This is a beautiful example of an old Kyoto Yuzen dyeing. In this kimono, you can see the white lines around the designs, the very characteristic of Yuzen dye. This is where the rice paste is used to resist the dye and is later washed off. The dye on the silk bleeds. By outlining or covering the design area with the paste, the dye artists can work with the design more freely in detail than in the older pre-Yuzen method, which simply uses dip dying and/or embroidery...

Antique Japanese “Yogi” bed comforter, hand-spun cotton with "tsutsugaki" paste resist dye in aizome Japanese indigo dye. The design is auspicious symbol, Sho-Chiku-Bai (pine, bamboo, plums). The shoulder and collar areas are accented with "kasuri" cotton. Excellent condition - no holes on the front except one small L shape cut (3/4"x3/4") on the lower area, some repairs on the liner. Cotton wadding was taken out and cleaned (but not washed)...

This gown had been used as a rental. The condition is not new like most of my other gowns are. Some large stains are shown in the lower collar area (see Enlargement 9) and several small stains in the other areas - shown in the other enlargements. It is a whitish creamy color. Dimensions are: 51"w x 71"h with 41" sleeve length
Great decorating material.

A vertical corduroy wall hanging textile, the velvet partially cut and painted with ink and colors. Naturalistic depiction of five tigers in a forest landscape. Brocade border, floral patterned lining with hanging loops. Signed and sealed in lower right corner. Condition: fine, one small stain. Dimension with border: 242 cm x 175 cm.

The size of Tabacco Ire: 6 3/8" Long x 2" Wide x 7/8" Thick. Very unuusal Japanese Tabacco Ire set. The pipe holding case made of Bamboo work with clasp made with tin plated on brass. Bamboo work done well weaving. Tabacco case made by silk brocde. It has brass part. The condition of Tabacco Ire, very good except some wear on back of string area and a couple of other place. And tin plate some worn. Early Meiji, 1870-1880...

Unique old Japanese yogi (kimono-shaped futon bed cover) from Kaga, a weeping willow tree with a butterfly family crest, 57" x 72", Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Kaga, located in today's Kanazawa prefecture area, was known as "Kaga One-million Koku", the wealthiest domain next to the Tokugawa Shogun family during the Edo period (1603-1868). Each domain was assessed its wealth measured by "koku." Most samurai received stipends in koku...

Large, almost square fukusa, gift cover, made of dark blue silk satin, silk embroidery in a variety of stitches, gold-thread embroidery, all hand-made, of the highest quality. To be used for gift giving at an important occasion...

Ryugu-jo Castle is depicted in gold couched thread on the blue silk field of this superb Fukusa gift cloth dating from the turn of the 19th century. Frothing white waves surround the mythical palace, and the four corners of the cloth are secured by long-tailed minogame turtles, befitting the scene. It measures 25 x 32 inches (64 x 82 cm) and is in excellent condition but for some wear on one side of the red silk-crepe backing (see close-up photo)...

Almost square fukusa or ceremonial cloths, with design of a family crest with central flower surrounded by wisteria. Flowers embroidered in gold thread onto a deep blue satin ground. Reverse is red crepe silk. In each of the corners a green tassel with Chinese knot. Japan, Meiji era, ca. 1900

H 29 x W 27 inches.

Few unobstrusive stains on reverse, otherwise fine condition

This is the upper part of a kamishimo; samurai's formal attire without the trousers. It was worn over a kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The texture is hemp like; coarse, slightly translucent, thick threads (thicker than other kamishimo). The family crest is the feathers of a hawk. Kami-shimo (upper-lower) that we currently have are quite dandy and fashionable. The amazing thing is the work that is involved when making these fabrics...

This is a "kataginu" (shoulder cloth), only the upper vest of kamishimo without trousers. Kami-shimo simply means top and bottom in Japanese. It was a high ranking samurai's formal attire when they attended official meetings at the Edo castle. It was worn over a kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The shoulders are arch shaped and this was the style that developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Longer trousers (approx. 1.5 times longer) were chosen for special occasions...

Japanese Needle Work Rozashi Technique Embroidery of the Interior of Asakusa Temple. Rozashi is embroidery using silk canvas and silk thread. A picture is created and outlined on the canvas and comes alive with the thread and stitching. The difference between Rozashi and other forms of embroidery is the use of the silk canvas called "Ro". The "Ro" is a special, uniquely woven fabric. Common embroidery stitching technique utilizes threading through holes but Rozashi stitching must always be s...

Taiko bashi (arched bridge) in very beautiful red! The condition of this Japanese wedding gown is very new. The measurements are: 51"w x 71"long

Please see my other Japanese wedding gowns.

This gown has an exceptionally beautiful red. It is satin but feels almost like velvet. The condition is new, probably never been used. The bottom padding was still covered with a white cloth when this Uchikake was purchased (Enlargement 5). The measurements are 53" wide and 73" long.

The size of Noren : 27 1/2" Wide x 44 1/4" Long
The size of Straw Woven Mats: 19" L x 12" W
The size of Wooden Lantern, Tsuji Andon: 7" H x 3 1/4" Sq Btm
This is a group of Japanese Timekeepers items auctioned by Bonhams Auction house in London
The John Read Collection of Fine Antique Japanese Timekeepers, 11 May 2010.
You can see auction page at the following site.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17764/lot/13/?category=list&length=12&page=2
Lot No.13 as auctio...

Orange Fukusa, Japanese gift cover from mid Showa, 1930 to 1960. Some color loss but in excellent condition otherwise, no damage, stains or tear. The photos shows it little newer than actual. 19 1/8" W x 20 3/4" L

Japanese antique nobori banner, hand painted on cotton, a tiger in bamboo grove. The style of the painting is derived from ancient Korean paintings of tigers. It is a style that became popular in Japan from the 16th century and you will see many screens and scrolls of tigers painted in this manner. The popularity of these paintings in this style continued throughout the Edo period(1608-1868) and into the Meiji era. The quality of the artwork tells us that this nobori is likely to have been done ...