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.

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...

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 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.

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:

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...

Japanese blue and white glazed Imari plate with scrolling vine motif and sho-chiku-bai (three friends of winter: plum, pine, and bamboo) motif, signed with 4 characters on back, one very minor crack near at rim otherwise great condition, Edo Period (18th century). 11 1/4" wide x 2" high.

Japanese blue and white glazed imari plate with dove on peony branch, Edo Period (19th century, two very minor cracks at rim, beautifully painted. 11 3/4" wide x 1 3/4" high.

An actor portraying a samurai admiring himself in a mirror in a scene from the kabuki theater by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada). Signed "by special request of the publisher." Published by Kinjudo between 1847-48. Standard "oban" size panels measuring roughly 15"V x 10"H. Possibly from a triptych. Excellent color with vibrant yellow and green in the background. Good overall condition with no tape stains, toning or tears. The baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back...

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...

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 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)...

These dolls are a part of the Hina doll set displayed for the Japanese Girls Day, Hina Matsuri (Festival) in March. The day is also called Peach Festival. When the peach blossoms open in February to March by breaking through the snow, it is an announcement of the beginning of spring in Japan. The blossoms are very much associated with women’s strength and for this reason, along with their beauty, daintiness and softness, these are all desirable characters for women...

This standing Court lady is in extremely in good quality. She is probably from the Taisho Period (1912