This is a finely hand-carved netsuke in Kurogaki (Black Persimmon) wood of a Lotus Seed Pod, made as a Karakuri or 'trick' Netsuke in that the seeds rattle and peep out of the seed holes. Netsuke was carved by an unknown artist from the Iwami Province sometime during the Early 19th centuries. The carving exhibits similar material and carving characteristics of a netsuke (Photo #6) made by Seiyodo Gansui (1809-1848)...

A two section antique Japanese Isho Biraki Tansu (stacked clothes chest with hinged doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original bronze hardware and a center Kuwanoki (Mulberry) wood door decorative overlap. Very well constructed with thick wood, straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. The doors open to four removable kimono trays.

Originally used for kimono and clothes storage, the classic design works well in any home decor...

Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks associated with the teachings of Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) would embark on a pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here...

Hiroshi Yoshida
Temple in the Wood
Date: 1940.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.0 x 10.75 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating self-printing by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toned paper. Corner margins have heavy creases.
Dedicated in top margin: "Captain and Mrs Tibbitts, Wishing a Merry X'mas and a Happy New Year - Gozo and Shiori"

An antique Japanese bamboo Ikebana basket in a barrel shape with dual double arm connected handle. The body is woven with multiple layered bamboo strips in a horizontal pattern which gives strength and tenacity to the piece as well as the symbolic nature of bamboo. The base is a bamboo rope foot with a star patterned bottom. Natural soot patina contrasted against chestnut brown highlights.

Early Meiji Era (1870-1880),br>
Dimensions: 17 1/2" High by 9" Diameter

Being based in Kyoto we occasionally come across fine Chinese and Korean tea-ware to mix in with our Japanese offerings. Here we have an example of a ceremonial tea bowl from the Shinragi kiln in Korea. Pieces like the one seen here are baked in a traditional wood-fired “climbing kiln” at a temperature of over 1,300 degrees for 5 days...

Antique Japanese bandori, peasant's woven back pad for carrying heavy loads. Woven of re purposed cotton cloth, this bandori is outfitted with shoulder straps and is folded on the bottom for extra padding. The back pad is made of cotton from two different textile: a brown striped cotton and light blue and white pattern on cotton. A bandori is made specially for the person carrying the load so it is beautifully unique in it's materials and construction...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant storage box) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Eight drawers of varying sizes for the storage of paper, writing brushes, inkstone, money, receipts and other merchant paraphernalia. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese Ikebana bamboo basket designed as a baluster shaped vase. Large bamboo slats interwoven with other delineated free form smaller slats. The mouth opening has some decorative bamboo rope matching the all rope footed base. Three slats at the base forms a star shape while the body is strong with a wide sweeping design.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 14" Wide by 14" Deep by 18 1/2" High

Circa 1920's hand carved Japanese ivory okimono of a long tailed rooster on a wood perch. Excellent antique condition.

Antique Japanese sewing box. Made of lacquered wood and inlaid with painted shells. Intended for export. Beautiful details of colorful pheasants and peony blossoms. There is a separate drop-in tray with many small compartments for sewing tools.

Age: Meiji Period (circa early 1900's)

Dimensions: 5 1/8" high x 15 3/8" wide x 11 1/4" deep (when closed)

Shoda Koho
Shrine Gate at Miyajima
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series (No. 1251).
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.25 inches.
Date: 1910s.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro.
Edition: One of the earliest examples - on thicker card with the verso stamp, "Printed by T. Hasegawa Tokyo" (All Rights Reserved)".
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A couple of very small marks. Back of card toned.

A beautiful 19th century miniature armor with storage box, made for a gogatsu ningyo doll to display on the Boy's day. Made of black lacquered papier-mache, partial with gilt relief decoration of waves, bound together with brown cord ties. Few parts as the maedate made of metal, the fabric is a Japanese brocade. Condition: traces of usage, wear, small chips and few cracks. The menpo is a bit squashed and has losses, one fukigaeshi is buckled. Dimension: yoroi: 30 cm x 16 cm.

A pair of Edo Period C.1860 shishi wood lion carvings. Quite playful as one looks back at the other in chase. Excellent detail in the carving and very expressive. Carved out of hinoki cypress. One shishi is missing a claw but otherwise very good condition. See photos. Each 12" long x 5" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

An antique Japanese bamboo brush holder decorated with multiple figures and pine tree, flower pots..etc. Superbly carved. 18/19th century. Condition: cracks and chips, please see photos for condition details. Height: 7-7/16"; diameter: 5-1/2".

This is the Noren used at the ship merchant's house on the Japan Sea side of the Edo Period. It has Mount Fuji, a merchant ship and a family crest. The merchant ship is stylized. This is dyed with indigo. This is Tsutsugaki cotton. There are two small holes, but they are not outstanding. There is a place where a thread came off a little. The back is fading. Size 160cm x 150cm (62.9 "x 59") cace G

Wonderful hexagonal latticed bronze hanging lantern with electrical bulb. Very art deco. Each panel has glass behind the lattice work to throw off an ambient light. 12" tall by 10" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

This is Tsutsugaki Furosiki manufactured in Iwate Prefecture during the Meiji period. Hemp is very thick and spun by hand. This is dyed with natural glaze. This is the Noshi pattern drawn in the center. The letter is the name of the owner. It has slight amber and slight holes, but does not stand out.　condition is good. Size Length 142 cm (55.9 inches) Width 132 cm (51.9 inches)　　Box.B