A troop of Shishi lion dogs sewn with couched gold thread. frolic among the blossoms and crashing falls embroidered on the re-purposed rich blue patterned Edo period silk of this altar cloth. The original form was likely an uchikake kimono, assembled as an altar drape as a tribute to the owner at a Buddhist Temple. Embroidered up high is the Mitsuba-aoi crest of the Tokugawa Shogun, indicating this was from an aristocratic family as the quality of the embroidery presmes...

Very unusual Japanese silk and gold thread hand-embroidered triptych of the Buddhist deity Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion, in eight armed form seated in meditation upon an open lotus. In her eight arms she holds a staff, a trident, a bow and arrows, a Dharma wheel, and a wish granting jewel held out in front of her body. To the left and right of the central deity are large embroidered Sanskrit characters for meditative purpose...

Antique Japanese long silk textile, possibly used as an altar cloth. Made of blue silk and woven with thin strips of metal leaf covered paper in a dramatic scene of a dragon in swirling clouds above waves. Framed in antique silk textile with woven designs of dragons.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36" wide x 11 1/2 feet long

A important Rare 18th Century Noh Theater Robe. This extraordinary silk embroidered example of a summer production Noh Robe has a design of Wisteria, Fans and Ropes, and exquisitely captures the art of Noh. 63.5 inches (161.5cm) height x 52 inches (132 cm) width. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Antique Japanese Buddhist temple banner made of silk and woven with gold gilt paper weft (ginran or kinren) in a dynamic design of a pair of water dragons each facing the center where a burning pearl (woven with silver leaf) floats on a golden cloud. Dragons and pearls together in Buddhist art symbolize the endless cycle of transformation. The flaming pearl is one of the Eight Treasures and represents pure intentions as well as the sacred wish-granting pearl of the Buddhist faith...

Japanese antique rectangular kesa or priest/monk's outer vestment cloth. The silk brocade of this kesa is a pale orange color and finely woven with colorful designs of dragons in clouds. The silk is Imperial Chinese, as shown by the five clawed dragons. Lined with dark blue silk.

Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit...

Important Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks would embark on a pilgrimage to travel temple to temple. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here.

Very rare to find one with so many locations marked and visited...

Beautiful antique Japanese large covering originally used in a Buddhist temple. Three deep blue silk panels sewn together and woven with gold in design of 18 chrysanthemums and 18 floral roundels. Chrysanthemums with 32 petals, back is lined with a light blue cotton.
Inscription of previous owner, which states: Noto, Kashima-gun, Koura Village property of the abbot of Kouken (ji) temple...

Antique Japanese pilgrim's coat hand woven of asa (Japanese hemp) fiber. Hand painted with sumi ink calligraphy.

Size: 41" high x 47" wide

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Large antique Japanese Buddhist temple textile made of green silk and woven with gold gilt-paper weft (ginran or kinren) in a design of dragon medallions floating amongst billowing clouds. Dragons have long been used in Buddhist art symbolizing the endless cycle of transformation. This textile piece consists of two long woven panels sewn together and backed with white cotton fabric. Has inscription on back.

Age: Edo Period dated 1836

Dimensions: 59" x 91"

Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks associated with the teachings of Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) would embark on a pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here...

Japanese antique rectangular kesa or priest/monk's outer vestment cloth. This asa (hemp) kesa is a yellow/gold color and finely woven with a design of phoenixes and clouds.

Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit. It is meant as a reminder of the Buddha's own simple patched garment, kesa are formed from many fragments of the same cloth...

Japanese Antique Kesa Cloth (Buddhist Priest's Vestment) made with prized brocade displaying the crest of the Tokugawa shogunate and framed with a rare purple and gold silk brocade with red accents. The "triple hollyhock" mon belonged to the Tokugawa feudal military government of Edo Japan (1600-1868).

Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit...

Antique Japanese long silk altar cloth embroidered with three phoenix birds, also called Hou-ou birds. The mythical birds represents fire, sun, justice, obedience, fidelity, and the southern constellations. The phoenix also symbolizes the imperial household, specifically the empress. The embroiderer expresses flowing movement in in the wings and feathers of the great birds.

Age: Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" high x 145" long

Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks associated with the teachings of Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) would embark on a pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here...

Maiwai is a kimono having been given to fishermen from a fish boat owner on the occasion of the large catch. It is seen along the Pacific Ocean, from Aomori to Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. The motif of the picture in the lower part is “Gonin-dachi Kashima Odori”, five people performing Kashima dance which is the group folk dancing originated from Kashima-jingu Shrine in Ibaraki Pref. The design is katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and vegetable indigo dyed and pigments. It was performed...

Antique Japanese light summer kesa (Buddhist Priest's vestment). Made with a sheer layer of black silk embroidered with silver crayfish medallions and lined with white silk.

Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit. Meant as a reminder of the Buddha's own simple patched garment, kesa are formed from many fragments of cloth. Within each garment, the fragments are typically organized in a series of columns...

Huge cotton cloth with dynamic and vivid Shishi (lion), peonies, waves and tachibana (citrus) with tsutsugaki (glue resist dye). The tsutsugaki technique is excellent and lines are very smooth and powerful by a prominent craftsperson. Judging from the shape and size, it might have been used for "Shishimai" (lion dance) at the festival, held in Fukui, Toyama or Ishikawa Prefecture. In excellent condition. Meiji period (1969～1912)