This doll is a Hakata clay doll, “Matsukaze” design by the well known Japanese artist, Yoshio Matsuoka.

Matsukaze is a story of two beautiful sisters who met and fell in love with a young courtier in exile at the seashore of Suma Bay. The sisters were “shio kumi”, the saltwater bearers who made their living by ladling seawater (before it was boiled down to salt). Matsukaze is the name of the older sister and literally means “wind through the pine trees”...

Hakata ningyo, unglazed Japanese ceramic doll, signed by the well known Hakata ningyo artist, Genzo Soda. The words "early spring" is written next to the artist's signature. This could be the name of the doll or the time of the year that this doll was made. Mr...

Artist: Kawase Hasui
Title: Daimotsu, Amagasaki
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo, 6mm seal.
Date: 1940. The 6mm seal was used between 1946 and 1957.
Size: Oban, approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Condition: Pristine. Unframed. Never displayed. The two left margin pinholes are the original state.

A Flask shaped vase decorated with a Shishi (Mythical Lion Creature) in a rugged landscape by multi talented artist Domoto Insho enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vase is 10 inches (25 cm) tall and in fine condition. Insho (b. 1891) was a Kyoto artist, trained in the traditional Shijo manner, but not one to be bound by its rigidity. He studied at the Kyoto Municipal School of Fine Arts, and under the important artist Nishiyama Suishi...

Japanese silk obi, Nagoya style, dyed with the design of Chinese Empress and court attendants in the bamboo grove. It appears that this was converted to current Nagoya style obi (from kimono?). The design of this obi is unique. The wide and narrow area of this obi has different designs on both sides and all seams appear clean. By taking one side of the seam apart, you have a large fabric to work with (double in size with one seam in the center)...

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.

9.5 feet long hand-painted Japanese carp banner (Koi-nobori) for Boy's Day. Here on this banner, a mighty little boy named Kintaro, is hitching a ride on a carp. Kintaro may be a creation from a theater play (jyoruri and kabuki) of the Edo period – although he is said to be a childhood figure of the 10th century samurai, Sakata no Kinsuke - he is extremely strong and still a popular hero figure for Japanese boys...

A beautiful Japanese red lacquer sake pot with stand. Decorated with sprigs of pine branches in accents of gold, it is in excellent condition. Measures 11" high by 5" square.

Noh Mask (noh-men), Hanakobu Akujyo (Akujou), bumpy nosed fierce old man. Besides the distinctive nose, he has a deep V-shaped crease between his eyebrows and the veins on his temples to his forehead, piercing bulging eyes, teeth painted in gold, with a tan colored horsehair beard and mustache. Not an ordinary face of an old man, he appears to possess something supernatural. This men(mask) is very lightweight. Written on the reverse side is "Hana kobu Aku jyo" in gold...

From our Japanese Collection, a fine and very attractive mid-century silk thread composition depicting a Shinto shrine nestled within a treed riverbank, with a foot-bridge and boats in the foreground. The composition uses rich but tasteful shades of burgundy, brown, cream, dark green, a touch of soft pink, and other subtle earth tones. The piece evokes a relaxed charm.

Size and Condition: Framed dimensions are 25 inches wide, 19 3/4 inches tall...

Japanese tabako-ire (tobacco pouch) decorated with an embroidered dragon chasing a flaming pearl. The dragon's body extends around the front and back of the pouch. The fierce head with open jaw is located on the front above the silver alloy dragon-form kanemono (clasp). An ivory accent adorns one of the two interior compartments. A circular ivory and repousse metal dragon kagamibuta netsuke is attached by 10 strands of metal chains secured by a dragon decorated squared silver guard...

Miyazaki Shikki (lacquer wares) box, 10" x 12 5/8" x 4", new condition, circa late 1900s. The red is actually darker than shown in the pictures.

The high humidity and temperature in Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu (southern island, Japan) is perfect for drying lacquer wares. During the Pacific War, there was a group of people who migrated from Okinawa to Miyazaki. Among them were the artisans and workers from the Ryukyu Lacquer Ware...

Oban diptych by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) titled “The Story of the Strong Woman Takashima Oiko of Omi Province” from the series "A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures." The print depicts Takashima Oiko leading Saeki Urinaga home in an effort to strengthen him for a wrestling match...

A very elegant Japanese sand-cast iron tea kettle and brazier (furokama, fuuro-kama) of unusually small size (making water for one person). The round brazier (Furo) has an opening on each side; the kettle with a tapering top is finely cast with romping horses, loose ring handles and delicately shaped top with simple knob. The brazier with cast mark 'Nanbu, Morioka, sei(?) mitsu(koi) dou. Nanbu and Mizusawa of Morioka in Iwate prefecture (northern Japan) has been famous for cast iron wares. Mor...

Additional Photos for Satsuma Vase Item # 947590

From our Japanese Collection, a truly superb satsuma vase, Meiji period (1868-1912), of tapered hexagonal form depicting a continuous procession of figures underneath a canopy of hanging wisteria. The vase is of the highest quality, as are all of our satsuma offerings. Note in particular the exceptional gold detailing to the robes of the figures, or look for example at the detailing of the two bijins standing with the open parasol: The work is extraordinary. We hope the pictures have done this...

Each plate has the design of a single chrysanthemum (kiku) shifted towards the left side of the plate … but they were carved in a way that each has a life of its own. None of them look the same. The design is sharply cut into thick layers of black urushi lacquer – tsuikoku. It is known to be a difficult job – this later lead to Kamakura bori(carving) which is a technique of lacquering on carved wood. The plates are very light. It indicates a high quality, matured wood inside. The edges ...

Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, mid-19th Century late Edo early Meiji Period. An unusually large and early version holding a captured Oni (demon). This is a rare find for this subject. He is powerful and majestic. His face carved of wood with crystal eyes and massive beard and hair made of silk is a masterwork. He wears a Chinese cap and a robe with gorgeous, sumptuous brocades. According to Japanese folklore, the spirit of Shōki is able to scare away demons. Families with ma...