Gorgeous antique Japanese Kuruma tansu (wheeled chest), made of keyaki (elm) wood with all original finish and original heavy iron hardware, from the Etchu Area of Japan (ref. "Wadansu-shusei" by Kodansha), Edo Period c. 1830's. Size: 48 1/2" high x 56 1/2" wide x 29" deep. Exhibited: "Moving Cabinetry: Tansu from The Zentner Collection", Palo Alto Art Center, 2005.

A pair of ceramic Cormorants by preeminent early 20th century Master Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The cormorant has a special place in Japanese art. Like the hawk is a bird used in hunting, the cormorant is a bird used in fishing. A rope would be tied around the long necks of any number of the birds, them then taken out into the water with huge torches burning on the prows of the fishing boats...

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 that are associated with them.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi has been one of the popular characters for Boy’s Day. He was born in a peasant family and worked his way all the way up to top commander of Japan...

A Japanese tissue or cloth holder for a tea ceremony, finely woven with a diamond design, the interior lined in leather, all held together with an ivory clasp carved as a lion's head (shishi) mask, Taisho period.

A Japanese bamboo pipe case with a cut relief design of a bearded old man with a fan, Okina from Noh play, Meiji period. Length 9".

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Bando Mitsugoro III in the role of Kumagai Jiro Naozane. This image is Station 23 from the series "Actors at the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke in 1852/3. Very nice impression quality with mica highlights. The black robe is overprinted with patterns using lacquer highlights. Signed "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow). Measures 14"V x 9 1/2"H...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Kunisada II (1823-1880) depicting kabuki actors dating 1865. The cartouche at the upper left bears the title of the series and the names of the actors. The signature of the artist, publisher's seal and censor's/date seal are located at the upper right. Measures 14 1/2"V x 10 1/8"H. Very good overall condition. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back. No tape or tape stains...

An Edo period suit of raw iron with all matching parts, featuring 16 plate helmet with two lame shikoro and large fukigaeshi. The mask is fantastic, a real stunner with dramatic features and a large mustache. It has five plate sode and a go-mai-do cuirass of five iron plates, with kusazuri of leather scales. The sangu are all matching, very nice on dark silk tightly woven iron scales, with a crest in brass on the back of the hands...

Antique Japanese pilgrim's coat hand woven of asa (Japanese hemp) fiber. Hand painted with sumi ink calligraphy.

Size: 41" high x 47" wide

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

An exquisite pair of gofun covered fox on black and gold lacquered stands protected by copper wire cages, dating from the second half of the Edo period. They wear a shrewd look, eyes narrowed to slits, enhancing their mischievous image. The mystical carvings are covered in white gofun, stained a soft gray from age with highlights still white from eons of careful cleaning...

Shishi prance across the mottled Kiri-wood surface of this Momoyama to early Edo period Koro in gold and silver maki-e and mother of pearl inlay. A copper insert contains the fragrant incense ash. There is a hand forged iron staple top and bottom of one ancient crack testament to age. It likely once had a silver hoya (cover) which has disappeared over the centuries...

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)...

TITLE: Carl Schraubstadter and Japanese Prints: The Robert Louis Mueller Family Collection EDITORS: Claudia Brown and Laurie Petrie Rogers 8 1/4" x 10", 60 pages, 35 color plates, Hergerger College of the Arts, Arizona State University, 2007 ESSAYS: "The World of Carl Schraubstadter: Collector of Japanese Prints," "The Elegant Craft of Japanese Woodblock Prints, "Social and Historical Foundations of Ukiyo-e," "The Art of Kabuki," "The Katsukawa School of Print Design," "Hiroshige: Life and Ar...

The nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords are all a part of the display used for Boy's Day in Japan...

Old Japanese Biidoro (vidro, Portuguese) kanzashi made out of glass. Glass making was introduced to the Japanese by the Portuguese in the16th century and there has been glass manufacturers in Japan ever since that date. It was particularly popular in Japan during the 19th century. The style of this kanzashi is called tama (ball) kanzashi. The ball is 3/4" (in diameter) natural coral. It is rare to find a glass Kanzashi in this condition. The kanzashi is 7 7/8" long. Meiji period (1868-1912)...

This is a very beautiful and bold set armor. Reddish lacquer with kiri leaf on chest. Comes with its wooden armour storage box. Showa age. Height:5' Width:17.5" Depth:17"

Pair of Japanese Kutani Vases. There is a hole on the base of both of them, originally drilled for lamps. Signed on bottom. Otheriwise in great condition and good detail. Pictures of birds and flowers in red and black, with gilt. Elegant scale with elongated height. Meiji Period. Circa 1900. Height:18" Depth:5.5"

Nita A ring of skulls playfully sojourn on the front of this rather unusual deep Edo Karatsu Chawan. On back another pair tumble helplessly over the thick speckled glaze. The base is bare earth, dark and shiny with age and handling. The skulls are not just resist painted on, but are actually incised, the eyes and nostrils set deep into the southern clay. The bowl is 3-1/2 inches (8.5 cm) tall, roughly 4 inches (10.5 cm) diameter and is in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden box.