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...

A spectacular early 19th Century Edo Period Takeda Ningyo in superb condition, a rare find in this condition. It is of the most elegant, for sure. He is an actor portraying a young Samurai. He has a beautifully carved face and wears sumptuous brocades. He has all of his original accessories, including a suit of armor on his back. He is positioned an a black lacquered stand on four legs. Total height is 20 inches. Figure height is 14 inches. Excellent Condition.

Ohno Bakufu
Rice Reaping
Date: ca. 1950.
Size: Oban. 15 x 10.5 inches
Publisher: Kyoto Hanga-In
Carver: Matsuda. Printer: Ichimura
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top margin has thin tape mark.

A very large and elaborate Meiji Period Takeda Ningyo of a Kabuki actor in the role of the great warrior Akechi Mitsuhide, who rose from a lowly farmer to become one of history's greatest samurai. This Ningyo is in Excellent Condition and is complete, which is amazing considering its complex construction. It was made in northern Japan, giving him him a unique look, as most Takeda Ningyo were made in Kyoto. Total dimensions: h31.5 x w16 x d11 inches, h80 x w40.5 x d28 cm...

A set of Three Meiji Period Japanese Isho Ningyo of rich, stylish young ladies viewing a book of leaves. They are created in a very unusual style. We have not seen anything like these before. They are gorgeous in every way. A work of art that transcends the usual. 7 inches (18cm) high. Wood base is 15 x 8.25 inches, 38 x 21 cm. Excellent Condition.

Lovely pair of Japanese Geisha Isho Ningyo. The style of this gorgeous set is fashioned after the work of early Japanese woodblock prints artists, such as Utamaro. They are finely painted and wear sumptuous kimonos over their graceful, elongated forms. Each figure is 12.5h x 7w inches, 32h x 18w cm. Excellent Condition.

A wonderful large Edo Period Gosho Ningyo of Urashimataro. A delightful, playful rendering of this timeless theme. These type of Palace Dolls are usually smaller. This charming example is a unique, wonderful form from all angles. He is wearing an embroidered cap and bib and has a highly burnished finished gofun pigment. 12h x 11w inches, 30.h x 28w cm. Excellent Condition.

Late 18th Century Musha Ningyo of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. This wonderful early example of high quality has a great presence, sumptuous brocades, gold lacquered armor, a spectacular helmet, and many other fine details. His face is gorgeously and masterfully carved with finely burnished Gofun. An extraordinary example. Figure height: 15.75 inches, 40 cm. Overall dimensions: 20 x 20 inches, 51 x 51 cm. Excellent Condition.

A set of two 18th century screens showing through an assortment of amicable characters, the traditional production of silk. Depicted with ink and light color on paper, every aspect of the process is visible in high detail from the sorting of the worms to spinning, dying, weaving, and the selling of thread and bolts of cloth. An exciting screen both from the quality of the art and from the historical narrative contained. Each screen is 67-1/2 inches by 12 feet (171 x 378 cm)...

THIS ITEM WAS STOLEN FROM OUR GALLERY ON 10/17/08. IF YOU SEE THIS ITEM ANYWHERE PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY AT (619) 221-9071. Japanese early to mid 20th century pure silver vase. The octagonal shaped hammered vase has a bold serpentine shape on 4 sides and the other 4 sides are each divided into 3 sides. The vase was made for the famous art store in Osaka, SHOBIDO. The vase is marked JUNGIN, or pure silver on the base. Comes with original TOMOBAKO, or custom wooden storage box...

A very important find and a great day for the serious Satsuma collector who acquires this exceedingly rare pair of plates of breathtaking beauty, detail and color by the renowned Satsuma Master, Ryozan, depicting the two Goddesses of the Seven Lucky Gods, Benzai-ten and Kichijo-ten (Kichijo-ten sometimes replaces Fukurokuju in portrayals of the Seven Lucky Gods)...

19th century Japanese single-section lacquered wood merchant tansu with black iron hardware and locks with floriate buttons, bronze hirute handles, and featuring fourteen drawers of assorted sizes. Each side has one iron side lift carrying handle. 36" wide x 30 3/4" high x 16" deep. Very good overall condition with the original lacquer finish and intact hardware...

This pair of Japanese handmade long square cut nails are 5" long and appear to have never been used. The nail heads are solid and shaped into a hemisphere. The silver colored decorative metal escutcheons have scalloped edges and markings to represent a flower. The escutcheons are just under 1" in diameter and have a squared center hole which exactly fits the nail shank.

A group of three clambering turtles in fine detail dating from the opening of the 20th century (later Meiji) stamped on the base Keishin and enclosed in a period wooden box. The group is roughly 8 inches (20 cm) long, 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall and in fine condition but for one old chipped toe on the back foot of the largest turtle (see close-up).

Beautiful and rare Japanese antique choba tansu (merchant's chest), made all of heavy keyaki (elm) wood, keyaki wood bracing on sides and back, original deep reddish brown translucent lacquer finish with wonderful patina, heavy iron hardware, interior has 2 drawers, Edo Period c1800. Size; 36 1/2" high x 40" wide x 23 1/4" deep.

Antique Japanese Futon Tansu Section with vertical slats on panel doors. Meiji Period, circa 1860s. Excellent condition. Size: 73" Long 31.5" Deep 39" High.

“Kinokuni Hill and Distant View of Akasaka Tameike” from the series “One Hundred Views of Famous Places of Edo” by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) dated 9/1857. The print depicts the forward guards of a daimyo procession with the houses of Akasaka district in the background. The print measures 13 5/8”V x 9 3/8”H (image: 13 ¼”V x 8 5/8”H). Signed within a red cartouche at the left. The title and subtitle cartouches are at the upper right...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Iwai Hanshirô VII in the role of Koman from the series "Actors at the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido." This image is Station 48: "Seki" published by Sumiyoshiya Masagoro in 1852/3. Very good color and impression quality, with fine delineation of the hair not apparent in the images...