Japanese Uchikake (wedding gown) with Imperial Carts, flowers and gold color “maku” (outside cloth divider). The divider is used as a street on this gown leading the wagons to the large area at the bottom half. The background colors from the top are orange, light pink to dark gray at the bottom. The liner is red. The condition is excellent, like new.
53" W x 75 1/2" L (sleeve length 41")

Japanese silk wedding gown with beautiful embroideries of flowers, cranes and the imperial gosho-carts. This is an older and top quality gown that is probably dated early to mid Showa period, 1930-1950; it belongs somewhere between antique gowns and newer gowns. The quality is different from later Showa period when most of the gowns were made for rental. The fabric of this gown has silver pine branches woven throughout, with some large branches embroidered (?) This textured background gave the ...

An intriguing lidded bowl patterned with soft blue red and white in the style of traditional hand made temari balls (multicolored silk thread balls) by modern ceramic artist Sato Kazuhiko (b. 1947). The piece is signed on the base and dated 1992, and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Inside the dish is pebble textured stone gray, with a silver tablet fired into the top. A perfect jigsaw cut separates base and cover. Certainly a representative work by the artist, it measures 6...

A well detailed frog sends its spirit up in a mass of swirling clouds forming the basin of this unusual 19th century bronze Usubata signed underneath. The signature appears to read Togyokumu-zo, although the third character Mu is fairly illegible. Great face! The total height is 10 inches (25 cm). Width of basin roughly 8 inches (21 cm). Length of frog roughly 7 inches (17 cm) and weighs 2.3 kilograms (about 5 lbs). It is in fine condition.

Classical laos silk, hand woven and hand dyed. This silk comes with the feeling of subtlety found only in old textiles.

Age: Laos, circa early 20th century
Measurement: Length 276 C.M. / Width 78 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall (some expected degradation due to its age). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.

Old Japanese doll resembling the Kuge (aristocrat) from the Heian period (794-1185), 16 inches tall. This doll was probably one of the zuishin (imperial guard) dolls for the Hina Festival (Girl’s Day in Japan). His long face mostly resembles the Kyoho-bina which is the imperial pair dolls from the mid Edo period (1603-1868). Considering the quality, size and time (late Edo), this doll must have been made for someone special.

The costume of hina dolls were all copied from the ...

A very unusual Kutani vase showing strong Art Deco influence, signed on the base and likely dating from the revival of that style seen in the 1950s. The white porcelain ground is decorated with four stylized tree trunks in overglaze enamels of white, black and various browns, with scattered gold flake between. The vase is 10 inches (25 cm) tall, 5 inches (12 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. Truly a rare find!

An exquisite Murashi-Do Bronze vase signed Shuho and enclosed in the original wooden box. The baluster form is interrupted by three ribs starting at the shoulder and running partially down the sides. The vase is otherwise entirely undecorated, leaving all impression to shape alone. A fantastic piece, it is 12 inches (30 cm) tall, 7-1/2 inches (19 cm) diameter and in fine condition. It dates circa the first quarter of the 20th century.

Japanese antique Zuishin dolls (Ningyo). This set of dolls are often called Daijin minister dolls but they are actually the imperial guardsmen and escorts for the Heian court (794-1185). A beautiful quality set in the perfect size to decorate Hina Goten (Imperial Palace). Meiji Period (1868-1912). Approx. 5” tall, 4 ½” in width.

Japanese Kesa, buddhist priests' robe, silk brocades, excellent condition. Circa early 1900 to 1940. Dimensions: 46" x 75"

Japanese Kesa, Buddhist priests' robe, "ro" summer silk. 44 1/2" x 77", the color changed evenly to a tannned tone. There are some stains in the front and back, and the handle and the folding lines in the back are soiled.

Japanese Kesa, Buddhist Priests' Robe, soft brocades with silk liner. The liner has some discoloration and is soiled. 46" x 77 1/2"

A radical Iga vase by unconventional artist Kishimoto Kennin (b. 1934) enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box. The free form Terracotta image is covered in lichen-like pale green ash glaze. The vase is 10 inches (25 cm) tall, 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide and in perfect condition. Possibly better known today for celadon, Kennin went through a radical period some 15 years ago working on pieces like this unusually formed Iga ware. An artist who has tried many styles, he has been work...

Jingu, guardian Empress of Japan, stands ready to defend her princely child Ojin held by General Takenouchi Sukune within a painted border of martial articles. Swords, armor, bows and quivers full of arrows, a horse-bit and court cap, tea bowl and other implements precious to the samurai tradition all hand-painted about the central image, laid scroll-like over top but actually all part of the same canvas. The composition has been freshly mounted in toffee colored brocade reflecting the origina...

Japanese Takeda Samurai doll from late Edo to early Meiji, 1800s. Takeda dolls were made to model Kabuki actors and puppet dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The doll is possibly Benkei, a faithful retainer to Yoshitsune (Minamoto).

Many stories were written based on Benkei and Yoshitsune (Minamoto, Genji family). They first met on the bridge of Gojyo in Kyoto when Benkei challenged Yoshitsune. He had been challenging strangers to sword fights so that he could get their swo...

A beautiful and rare blackwood vanity chest. This is an unique piece and very large and quite heavy. It has all the original brass fittings and many drawers. There are many copies of this piece and this is the only original one I have come by in all the years I have been collecting. Age: Early 19th century. Size: L. 35cm. W. 25.8cm. H. 21cm. Condition: All original.

A powerful Kon-odoshi Go-Mai-Do Gusoku embellished throughout with matching crests of bound wheat. The helmet is a tetsuji raw iron 32 plate kabuto with brass piping surrounding the Mabizashi and fukigaeshi. The Bound-wheat mon is figured on the fukigaeshi and it features a five lame wide banded Shikoro. The mask is an unusual Saru-Men (monkey faced hanpo) also of raw iron with matching wide banded throat defense. Tapered Sode hand in five wide layers down the shoulder, the top bordered with...

A very rare find indeed, two early to mid Edo period matching Kashi-gusoku Yoroi from the same armory featuring Momonari Kabuto and Hotoke-Ni-Mai Do decorated with jagged bands of gold. A very impressive set. The sleeves are patterned blue and white hemp. The thumb on one sleeve is missing and the two hinge pins. There are broken strings and damage to the lacquer consistent with age and the fact this armor was handed out to soldiers, likely often for guard duties and escorts, and so did see ...