Nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents' wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was, others were used to shift the troops...

The nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parent's wish (at the time that they were made) to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, Nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was...

Two characters on this Japanese banner are Yoshitsune (Minamoto family) and Noritsune (Taira family). It was towards end of the Genpei War (1180-1185), Yoshitsune (Minamoto family) flying high on the top escaping the attack of Noritsune (Taira family). Yoshitsune was said to hopped eight boats at this scene...

Japanese nobori banner, hand painted (dyed) with samurai Yoshinaka (Kiso no) and Tomoe Gozen, a woman warrior. Dimensions: 15 3/4" wide and 147 1/2" long. Hand woven soft cotton with hand spun yarn. Early 1900s. Excellent condition but please expect some minor stains because of the age. It may hang better without the side handles on the wall.

Yoshinaka is a member of the Minamoto family (Genji) from the late Heian period (794-1185)...

Antique Japanese blackwood netsuke carving of a Hanna Noh theatre mask, with piercing gilt eyes and teeth, pointed ears and two short horns. The Hannya (般若) mask is a mask used in Noh theater, representing a jealous female demon. It possesses two sharp bull-like horns, metallic eyes, and a leering mouth. The backside of the netsuke has a calligraphy inscription / signature.

Meiji period (1868-1912), 19th Century

Size: 2" H x 1.5" W x 1.25" thick

Antique Japanese Noh performance mask of Doji, a physically pretty and youthful boy to represent eternal youth. Wonderfully hand-carved and painted with wispy hair, red lips, and blackened teeth. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 8" H, 5.5" W

A mask of a grimacing old man, carved of light wood, maybe hinoki, with gesso and polychrome pigments, inset with gray horse mane hair. The inside with brown lacquer and residue of two old paper labels. Condition: pigment and hair losses, old color mends. Dimension: 18 cm high x 14 cm wide.

Antique Japanese Noh theater mask of a woman, possibly Kohime, with black lacquer hair showing three loose strands on each side, bright red lacquer lips, pale face with blackened lips and sharpened eyes. Beautifully hand-carved, with painted inscription on the inside of the mask The eye holes are carved as 16 petal chrysanthemums. Dates from early 20th century.

Size: 5.5" L x 3" W x 8" H

The Japanese Norimono Palanquin is completely covered in a rich chestnut woven bamboo. The roof has a slight curve and a section of the roof can lift up for entry. The sedan is trimmed in black lacquered wood in a double lined grid pattern contrasting with the woven material. The three outer window openings provide shade covering of reeded sudaris with black wool borders and copper mounts. The sudari is held erect with copper L-shaped hooks...

Very rare 'Noshi" celebration wood carving. Noshi is an ornament attached to gifts and presents offered on festive occasions in Japan like weddings, births etc. This carving is a jizaikagi used on a hearth pot holder with iron fittings and bamboo pole. This would hang over the irori hearth and hold the pot above the coals. 61" long by 13" wide. great condition. Shipping from CA warehouse.

Tranquil sitting Nyorai Zen Buddha on a tiered stand. Wood is hinoki or Japanese cypress. Beautifully lacquered with a gold gilt covering. The Buddha has a jeweled forehead and a swirling leaf backdrop. It sits on a lotus stand. The bottom of the stand is swirling Buddhist clouds. c.1885. (11" x 6") (28cm x 15cm). Ask for shipping quote quote.

Antique Japanese Noh mask of the O-beshimi fierce deity, or mythical tengu. "Beshimi" means "mouth clamped shut". This mask is hand-carved from kiri wood, and inside you can see the chisel marks left behind by the artist. There are visible traces of white gesso in the crevices of the face, which was used as a filler to cover the wood grain. Edo period, 19th century Size: 9.5" tall, 7" wide

Whimsical antique Japanese netsuke of two octopi in embrace, carved in beautiful cherry amber with lots of little details. The Japanese would wear small stacked containers called inro from their belts or sash. Inro boxes were held together by a long cord running down its sides that looped at the top, held together by a netsuke bead and an ojime bead. The cord would run through the two holes featured on this netsuke. 19th century Size: 1.5" tall x 1.5" wide

Sitting demurely, legs folded with her back to the viewer, an oil painting by Yoshii Kosaburo dated 1937 and encased in the original period wooden frame. Oil on canvas, the painting is 15 x 18 inches (38 x 46 cm), the frame 21 x 23-1/2 inches (53 x 60 cm) and is in fine condition. The frame has marks and wear typical of age. It comes with some period documents (Japanese) on the artist. Yoshii Kosaburo was born in 1899, and initially studied under Imperial Art Academy Member Nakagawa Hachiro...

Signed Oinishi Rakusai V Akahada flower vase. In original signed paulownia wood box. B.1910 this vase was one of his early pieces in C.1950. From an illustrious Nara pottery family famed for Akahada ware.

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 antique Japanese Okidoko (display stand for a Tokonoma, a reception room) made of Kakinoki (Persimmon) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Originally it was used to showcase Ikebana flower arrangements, special porcelain vases, Japanese sculptures, or seasonal displays. It will work in a contemporary setting to elevate and display any myriad of items.

Age: Early Taisho (circa 1912-1920)

Dimensions: 47 1/2" Wide by 5" High by 16 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Okidoko (low display stand) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Used in a Tokonoma as a portable display stand atop which decorations like scrolls were hung or flower arrangements were displayed. Drawers were used to store items for display and the interior shelves were used to display seasonal items. All original bronze hardware.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1900). Dimensions: 31 1/4" Wide by 12 1/4" Deep by 14 1/4" Deep