Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (20)

Japanese Female Isho Ningyo, mid-20th Century. Height: 18 inches (45.75 cm), including stand 20 inches (51 cm).

Large, Powerful Tengu Mask by the Renowned Artisan Hashimoto Yoshinobu of the Miharu Choshi mingei studio. One of the most fantastic examples of a Tengu that you will ever see. Mid 20th Century. Papier mache on mountain-grown willow wood. 18h x 18d x 8w inches, 46h x 46d x 20w cm. Height with beard: 36 inches, 91.5 cm.

A fantastic two-panel painted Japanese screen with a colorful floral design all on silver leaf mounted on wood with wood frame. 50w x 48h inches, 127w x 122h cm.

Rare Artist's Proof by Japanese Woodblock Print Artist, Gen Yamaguchi (1896 - 1976): Poetry of Early Autumn (1948). Illustrated in Yamaguchi, pl. 61. This is the artist's proof of this image, created for the artist's approval before the set of fifty prints were created. Yamaguchi achieved an international reputation when he was awarded first prize at the International Print Biennale in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, 1957, and a grand prix at Lugano, Switzerland in 1958. He experimented constantly, manipulating his materials and images as he sought to achieve innovative results. The Gen Yamaguchi Memorial Prize is now a top prize in Japan for woodblock print artists. Frame: 19.5h x 18w inches, 49.5 x 45.75 cm; Print: 11h x 11.25w inches, 28 x 28.5 cm. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

Rare Image by Japanese Woodblock Print Artist, Saito Kiyoshi (1907 - 1997). The Saito Kiyoshi Museum in Japan is devoted entirely to the work of this artist, and his work is in many other museums, including the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. His work was exhibited at the Salon Printemps in 1948, and in 1951 he received first prize at the inaugural Sao Paolo Bienniale. Influenced by Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Gauguin, Odilon Rodin and Edvard Munch - among other famous artists, his unique images combine traditional Japanese elements with Modern, Cubist, Abstract and Impressionist qualities. Frame: 26.5 x 21 inches, 67.25 x 53.25 cm; Print: 22 x 16.5 inches, 56 x 42 cm. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

Magnificent master work by Hirata Gōyō II (1903 - 1981) of a Bijin (young beauty). It features a wonderfully carved head and body cover with many layers of gofun oyster shell lacquer, with sumptuous brocade with gold thread wave pattern and applied chirimen silk with painted image of waves and cherry blossoms. circa 1945. 14.5 inches (37cm) tall. After graduating from elementary school, Hirata Gōyō II studied the creation of dolls under his father, Gōyō (the first), who was known as an artist of Ikiningyo (lifelike doll). After the death of his father, he succeeded to the name Gōyō (the second) at the age of twenty-one. In 1927, he was awarded the First Prize in the Tōrei Ningyo contest, and created the 58 Tōrei Ningyo with other top-class doll artists such as Kōryusai, Tōkō, and etc. He was the first doll artist to be designated as a Ningen Kokuhō (Living National Treasure) in 1955. 1923 - Graduates from Japan Design School 1947 - Exhibition at Gallery Yaesu 1948 The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo 1949 - Exhibition at Saihodo Art Gallery 1960 - The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo 1961 - Exhibition at Saihodo Art Gallery 1964 - Group exhibition at Matsuya Department Store Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo 1967 - Exhibition at Chihiro Iwasaki Picture Book Museum 1972 - Exhibition at Tokyo Art Club 1983 - Hirata Gōyō Museum opens 1987 - "The World of Hirata Gōyō Exhibition", Kobe, Japan

Japanese Musha Ningyo of Jimmu, the First Emperor of Japan, made by Beishu. Beishu has Mukei Bunkazai status (Important Intangible Cultural Property). His Shoki shows great craftsmanship, with silk hair, glass eyes, gofun face and hands, with sumptuous silk brocade. This magnificent sculpture reaches the level of the master work of Beishu, whose work is found in museums and important collections of the Showa Period in Japan. Signed and dated 1960. 20 inches (51cm) high.

Japanese Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, made by Beishu. Beishu has Mukei Bunkazai status (Important Intangible Cultural Property). His Shoki shows great craftsmanship, with silk hair, glass eyes, gofun face and hands, with sumptuous silk brocade. This magnificent sculpture reaches the level of the master work of Beishu, whose work is found in museums and important collections of the Showa Period in Japan. Signed and dated 1960. 21 inches (53.25cm) high.

