Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian (87)

Indigo-dyed heavy cotton shop Apron, Unknown business. Stencil-dyed on both sides with shop name and address: “Takara;” braided cotton waist tie. Top line: “Saikou Kyuu Hin” (Top grade Excellent Goods,) logo: “Takara” (Treasure) character with image of Daikoku’s (one of the 7 Lucky Gods) hammer, 3rd line: “Daibenkyo no Mise” (A Shop with great discounts/bargaining opportunities.) This apron could be used generically for any type of business. Very good condition. Late1900’s...

This tsumugi (raw, knobby silk, similar to tweed) purse was purchased at the well-known Kyoto antique textile shop Nakamura Chingiriya in 1972. It is unused and still has original box. H.6"(15cm) x W.6.25"(16cm.) Snap closes on one side, with eyelet for a hand, shoulder, or waist strap on the other. Indigo dyed folk materials and an elegant purse design make it suitable for kimono or jeans.

Akebi Hato Guruma, Vine Pigeon on Wheels; Nozawa, Nagano Prefecture. L.4.75"(12cm) x W.2.375"(6cm) x H.2.5"(6.5cm.) ca. 1972, woven akebi vine. The region of Nozawa has long been known for vine weaving craftsmanship, producing utilitarian items like hats, baskets, and teapot trivets. Vines were sourced from nearby mountains and then bleached naturally in local hot springs...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 3.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. This particular shape was called an "ezuko" (basket child) in the local Miyagi vernacular. The artisan was Sakurai Shouji, who was born on January 1st, 1927 (Showa 2.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1960's or 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, plase see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Hirosaki Hato Bue, Clay Pigeon Whistle from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Painted clay; L.6"(15cm) x H.4"(10cm) x 2.5"(6.5cm.)ca. 1970's...

Kokeshi, Sakunami-kei, Miyagi Prefecture, by Hiraga Teruyuki. Showa 47 (1972) March 1. H.11.75” x Dia.1.5”(24 x 3.25 cm) Inscription: Nagoya Kokeshi-kai, nihyaku kai, Hesei 7-gatsu, 9-nichi. (Nagoya Kokeshi Club, 200th Meeting, July 9, 1995) Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.75". Yajiro-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Made by Niiyama Hisaki, born Feb. 7, 1942. This kokeshi probably dates the early 1980's.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.625". This is a Yajiro-kei (Yajiro-classification) kokeshi, generally crafted in the vicinity of Shiroishi City in southern Miyagi Prefecture. However, this particular craftsman, Sato Seikou (?), lives in the next prefecture of Fukushima, on the coast in Iwaki City. He was born on February 22, Showa 22 (1947). This kokeshi probably dates from ca. 1980.

Kokeshi, Naruko-kei, Miyagi Prefecture, by Takahashi Takeo. Birthdate=Taisho 5 (1916) July 26. H. 9.75” x Dia. 2.25” (24.75 x 5.75 cm.) Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Naruko-kei Kokeshi by Tsugawara Wahei, born Sept. 13, 1945. Wood, Height 7". Although this is a typical Naruko stle kokeshi, the words "Kaizen Damashii" (Group Spirit) have been written over the normal decorative patterns. Also written is "Mogami Denki Kabushiki Kaisha" (Mogami Electric Company, Inc.) This was probably commissioned and given out to company employees at a corporate solidarity event or campaign. Probably dates from the 1980's.

Matsue Hariko Koma, paper mache horse from Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. H.3.25"(8.5cm) x L.3"(7.5cm) x W.1"(2.5cm). Ca. early 1970's, made by H. Kimura. Painted paper, straw tail. Matsue paper mache dates back to the Edo Period (1600-1868) and has a wonderful robust charm. The horse, in this rural area, is a symbol of good harvest. Matsue is known in the West as the long-time Japanese home of writer Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904.)

Paper mache Daruma Dolls from Tamashima district of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture by Ono Ichi, ca. 1972. Pair or single, smaller (FI-8b): H. 4.875"(12.2cm) x W.3.5"(9cm.); larger (FI-8a): H.5.25"(13.25cm) x W.3.375"(8.5cm.) Painted paper mache. These dolls were made in 11 sizes ranging from 11 - 45cm. The small one here is the second smallest size made, known as "9-go", and the larger is an "8-go" size...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. It was made by the artisan, Oonuma Hideo, who was born on February 17, 1930 (Showa 5.) It is dated September 15th, Showa 50 (1975,) but it is not clear if this was a production date signed by the maker, or a purchase date signed by the collector...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 9.75". Kijiyama-kei of Akita Prefecture. Made by Satou Shuuichi, born Aug. 7, 1927. This kokeshi probably daes fromt he 1970's-1980's. One of the unique & interesting characteristics of Kijiyama style kokeshi is the depiction of the apron ("maekake" or "maedare") on the body of the doll.

Kokeshi, Naruko-kei, Miyagi Prefecture, by Itou Shouichi. H.9.5” x Dia.1.875” ca. 1970-1980. Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Woodblock Print of Traditional Japanese Folk Potteries by Serizawa Keisuke. Issued by Nihon Mingeikan (Japan Folk Craft Museum) in 1970...

Woodblock Print of Traditional Japanese Folk Potteries by Serizawa Keisuke. Issued by Nihon Mingeikan (Japan Folk Craft Museum) in 1970. H. 20"(51cm) x W. 26"(66cm.) Excellent colors, light toning to paper. Printed text in English. See also SK-2 in Japanese. Keisuke Serizawa (5/13/1895 - 4/5/1984) was designated a Ningen Kokuho (National Living Treasure) in 1956 for his work in katazome stencil dyeing. He spent considerable time studying Ryuukyuu Bingata techniques in Okinawa and this influence ...

Mashiko ware platter (oozara) with nami-jiro (regular white) glaze and kaki (persimmon-colored glaze) ladle splashes. H.5.5cm(2.25") x Dia.38cm(15"). ca. 1970. Mashiko wares gained worldwide popularity through the connection with National Living Treasure potter Shoji Hamada, who settled in this town of pottery and agriculture in the 1920's. Prior to Hamada's arrival, standard kitchen wares such as grinding bowls, water jars, teapots, and the like, were the standard products of Mashiko. Contempo...