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...

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. ...

Japanese farmer's folk art, clay doll from early Showa: 10 3/4"h x 6"w Artist's signature on her back, dated in the 15 years of Showa Period (1940). Excellent condition.

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: Ooishi Kuranosuke, a historical hero as a leader of the 47 Ronin (samurai without their master) who avenged their master's death and then all committed Seppuku suicide. Artist signed and dated (in 1942) on the back. Measurements are: 12 3/4"h x 7 3/4"w at the widest

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 ...

Japanese clay doll, Kabuki doll with a dragon. 13"h x 9 1/2" at the widest.

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). When the hina dolls were still very limited to a few wealthy people in early 1900s, these clay dolls were for the regular people. They were made by o...

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 ...

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"

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".

Orange Fukusa, Japanese gift cover from mid Showa, 1930 to 1960. Some color loss but in excellent condition otherwise, no damage, stains or tear. The photos shows it little newer than actual. 19 1/8" W x 20 3/4" L

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.

This beautiful shibori (tie-dye) is already cut to make a haori jacket. The skinny pieces under the arms are cut and attached by someone who knows what he is doing. It has not gone through Yunoshi, the process to stretch shibori using steam. The size of this gown is extremely small at this moment because a regular haori (short jacket) roll is used to make into shibori fabric. 36 inches x 16 1/2 inches long with 9 inches hemming tacked inside. The fabric is a good silk, an older silk wit...

This is an old Japanese man's obi sash (belt for a kimono) with designs on both side. Many of the sashes are found with some damages, so they are often cut out and used to remake something else. Top quality silk in new condition, no damages.

WEARABLE ART: This skirt is made out of an old Japanese man's obi belt, chrimen crepe silk with hand tie-dye "shibori". Freshly made out an obi from early 1900 to 1940. Medium size with elastic waist.

Japanese hair comb and Kogai hair pin in a Wakasa-nuri Lacquer finish on wood, circa early 1900s. Wakasa-nuri lacquer is a unique urushi lacquer technique that uses stones (coarse to soft) to scrape and reveal different layers of lacquer coatings which are painted on wood using many different colors. The dimensions of the comb are 1 1/4 inches and 3 1/4 inches, pin 5 3/4 inches long.

Featured here a tempestuous scene of furious waves and dark roiling clouds dominated by the crimson orb of the rising sun, seeming ready to purge the sky of its violence. Depicted in ink and mineral paints on silk, the unsigned painting is immediately bordered in patterned brocade, extended in rough beige silk and terminates in large bone rollers. It is very rare to find a painting of this genre depicted with such power, most are of much calmer seas; even if the waves are choppy one gets a fee...

This type of tissue holder is called Hakoseko. They are still being used for very special ceremonial occasions. The older one in this quality is now a collecter's item. Hakoseko will be placed between a kimono and an obi sash with the chains dangling from the chest area. Circa, early to mid 1900s. Dimensions: 4 1/2" x 2 3/4"

A hand forged antique iron water pot with bronze lid for use in the Japanese Zen Tea Ceremony; handles in the shape of dragonflies embedded in the side. The upper half is grooved with concentric rings; spread wings of the dragonflies conform to the shape of the bowl while jointed bodies project out in 3-D almost 1 inch from the surface. 2 antique iron ring handles (included) are run through the body between the wings. The heavy bronze lid features a 5 petal plum blossom finial. The piece mea...