The Hina dolls palace is for the Japanese Girl's Day, Hina Matsuri festival. The Hina doll set that I grew up with was displayed in the steps style, which is a common way of displaying 15 dolls with furniture. I have never seen this type of Hina Goten (Palace) until I found several of these recently. It tells us how different things used to be (and still is to some extent) according to regions. The hina dolls were modeled after the Imperial Court from the Heian period (794-1192). The cos...

This is a Hina Goten (Palace) doll house for the Girl's day in Japan, also known as Hina-matsuri or Sekku. Traditionally it is the day to celebrate and honor the young girls in the family. I remember my days playing with our antique hina dolls. Unfortunately, ours were all destroyed over the years. I guess that our temptation was a little too strong to play around with these attractive removable attachments, including the swords.

The Hina house was not a very common style in many areas...

The carps and nobori Japanese banners, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords are 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 to inspire their boys in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, Nobori was used in the battle field to identify the troops, some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was. The others were to ...

Ming Dynasty (1368-1643) Chinese blue and white porcelain baluster form vase with wide trumpet mouth decorated with a blue prunus motif. 9 1/2"H. Excellent condition. The irregular edge of the base is the typical result of the removal of the vase from the kiln. It is not a condition problem.

Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-906) Changsha ware pale yellow glazed ewer decorated with light brown-splashed glaze over relief molded leaf-form foliage designs on opposing sides beneath each of two loops. 9 1/4"H. This particular shape first appeared in China in the 8th century and was used for hot water. Very good overall condition. A few small glaze losses to one handle and a few small, fairly unnoticeable repairs to the body. See color illustration #10 in "A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics" by ...

Large 17 1/2"H lidded jar finely painted in the Kangxi style in sapphire blue on a white porcelain ground. The decoration features a pheasant on a rocky outcropping surrounded by flowering plants which extend around the circumference of the vase and up to the neck, where a second bird perches on a flowering branch. A blue foo lion finial tops the domed cover. The base is encircled by a band of crested waves. The shoulder panel decoration features lotus flowers on a mosaic ground. The shape ...

Beautiful Shusu (satin silk) Uchikake kimono from the Meiji period (1868 - 1912). All hand sewn with embroidery and gold couching work - overlaying of threads (real gold wrapped around thread) rather than going in and out of the base fabric.

The dimensions are 50 inches between from tip to tip of the sleeves, 60 inches long and 29 and half for the sleeve length. All the edges and openings are generously stuffed with raw silk. The photos shown here do not capture the true quality of this gow...

The beautiful green color did not show up well in the pictures. I think it is much prettier. Both sides of the sleeves are soiled at the bottom area (see Enlargement6). The picture is lightened to show the area of stains. Actual stains do not show up as much in the large picture blending in with designs in the darker green (see Enlargement 1).
Dimensions are:

This gown had been used as a rental. The condition is not new like most of my other gowns are. Some large stains are shown in the lower collar area (see Enlargement 9) and several small stains in the other areas - shown in the other enlargements. It is a whitish creamy color. Dimensions are: 51"w x 71"h with 41" sleeve length
Great decorating material.

Japanese Boy's Day display set with a helmet (Kabuto) and a screen. The lacquer screen is very shiny like a mirror. See Photo #10.

The dimensions of screen is 21 1/4"H x 50 3/4"W (extended). Screen box: 23" x 25 3/4" x 1/2"H Helmet Box: 15" x 13 1/4" x 10"H

This kind of Kanzashi is called Gin (silver in Japanese) Kanzashi. The body is usually made out the stronger mixed metal as this one. The darkened metal flowers are tarnished silver, I believe. The bira bira Kanzashi started to become fashionable in late 18th century, Edo Period and this set is from late Meiji to Taisho period, early 1900s. The chains are very light weight so you can wear as a set if you like. It is in excellent condition except two chains are missing from one - not notice...

Japanese Arita porcelain vase with peonies, the flower of riches and honor. It symbolizes wealth, fortune and power as well as beauty in the highest form. It is signed 'Shuhou' on the bottom and the box. Hand painted with reddish brown (thick), gold and under-glaze blue-beautiful work. This is a large, solid vase, The actual weight 7 pounds without the box. Dimensions: 10 inches in diameter and 10 1/2 inches tall. Impressive Kiri wood (paulownia) box. Circa, mid Showa.

Japanese one-piece tree trunk heavy wood stand, almost big enough to display a life size statue. 23" x 23" x 23" in triangle, 2 1/2" to 3" thick. It will be great to show off armors, flower arrangements, bonsai or your treasures (tall?).

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).

Quality, Japanese lacquered wood kimono hanger. The hanger comes in the box with the old tissue paper inside. The writings on the box and the tissues (old with lots of storage stains - appeared new in the photos) indicate that it was "Made by Wajima", pre WWII. Wajima lacquer has been know for the best for it's superior quality. Very light (kiri wood inside?). Taisho to early Showa, 1920 to 1940. The condition is new (stayed in the box without being used). 25" long, 5/8" in diameter. ...