Elegant Japanese uchikake (traditional wedding gown) sewn in the style of the twelve layered court attire (juni-hitoe) from the Heian period (794-1160). The longing for the beautiful, culture rich era of the aristocrats that existed so long ago never seems to cease in people's mind even after 1000 years. Here on this red background, the classic design of the ox-cart in a pine forest is beautifully woven in gold. The layer of robes could have gone up to 15 or even more...

Beautiful peonies on a soft pure silk (sho-kinu, 100 percent silk) kimono roll. Hand dyed design (Yuzen zome) went through to the reverse side. The fabric (marked as Tango chirimen) is treated with some new chemical for easier maintenance, wrinkle free, washable (?), etc. Some designs are dyed to be matched for the wider width. Gentle, pale (smoky) purple color, 14 1/2 wide, full roll (enough to make a kimono).

This is an antique men's silk juban, an undergarment worn under a kimono. For today’s standards, it is very odd to see such an extravagant hidden personal item.

During the Edo period, which ended in 1868, common people were not allowed to wear silk. The growing economical power of merchants came along with social disorder and corruption. Tokugawa government issued many sumptuary laws to limit the spending of the general people on luxury items...

Ohara Koson
Fox between reeds near moonlit water.
Date: ca. 1930.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.0 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai. Seal in left margin.
Reference: No. S41.4, p. 212 in "Crows Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson" (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Very good. Toning line evident at margin.
A rare design.

A colorful Japanese Art Deco man's juban (under kimono), comprising a crazy quilt pattern of wonderful period hand-woven silk crepe fabrics in rich colors of indigo, red, green and purple, and brown, circa 1930, decorative trim and frog clasp, hand stitched, blue silk lining. Measurements: Sleeve tip to tip-48", shoulder to bottom hem-49"; A beautiful example of Art Deco fabrics in fair condition with frayed silks and lining fading, easily restored. Taisho or early Showa period

A small Paktong Ink Box with engraved landscape decoration, made in China during the Republic period (1912-1949) or earlier. The copper base bears a shop or retailer's mark which reads "Yong Fa Chang". Condition - there are small surface bumps and marks (please view enlargements) and there is wear to the base...

A large cloth, silk brocade, lined with cotton with ties on one side. Dimensions: 104 1/4” long x 45” in width (2.65m x 1.14m). There are four 26” panels sewn together (sewing machine), each panel is decorated with a pair of phoenix birds one parched on a paulownia tree and the other on a rock. Although the fabric is of high quality silk, it actually is older than it appears - you need to handled gently. The gold sparkles when it is hit by lights. The color is not red...

Silk obi with a grey-green background and gold thread cherry blossoms in honeycomb patterns. It features several images of two cranes with crossed beaks and wingtips touching, one with green, navy and orange feather and the other with yellow and blue feathers beside the branch of a pine tree and bright red, orange, and white flowers. Taisho period (1912-1925) Size: 168" length, 12.75" width

Japanese obi, nagoya style, painted with two noh masks on soft satin silk. The base color is a gentle pink/wisteria color with earth-tone. Taisho/Early Showa.

The design of the bamboo grass this snow lies thick is a famous costume of kabuki. This silk kimono is making yuzen dyeing and embroidery with a hand.That's bold and the striking design. There are discoloration and a little stain for that. But there is no damage and it's a valuable silk kimono by the very good condition. size:Length 154cm (60.6") sleeve to sleeve 124cm (48.8")

A Chinese Yixing Teapot, Qing Dynasty. Length approximately 15.6 cm (the tipspout to the handle) and height 11.2 cm. The teapot has chip at the tipspout. Good condition.

Height approximately 16.8 cm. In good condition.

A wonderful kabuki Isho Ningyo of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX performing as the lion dancer in the performance of Shukyo Kagami Jishi in March 1893 at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo. He wears the traditional flowing red wig. Beautiful details abound here with handsome, sumptuous brocade. The pose and high quality of this dramatic masterpiece indicates it was done by an important Ningyo master. Height: 17 inches, 43 cm.

A pair of Japanese Hina dolls decorated with traditional Japanese gold or kinran and non-gold or donsu brocades. The dolls are used in March for Hina Matsuri (also known in a different name as Momo no Sekku). The dolls were created by Ando Keiho, a living treasure, is known for specializing in Hina Dolls. Keiho is based in Kyoto where the tradition of the Hina Dolls originated. Age: 20th century...

Kawase Hasui
Kankai Temple, Beppu Hot Springs, 1927
Publisher: Bijutsusha. One of only eight Hasui designs published by Bijutsusha. Bears the red "Rumi" publisher's seal.
Size: Oban, approximately 15.0 x 10.25 inches.
Condition: Unframed. Excellent. A small (2 mm) hole in the dark green foliage has been invisibly repaired by a conservator. Short green dash in grey upper right sky.
A lush landscape format print and a rare design...

Chinese 20th Century yixing teapot decorations with incised flower and Chinese inscriptions. Marked at the base.18,5cm wide.11,5cm high. Good conditions with single chipped inside the lid.

Kawase Hasui
Hachirogata Lagoon in Akita District
Date: 1927.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.0 x 10.0 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the Watanabe A seal in the right margin, indicating a first edition.
Condition: Very good. The margins have been repaired by a conservator. The verso is toned.

