This is hemp Umakake used in Iwate for meiji period.A cover for horses at weddings and festivals. As for this, hemp is spun by hand and is thick. This item is dyed twice from the front and back. It needs to be dyed so that both sides do not shift, and it is dyed with a very advanced technique. An impressive, vibrant and beautiful item of pine, peony and waves. Recommended for room displays and collections of ntique textiles...

A heavily encrusted glossy sake flask by Tanimoto Kei compliments a Guinomi displaying a rustic matte finish by his son Tanimoto Takeshi enclosed in the original signed wooden boxes titled Iga Tokkuri and Iga Guinomi respectively. Bīdoro glaze (a type of natural wood ash glaze formed by firing, named from vidro, the Portuguese word for glass) coalesces into a yellow crystal rivulet on one side of the Tokkuri, opposite is a shadow of gray ash...

Created by Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Bizen pieces like the one seen here originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and have a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Known for employing a natural-ash glazing techniques that require extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures, constant attention is required to ensure good results...

Accents formed using iron pigment stand out across a backdrop of blue-green glaze. The base and a portion of the inside of this ceremonial tea bowl are unglazed displaying rich clay. Created by Shibayama Toshiya, this is an example of contemporary Japanese ceramics at its finest.

A native of Nagoya Shibayama (b. 1959) is exceptionally versatile, working in styles such as Seto, Shino, Karatsu, and Shigaraki among others...

Rare lacquer box with nashiji background. Gold lacquer decoration in relief of pavilions in a lake landscape. Kirikane gold and silver, pine needles in yellow metal inlaid in high relief blackened by oxidation and dirt. Early Edo period, late 17°or earlier. Inside there is a tray. 18 x 10 x 8cm. A broken and badly glued interior edge (visible on photo). Sold as is, never restored nor cleaned. No lack. Very good condition considering the venerable age.

A splendid antique cut glass cup selected and decorated by contemporary female lacquer artist Arai Etsuko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Glass Maki-e Hai, Yoake (Glass Sake Cup named Breaking Dawn). She said that when she first saw the glass in a street market, she instantly envisioned how the engraved patterns could be accentuated by colors and powdered precious metals. Here an interesting comparison of techniques is possible...

Shoda Koho
Ueno Park
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 8.0 inches.
Date: 1930s. Printed 1938-1960.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. #1248 in Hasegawa catalog.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Seated wooden Buddha sculpted in ichiboku-zukuri from a solid block of wood. Heian Period ca. 1100. Old loss and insect damage. The black rectangular base shown in the photographs is not included.

Height: 37 cm
Width: 21.5 cm
Depth: 11.5 cm

A striking piece with significant age.

Seated Amida Buddha with hands in the jo-in meditation mudra, yosegi-zukuri joined-block construction, eyes of inset crystal, finished in lacquer and gilt, placed upon a gilt-wood lotus-form dais not original to the Buddha but of roughly contemporaneous manufacture. Momoyama Period ca. 1575...

Highly unusual Buddhist shrine with the image of a horse looking back. The horse has a ‘brocade’ cover over his back and is standing behind a mesh wire fence, the way they would be kept in temple compounds.

Polychromed wood with some gold details. The roof of the shrine is a separate piece and can be detached, which allows for taking apart the zushi.

Japan, Meiji period, 19th century.
Height of zushi ca...

The best sake related piece I have ever seen by Koinuma Michio enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled very simply Tokkuri. The draping curves and weep of color is superb, and sets this above all others. Michio has long been inspired by archaic forms, and this is reminiscent of the roughly 5000-year-old Jomon Venus (a National Treasure) unearthed in Chino, Nagano prefecture...

A set of plain candle sticks, called shokudai, used for hanging on a wall (like sconces). Each stick is made of bamboo. On top of the stick is a forged iron hook to hang it from a horizontal beam or slat on the wall, together with a candle pricket. On the bottom is an iron sheet dripping saucer with pricket. Mingei.
Japan, Edo period, early 19th century. Very rare pieces.

L stick 1: 15 in.; depth saucer 3.5 in. L stick 2: 16 in.; depth saucer 3.5 in...

Simple wooden shishi (or lion) dance mask with movable ears and jaw. The ears and eyebrows are stained black. Behind the ears a row of small holes have been made, used for attaching the garment (the body of the lion). Mingei.
All light wood, wooden joints (ears on sticks for manipulation by hand).
Japan, 19th century.

H 6.5; D 9.5 inches.

Nice patina, minor traces of usage: small chip at one of ears, short and unimportant crack in skull. All in all very good condition.

Ohara Hoson (Koson)
Carp jumping for insect, wisteria above
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.625 x 10.75 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai. Publisher's seal in right margin...

The inside of the cup is lined with smooth dark glaze which gleams gold along the rim, while the glistening white outside has been carved away, every divot and ridge a tactile pleasure...

A rare antique Japanese Sado Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original natural Urushi lacquer finish. Hand forged and hand made iron hardware featuring two Phoenix birds representing immortality on the upper large drawer lock plates, two sea turtles symbolizing 10,000 years of longevity and a crane meaning 1,000 years of long life on the lower drawers. Paulownia leaf family crest on the hinged door which hides two small drawers ...

An antique Japanese Sendai Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original natural Urushi lacquer with hand forged iron hardware including the lock plates featuring Peonies and a door lock plate featuring a large radish. Four large drawers for spacious kimono storage with two smaller visible drawers for accessories and two small drawers behind the hinged security door for valuables.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 47" Wide by 34 1/4" High by 16 ...

An antique Japanese Kobako (personal storage box) made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Hand forged iron hardware with Hirute handle and ring drawer pulls. constructed using Japanese straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails.

Clues to its purpose include minor interior drawer ink stain as well as its low profile and paper sized drawers suggesting that it was used as a form of calligraphy or document box for a professional or a business.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)
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