.) and Izumo (Shimane Pref.) Tea kettle in the center, chawan (tea bowl), cha-ire (tea container), kamashiki (placement for the tea kettle), sumi-kago (chacoal basket), trivet, flower vase and so on...

Futonji (bedding) with tsutsugaki phoenix and paulownia tree design which is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye and colored with pigments. Phoenix is an imaginary and sacred bird by Chinese lore which perches on paulownia tree and eats fruits of bamboo. Tsutsugaki technique is excellent with fine freehand line. In excellent condition. Meiji period. 134cm x 162cm

Two Saga-men, Okame and Hyottoko which were sold in front of temples in Saga region in Kyoto since late Edo period (the first half of the 19th century). They were sold as charms against bad luck and evil but interrupted in early 20th century and revived in 1950s. Both are made in late 19th to early 20th century. Many layers of wastepaper are pasted on the plaster model and colored. Hyottoko-men is not finished. Okame mask has some paint came off. Okame: L:20cm, W:13.5cm Hyottoko: L:18cm, W:14...

Boro futonji with many mending patches and sashiko whose ground cloth is hand-spun cotton with stripes. It is dyed with vegetable indigo and the red color looks benibana (saffloer dye). Mending is very nicely done with sashiko. The second half of the 19th to early 20th century. W:94cm, L:172cm

Wood Sumikiri-bon with red urushi. Summikiri means a tray in the shape which four corners are cut. Four sides have painted in Negoro style which has partly black urushi. Used and some scratches and chips. Late 19th to early 20th century. 36.5cm x 36.5cm x 3.5cm

Hemp furoshiki (wrapping cloth) made of hemp whose warps and wefts are hand-plied. It is dyed with vegetable indigo. It has many original mending patches, holes and worn out. The second half of the 19th century. W:105cm, L:112cm

Hagi-isho juban (under kimono) made of silk in many kinds such as silk crepe, figured silk, pongee silk and wild silk. The patterns are: komon (stencil-dyed small pattern), stripes, checks, kasuri (ikat) and solid color. The lining is indigo dyed pongee silk and floss silk in the hem. All the dyes are vegetable such as benibana (safflower), indigo, purple grass root and so on. In excellent condition. Mid 19th to early 20th century. 127cm x 138cm

Kake-Fukusa, a gift cover made of tapestry weave silk with carp and stream design. It is used to cover a gift on the auspicious event. The family crest (kamon) is Umebachi-mon. Four tassels are metal yarn. Generally, in good condition, but has light stains in blue ground and white waves. Meiji period (1868~1912) 63xm x 63cm

Asa kasuri kimono called "Akaso kasuri" which was woven in Omi region (in Shiga Perf.) till Meiji period. The wefts kasuri is dyed with itajime (board-clamp-dye). In eccellent condition but has a hole in the upper lining. Late 19th early 20th century. 120cm x 139cm

Wood Sumikiri-bon with red urushi. Summikiri means a tray whose four corners are cut. Four sides have painted in Negoro style which has partly black urushi. Used and some scratches and chips in both sides . Late 19th to early 20th century. 36.5cm x 36.5cm x 3.5cm

Cotton Kurume kasuri futonji with bold kasuri with asagi (light blue). Kurume in Fukuoka Pref. in Kyushu has been one of the main product places of indigo dyed cotton kasuri since late Edo period (early 19th century). It is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. Late 19th to early 20th century. In excellent condition. 134cm x 150cm

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

Futonji made of hand-spun cotton with tsutsugaki orizuru (origami crane) motif and dyed with natural indigo. It has green color lining which is also hand-spun cotton and dyed with natural indigo and yellow color. In excellent condition except for a hole near hem in the indigo cover, indigo faded parts and some holes in the green lining. Late 19th to early 20th century. 158cm x 188cm

This is a sodenashi ( sleeveless ) han-juban ( under kimono ) made of hand-spun cotton with katazome ( stencil-dyeing ) and dyed with natural indigo. The jishiro ( white ground ) katazome is left fewer than indigo ground one. The latter half of the 19th century. In good condition except for two small holes in front ( 2cm x 2cm, 8mm x 8mm ), one in the back ( 1cm x 1cm ) and two minor cuts. 40.5cm x 54cm

A sample book of wa-sarasa (Japanese sarasa) with 106 fragments on 43 sheets of paper board, mostly made in Meiji period (1869～1912) and some from early Taisho period (1910s). Originally it has 45 sheets, but 2 (3rd and 20th) are lost. The dye techniques are katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and print. The book is published by Kyoto Shoin in Showa 42 (1967). The 4th among limited 60 issues. 27cm x 35cm x 5cm.