1900s

Each cake is molded with designs of scholars on the fronts and raised calligraphy on the reverse. The designs on the front are all gilded in two shades of gold, and the reverse has gilt seals and some script gilded as well. Each piece is unused and is in good condition.

Longest Height: 3 1/8 in., Widest width: 2 in. Box dimensions: 8 ¼ in. x 5 ¾ in.

A fascinating letter composed by the noted Chinese artist, Xu Beihong (1895-1953). The letter is addressed to a Mr. Fu Wen and discusses about an exhibition and several works of art that Xu Beihong was expressing his congratulations to the person he was writing to. Letter signed by Xu Beihong. Age; 20th century. Size: Length 15.25" Height 12.25"

Japanese Boy's Day samurai Yoroi and Kabuto (armor,helmet) set. Musha ningyo (Samurai dolls), Yoroi and Kabuto (helmet), swords, banners and carps are a part of the display used for the Boy's Day in Japan. Culturally, the Japanese emphasize anything to do with children. The Girl's day with hina dolls is in March. The warrior's set like this will inspire boys in their manliness and hopefully bravery, discipline and honor codes come with it.

All the fabric used marked as pure silk...

A beautiful late 20th C. Chinese Yi Xing red clay teapot and 5 cups, done by two very famous masters (teapot is made by master Wu Ya Ping)during 70-80s. In excellent condition. W:28cm

Japanese framed print by Shigeru Izumi (born 1922), titled "New House", number 9/20 of its series, and signed in pencil.

Size: 30.5" L x 22.25" H (entire frame)

Japanese Hakata ningyo, unglazed clay doll of a young samurai (wakashu) with a dancing fan. This doll may have been modeled after a character in Kabuki (played by all males) or Takarazuka (played by all females). There were many play houses in Hakata during the late Meiji, Taisho and early Showa period. The Takarazuka theater (Fukuoka Takarazuka?) was also there...

This Japanese doll looks like a woman from Ukiyo-e (pictures of the "floating world") wood block prints...

A Chinese Yixing Teapot, Qing Dynasty. Length approximately 20.7 cm and height approximately 13.3 cm. Good condition.

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: This man is Ninki Danjyo, the villain of the Kabuki play. The more awful the villain is, the lovelier the princess looks and the nice guy more angelic especially in Kabuki plays. Danjyo, with his magical power, is trying to transform himself into a rat. Holding in his mouth a fake “Ren-pan-jyo”, a scroll containing the fake signatures of innocents who were supposedly plotting to take over the power from the 2 year old Regional Lord by vanishing h...

Very large Samurai doll from the late Showa period with beautiful brocade costumes. This is a hero or musha ningyo doll for Boy’s Day (May 5th) in Japan. Some dolls are made to depict a hero or warriors from the past. This doll is a quite impressive size of 22” in height without the hat and 15” in width

This white and pink carved coral piece was made around 1960. The artist used the natural coral shape to create two dragons. It is 5 ¼ inches tall and 6 ½ inches at the widest part. Though the subject is common, the carving and polish are very well done. It is in great condition.

A Chinese Yixing Teapot, Late Qing/Republic. Width 19 cm (tip spout to handle) and height 10.5 cm. The teapot has a tiny chip inside the cover (not appeared). Good condition.

Japanese Isho Ningyo of an Oiran, the most important Geisha of the Kyoto Geisha quarter. The book and movie 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is the story of an Oiran. This master work is truly a work of art to behold, and is by one of Japan's foremost doll makers, the late Ito Hisashige XI. The first Ito Hisashige was appointed to the position of Court Doll Maker by Emperor Gosakuramachi in 1767. This long unbroken line has continued in this position, making some of Japan's finest Ningyo for 12 generation...

Japanese Kimekomi hina ningyo (dolls), Dairi bina, emperor and empress doll. Kimekomi dolls were originally carved out of willow trees growing on the riverbank of the Kamo River in Kyoto. They were made using the leftover material from Kamo Shrine. Today, the dolls are made out of paulownia sawdust mixed with glue. This method was developed by Kanabayashi Mataro (1897-1984). Each section is divided by grooves and each block is covered with brocades. These Imperial Hina Dolls are dressed in the...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 9.625". Zao-kei (Zao Onsen [hot spirng]), Yamagata Prefecture. Made by Oumiya Yasumitsu, who was born in Showa 11 (1936) and passed away on July 19, 1995. Probably made in the mid-late 1970's.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Onomichi Saikokuji, December 1935
Size: Mitsugiriban. Approximately 16.0 x 7.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo
Koitsu catalogue no.: TK-TM-10
Condition: Tipped at top to original cardstock. Wavy crease and and light foxing.

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,

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 10". Zao-kei (Zao Onsen [hot spring]) in Yamagata Prefecture. Made by Saitou Takeo, born on Nov. 29, 1929. Probably made in the late 1970's.

A Chinese Yixing Teapot, Late Qing/Republic. Length approximately 9 cm (the tip spout to the handle) , height approximately 5 cm. The teapot has 3 (three) small chips at the tip spout and the cover. Good condition, free of restoration and hairline.