Large storage jug of typical Shigaraki stoneware with small white inclusions, made in three sections, decorated in multicolor enamel and gold with a cat making a mouse train come to an abrupt halt. A cat, high back, hissing at the mouse going at the head of a train, makes the train come to a dead stop and the following mice tumble, roll, spill in a ripple effect. Funny details: tumbling palanquin, spilling fish, flying papers. Either folk art or export. Japan, 20th century.
Height: ca...

Japanese Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, made by Beishu. Beishu has Mukei Bunkazai status (Important Intangible Cultural Property). His Shoki shows great craftsmanship, with silk hair, glass eyes, gofun face and hands, with sumptuous silk brocade. This magnificent sculpture reaches the level of the master work of Beishu, whose work is found in museums and important collections of the Showa Period in Japan. Signed and dated 1960. 21 inches (53.25cm) high.

Kanban with identical inscription on both sides: goko (five scents), a general, government licensed medication against all kinds of ailments. Middle brown wood with carved inscription, painted brown, gold and red. Forged iron handle on top.
Height with handle 22 5/8 in. (58.2 cm), without handle 21 in. (53.9 cm), width 7 in. (18 cm).
Some of the colors chipped out of the grooves, partly repainted and chipping again, some minor, short cracks and chips around the handle...

Kanban with the inscription Inari taiji goyo (great Inari shrine, your order). The sign may refer to a shop at the shrine grounds, selling things to be offered at the shrine or souvenirs, or to a shop that specifically make devotional objects to the order of this particular Inari shrine. Attached to a black patinated wooden board are a bell and rope and two small objects, covered in gold brocade. Forged iron handle at top...

SHRINE AND MONKEY

Well-matched assortment of a naturally soot-colored wooden zushi (household shinto altar) with such blackened depth and a votive seated stone monkey sculpture in the ‘gassho’ praying pose with folded hands in such mountain-like well-abstracted silhouette due to aging.

Shrine: H 29.7 x W 19.3 x D 13.5cm (11.69 x 7.59 x 5.31in), Edo period, 19th century, Japan
Monkey: H 10.7 x W 8.4 x D 7.4cm (4.21 x 3.30 x 2.91in), Meiji period...

SHYNESS

Rare find of refined vintage modern *kokeshi simplified wooden doll titled as 'Hajirai' (lit. 'Shyness') made by a kokeshi artist, Kenichi Murakami (1929-1991), c.1970-80s, approx. H 38cm (14.96), categorized into ‘Sosaku kokeshi’ (or 'Shingata kokeshi', lit. ‘Creative kokeshi doll’) based on the traditional form and style but with more feminine elegance and quite next level perspective. Engravement of 'Kenichi' at the bottom...

Early 19th Century Edo Period signed Japanese Ikebana flower arranging wall basket made of bamboo woven by the master, Mineko, with wonderful color and design. Wall baskets of this quality are hard to come by. 8.5 inches (21.5 cm)h x 3.5 inches (9 cm)w. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Beautiful small wooden jizai, or pothook. This type is called Daikoku, after the shape of Daikoku’s hat. These hangers were suspended with a rope from a heavy beam, over the sunken hearth. From the hanger an adjustable hook was hung that held the kettle. Good piece of mingei.
Zelkova wood with rests of smut, especially in the grooves.
Japan, 19th century.
H 9.5; w 9.25; 2.75 inches.
Slight traces of usage, very good condition.

SOTOMIYA

Miniature version of Japanese outdoor wooden shrine called 'sotomiya' (as the opposite type of interior household shrine called 'kamidana'), Showa period, 20th century, approx. H 26.2 x W 18.5 x D 18.8 cm (10.31 x 7.28 x 7.40in). Some damage as is as seen. No object enshrined (since this little snake is not attached), so that please arrange something worshiped into by yourself...

Spectacular 19th Century Japanese Bamboo Ikebana Basket. A real masterpiece. 39.5 inches (100cm) tall, 11 inches (28cm) wide.

Rare, Spectacular late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A musha ningyo (Boy's Day Ningyo) representing Toyotomi Hideyoshi in sumptuous gold court robes and armor, wearing an Eboshi winged hat and a fantastic sword, holding a gunbai-uchiwa (military fan). This Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the finest quality example from the late Edo Period. Incredibly carved face covered in many layers of gofun (oyster shell lacquer). Seated on a lacquered platform...

Late 19th Century Japanese Kazari-Uma (Battle Horse). This deluxe extraordinary example is attributed to Marurei, one of the most important Ningyô artists. He now has Japanese National Treasure status. This handsomely adorned military horse is displayed on a Boys Day stand. The body hair is done by a technique called Ke-Ue-Saiku "fine work of fur planting" in which silk hairs are pasted on. It has gorgeous silk and lacquer trappings. It is positioned on a fine lacquered stand...

A fine Late 19th Century (circa 1880) Meiji Period Gosho Ningyo of Momotaro the Peach Boy, based on a famous Japanese legend. This beautiful Gosho is elaborately detailed and fully armored, holding a banner with peach finial. The peach symbol appears several times on this magical Gosho. His wonderful face expresses his nobility. Carved entirely of wood and covered with highly burnished Gofun. 13 inches (33cm) height.

The Tachi bina is an older form of Japanese Hina dolls from the early Edo period(1603-1827). The earlier Tachi bina were not made to stand up, instead they were made to lay down or lean on the display. The faces of this set appear to be old with a beautiful sparkle on white gofun crashed/ground oyster shell, Kyoho-bina from mid Edo period. The silk brocade has washi paper backing (with washi hand made Japanese paper)...

STICKER BOARD BY A JAPANESE BOY

A fragment of old massive industrial wooden board stenciled as 'Explosive' on the opposite side, randomly stuck many old school stickers of 'Ultraman' and 'Kamen Rider' (and their monster enemies) as the two biggest children's superhero in Japanese tokusatsu TV show in 1970s. Really scarce tangible memory and story hardly seen today. 65 x 37 x 1.5 cm (25.59 x 14.56 x 0.59in). Free EMS shipping.


selected by hoto...