Beautiful art work of Tosa Mitsutoki* embroidered with a theme from the Noh play "Takasago" on an antique fukusa, a Japanese gift cover. The signature, seal and other characters are embroidered. To find a signature on a fukusa from this period (late Edo) is very rare; in fact, I have never seen one. The characters (at the bottom left side) read "e-dokoro azukari" which is the title for the head of the Imperial Painting Bureau...

There is no visible image of God in Japanese Shinto religion. For this reason, people find the spirit of God in their surroundings, especially in nature. In the noh play “Takasago”, an old couple is seen together on the beach of Takasago (today’s Hyogo prefecture) sweeping pine needles under the trees. The old man Jo and old woman Uba are the spirits of the pine trees that were grown in Takasago and Sumiyoshi. The two trees are located far away but they are together with their spirits...

Antique Japanese Linen Banner Commemorating the pivotal Kawanakajima War of the Sengoku Period, a period rich in samurai history. War ships are depicted bearing the crests of the Takeda, Maeda, and Kato clans. A vibrant and powerful piece of Japanese history. 70.5 x 30.5 inches, 179 x 77.5 cm.

Antique Japanese Fukusa (gift cover), an old Chinese koto player by a waterfall. Embroidered on silk satin, lined with soft crepe silk, circa 1800s. 27 1/2" x 30 1/2"

A large cloud moves in and stirs the air in the forest. Water falls to the river as if it were falling from the sky and ripples it to shore. The resonance of the koto breaks the silence of the forest. The design on this fukusa is likely to have come from one of the old Chinese poems...

A Japanese priest's silk ouhi (Buddhist priest's ritual arm - shoulder covering), the green/gray/black brocade silk with an overall design of cranes, pine, stylized shells, verlaid with white line divisions and asymetric gold thread kikyo (Chinese bell flower) designs, pale pink silk liner. Late Edo period. Dimensions - 11 1/8" x 54".

Antique uchishiki, Japanese alter cloth, embroidered on silk satin with Chinese theme, “The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove”. Probably from late 18th to mid 19th century. 26 3/8" x 25" (67cm x 63 1/2cm).

Condition: This is a beautiful antique textile even with some obvious damage and wear, still solid with a thick cotton backing. The wear is seen particularly on both ends of the design. This quality of needle work is seldom seen.

Japanese late 19th century sleeve from a stage costume. The sleeve has design hand embroidered on front and back. The front has a large pearl with 3 dragon claws showing around the edge. There are also plum blossoms, bamboo leaves and stylized clouds. The reverse has the 3 friends, bamboo, plum and pine with cloud designs. There is also a fabric handle for the piece. This type of sleeve was not actually worn, but held against the body during a performance...

The fabric is thick, silver brocade that appears to be taken from a Japanese woman's old obi from late Edo period. The liner is cotton. During the Edo period (1602-1868), there was a custom that the family of a deceased woman would donate her favorite kimono to the temple; some beautiful temple cloths were created from those wonderful fabrics. The custom was likely to have continued after the period...

The theme on this fukusa (Japanese gift cover) is “Kin ki Sho ga”, four accomplishments of noblemen. For a man to be well balanced and eventually become a good leader, practicing (and become good at) of “Kin ki Sho ga” was encouraged during their leisure time; ‘Kin’ (Jp. Koto, string music instrument), ‘ki’ (jp. ‘Go’, Chinese chess), ‘sho’ (calligraphy) and ‘ga’ (painting). This started in China and was brought back to Japan by traveling monks studying Buddhism...

This is the upper part of a kamishimo; samurai's formal attire without the trousers. It was worn over a kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The texture is hemp like; coarse, slightly translucent, thick threads (thicker than other kamishimo). The family crest is the feathers of a hawk. Kami-shimo (upper-lower) that we currently have are quite dandy and fashionable. The amazing thing is the work that is involved when making these fabrics...

This is indigo dye sashiko noragi naga-hanten of Aomori Prefecture of the Meiji era(1868-1912). cotton seems to be hand spun and woven. All sashiko was stitched by the hand. It is very beautiful. There is neither stain nor damage. I recommend it for your collection. size:108cm x 118cm (42.5" x 46.5")

A vertical corduroy wall hanging textile, the velvet partially cut and painted with ink and colors. Naturalistic depiction of five tigers in a forest landscape. Brocade border, floral patterned lining with hanging loops. Signed and sealed in lower right corner. Condition: fine, one small stain. Dimension with border: 242 cm x 175 cm.

This is sashiko Indigo dye cotton noragi hanten at the Meiji era(1868-1912). There is a repair mark in the sleeve and the back. However, it is very good overall. I recommend it for your collection. size:120cm x 132cm (47.2" x 52")

Sashiko stitched fabric. Tsutsugaki dyed cloth. Indigo background with red and white design. Two horizontal bands wrap around bottom of coat. Similar to reference work "Sumi Collection Hanten and Happi" coats on page 25. Used by firemen in late 19th century Japan to extinguish blazes. Hook and eye closure. Measures 49" sleeve to sleeve 49" long. Overall good condition, small wear on neck and side.

Antique Japanese rare ceremonial court hat, made of green asa (hemp) with an open weave meant for summer use, wonderful shape reminiscent of a cicada, woven with gold scrolling vine design and Tokugawa Family mon (crests). Underside has silk padding. Wonderful and rare. Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 19" long x 5" wide x 5" high

Antique Japanese futon cover, beautiful design of phoenix in blossoming kiri tree, cotton with colorful paste resist dye on indigo ground, 4 panels, edging added later, one very good repair, no losses, Meiji Period. Total size: 64 1/2" high x 55 1/2" wide Size without edging: 59" high x 50 1/2"wide

This is silk beautiful yuzen-dye and Embroidery fukusa textile of the Edo period to Meiji Era(1850-1880). This is yuzen-dye which was drawn by hand and dyed. It has few thin stains. However, it is not conspicuous. It does not have a damage and is in a very good state. size:66cm x 76cm (26" x 29.9")

This is antique Indigo dye Stripe cotton sashiko boro noragi textile of the Meiji era(1868-1912). It is boro cotton and patchwork of very beautiful indigo dyeing. All this sashiko stitches are made by hand. I can enjoy it with the both sides. It is very rare textile. This is textile made in the japan Seto Inland Sea district.I recommend it to collection of you. size:114cm x 113cm (44.9" x 44.5") Box.G