PAPERS LIKE DRAWINGS

Two pieces of abstractions with unintentionally designed composition in such random balance, coated with ‘kakishibu’ (persimmon tannin), once applied from the paper used for feng shui or fortune telling in the Edo period, 19th century, approx. 56 x 86 cm (22.04 x 33.85in)...

PAPER AND THREAD

Old Japanese natural materials before being paper and thread. Northern Kanto region, Showa period, 20th century...

An exceptional Pair of Small Japanese Six Panel Gold Leaf Screens that were part of a Girl's Day Hina display. They depict Imperial children playing in a beautiful setting. Wonderfully detailed paintings and a fresh image of childhood. They are in near mint condition, unusual for their age. 31w x 13 h inches, 78.5w x 33h cm.

Rare Pair of Early Meiji Period Large Inu Gosho Ningyo, Japanese Dog Dolls made of lacquered papier mache. Most known examples are 3 to 5 inches in height. Chin Dogs were part of the Imperial court for centuries. They are wearing Imperial lacquered bibs, and are constructed in the manner of Gosho Ningyo. 10 inches (25.5cm) high.

Japanese Oshi-e Ningyô of Two Kabuki Actors. 12 x 8.75 inches each, 30.5 x 22.25 cm each. These were very popular during the Meiji Period; over 400 million dollars in sales (in current currency) was recorded in 1888. The characteristics of Matsumoto Oshi-e Ningyô are that the design is stuffed heavily with cotton and the faces are painted in Ukiyo-e (the floating world of Edo period) style. It is very rare to find old Oshi-e Ningyô in this quality and size today...

Lovely pair of Japanese Geisha Isho Ningyo. The style of this gorgeous set is fashioned after the work of early Japanese woodblock prints artists, such as Utamaro. They are finely painted and wear sumptuous kimonos over their graceful, elongated forms. Each figure is 12.5h x 7w inches, 32h x 18w cm. Excellent Condition.

Pair Japanese carved and hand painted on heavy solid Ivory Mandarin Ducks(couple) with inlaid Mother of Pearl eyes, 3 3/8" high, 4 1/4" x 2" wide each, beautifully detailed carving and painted with water color on Ivory. These couple of Mandarin Ducks are made in Japan during 1950's and sold at Gump's in U.S., still retain the partially torn paper stickers "Made in Japan" on the bottom of the male duck. These pair of ducks should stay together forever...

ONE-GLASS-EYED FISH

Wooden adjustable fish-shaped lock part ('yokogi') of pothook for traditional Japanese hearth. Early-mid 20th century. approx. 29 x 12 x 7cm (11.41 x 4.72 x 2.75in). Only the right eye is filled with glass. Refinedly less sooted condition than usual "old fashioned", and such a lovely face...

OLD ZORI SANDALS WOVEN WITH OLD WASHI PAPER

Made with the paper strings with recycled old paper from used account book or so, 19th - early 20th century, Japan. Stacked state: 25 x 10 x T 9 cm (9.84 x 3.93 x 3.54in). In unused deadstock condition (since must be thrown away as long as once used then inevitably broken as always)...

The Zuishin dolls are a part of the Hina Ningyo doll set for Hina Matsuri, the Girl’s Day Festival in Japan. Though they are commonly called Daijin minister dolls, they are the figures of Toneri, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185).

It was said that the Zuishin dolls were already seen (created and added to the Imperial Hina couple) in Kyoto during the Meiwa era (1764-1772) while the musician dolls were created in Edo (current Tokyo) at the same time...

Large Japanese antique oshi-e ningyo(doll), Geisha playing the koto: 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...

Old Japanese theater mask of "tengu" in a fierce grimace sporting a prominent proboscis. The "tengu" were mythical creatures, half-bird and half-man, who were tricksters living in pine trees in the forests. I am uncertain of the dating of this mask but estimate it was crafted in the early to mid-20th century. It may be older. It has signs of age and use. There are scattered chips on the underside of the chin and nose and at the edge of the mask and eyes...

Exquisite antique Japanese Hina Ningyo (dolls) for Hina Matsuri festival, the Girl’s in Japan. The dolls are probably from the late Taisho to early Showa period, 1910 to 1940 and in excellent condition. The level indicates that they were made in Kyoko by Hinagata-ya, pre WWII in Kyoto, size 2 (second largest). The hair of the emperor and empress appears to be original and brittle. There will be some broken hair fallen whenever the dolls are moved...

This is a Hina Goten (Palace) doll house for the Girl's day in Japan, also known as Hina-matsuri or Sekku...

The Hina dolls palace is for the Japanese Girl's Day, Hina Matsuri festival. The Hina doll set that I grew up with was displayed in the steps style, which is a common way of displaying 15 dolls with furniture. I have never seen this type of Hina Goten (Palace) until I found several of these recently. It tells us how different things used to be (and still is to some extent) according to regions. The hina dolls were modeled after the Imperial Court from the Heian period (794-1192). The cos...

Hakata doll was originated by a roof tile maker in the early 17C during the construction of Fukuoka castle. Hakata is located on the Kyushu island (southern island), famous to other porcelain makers such as Satsuma, Imari, Nabeshima and Hirado. This handsom groom is 7 1/2" tall and almost in mint condition. She is 8" tall in excellent condition with some minor stains on her right arm area as shown in one of the picture.

This is a stunningly beautiful Hakata ningyo (doll) made by a Hakata ningyo artist. It is not one of the mass produced Hakata dolls. The softness of the colorings and detail in her kimono (in Kyoto Yuzen dye) did not fully come out in the photos. This doll was modeled after oiran, a courtesan from the Edo period, or we may simply call her Genroku bijin (a beautiful woman from Genroku era in Edo). The doll has a Kosode (kimono with small sleeves worn during the Edo period - 17 to mid 19th ...

OKEGATA

Various patterns of wooden rulers for measuring various parts of side face of wooden bucket or barrel so-called ‘Okegata’ (also called ‘Shojiki’, which means ‘Honesty’) as Japanese craftsman’s tool, Showa period, early-mid 20th century, Japan. Largest: 29 x 6 x 0.5 cm (11.41 x 2.36 x 0.19in), Smallest: 13.5 x 3.5 x 0.5 cm (5.31 x 1.37 x 0.19in).


selected by Pottari




* Please understand t...