Aoki Seiko (b. 1880)
Quails Under the Moonlight
Size: 9.75 x 4.75 inches. 24.6 x 12 cm.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. Cat. #366 tag on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight bend at lower left corner.

Antique Japanese pair of geese made of bronze. A mated pair, the gander stands with with beak open in conversation. The goose stands nearby. Soft details of feathers and feet. Dark patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 15 1/2" high x 9" wide x 6" deep

Japanese female mask in the style of a Noh mask. This face may have been considered beautyiful many years back, but now it carries a heavy-duty insult to any ladies if they were to be called Otafuku-chan or Okame-san in Japanese. Otafuku-kaze is the mumps and there are popular snack beans called Otafuku-mame, shaped exactly like this face.

Otafuku simply means “much happiness”. Also known as Okame or Uzume, this face has been the symbol of good wishes for health and happiness...

An actor portraying a samurai admiring himself in a mirror in a scene from the kabuki theater by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada). Signed "by special request of the publisher." Published by Kinjudo between 1847-48. Standard "oban" size panels measuring roughly 15"V x 10"H. Possibly from a triptych. Excellent color with vibrant yellow and green in the background. Good overall condition with no tape stains, toning or tears. The baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back...

Japanese blue and white glazed imari plate with dove on peony branch, Edo Period (19th century, two very minor cracks at rim, beautifully painted. 11 3/4" wide x 1 3/4" high.

The Kanzashi hair accessory has been the main jewelry for Japanese women. This antique comb and hair pin set has a wonderful design of turtles in the bay area on one side and landscape on the other side. It is a classic design in gold makie on tortoiseshell with coral inlay. Hair Pin is 5 3/4" long, comb 3" long and 1" in width. Meiji period (1868-1912).

This is an old Japanese towel rack, sometimes called a children’s kimono stand. The metal work is in traditional style and the mounts have been used on many different kinds of lacquer pieces throughout the Edo period. The chrysanthemum mons (family crests) on each end of the mount, were used by the Emperor, royal princes and others outside the Imperial family, in a variety of forms. Although the 16 petal mon was designated for use by the Imperial family, others were entitled to use it...

Interesting looking Japanese theater doll, dressed as a Chinese warrior, Kan-U (Guan Yu, Chinese), a Chinese legendary figure from the Three Kingdoms era. The story of the turbulent warring period in Chinese was written by Luo Guazhong in 14th century in his famous novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". It became popular among the neighboring countries. In Japan, it was played in puppet doll theaters (Joruri) and Kabuki theaters in late 17th century Edo period...

This is “kataginu” (shoulder cloth), only the upper part of kamishimo without a trouser. Kami-shimo simply means top and bottom in Japanese. It was a high ranking samurai’s formal attire when they attended official meetings at the Edo castle. It was worn over kosode (kimono with small sleeves) with trousers. The shoulders are arch shaped and this was the style that developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Longer trousers (approx...

This is a lovely 18th century Japanese Arita (we think) blue and white porcelain plate, bearing a peach mark and surrounded by bats, good luck signs; decorated with bands of stylized cloud forms and flowers; rim chips; 7 3/8".

Make-up plays a vital roll in a Kabuki play because it is dark in the Kabuki Theater (especially in 17th century Edo period without light bulbs). It was sometimes exaggerated, along with their costumes, to let the audience know right away who they were and also their emotional stages. You might have seen the elaborate (very beautiful), flashy Kabuki costumes. They certainly were not daily wears...

Hanging scroll of mandala with Guanyin sitting on a rock, surrounded by two worshiping deities in front of him and by a guardian figure in the upper left corner. Beneath him the gods of thunder and wind and rain in the clouds. Below these, Chinese figures in a mountainous landscape, occupied by different activities. On top of the painting a printed text. Unfortunately we were not able to identify the mandala and thus the meaning. Ink and color on Chinese paper...

Japanese woodblock print of a beauty and child from a series depicting powerful individuals by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Hayashiya in 7/1852. The image is signed at the right side "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (used circa 1850) within a gourd shaped cartouche. The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. Vertical oban size measuring 14 1/2"V x 9 5/4"H. Fair impression quality. Very good overall condition with minor soiling...

A magnificent and seldom found set of Ao or Blue-Bizen Tokkuri Sake decanters dating from the Edo period enclosed in an ancient kiri-wood box. The hand-turned pieces are in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks. The undecorated clay of each pinched vessel is an unusual shade of blue/gray, thus the name. Each piece measures roughly 6 inches (15 cm) tall. An exceptional and highly sought after addition to a collection of Japanese ceramics.