Catalog (24)

Man's soft grey silk under kimono with a painted image of Daruma, the Japanese God of Wishes. Two large coins using the shibori technique cross over onto the sleeves. Two pale peach washes are painted across the image area as well as swashes of small metallic gold flecks using the surihaku technique. This is a very soft, light-weight gray silk with a bright green raw silk lining. Dating to 1930s and in excellent condition, this garment measures approximately 51” across and 54” long.

Healthy Japanese babies adorn this bright red juban. Made of light weight silk with equally light weight white silk lining, this woman's juban measures 48" across the shoulders (including sleeves) and 50" long. In very good condition, it dates early Showa, 1930, though the collar appears to be newer. This is a very cheerful under garment and would be a fun piece to wear as an outer garment.

Large Chinese embroidered silk badge of a three toed dragon. The 3-toed dragon is the symbol of government ministers and public officials. This piece could have been from a wall hanging or off of a room screen. Color of badge is even; glare from the glass is making it look darker or lighter in areas. This badge measures 20.5" high and was placed on a cream colored closely cropped brushed velvet material, then framed. Framed measurements are: 26.5" wide x 33" high.

Circa 1900, a large needlework panel done in petit and gros point of a dog sitting on a stool in front of a window and bordered by various floral panels. Colors are cream and varied tones of reds, browns and tan. In a museum quality antique tiger maple frame with gold gilt liner and a wood panel back, it measures 23 x 26". Embroidery sight size measures 17.5” x 20.5".

A fabulous dark royal blue Nagoya obi with painting of men crossing a bridge. Screen printed with some hand painting, the figures are drawn in a modern art deco style. Early Showa. The obi measures 38” to the fold and 12” wide. The main scene measures 10” high x 12” wide. The smaller scene on the folded area measures 13” x 6” and is repeated on the back side. There are some minor age spots on one of these scenes, other wise obi is in very good condition. The whole obi measures 15...

A Chinese woven silk woven tapestry of children at play with inscription and seal marks. The tapestry was mounted on a paper scroll and bordered with silk brocade. Scroll bars are missing. You may want to to consider framing or remounting the tapestry. The tapestry is in excellent condition, detailing is also excellent. Tapestry only measures 22" x 11". Dates 1930's.

Antique Chinese framed blue silk embroidery which appear to be sleeve bands that are stitched together. The textile is decorated with two phoenix, two dragons, and Chinese seal script. All are hand applied using gold gilt wrapped threads. In excellent condition, measures 27" x 15" including frame. The silk measures 21.5" x 10". Dates circa 1900.

A charming Chinese child's padded wind hat with the face of a tiger on the front. The tiger is a fierce animal which protects children from evil. Called a wind hat because of the protection it gives to the back of the neck, this hat is made of silk and embroidered with a butterfly on each side. In good antique condition, it does have some wear. Please study photos carefully. Colors are still vivid. Circa 1910.

Antique Chinese skirt with green velvet panels embroidered with images of flowers and bats. It is very unusual to find these skirts with velvet panels. Measuring 39 inches long, it is in good used condition. There is some staining (water marks?)on silk areas, embroidered velvet panels in very good condition with the exception of one tear about 3" that can be easily repaired. Wear at hem border ribbon.

Chinese black silk embroidered panel with a very finely rendered butterfly over a peony. The small bright orange embroidery is the forbidden stitch. In very good condition with colors still true, only the piping showing signs of wear. No staining on the embroidered side. Measures 18.5" (47 cm) long x 9.75" (24.8 cm) wide.

An unusual pair of hand embroidered Chinese silk pouches with auspicious symbols. The color contrast is stunning, each has its original silk tassels. These pouches also have their original drawstrings yet intact. These pouches may have been used for eyeglasses and /or general use. In excellent condition with only minimal fading, which is remarkable considering their age, the pouches measure 6" (15.2 cm) long. The tassels measure 5" (12.7 cm).

A large and very rare Chinese wedding purse, this unique purse displays colorful Peking forbidden stitch done in patterns displaying various treasures. The inside is of a subtle lavender, while the outside is creme colored with slightly raise geometric designs. This clearly dates it to the early 20's. A bonus feature is fine woven solid silver wire (Not silver wrap) that adorns the sides and has two handles for ease of handling. Condition is excellent with just a very few minor loose threads....

The Japanese hakama is pleated skirt-like pants that is worn over a full length kimono. Hakama pants originated as an outer garment to protect a samurai warrior’s legs from brush when riding a horse. Today, the hakama is worn as formal attire for Japanese wedding ceremonies (see last photo), dances, and martial arts (specifically, black belt students and Juijitsu practictioners). Black and white striped silk, it measures 36" long, waist to hem.

More about the Hakama:
The...

The bouquet of flowers for this stunning silk fukusa was made using yuzen resist dying, free-hand embroidery, and gold surihaku, with gold and silver foil couching applied to create the bow. On the reverse side is a large mons (family crest). Three of the four original silk tassels are still intact. As a decorative item, this fukusa would make a fabulous wall hanging or framed artwork. In excellent condition, we estimate this fukusa to be mid Showa. It measures 26” wide x 29” high. ...

Early 1900 Japanese silk fukusa featuring a turtle and a crane. Techniques used to create this wonderful fukusa are sumi-e hand painting, yuzen resist dying, some embroidery, and gold foil couching. On the reverse is red rinzu silk with crane and mons motif. Two original tassels are still intact at the bottom. There is a small cluster of tiny gray spots by the crane, see last photo. Otherwise, in very good condition/excellent, it measures 25” wide x 27” high.

Japanese silk fukusa with yuzen technique and sumi-e hand painting. The shimmering effect of the water was achieved by the delicate use of silver surihaku. Red embroidery on the crane’s head and some white embroidery on tail feathers highlight those features. On the reverse is red rinzu silk with a large peony motif. All four original tassels are still intact. There is a break in the boarder thread in the upper left corner (see last photo) but could be repaired. Otherwise in very good co...

A fabulous early Meiji era silk fukusa with two cranes, pine trees and the brilliant sun, all symbols of longevity and good fortune. Techniques used to create this wonderful fukusa were yuzen resist dying, sumi-e hand painting, free-hand embroidery, and gold foil couching. The cranes’ crests were created with tiny hand embroidered knots. Also worthy of note: The crane’s darker tail feather veining was achieved by intertwining dark brown and dark silvery grey silk satin threads (see phot...

This is an exquisite haori. Jackets of this quality, condition, and subject matter are getting increasingly hard to find. Made habutae silk a with brocaded or woven lining, it can be worn or displayed with either side facing outward. The outside is solid black with 5 mons (family crests) and includes the artist signature which appears on the front lower right panel. The inside back panel’s weaving includes the use of gold, silver, and copper-gold metallic lacquered threads. It is in excell...