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

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

Kake-fukusa, a gift cover, used on the occasion of auspicious events. It is made of tapestry weave silk with two performers motif, one is wearing Daikoku costume with a gavel. Two men look Kado-tsuke, strolling musicians or performers who play dancing and music in front of houses and get some money. In good condition but damage in the black Eboshi (hat) of the man with a fan. Meiji period (1868~1912) 62cm x 67cm

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

Cotton han-juban (short under kimono) with katazome (stencil resist dye), whose motif is a kind of "Seigaiha", the traditional wave pattern. It is hand spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. The collar cloth is also hand-spun cotton dyed with sumi (ink). n good condition but has some parts fade in color. The second half of the 19th century. W:114cm, L:62cm

A mirror made of copper with wood stand which is one of "Sanshu-no-Jingi", the Three Imperial Regalia. In ancient time, all natural objects and phenomena were worshipped in Shinto, but three items such as mirror, jewel and sword are objects to be worshipped later. A mirror is often put in the shrine pavilion these days. This mirror is rather small, so it might have been put in a house shrine. In excellent condition with molded auspicious design with a crane, a turtle, pine trees and bamboos. Kan...

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

Fireman's hat with hand-stitched sashiko (quilting). The outside cloth is dyed with vegetable indigo and the lining is dyed with natural brown. Two belts are recycled from old cotton cloth with katazome. In good condition. Meiji period (1868～1912). W:33cm, L:55cm

Miyako-jofu woman's kimono with fine kasuri which is hand-woven of choma (ramie) and dyed with Ryukyu-ai. Wefts and warps are hand plied. Miyako-jofu has been woven in Miyako Island in Okinawa since 14th century. It was called "Satsuma-jofu" in Edo period as the island belonged to Satsuma feudal domain. It was imposed as tax. It is time-consuming process of thread making, thread plying, weaving as matching wefts and warps kasuri pattern. It is pounded with mallet to make it shiny after the clo...

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

Kaji-banten worn by a fireman (fire-fighter) with all hand-stitched sashiko. It has katazome (stencil-resist-dye) "gissha", wheels of a cow carriage motif. It has rather rare green lining. In excellent condition except for some wear and rips in the lower front. 19th century. 126cm x 122cm

Asa (hemp) noren (shop curtain) with "Mitsui" which is a logo of a noted general trading company and was a successful kimono textile dealer in Edo period. Both warp and weft are hand-plied and all hand-sewn. In good condition and has some wear on the selvedge from heavy use and washing. Late 19th early 20th century. W:144cm, L:132cm

Huge cotton cloth with dynamic and vivid Shishi (lion), peonies, waves and tachibana (citrus) with tsutsugaki (glue resist dye). The tsutsugaki technique is excellent and lines are very smooth and powerful by a prominent craftsperson. Judging from the shape and size, it might have been used for "Shishimai" (lion dance) at the festival, held in Fukui, Toyama or Ishikawa Prefecture. In excellent condition. Meiji period (1969～1912)

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

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

Kake-fukusa which is used to cover a gift on the occasion of auspicious events. It is made of tapestry weave silk with auspicious omen motifs, pine tree, plum tree with bloom and bamboo. Generally, in good condition except for a rift of the black yarn in the pine tree circle and some stains in the blue ground, and also three holes in the red silk lining in the back. Meiji period (1868~1912) 67cm x 72cm

Maekake (apron) made of Ohmi jofu which is hand-woven of hemp with kasuri pattern. Weft kasuri yarns are clamp-board dye, so that it has bar-code like white lines in both selvedges. In excellent condition except for both white cotton belts have dirt. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:66cm, L73cm

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes and checks (check pattern was also called "shima" before. Some has both stripes and kasuri. Mostly vegetable indigo dyed but some of colored warps are chemical and some fragments are machine woven. 40 pages with 613 fragments. In excellent condition. Meiji (1868~1912) 24.5cm x 18.5cm x 2.5cm

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 ...