This is a large Japanese samurai doll, "Kato Kiyomasa” (a warrior from the 16th century warring period) mounted on a horse. The quality is excellent. The dimensions of the box (assembled with wooden pegs): 19 1/4" x 21" x 9 1/4" deep. The condition: There are a couple of very faint hairlines (almost non-visible) between the eyebrows. The surface of this area is smooth in touch. The doll is sitting on an original cushion (very well-made) but a saddle (which would been hidden under his armo...

Antique Japanese samurai doll, a flag-bearer sitting on a chair, 15 inches tall to the top of his head. This is a popular retainer doll paired with a general doll for the Japanese Boy’s Day. All the retainer dolls are usually not handsome; some look quite funny contrary to the handsome general dolls. You can even see a size difference for some in the set; there will be a big handsome general doll and a small retainer doll with a funny face to enhance the difference. The armor and clothes on ...

A very large mask of heavily carved wood covered in black lacquer with golden eyes dating from the mid Edo period (18th century). There are minor losses to the lacquer on the cheeks and along the edges typical of age. It is 37.5 x 30 cm (14-1/2 x 12 inches) and is in overall fine condition.

Beautiful Meiji(1868-1912) Japanese hina ningyo (dolls), 20 inch empress doll and 17 inch emperor doll. The Hina Festival in Japan takes place every March 3rd. It is a day of celebration for the well being of every girl in the family. In earlier days, people were more susceptible to natural disasters or diseases, and in order to keep evil spirits away, this day was spent giving offerings to God. This custom was originally adopted from the 7th century, Chinese ceremony that took place on the...

Antique Japanese Maneki-neko, Meiji 1868-1912. The Maneki-neko is a beckoning cat often seen at the entrance of a shop or other business and thought to be auspicious. Hand formed with Ceramic in good overall condition. It measures 11" wide at base 16" tall.

A powerful drawing of Shoki, a demon queller, is hand painted over two nobori banners (each has two panels sewn together) on a thick and loosely woven cotton. The size of two panels together is huge; approx. 66 inches wide (5.5 ft, 1.68 meters) and 166 inches long (13.8 ft, 4.2 meters) without counting the loops on a side and top!

Many Japanese custom start with the purification ceremony; beginning the year with New Year's ceremony followed by the Setsubun in February, which takes place be...

Large Japanese antique oshi-e ningyo(doll), Kabuki samurai "aragoto" actor on stage: Matsumoto Oshi-e bina (hina ningyo in Oshi-e style) was originally made by the Samurai family who served in the Matsumoto Castle to supplement their income sometime in the mid Edo period (1603-1868). They became quite quite popular in the 1800s, 400 million dollars sale (in current currency) was recorded in 1888. The characteristics of Matsumoto Oshi-e ningyo (dolls) are that the design is stuffed heavily ...

This lovely late 19th C Ko Kutani bijin is holding two opened fans with a flower on her head. Exquisite features and detailing, this already highly collectible Ko Kutani figure is even more special because the flower also serves as a candle holder. In very good condition, she measures 11" or 27.9 cm high.

A very unusual pale yellow-green (kiji) porcelain vase in the shape of a Chinese Gu by Seiji Celadon master Suwa Sozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Fretwork and a roiling dragon body have been softly engraved into the sides; the slightest variation in tone the only hint to the subtle design-work. The vase is 11-1/2 inches (29 cm) tall, 6 inches (15 cm) diameter and in fine condition. Sozan (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initial...

A 19th Century food storage box of wiped on black lacquer featuring a striking tri-foil heraldic crest design in mother of pearl on the top, bands of mother of pearl flakes about the rim and foot. Inside is festive crimson. Overall it is in excellent condition, 36.5 cm (14-1/2 inches) diameter, 26 cm (10-1/4 inches) tall. It comes in the original lacquered wooden storage box.

Antique Japanese Doll by Kyoko: Dancing Sanbaso Ningyo Doll. This gorgeous doll with a face of Ichimatsu ningyo (doll) is approximately 18 inches tall on a 3/4 inch stand. The dimension of the stand is 13 inches x 10 inches x 3/4 inches. The crane is hand painted on the fabric. There are some fabric damages on the left side of her upper kimono (cloth) as shown.

Very large Japanese shigaraki jar. with "watermelon" style blue and green glaze drips over a thick crackle cream base glaze. It tapers to a very narrow foot, with a drainage spout. Beautiful original condition, 19th century. Size: 42" H x 25"W

Beautiful Antique Japanese Shigaraki tea jar. Made to hold home brewed cold tea. Natural blues and Greens flow together on the original fired glazed finish. Holds water without leaks. Early 19th Century Dimensions: 18" 1/2 High X 15" Wide

A colorful work by Ueda Manshu (1869-1952) enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nangokufushu (Taste of a Southern Wind). A boy rides the back of an Ox through a marsh, he happy and dry and the beast happy in the cool water. One can also be reminded of the Zen tales of the Ox-herd, and connotations of enlightenment. Very much in the Taisho style with equal effort on the background as on the fore. The pigment on silk work has been remounted in a gold threaded pale brocade with bei...

Large Japanese antique sumie dragon flying in clouds scroll. Exuberantly painted on silk with lovely splashes of ink. Brown brocade mounting. Good condition. Signed and sealed signed Hōgen Nyosen, one of the names used by Kanō Chikanobu (1660-1728), a leading Kano-school painter of the eighteenth century Edo. (Hōgen means "dharma eye" and Nyosen means "river-like"). Translation reads that he painted it at the age of 67. The characters are: 法眼如川行年六十七歳筆 Hōgen Nyosen ...

An antique Japanese large Taiko drum made of lacquered hardwood and leather with hand forged iron nails and holding rings. It would make a great side table adding an optional round glass top. When struck, it carries a thunderous sound that would reverberate in any room.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 30" Diameter by 28 1/2" Long

Large Japanese temple cloth woven with cotton and strips of paper, great for a wall decoration. The dimensions are 107" x 47" (271.8cm x 119.4cm). Many things in Japan were made from paper, just like soy sauce was added in almost all cooking. Textiles were no exception. Some monks in Japan still make their own paper for their clothes. There are few beautiful samurai haori jackets made out of paper that still exist today in textile museums (which we have only seen in photos). The paper m...

A large antique painting depicted inkwash landscape. A man is fishing in a small boat in the silence. The quiet and peaceful scene are depicted beautifully in rich ink tones. Painted with ink on silk. Signed Tsunenobu and sealed. Edo period. It is attributed to Kano Tsunenobu.

Kano Tsunenobu (1636-1713) was the eldest son of Kanō Naonobu (1607-50), younger brother of the renowned artist Kanō Tan'yū (1602-74). When his father died, Tsunenobu became a pupil of his uncle, and derived elem...