A Tall Gourd Ikebana Vase- Lacquered Inside – Signed

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1970: item #1075284
ICHI 3427

This beautiful natural double gourd vase has had two sides cut out to permit flowers to be arranged in an ikebana arrangement. The inside of the gourd has been heavily lacquered with a deep red lacquer – and there is a bamboo cup on the inside that is equally heavily lacquered to protect the vase from water damage.

A fascinating feature of ... Click for details

A Japanese Wooden Rice Bucket – Meiji/Taisho/Showa

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1960: item #1045823
COLL 1088

This is an interesting rural Mingei rice bucket made of wood and held together with bands of dark brown woven rattan or bamboo. The bucket was painted a bright red with yellow accents and shows signs of long usage. The paint has peeled off in sections – but the bucket is still sound and would easily hold rice if you need a rice storage box. Otherwise, it would make a great piece for an Ikebana arrangement.

... Click for details

A Late Meiji/Early Taisho Mingei Bamboo Page Turner

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1950: item #995491
ICHI 1035

This is an amusing bamboo page turner from Japan made in the 1920s-30s. It has an open work handle and on the lower portion there is an intaglio carving of a snake about to sneak up on a frog. What makes it interesting is that the front of the snake is on one side and the tail is on the other - thus giving a feeling of the snake burrowing through the thin bamboo.

... Click for details

Japanese Meiji Sagemono Wood Tobacco Pipe Set Tonkotsu

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1900: item #965618

Japanese sagemono (hanging object) tobacco pipe set consisting of a wood kiserutsuzu (pipe holder), kiseru (pipe), and wood tonkotsu (tobacco box) in the form of a humorous yawning Daruma with arms overhead grasping the two cords with his fists. The cords hold an ojime (sliding bead), which is attached to the pipe holder. Daruma’s body is kiri (pawlonia) wood and his eyes are inlaid with mother of pearl. His face lifts and functions as a cover for the tobacco box. A badger (tanuki) standing ... Click for details

A Metal Japanese Boys Day Sword – Showa

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1970: item #955180
COLL 9098

This is a nice 20th century metal toy samurai sword that would be presented to a boy on Boys Day – traditionally held on March 3rd. The sword was intended to imbue in the boy a sense of honor and strength as shown by the samurai of old. This miniature sword is made of metal and is intricately made with simulated sharks skin handle, a tiny sword guard (tsuba) and a decorated scabbard with a relief dragon going down the side. The sword itself is thin steel. The entire combination measures 12 Ľ “ ... Click for details

Japanese Tobacco Pouch Sagemono Ivory Netsuke Dragon

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1900: item #949422

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. These h... Click for details

Japanese Bamboo Ikebana Basket

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1920: item #933487
JL-8

In this ovoid-shaped early to mid-1900’s ikebana basket, bamboo of varying widths has been plaited in an irregular pattern with gnarled rootwood woven throughout the body. Twisted bamboo root and wisteria vine form the handle. Very good condition. Height: 23” Diameter: 11”

Japanese Keyaki Kettle Hook Hanger Jizai Gake

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1900: item #907161
11-356

This fine heavy wooden pothook or kettle-hook hanger (“jizai-gake”), hand carved from a large block of densely-grained zelkova (keyaki) wood, was once suspended by a heavy rope from the high roof beams of a Japanese home or shop. Edo/Meiji period, 19th century. This is a fine example of the Daikoku type of kettle-hook hanger, distinguished by the integral, inverted V-shaped roof-like upper part of the hook, which reminds the Japanese of Daikoku’s floppy cap. Daikoku was one of the Seven Gods of ... Click for details

Edo Zeni Bako Japanese Money Box Dated 1829

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1837 VR: item #894121
07-61

A merchant’s money box, or zeni-bako, from Japan’s Edo Period carries an inscription that reads, “Purchased one lucky day in November in the 12th year of Bunsei,” which was 1829. The small copper coins in use at that time were called “zeni” and led to the development of simple, strong boxes for merchants to store coins during the business day. This box is made of thick keyaki wood and fitted with an iron lock and hasp. The top is constructed in two sections with a hole in the middle through whic... Click for details

Japanese Hibachi with Masks by Ka Noh Tessai

Japanese: Folk Art: Utilitarian Accessories Pre 1900: item #877777

Japanese antique hibachi signed by the famous artist Ka Noh Tessai renown for creating works of art adapted from Nara Period (8th-9th century) design especially statues of Buddha and ancient masks, this hibachi is made of a kiri (paulownia) wood stump and depicts 5 different performance masks carved and lacquered, the interior of the hibachi has a copper insert, the stump stands on three lacquered legs attached to a solid base of matching black lacquer, a wonderful and unique piece, Edo Pe... Click for details