Japanese samurai dolls are part of the display used for Boy’s Day on every 5th of May in Japan. The dolls are figures of historical heroes or legendary people to inspire the boys of the family (probably husbands are also included today) with their manliness and hopefully discipline and bravery to go along with them. Samurai’s Yoroi armor, Kabuto helmet with swords, bow with arrows are popular items chosen today for the day.

This is a large, very impressive musha ningyo (warrior doll)...

Japanese antique doll of a Noh theatre actor in the costume of Ko-Omote the beautiful young woman, dressed in a summer robe with gold flower basket on back, elaborate headress, removable mask reveals the face of the actor. Real gold leaf was used in the Kimono design. Late Meiji/Taisho Period (1900-1915)

Dimensions: 14" High by 8" Wide by 7" Deep

A pair of hina dolls, Obina (male,right) and Mebina (female, left) which are displayed on Hina Matsuri on March 3rd . It is also called "Momo-no-sekku" or "Girl's Day" History of Hina dolls can trace back to Heian period (A.D.794~1185), but Hina doll display began in early Edo and became more gorgeous later. Paper Hina dolls were made in early Edo period (early 17th century) They have beautiful hand-painting of women on their costume. In good condition but have some damages. 17th century...

Tamba-yaki tokkuri (bottle for sake) with hand-drawn letters of the sake maker. Generally in good condition. Early 20th century. H:22cm, Diameter:11cm

Antique Japanese jizai-kagi in the form of a catfish. In a Japanese home, water in a kettle or pot is heated over an irori (sunken hearth). The jizai hook hangs from a strong ceiling beam. From this, a long device is suspended with a hook on the end that can be adjusted up or down by moving the jizai-kagi. This unusual jizai-kagi is carved of kayaki (zelkova elm) wood and has patination from hearth smoke. A portion of it's original iron chain is still attached...

Antique Japanese musha-ningyo samurai doll of the old warrior, Takenouchi no Sukune and the baby Ōjin. Takenouchi was the vassal of the Empress warrior, Jingū-kōgō.
The wife of the 14th sovereign, Chuai, Jingū ruled as empress-regent after her husband was killed in battle in 200 A.D. Considered the 15th Japanese imperial ruler, she lead an invasion of "the promise" land (believed to be the Korean Peninsula)...

Antique Japanese warrior dolls, musha ningyo displayed for the Japanese Boys Day. Clad in armor is a beautiful young widow, the Empress Jingo with her faithful retainer/high ranking minister, Takenouchi no Sukune. He is holding her baby Ojin (Oh-jin) who was later known as “The God of War”, the 15th Japanese emperor, Emperor Ojin. These are all original dolls including the baby.

Some old records indicate that in 300 AD, God came down to talk to Empress Jingo in her sleep...

Antique Japanese small drum. Likely for ceremonial use, this drum could have been placed on a stand or held by its handle while in use. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood and painted leather with iron and bronze.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 7 3/4" wide x 4" deep

Antique Japanese small Gigaku performance mask. Gigaku (literally meaning "skill music") is an earlier form of Japanese theatre that was brought over from Korea and China in 612. Gigaku reached a high point during the Nara Period and continued it's popularity until it was eventually replaced by Bugaku theatre. Traditionally performed outdoors at a temple, Gigaku masks were carved with exaggerated features in order for them to be seen by an audience seated at a distance...

Antique Japanese jizai-kagi in the form of swirling clouds. In a Japanese home, water in a kettle or pot is heated over an irori (sunken hearth). The jizai hook hangs from a strong ceiling beam. From this, a long device is suspended with a hook on the end that can be adjusted up or down by moving the jizai-kagi. Often these are carved in the form of a fish. This unusual jizai-kagi is carved of kayaki (zelkova elm) wood with a dark patina from hearth smoke...

Beautiful antique Japanese stacking bento basket made of very fine split bamboo with even finer strips woven underneath for insulation, the container separates into two compartments - a larger compartment underneath and a small covered box on top. The handle is made of a single piece of bamboo. Meiji/Taisho Period. Size: 18 1/2" high x 14" long (18" long including handle) x 8 1/4" wide.

Unusual Japanese antique standing pendulum clock with reverse painted landscape scene on glass, with carved pair of dragons and wishing ball on rounded top frame casement. With double-ended winding key for chimes and movement.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 17.25"H 11"W 5"D

Antique Japanese taiko Buddhist temple drum. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood. Painted with mitsu domoe design, the three comma motif also used as a popular family crest. The design is painted in bold red, blue and green colors. Tightly stretched on both sides with bronze and iron hardware. Taiko (literally meaning "drum" in Japanese) first came about as a way to frighten away evil spirits and crop-threatening pests as well as to call the rain spirit to nourish the fields...

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century. 32cm x 81cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century. Top:82cm x 32cm, Bottom:82cm x 56cm

Tatougami which was used at the pawnshop for wrapping pawned items. The name of the shop is "koyama Shichi-ten" and it has the shop's logo "小" in the square. It is a few layers of old washi (handmade paper) pasted together and painted with kakishibu (persimmon tannin) for strength and waterproof. Shichiya (pawn shop) appeared in Kamakura period and developed much in Edo period. 19th century, however one of mending paper has letters "Taisho 4 (1916). Top:87cm x 32cm, Bottom:75cm x 32cm

Amazing boro made of hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye cotton fragments. It used to be the lining of yogi, which is one kind of futon, in the shape of kimono. It is from the Japan Sea side district in Kansai, such as Fukui or Kyoto. It is partly sewn with hemp yarn. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:95cm, L:165cm

A bag which is hand-plaited with indigo dye hemp string. It is carried on the back with various items. 19th to early 20th century. One string is cut. W:15cm, L:62cm