Japanese fukusa, a silk satin gift cover depicting the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. The development of the Japanese fukusa is closely associated with their custom of gift giving. Japan has been a farming country until recently and crops were directly affected by nature (draft, floods, etc). The rituals were held within their own communities and fresh crops were offered to god. To irrigate and lay the roads, they needed the better their work relationship...

The idea of a Fukusa gift cover comes from the old Japanese tradition of gift presentation. Fukusa began to be decorative as well as practical in the Edo period (1600 to 1868). The appropriate design was chosen for the occasion; for seasonal, ceremonial and later, time of grief when Japan started to face battles again, with the foreign countries this time...

Fukusa, Japanese Gift Cover, Pine, Bamboo and Plums on Fans: This type of fukusa is a covering placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. This is an elegant old satin silk Fukusa in excellent condition. It is not as shiny as it looks in photos. The lining is an old, red (light red color, not orange as it appears in some photos) crepe silk with padding on the rims...

Old Japanese gift cover, fukusa with a black mask and a mask box, bells, hat and fan used in the Noh(No) play, Okina (the sacred old man). The Dance of Okina start with a comtemporary prayer for 'a peaceful reign over the land' Okina wearing a white mask. The black mask is worn by the Kyogen actor in the third dance, "Sanbaso". Embroidered on satin, lined with red crepe silk. Dimensions: 28" X 29"

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...

Antique Japanese fukusa (gift cover), Yuzen-zome (paste regist dye) on silk kabe-ori (coarse crepe silk), early 1900s.

For a man to be a well balanced nobleman, there were requirements to be filled. 'Kin Ki Sho Ga', the four accomplishments of gentlemen, were chosen at an early time in China, practicing Kin (koto, music instrument), ki (go, Chinese chess), sho (calligraphy) and ga (painting)...

Woodblock print by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Utagawe Hiroshige (1797-1858). The streets are bustling with activity as we see a gentleman who wears a top hat being pulled along in a handcart, a woman in a kimono shading herself with a parasol, and other characters. There are sakura trees blossoming around a flagpole, a communal well, and a beautiful view of the sun rising beyond Mt. Fuji in the distance. Size: (print only) 6" height, 8.5" length (with frame) 9.25" height, 11.75" length

A beautifully crafted image of a cormorant seeking fish by Ishida Rainosuke enclosed in the original signed wooden box dating from the early 20th century. The bird is 38 cm (15 inches) long and both bird and fish are in excellent condition. A very interesting treatment of the position of the back foot shows the bird kicking, as if speeding up, eye on the prize...

Japanese antique edo(1800-1830) indigo dye silk kosode gosyyotoki pattern kimono of tsutsugaki and embroidery. Although there is light discoloration, there is no damage and it is in very good condition overall. Kimono with no lining, worn in spring and autumn. size::Length:155cm(61.0inch) / Cuff to cuff, across the back: 122cm (48.0inch)

A fine embroidered purse, probably made to hold tissues at a tea ceremony. The exterior is embroidered with Sagara embroidery (Peking knot), and has a sarasa design of stylized butterflies, birds and flowers. The sarasa (Indian Chintz), first came to Japan through the Nanban trading in the late 16th century and was tremendously favored by the tea masters and some daimyo (regional lords) during the Edo period...

We are glad to can offer you a real authentic piece of real Japanese tea ceremony culture, a Shigaraki-yaki Edo period antique mizusashi (water jar) with its o r i g i n a l and signed antique wooden box.

Dated Bunsei 13 (1830).

This is one of the rare originals, which are hard to find in and outside Japan.

As it is in brilliant condition, it can still be used for the tea ceremony.

Height : 14,5 cm

Diam...

A unique Ko-sumetsuke tea ceremony plate with an unusual motif of a raging bull. The center of the plate is divided into 5 sections with scrolling vines and chrysanthemums. The central figure is a raging bull in a pine forest with rounded fronds. The perimeter of the dish is ringed with a classic cloud image. Ko-sometsuke (old blue and white) porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644)...

Antique Edo age Japanese 100% kiri wood tansu. Beautiful example of an Early Edo age small tansu. Original condition and finish. Unique Iron hardware and locks complement the light color kiri wood. Locking drawers and swing out hinged door revealing three more small drawers. From the Kansai area in Japan near Kyoto. Original keys Edo Period (circa 1845) Dimensions: 27 1/2" Wide X 14" Deep X 20 1/4" High

Hard to find: Large antique Kyo-yaki Suiseiji Mizutori Suichu (also called "mizutsugi").It is a Japanese ewer, an utensil used in the sado and sencha tea ceremony to replenish the jar that holds water for rinsing teabowls and filling the iron kettle at the tea ceremony.

This wonderful antique celadon suichu was made around the end of the 19th century during the Japanese Meiji Period...

A pair of hanging scrolls by Kano Dohaku Chikanobu (1772-1821), a famous Edo period painter, 5th head of the Surugadai branch of the Kano School. In 1813 he received the honorary title of "Okurakyo-Hogen" (law of the eye).The pair contains an image of three geese set near a marshland with reeds. Scroll comes with box that woud be of the period. Age: Mid-Edo Period( 1800-1820). Size per scroll: Height: 70.25" Width: 14.25" (with ends) 16.25".

An antique Japanese Daruma wooden mold used for making paper mâché dolls. Likely retired from duty and lacquered to preserve its years of production and service. The worn lacquer is a testament to its display and use that extended beyond its useful life and paid tribute to the former artisans that supported the craft. The bottom reveals the three holes used to connect the mold to a turning wheel for ease of applying the paper mache...

An antique Japanese Daruma wooden mold used for making paper mâché dolls. Retired from duty and lacquered to preserve its years of production and service. The worn lacquer is a testament to its display and use that extended beyond its useful life and paid tribute to the former artisans that supported the craft. The original removable base was made with a concave divot to allow ease of rotation of the mold when in use. Knife cuts and natural cracks from wear show how the mold was used.