9.5 feet long hand-painted Japanese carp banner (Koi-nobori) for Boy's Day. Here on this banner, a mighty little boy named Kintaro, is hitching a ride on a carp. Kintaro may be a creation from a theater play (jyoruri and kabuki) of the Edo period – although he is said to be a childhood figure of the 10th century samurai, Sakata no Kinsuke - he is extremely strong and still a popular hero figure for Japanese boys...

Japanese obi, nagoya style, painted with two noh masks on soft satin silk. The base color is a gentle pink/wisteria color with earth-tone. Taisho/Early Showa.

Japanese silk obi, Nagoya style, dyed with the design of Chinese Empress and court attendants in the bamboo grove. It appears that this was converted to current Nagoya style obi (from kimono?). The design of this obi is unique. The wide and narrow area of this obi has different designs on both sides and all seams appear clean. By taking one side of the seam apart, you have a large fabric to work with (double in size with one seam in the center)...

A Flask shaped vase decorated with a Shishi (Mythical Lion Creature) in a rugged landscape by multi talented artist Domoto Insho enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vase is 10 inches (25 cm) tall and in fine condition. Insho (b. 1891) was a Kyoto artist, trained in the traditional Shijo manner, but not one to be bound by its rigidity. He studied at the Kyoto Municipal School of Fine Arts, and under the important artist Nishiyama Suishi...

Hakata ningyo, unglazed Japanese ceramic doll, signed by the well known Hakata ningyo artist, Genzo Soda. The words "early spring" is written next to the artist's signature. This could be the name of the doll or the time of the year that this doll was made. Mr...

This doll is a Hakata clay doll, “Matsukaze” design by the well known Japanese artist, Yoshio Matsuoka.

Matsukaze is a story of two beautiful sisters who met and fell in love with a young courtier in exile at the seashore of Suma Bay. The sisters were “shio kumi”, the saltwater bearers who made their living by ladling seawater (before it was boiled down to salt). Matsukaze is the name of the older sister and literally means “wind through the pine trees”...

A Japanese leather tobacco pouch with pipe case (kiseruzutsu) and ojime made out of stag horn. The pipe case is finely carved in relief with an eagle on a pine branch above a waterfall; the ojime is engraved and decorated with a key fret design; the pouch with a patinated copper clasp modeled as a frog. All and all, it feel muscular (large) and detailed with quality. Pipe sold separately (Listed, item # 1036417). Meiji period (1868 - 1912)...

Japanese Hakata ningyo, unglazed clay doll of a young samurai (wakashu) with a dancing fan. This doll may have been modeled after a character in Kabuki (played by all males) or Takarazuka (played by all females). There were many play houses in Hakata during the late Meiji, Taisho and early Showa period. The Takarazuka theater (Fukuoka Takarazuka?) was also there...

A Japanese tooled leather tobacco pouch decorated in low relief in gold and colors with shaped panels of boys at play, roosters, peonies, ducks, etc, silver peony shaped clasp; the pipe case in pressed fiber in imitation of rattan; agate ojime. Meiji period.

A variety of saya lacquer-style samples enclosed in a set of stacking boxes titled Nuri-Hon. Thirty samples covering inlays, various techniques such as nejiri, powdered shell, byakudan, wakasa, and tsugaru techniques. Each sample is roughly 3-1/2 inches (9 cm) lng, the boxes 7-1/2 x 4 x 1 inches (19 x 10 x 2 cm). Very rare and overall in fine condition, dating from the later Edo...

From our Japanese Collection, a very fine and early Gosu Blue satsuma vase, late Edo Period circa 1840-1860, signed Gyozan. There are four separate gilt-framed panels: Two depict shi-shi, one depicts scholar's table objects, and one depicts a flowering plant. Each panel is surmounted by birds in flight on the upper shoulder, probably phoenix...

An excellent pictorial reference book especially for novice collectors looking to train their eyes regarding how genuine pieces are supposed to look. Highly recommended with wonderful color photos throughout the entire volume. Four main sections addressing Satsuma, Imari, Hirado and Kutani...

From our Japanese Collection, a superb Kinkozan satsuma vase of tapered ovoid form, Meiji Period 1868-1912, most likely 1880-1890, depicting a finely painted bijin on one panel along with finely painted roosters and flying birds in a garden setting on the other panel. Both main panels are separated by reserves of elaborate gilt work set against a rich cobalt blue ground. Kinkozan signature and impressed mark on the bottom. As with all of our satsuma offerings, this piece is of the highest qual...

Japanese uchikake (wedding gown) with a colorful design of flowers and birds done in the Tsujigahana-zome (dye) style. The old Tsujigahana dye technique was used on the clothing of the Muromachi to Momoyama period elites. Inside the tie dyed area, flowers and birds were painted with blue, purple and black ink. Tsujigahana-dye was short lived and completely vanished by the early 17th century because of its extreme complexity. This gown is very beautiful with many woven metal threads;...

An unusual chato (tea room sword) in the shape of an octopus, its 8 legs stretched out in uniform with one curled back exposing the suckers. Eyes are intimated on one side, with an old chip where the breathing hole is opposite. About the neck is wrapped a faded silk chord. It is 22 inches (56 cm) long. It is said that these wooden swords were produced from the mid to late Edo period, in lieu of swords for those not allowed to carry weapons (all but samurai). During the Edo it is true that ...

Beautiful Japanese maru obi! Obis can be used as a belt to hold a kimono together. The classic design from the Heian Period (794-1192AD) of ox carts, fans and court music instruments run throughout the front and back. The gold is woven into the fabric almost entirely and sparkles when it is hit by light – it has much gentler tones in the dark. The earth tone green and rusty brown are particularly pretty on this obi. With a thick padding inside, this obi will make a great decoration pi...

This is an uchikake robe (outer kimono gown) probably used as Kabuki stage costume. The bottom and the openings of sleeves are thickly padded with cotton stuffing. The design is large paulownia leaves and flowers. The exterior and liner are both thick cotton. This robe is old, and a little soiled but the fabrics still have not lost it’s strength. It is an attractive display piece. One small tear (hole) in red liner in the back, some broken couching stitches.

48” (1.22m) wide...

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) standin...