Very Large Kutani Porcelain Figure of a Sage, mid- 20th Century. A studio piece featuring Opal White glaze robes, head piece, and beard with fine details, holding a staff and scroll, with a beautiful expressive face representing Jurojin, the God of Longevity and Wisdom. Signed. Height: 19 inches, 48 cm.

Yuasa Koufuu is an accomplished Japanese calligrapher. She is the recipient of many honors and prizes in Japan. Her style is very graceful and reminiscent of the famed Edo Period master, Rosetsu. In this delightful piece, Yuasa Koufuu describes the beautiful scenery in a mountain river. Frame: 20 x 14 inches, 51 x 35.5 cm; Artwork: 13 x 9 inches, 33 x 23 cm.

A Beautiful Ode to Longevity by Watanabe Gashin, born 1944. Watanabe Gashin is a renowned calligrapher who has won many awards for his Japanese calligraphy. In this unique work, he spells out the joys of each decade, from the age of 60 to the age of 111. Frame: 36.5 x 18 inches, 93 x 46 cm; Calligraphy: 25 x 12 inches, 63.5 x 30.5 cm.

The inscription on the back reads: Inori (Meditation) by Kinugawa Masayoshi (born 1912 in Higemi, Hyogo) of the Bijyutsuin Inyuu art organization. Japanese Two Panel Screen painting of Kannon Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Compassion and Mercy. The painting is a masterpiece, using the technique whereby minerals and semi-precious stones are ground into the paint, creating the most spectacular effects. Also, gold and black lacquer add highlights. This marvelous piece will stand out in any environment. 74h x 68w inches, 188h x 172.5w cm.

Japanese Gosho Ningyô with Samurai Attire, Signed by the 10th Generation Ningyo Artist Rozon. This master work is the results of ten generations and three centuries of ningyo artists. Unfortunately, it seems it is the end of the line for this studio. The children are not interested in continuing, which we think is sad. This Gosho is one of the most amazing examples of 20th century Japanese art. It features so many wonderful examples of great Japanese art forms. The face is just beautiful with inset eyes and fine gofun finish. 25h x 19w inches, 63.5h x 48w cm.

A very special early 20th century version of the Japanese interpretation of a Western doll, probably inspired by the Friendship Doll Exchange in 1929, when the United States gifted Japan with several hundred western dolls. This doll is very rare and a great find for the serious doll collector. She holds a wonderful stylized dog and makes a charming impression along with her great detailing. An important period piece. Doll Height: 20 inches, 51cm; Case Dimensions: 27.5h x 11w x 9d inches, 70h x 28w x 23d cm.

A wonderful kabuki Isho Ningyo of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX performing as the lion dancer in the performance of Shukyo Kagami Jishi in March 1893 at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo. He wears the traditional flowing red wig. Beautiful details abound here with handsome, sumptuous brocade. The pose and high quality of this dramatic masterpiece indicates it was done by an important Ningyo master. Height: 17 inches, 43 cm.

This beautiful contemporary Ningyo is by an important artist, Nishikitsuka Moeharu. His Kimikomi style of work has been exhibited in many galleries and museums, including the Homma Museum in Japan. She is holding peach sprays. Carved of wood with applied silks brocades. She has a sensitively rendered face with carved lacquered hair adorned with a gold hair ornament. 9 inches (23cm) high. Base: 10.5 x 8.25 inches, 27 x 21 cm.

Japanese Isho Ningyo of an Oiran, the most important Geisha of the Kyoto Geisha quarter. The book and movie 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is the story of an Oiran. This master work is truly a work of art to behold, and is by one of Japan's foremost doll makers, the late Ito Hisashige XI. The first Ito Hisashige was appointed to the position of Court Doll Maker by Emperor Gosakuramachi in 1767. This long unbroken line has continued in this position, making some of Japan's finest Ningyo for 12 generations. This fine example was made in the 1940s. We have never seen an Oiran bearing her breasts, one of the many beautiful aspects of this very special Geisha Ningyo. 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall with 14 x 12 (35.5 x 30.5 cm) base. Excellent Condition.

Maquette (scale model) of Faun Sculpture by Yasuhide Kobashi (born 1931), commissioned by Lincoln Kirstein for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in its opening years. Purchased directly from the artist at the time the sculpture was first displayed in Lincoln Center in the 1960s. Signed on the Bottom of the mount. Kobashi's works are in the permanent collections of many major museums, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum, the New York Public Library, the Weisman Art Museum, and the Neuberger Museum of Art. In 1965 along with Jackson Burke, he designed the space for the display of the Burke Collection, one of the greatest collections of Asian art in the West.