Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (205)

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

Sakiori obi (sash) for a casual kimono whose wefts are strips from old cotton textiles, and warps are indigo dye cotton yarn. Generally, in good condition except for a little dirt in one of the ends (6th image). 20th century W:15.5cm, L:2m54cm

Miniature set of koi-nobori (carp streamer) which is put up on the Boy's Festival (or Child's Day on May 5). It is often decorated with miniature yoroi-kabuto (armors) or samurai dolls. Carp is a symbol of strength and success. 1970s. Two banners and outer cloth of two carp are synthetic. In good condition except for a small tip in the one of spears and one of tiny screw for wheels (yaguruma) is lost...

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

Rare bag for back pack made of plant, possibly "suge" (Carex) but not 100% sure. It is hand-knitted with very skillful technique. Used by a mountain worker. In excellent condition. 20th century. L:38cm W:27cm

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

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.

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

This is a pair of bamboo ornaments with carved Chinese-style poetry, however some Chinese characters are not readable, so its meaning is not clear either. In good condition. W:9.5cm, L:94cm

A bag handmade of bast fiber from Shina tree (Japanese linden), which is very fine inner fiber of the tree. It is used for collected nuts, berries, or tools. From Hokkaido Ainu. 20th century. In excellent condition. W:40cm, L:34cm

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

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.

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

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

A large wood tray in red and black urushi (lacquer ware). Generally in good condition, but minor hairline in the surface and some parts where urushi came off and wear in the back. 20th century. Diameter:40cm, H:4cm

A pair of snow shoes made of rice straw which is from Tohoku district in Japan Sea side prefecture such as Yamagata or Akita. In excellent condition. 20th century. L:28cm, W:11cm, H:12cm

Cotton and silk, mixed weave haori with shibori asanoha (hemp leaf) pattern which is dyed with the root of murasaki or murasaki-sou (lithospermum), one kind of grass. It is called "shikon-zome". Murasaki was grown since Asuka period (very late 6th to early 8th century) and purple was thought as the noble color...

Hand-woven silk sakiori obi (sash) whose weft is bunch of mixed color of silk yarn and warp is off-white silk yarn. Generally sakiori is hand-woven of recycled strips from old cloth for wefts , however we call the one also sakiori whose wefts are bunch of yarns. In good condition but has folded line along the length. 20th century. 25cm x 3m42cm