Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Folk Art (8)

A Mashiko ware tea bowl (chawan) by Hamada Shoji. The bowl is glazed in a style known as kaki yu or persimmon color glaze which is often seen in Mashiko wares. Hamada Shoji along with Yanagi Muneyoshi and Barnard Leech were part of the mingei movement in the late 20th century. The movement emphasized the simple minimalist beauty found in daily objects made by unknown artists. Thus, Shoji never signed his works, where he too wanted people to simply appreciate his ceramics, not his notoriety...

A large Japanese gourd flower container with a section of the gourd cut out to place a small container to decorate flowers inside. A rattan handle is attached on the top of the gourd. Hisago is a type of gourd often used for various purposes in Japanese culture. The gourd embodies the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi. Age: 20th century. Size: height 18" diameter 17.5"

Large Japanese Gigaku demon mask, covered with red, gold, and black lacquer. The colors gold and red are associated with the underworld, especially when apparent in a demon's eyes. This mask sports long fangs, a stubby ridged nose, and furrowed brow. The inside of the mask has rice paper with kanji signature of the sculpting artist. Dates from the Tiasho age c1920. Size: 17.25" height, 13" width

Large Japanese Gigaku demon mask, covered with silver, gold, and bronze lacquer. The colors gold is associated with the underworld, especially when apparent in a demon's eyes. This mask sports long fangs, a stubby ridged nose, and furrowed brow. The inside of the mask has rice paper with kanji signature of the sculpting artist. Tiasho age c1920. Size: 17.25" height, 13" width

Japanese plaster and paper mache mask of a Boddhisattva (Bosatsu in Japanese), a Buddhist monk who has reached a high level of enlightenment. The mask has long earlobes, typical of a holy being in Buddhism, green lacquered hair pulled into two buns, and golden lacquer skin with traces of black lacquer. Early 20th century. Size: 8.5" height, 5" width

Lovely Japanese Hira Taiko Drum, made from a light hardwood, and hung from a Hiratsuri stand. The drum has iron studding to keep its drum skins in place and gold kanji/kana on a black metal strip, with a gold taiko logo for Maru Masa. A drumstick is included which hangs off a hook from the Hiratsuri stand. Makes a lovely drum sound as it is intact and in good condition. Taisho/early Showa period (c1930) Size: 33" High x 34 1/2" Wide

Vintage Japanese conch shell horn, known as a horagai or a jinkai depending on its usage. The horagai has been used in Buddhist practice for over one thousand years. The jinkai was used as a battle signal by samurai trumpeters called kai yaku. The shell has a bronze mouthpiece and decorative purple tassles. Early 20th century Size: 6" height, 16.5" length,

A unique Japanese kanban (shop sign) in the shaped of a pipe, with gilt kanji. It hangs from a length of iron chain. A very fun and attractive piece. Vintage age c1950 Size: 8" height (17.5" hanging) 26.5" length