Edo Japanese Fukusa Embroidery pair minogame turtle turstles amounst the Sea and surf. Dtails in gold in silver on a deep purple silk base. Backed in original orange material. Edo Japanese fudog fukusa embroidery. The silk panel is embroidered in gold with detailed pair of minogames. Japanese mythical turtle that is said to live 1,000 years. In the 17th–19th centuries, fukusa were used to wrap gifts in a ceremonial setting. They were more decorative than functional, and were... Click for details

Rare Edo Japanese fudog fukusa embroidery. The silk panel is embroidered in gold with detailed fu dog climbing the mountainous terrain. Backed on its original green velvet organic material.
In the 17th–19th centuries, fukusa were used to wrap gifts in a ceremonial setting. They were more decorative than functional, and were used to add beauty to the gift and to show the refinement of the donor and recipient.

In Japan, the color purple is considered yin (female) and... Click for details

Antique Japanese kimono made of blue chirimen silk and embroidered with yellow and white chrysanthemums. The silk embroidery is especially fine with details of tiny knots.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 57 1/2" high x 53" wide

Antique Japanese fireman's hood. Made of layers of indigo cotton sashiko and decorated on the inside with a scene of a tiger and lightening storm.
Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel.... Click for details

Antique Japanese kimono made of chirimen silk died black with a dramatic paste resist and painted design depicting a group of shōjō. The red-haired mythical fairies that live in the sea are shown drinking sake from a large jar. They have long handled ladles and red sake bowls. They are dressed in beautifully patterned robes. The shōjō characters are made famous by the Noh play with the same name and a folklore tale of a man who comes across them while looking for a sip of sake, his... Click for details

Antique Ainu robe, Hokkaido Area, Japan. Created by the indigenous people of northern Japan. Made of indigo dyed cotton and embroidered with traditional Ainu designs. The detailed patterns of the Ainu were past down through generations of women and were believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits. The Ainu began trading for items such as cotton with the Yamato Japanese of southern Japan during the Edo Period.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 45"... Click for details

Antique hakama (trousers) worn by a Noh theatre actor. Decorated all over with a design of gold dragons and lattice work on a dark blue ground. Traditional squared form with pleating and wide white cotton ties. These hakama would have been part of the Noh theatre ôguchi (costume).

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 44" high x 33" wide

Antique Japanese hikeshi banten, fireman's coat. Made of layers of cotton fabric and stitched in the sashiko quilting technique. Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel. These special coats were... Click for details

Antique Japanese hikeshi banten, fireman's coat. Made of layers of cotton fabric and stitched in the sashiko quilting technique. Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel. These special coats were... Click for details

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. Also with extensive calligraphy and... Click for details