www.bluemoonantiqueshop.com

Miscellaneous Japanese Items

Below are some examples of Japanese items that do not fit into the categories to the left and/or garment related items that are available in such limited quantity that I choose not to make separate pages for them.  This page will also display examples of Ukiyoe, Abuna, Abunae (when still appropriate), any vintage flags, kites, or banners I may acquire, as well as odds and ends of exceedingly unusual nature.  If the area below is empty, please keep checking, and also subscribe to the newsletter so you can be informed in advance of the arrival of items like these.                

Antique Kimono Black Silk Velvet Shawl. 

Very good vintage condition Kimono Shawl in black silk velvet with fringe at the ends.  Wear it or use it as an elegant table runner!  Here are your specs:

Vintage Black Silk Velvet Shawl with Fringe $45.00
Width 35.5 cm 14 inch
Length 160 cm 63 inch
Material: Silk Velvet
Condition: Very Good 

Antique Kimono Shawl, Light Green With Lace.

Difficult color to photograph, it is actually somewhere between the colors displayed by the top two photos.  The picture bottom right shows some stitches that will need to be redone if you are going to wear the shawl instead of using it as a dresser scarf or piano shawl, but it is still in very nice condition with no damage.  Here are the specs:

Green Silk Velvet Shawl with Lacework $35.00
Width 43.5 cm 17.1 inch
Length 150 cm 59.1 inch
Material: Silk Velvet
Condition: Very Good 

Antique Kimono Furoshiki, Indigo With Sashiko.

This is the traditional wrapping cloth called Furoshiki.  It is dyed in the Ai-some process, which means that it is truly indigo-dyed.  The pattern is plum blossoms with a little bird and the picture bottom right attempts (but largely fails) to show the Sashiko decorative corner stitching.  The piece is two panels sewn together to make the medium sized whole and the artist's name in the chop you see in the picture fourth row right is Rakkan.  Here's the rest of the info:

Furoshiki with Sashiko &  Little Bird Motif $55.00
"Rakkan"(Artisan's mark)
Width 63 cm 24.8 inch
Length 69 cm 27.2 inch
Material: Cotton
Condition: Considering its age, it's in good condition.
There are some stains that may or may not come out with
laundering.

Antique Kimono Kujaku Furoshiki Shibori Kanji.

This is either kujaku or a small furoshiki.  As you can see from the pictures it is beautifully double sided, with the red side not quite preparing you for the amazing green and pink of the reverse.  The green/pink side has embroidered kanji in one corner; I assume this to be either signature or message from the person who made this piece.  The silk is in excellent condition on both sides; the green/pink side has a vague faint stain (photographed second right) that does not detract from the overall presence of the piece.  It measures 20 1/2" x 17 1/2" and it is $25.00.            

Vintage Japanese Ukiyoe, Kabuki Actor on Sand Color Ground.

This is a 1930's repaint of another of Toshusai Sharaku work; the original was done in 1975.  Once again, we have a Kabuki actor with an exaggerated expression of what could be impatience.  As visible in the picture upper left as well as the picture lower left, there is an area that is lighter than its surroundings, which would indicate that something was placed on top of the picture and left there for quite some time.  Again, there are some smudges to the bordering on the front, some browning to the back, and an area at the very bottom right corner where some of the dark red paint went astray.  I don't believe that any of that interferes with the "presentability" of the piece.  It measures 8 7/8" x 12", and is $25.00. 

Vintage Japanese Ukiyoe, Abuna-e Utamaro.

This is a 1930's-1940's woodblock print of the original work done by Kitagawa Utamaro, although I cannot tell you when  the original was done.  This slightly racier work is called 'abuna-e,' or 'abunae,' which means "indecent paint." I neglected to photograph the inkstamp chops on the back, but I will send you pictures of them if you need them.  The title of this work is "Ecstasy In Summer On A Goza Straw Mat."  As you can see in the pictures both upper left and lower left, there are two small damages to the left side, but ultimately nothing that seriously detracts from the print itself.  Works of this subject matter are more than rare enough to make me be a bit lenient regarding such things.  This piece measures 12 1/2" x 9"; it is $45.00. 

Stretch Tabi, Pull On, Ankle Length Kimono Socks, Grey, White, Black.

These are the soft, stretchy fabric that you would associate with most of the socks that are in your sock drawer right now.  This is the pull on style of Tabi, without hooks and without the non-skid soles of the 'bootie' type of Tabi.  You will notice in the picture upper left that the grey ones are shorter than the black or the white ones.  The grey ones measure 9 1/2" without stretching, and the black and the white both measure about 11 1/4".  I have only a few of each at the moment, so be quick.  Each pair is $6.00.

Basket & Vase For Tea Ceremony, Hana-Ike Otoshi.

As you can see, this comes with its original box, which is nice all on its own.  Both the inner vase (Hana-Ike) and outer basket (Otoshi) are made of bamboo.  I believe this to be of recent construction or at least never used; all parts are entirely pristine.  The box with the lid on is 11 1/8" tall and about 7 1/2" square.  The vase is 5 9/16" tall and 3 1/4"OD.  The basket is about 10 3/4" to the top of the handle, the main body of the basket is 6 1/2" tall and about the same across the widest point.  Try using it for ikebana!   The set is $75.00.

SOLD Formal Length Juzu, Nenju, Carved Boddhi.

This one is boddhi, and each of the 108 beads is carved with a pattern that reminds me of planets and stars, but most likely is something entirely different! This one has a pair of dark brown silk tassels depending from the guru bead.  This one has seen just enough use to be fluid and easy in the hands.  It is light weight and attractive, and like all the juzu, very soothing to use.  The strand is $45.00. 

Vintage Set of 10 Ink Sticks, Japanese Calligraphy Solid Ink Blocks, Original Case.

This is a fabulous find!  I can't tell for certain exactly how old these are, but I get a feeling of early Taisho, or possibly late Meiji.  If they have been used at all, it has been very little, and then only on the back of a couple of them.  It is possible that they are entirely unused and that the only rubbing on the backs, as you see in the picture bottom right, is caused by sliding around a little bit in the box.  The faces of the sticks are incredibly detailed, and there are touches of color painted on them.  Each one seems to tell a story.  The case is also in very good condition for the age, with assorted scuffs, but no damage at all.  The case closes with two pegs that slide into flat loops.  I think the pegs are bone; the color is too dark and too uneven for ivory, in my opinion.  The over all dimensions of the case are 12 1/8" x 8 3/8" x 7/8" deep.  The set is $250.00.

Telescoping Kimono & Obi Hanger.

I have been promising this item for quite a while, so here it is.  This is the same hanger I use to photograph the garments for the website. It is all plastic, burgundy and white in color, and can be used for hanging any of your garments for display.  With the arms telescoped in and the lower bar pulled down, it is suitable for hanging obi by itself.  Fully extended, most kimono and haori will cover the ends of the bars.  It is $25.00.