Hanging scroll of mandala with Guanyin sitting on a rock, surrounded by two worshiping deities in front of him and by a guardian figure in the upper left corner. Beneath him the gods of thunder and wind and rain in the clouds. Below these, Chinese figures in a mountainous landscape, occupied by different activities. On top of the painting a printed text. Unfortunately we were not able to identify the mandala and thus the meaning. Ink and color on Chinese paper. 19th century, China.
50 ¼ x...

A hand forged antique iron water pot with bronze lid for use in the Japanese Zen Tea Ceremony; handles in the shape of dragonflies embedded in the side. The upper half is grooved with concentric rings; spread wings of the dragonflies conform to the shape of the bowl while jointed bodies project out in 3-D almost 1 inch from the surface. 2 antique iron ring handles (included) are run through the body between the wings. The heavy bronze lid features a 5 petal plum blossom finial. The piece mea...

An Kamakura period Enso-ga in cream-colored patterned brocade with maple brown extensions and featuring rosewood rollers signed Renshabo. Renshabo was a high ranking samurai named Jiro Naozane and confidant of 13th century General Minamoto no Yoritomo. After losing a son at the battle of Ichinotani, and killing the great Heike warrior Atsumori, he became saddened by Bushido (the way of the warrior) and became a disciple of the priest Honen Jonin in Kurodani, Kyoto, whereupon he was given the n...

A superb Bizen Yaki Okimono of an Okoze (stonefish) by ceramic artist Takahashi Satoshi (b. 1934) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The features of the beastly creature are very well defined, with each spine accentuated by the natural color of the flame, giving the stonefish a realistic appearance. It is 12-1/2 inches (32 cm) long. Satoshi apprenticed to Kanashige Toshiuemon, has been the recipient of numerous awards and currently resides in Okayama prefecture. This piece dates fro...

A large baluster form Sumidagawa vase decorated in slips of green and black glaze over crackled red with a three-dimensional tokage (lizard) crawling down the side. The detail on the creature is superb, from the textured body to the white claws with which it seems to grip the sides of the slippery surface. On the backside is a raised gourd shaped stamp reading Ishiguro Koko (One of the most prominent Sumidagawa potters). Sumida ware was first produced around the beginning of the 19th century,...

Large Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) stoneware jar with two loop handles incised with a leaf pattern. Above each handle is a rectangular appliqued ogre mask cartouche. Circa 1st century B.C. Measures about 9"H x 9 1/2" diameter. Above the waist, the vase is decorated with three sets of three raised incised line bands running around the circumference. A mottled olive green glaze accents the upper section of the vase. The lower portion of the vase is an unglazed light terracotta-brown color w...

Antique Tansu cover (yutan) with a family crest of crane. There are few Yutans left in original shape like this one. The fabric is a loosely hand woven cotton and is made to fit over the tansu (cabinet), the size of 40" by 18". This cover can be dissembled into a flat cloth of 27 inches by 118 inches. The condition of the fabric appears to be in new condition with two holes between the 72" to 74" location. The color is uneven in some area; small areas show blue than green, some uneven co...

A fabric in new condition (never been sewn), 13 7/8" in width. The remaining length is 3 yrds + 31 inches = 11'7" (3.53 meters).

Kasuri (Japanese ikat) roll with rabbits, flowers and geometric designs. The measurements: 14 1/4" width x 454"

These kasuri kimono are very durable, and made to be worn as casual work clothes. I hope you can see the tiny round patches used to strengthen the areas where the sleeves meet the body. There are no company or designer's labels on these kimonos, but the quality of the workmanship are superior. The fabric is still very starchy and stiff. It will take some washings before it becomes soft. The more washing it goes through, the more the fabric will become softer and show the true colors of a be...

This kasuri kimono appears to be hand woven (to my eyes) and another Tsukurioki kimono in new condition. Tsukuri-oki means that it has been left unused after it was made into a kimono. This was caused by the drastic changes in their clothing especially after the World War II. In modern days, Kasuri kimonos have been associated with old women from the country-side, definitely for the non-fashionable group. These kasuri kimono are very durable, many were made to be worn as casual work clothes....

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

Japanese traditional tribal robe worn by the Ainu people of Northern Japan. Hand woven out of fine strips of elm bark with wide strips of dark indigo cotton cloth with chain stitch embroidery. minor wear consistent with age.

Circa 1920's

Length: 50 inches.

A finely painted and gilt pair of Japanese lacquer ware dishes, on black ground and decorated in iro-e-togidashi, togidashi maki-e and kirigane maki-e of shikishi moyou ; the three asymetrically-positioned panels depict a landscape with bridge, buildings in the field and birds. Age: late Meiji(1868-1912). Size : 7 1/2in. (18.8cm) diameter. Condition: excellent. no chips, no restoration.

Beautifully hand sewn ka-gasuri summer kimono, partially lined with black and blue cottons, the color is dark blue to almost black, new condition with basting stitches. This is another Tsukurioki kimono. Tsukurioki means that it has been left unused after it was made into a kimono. These Kasuri kimonos have been associated with old women from the country-side, definitely for the non-fashionable group. These kasuri kimono are very durable, many were made to be worn as casual work clothes. I ...

New Condition, hand sewn. I don't have a close up photos here, but I think this is hand woven. The katazome (stencil dye) cloth for the liner in the shoulder area. (I will try to take some close up photos sometimes later). Dimensions: 45 1/2" sleeve to sleeve, 23" shoulder and 36" long.

This is a representation of Shotoku taishi (574 A.D.-622 A.D.), the young princely protector of Buddhism in Japan. At the age of twenty, he reorganized Japan by promoting Chinese Confucian and Buddhist principles. His well known "Constitution with 17 Articles" was the first written law of Japan. The articles begin by emphasizing the importance of harmony, which is still the foundation of the Japanese culture. The figure is from the Kutani kilns, 7 inches tall

Japanese Wedding Gown with embroideries, some stains. There is no trace of being worn on this Uchikake wedding gown. The outer fabric is white (creamy, light tan) silk and the liner is also high quality silk which makes it very light in weight. There are some color migrations from the embroidery yarns. You can look at it as a bokashi (gradual shading), with the color change right around the embroideries. The one on the left shoulder is visible and the coloring spreads to the front shoulder...