This is a Japanese clay doll, Mingei folk art of Japan. Samurai Warrior doll in armor for the Japanese Boy's Day in May. 9 inches high and 6 inches wide. Signed at the bottom. Circa 1930 to 1950.

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: 11 1/2"h x 5 3/4"w

All the clay dolls are somehow originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early Edo period (1600-1868). By the end of 19th century, these dolls were made all over Japan. 90 percent of the Edo population were farmers who could not afford nor were allowed to have hina dolls dressed ...

Tall (17 1/4"H) Chinese transitional period wucai gu beaker vase decorated around the circumference in underglaze blue and overglaze polychrome pigments and black outlined highlights with figures, phoenix birds and a crane in a garden setting. Three continuous vignettes are interspersed with flowers, rockery and clouds. The top rim features a "cracked ice" motif in underglaze blue within a decorative band. Excellent condition. A similar pair sold at auction in New York through the William Do...

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: 13"h x 13 1/2"

This type of clay dolls are somehow all originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early Edo period (1600-1868). By the end of 19th century, these dolls were made all over Japan. 90 percent of the Edo population were farmers who could not afford nor were allowed to have hina dolls dre...

Japanese makie lacquer sake wine Dishes with an auspicous design of Sho-Chiku-Bai (pines,plums & bumboos). This design is a happy ceremonial symbol for the gold taka-makie (raised design) designs with kirigane (small gold leaf squares) on brownish red (with purple tone) lacquer. Each piece is very thin and light and in new condition. There is no wear to the gold and lacquer except one small repair on one dish. This type of set is often used as a set of three. Each dish is numbered 1 to 5 i...

Chinese yellow crackle-glazed pear-form porcelain vase with an everted rim and an underglaze blue double-ring at the base. Dates from the 18th century. 9 1/4"H. There are small scattered green glaze spots and interesting irregularities of the glaze application at the neck. Fine quality restorations have been made to the neck which are not visible to the eye. The vase was acquired from a Southern Arizona estate.

Kangxi Period (1662-1722) Chinese blue and white porcelain export covered jar decorated on one side with the "one hundred antiques" motif and on the opposite side with figures in a landscape. Auspicious symbols decorate the lid. The 4-character hallmark on the base appears to translate "record of beauty, benevolence and profit." 8 1/2"H and diameter. Finial replaced. Numerous old chips to the cover and base.

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: This man is Ninki Danjyo, the villain of the Kabuki play. The more awful the villain is, the lovelier the princess looks and the nice guy more angelic especially in Kabuki plays. Danjyo, with his magical power, is trying to transform himself into a rat. Holding in his mouth a fake “Ren-pan-jyo”, a scroll containing the fake signatures of innocents who were supposedly plotting to take over the power from the 2 year old Regional Lord by vanishing h...

An exquisite old Japanese hair comb, lacquered on wood (kiri, boxwood?), practical yet ornamental with make design of wisteria like flowers. It is almost like new, never been used condition. The shape of this comb is unusual, irregular from one side to the other side. The shape is called Shin-bashi shape/style. Shinbashi is located in Minato-ku in Tokyo. The shape came out in early Showa period (end of 1928 to beginning of 1986). 4 1/2"

Old Japanese teppo (pistol) style candle holders which appear to be made from old pieces. Each piece is 21 inches long and quite heavy. These will probably work well along the wall of a country style room.

Beautiful peonies on a soft pure silk (sho-kinu, 100 percent silk) kimono roll. Hand dyed design (Yuzen zome) went through to the reverse side. The fabric (marked as Tango chirimen) is treated with some new chemical for easier maintenance, wrinkle free, washable (?), etc. Some designs are dyed to be matched for the wider width. Gentle, pale (smoky) purple color, 14 1/2 wide, full roll (enough to make a kimono).

Beautiful hand painted (dyed) iris on soft 100 percent silk. Some designs are dyed to be matched for the wider width. This is probably from mid Showa, 40 to 60 years old, no color loss. The spots and the design that run sideway are part of the woven design. Full roll and good quality silk. I will get the measurement.

Kesa was originally made from old scraps of material donated to the priests. The scraps became finer and quite luxious in time. People who gave to Buddhist institutions were often keen to give very expensive items, so some fabulous kesas were created from wonderful silk brocades. This also could mean that the wealthier temples end up collecting the better fabrics or are able to send out for the expensive custom made kesas. This kesa is hichi-jo (seven panel) kesa, silk brocade with silver ...

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as "Yui-noh" which is prior to a wedding. It has a peaceful, ordinary outside view seen through an elegant blind (shown at the top) and a silk room divider (left side) which are both remainders of the Heian Court (794-1160). Cranes and plums represent longevity, harmony and women’s beauty along with their strength. Combined with a gold bag and mallet of Dai-koku symbolizing wealth, there is no...

A delightful metal Japanese hair kanzashi, mix metal. Some parts brass, others gilded, silver and yet more plated with silver to give a wonderfully rich feeling to this traditional Japanese hair accessory. The tiny coral beads used at the center of the flowers, as well as between the bira-bira dangling, add to the feeling of richness. The Hoo bird (Chinese phoenix), with its long tail feathers, flying across the paulownia leaves is a symbol of a peace and prosperity. 9 1/2 inches long. ...

Japanese Kyoto Nishijin silk obi roll. This is a soft, medium thick, high quality silk fabric with genuine high grade gold leaves woven in. Stamped Kyoto Nishijin and nishiki with a couple seals for passing quality checks. Some stains at the end (very left edge) - not likely to affect. The base silk is cream color. 28 1/2" x 163".

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1910 to 1930. This is not a ...

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as "Yui-noh" which is prior to a wedding. A pair of cranes on the rocks by an ocean may symbolize the couple's long journey together. This is a wonderful work of art, beatiful dye work is enhanced with embroideries that are so skillfully added. Taisho to early Showa, 1920 to 1940.