Old Hakoseko (Japanese tissue holder) for times when women wear formal kimono. They are placed in the chest area with the chains of the kanzashi hair ornaments hanging from the obi belt. The colors of the embroidery are soft and shinier (silk threads) than shown in the photos. The background is in a soft creamy color (shioze silk). The color of interior is reddish orange. Kanzashi is gold plated, thick and heavy (approx...

A lovely and very attractive Japanese bowl, with four dragons in a circular pattern. This lovely specimen dates to the Meiji period 1868-1912 and is well over 100 years old. In perfect condition, it measures in diameter 5.25 inches and 2.25 inches high

During the Edo Period, there was a time when puppet play became the most popular form of entertainment among the common people. At one time, they were so popular that Kabuki actors even began mimicking the movement of the puppets.

The era of Ningyo Joruri (puppet play later called Bunraku) began in 1684 when Takemoto Gidayu, a narrator, opened a theater in Dotonbori...

Beautiful old Japanese woven silk uchikake gown in new condition. The size of this gown is small (much shorter) and light in weight. We are not sure how gowns in this style were worn but our humble guess would be that they were either made into jackets for upper class women (style is similar to kosode from late Edo period), Noh custumes or wedding gowns (though the sleeves are short). Subtle but beautiful, will make a great wall decoration...

Beautiful Japanese antique choba tansu (merchant's chest), made of keyaki (elm) with sugi (Japanese cedar) interior, beautiful heavy iron hardware, sliders on top, bottom with removable locking bar (bo) over two drawers, lower right side with safe box, interior of safe with two small drawers, all original deep red translucent lacquer finish, Mikuni area, late Edo Period (mid 19th century). Size: 33 1/2" high x 36 3/4" wide x18 1/2" deep.

A lurid landscape spreads across two two-panel screens by Shirakura Niho signed and dated 1929. Two colorful scholars share a quiet moment in the shelter of a thatched hut. On first examination it appears nonsensical, a chaotic collection of dashes and dots, however the closer one examines the painting the more one realizes the detail and planning that went into the imagery, It is performed with ink on paper framed in dark mulberry frame and has been recently re-backed with forest green paper...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground. It has butterfly family crests (mon) in the center of a scrolling leaf and flower border, the interior in red lacquer.

The butterfly design was a favorite among the aristocrats and was seen in their belongings, ox-carts and attire during the Heian period (794-1192). They were also seen in armor of the Heike (Taira family) before power was shifted to the Genji (Minamoto family) samurai...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated in gold lacquer on a roiro ground with Ni-o, also known as Kongo Rikishi with delicate scrolling background, the interior in red lacquer. Edo period (probably 17th century). 11 1/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12" long.

Large Japanese antique processional temple cart, base made of keyaki (elm) wood with copper hardware, drum is also made of keyaki wood with a large brass rooster on top, wonderful condition (wheels roll!), lovely carving and lacquer detail, unusual and striking! Meiji/ Taisho Period (early 20th century). Size: 90" high x 69" long x 42 1/2" deep.

A demure image of grace and youth; this is a fine full sized Bunraku theater puppet dating from the first half of the 20th century; one of two from a private collection we are currently offering. The eyes open and close, but are stiff, hands are flexible and fully operational. She wears a period red brocade kimono with kiku chrysanthemum patterns and a black obi featuring dragons and phoenix. A white silk lining and silver crown of flowers complete her outfit...

Japanese antique gift cover, fukusa, with the design of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichi Fuku Jin), tsuzure-ri tapestry weave with wide borders (1 3/4"). The liner is made of chirimen crepe silk, Meiji period (1868-1912), 26 1/4" W x 29 1/2"L

This is a beautiful fukusa even with obvious stains. It shows the quality and professional workmanship everywhere. This fukusa is woven in tsuzure-ori...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground with dragonflies (some with aogai inlay) within scrolling leaf background, the interior in red lacquer, different necks, some chips, cracks (on red) and retouching. Edo period (17th/18th century). 11 1/2" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12 3/4" long.

Antique Japanese merchant's chest (choba tansu), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with dark red lacquer finish, 4 exterior drawers and safe box with 2 small interior drawers, beautiful heavy iron hardware including elaborate bracing on front frame, wooden bracing on sides and back, from the Mikuni area, Edo Period (late 18th/early 19th century). Size: 32 1/2" high x 38" wide x 18" deep.

Original limited edition hand colored etching titled "Haggling" featuring Korean women in a marketplace by German artist Willy Seiler (born 1903) from his Korean series. Signed in pencil on the lower margin. Reverse with limited Korean edition seal marked Plate #68A/110, stamped in red "original hand colored," and with Seiler's address in Japan (see enlargements). Willy Seiler's etchings captured the essence of life in rural Japan...

A nicely enameled Japanese cloisonne box with a raised design (moriage) of Mandarin ducks. This box dates from the 1960s to the 1980s and was probably made by the Inaba Company of Kyoto, Japan. The mark at the bottom is not the maker’s mark; it is probably the mark of the retail or outlet store. The dimensions are 5 1/2 inches x 4 inches x 1 1/2 (a bit shorter) inches.

This is an exquisite haori. Jackets of this quality, condition, and subject matter are getting increasingly hard to find. Made habutae silk a with brocaded or woven lining, it can be worn or displayed with either side facing outward. The outside is solid black with 5 mons (family crests) and includes the artist signature which appears on the front lower right panel. The inside back panel’s weaving includes the use of gold, silver, and copper-gold metallic lacquered threads...

A fox sits wrapped up like the Daruma, a humorous image by long time head priest of Kenninji Temple Takeda Mokurai (1854-1930) in light ink on paper. The scroll has been fully remounted in dark forest border extended with beige and features black lacquered wooden rollers. It is 18 by 47-1/2 inches (45.5 x 120.5 cm) and in excellent condition...

Antique Japanese tsutsugaki (paste resist) cotton horse cover, bold design of large red characters on either side and white stripes on dark indigo ground in center.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 14" wide x 89" long