Mingei Arts

Ginbari-jippon pieces are one of the most appreciated of the different cloisonne’ enamel techniques and can be found at the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1868). The scope of designs and motifs incorporated by this cloisonne’ enamel is extremely wide. However, judging by the percentage of extant pieces with floral themes, they appear to have been [...]

There are thirteen different methods that are utilized in metal casting, depending on the type of product to be made, and the intended form of expression required. Cast in one of these ways, the range of manufactured goods extends from table ornaments, flower vases, censers, panels, and bronze sculptures to large statues of Buddha. Some [...]

The Tsuba though first a utilitarian hand guard for the swordsman, are also an art form that for years have been admired for their beauty. This marriage of utility and pure art is not unique in the fine arts of Japan. This very quality is inherent in all forms of art and crafted objects coming from Japan. [...]

Metal fittings on traditional Japanese furnishings may be generally broken down into the categories of locks (jomai), hingers (chotsugai), various pulls, pole-carrying handles (sao-toshi), latches (tone-kanagu), decorative hardware (kaziri-kanagu), and sash hardware (obi-kanagu). The piece shown is a sliding-panel finger-hold (tekake). Through all historical periods flower-shaped escutcheons were used with both furniture (tansu) as well [...]

The pair of Japanese miniature reclining bronze horses (“Taisho” mare and foal) shown are vintage bronzes from the Late Edo Period. The mare is finished in Classic Bronze, and the foal is in Chocolate Bronze, which are the most desirable bronze finishes among collectors. Condition: Excellent. Dimensions: 2-3/4”L x 1-1/2”w x 2-0”h (larger-mare) — (smaller-foal) 2-2/4”L x [...]

From the time of the introduction of bronze for swords and weapons, great civilizations incorporated bronze in folk art and sculpture. The ancient Japanese, from at least 1200BC, knew lost-wax casting, section mould casting, and sand casting. The finishing techniques incorporated corrosive materials to form a natural patina, like what is shown in this walkway [...]

This wood and silver Libation cup is from 1900-1930s and is carved Elm wood, with a realistic representation of the lotus. The sides of the cup are shaped as a large lotus leaf with stems and a bud carved in relief, which expands into openwork to form an attached stand for the cup. The upper part of [...]

A fine, unusual pair of early (Meiji period) vases in ‘standard cloisonne’, (yusen jippo), each decorated with six panels of flowers and butterflies. The vases are typical ovoid forms in muted base colors of black, brown, ochre, and light and dark blue, with small touches of pink, green, yellow, red, white, and highlighted with ‘tea-gold [...]