Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art (211)

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

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...

Bag handmade of bamboo strips with nice color. Handles are also made of thin bamboo sticks. In excellent condition, no break or loose part. The second half of the 20th century. W:39cm, H:23cm, 6cm

Silk crepe kimono with modern design whose techniques are katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and hand-painting. In excellent condition except for a few stains in the top collar, however unvisible as it is folded inside, and light blue color slightly faded in the jointing parts of the body and sleeves. 1960s or 70s. 130cm x 146cm

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

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

Han-haba (half width) obi for casual kimono. Wefts are silk yarn and warps are also black silk yarn. It has softer texture and thinner than sakiori obi. In excellent condition. 20th century. W:15.5cm x 2m92cm

A small bag made of ohyo fiber, one kind of elm. It is made in Asahikawa in Hokkaido. Warps and wefts are hand-plied. It has a wood carved decoration. In excellent condition with an original carton box. 20th century. 20.5cm x 10.5cm x 5cm

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

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

Cotton kimono called "yukata" with bold polka dot pattern. The dye technique is called "chusen" which is one kind of stenciled paste-resist-dye. Several 10s of layers of cotton fabric can be dyed by pouring the dye liquid. All hand-sewn and in good condition except for a very faint stain in the white cloth inside the back. 20th century. 126cm x 150cm

Sakiori obi (sash) for a casual kimono. Weft is cotton strips which are recycled old cotton kimono and warp is silk yarn. In excellent condition. 20th century. 14cm x 2m28cm

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.

Cotton kimono with Miura Shibori and dyed with vegetable indigo. Hand-sewn and shibori is also hand-tied. In excellent condition except for indigo faded parts. 20th century. 128cm x 140cm

Bashofu kimono hand-woven of ito-basho, which is a family of banana tree. Both wefts and warps are hand-plied. The brown warp kasuri yarns are dyed with extract liquid from tree or root of "sharinbai", which is a family of rose, and the very dark blue weft kasuri yarns are dyed with Ryuku-ai, vegetable indigo in Okinawa. Bashofu has been woven in many Islands in Okinawa for everyday kimono or work wear. 20th century. It has some stains and holes. W:106cm, L:116cm

Mingei wooden box with carving. In good condition but has some dents and scratches on the lid. 20th century. 13.5cm x 29cm x 5.5cm

Man's haori (jacket) made of tsumugi (pongee silk) with lining of scenery motif. In excellent condition. It has hand-braided cords in front. 20th century. 132cm x 94cm

Four volumes of sample books of mingei textiles which are all natural dye and handwoven from Aomori to Kagoshima prefecture. Some are designated as intangible national assets, however some haven't been woven anymore now, and some are reproduced. They include precious bast fibers such as fuji-fu (wisteria), shina-fu, kuzu-fu and so on. They also have natural dye textiles such as shikon-zome, akane-zome, indigo dye Arimatsu Narumi shibori, tsumugi and so on...