The Kimono Gallery

“Miko - Japanese shrine maiden.” Hand-colored photo, 1880’s, Japan. Photographer Kusakabe Kimbei.. Image via noel45 of Flickr

“Fixing a Geisha’s Hair. 1900, Japan.  This is a photographic postcard of a hairdresser performing the finishing touches to Geisha’s hair.”  Text and image via Blue Ruin 1 of Flickr

Maiko Mamehana with Sakko. Kyoto, Japan.  Text and photography by John Paul Foster.  Published by John Paul Foster  on October 27, 2013 on www.johnpaulfoster.com

兎に角、今年はいろいろ我慢だ。

The river, Takaragawa Onsen, Japan,  by jeremiah 

An Enamelled Dish Edo period (late 17th century), Japan With foliate rim, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red, aubergine, green and yellow enamels, with kiriagainst hexagonal pattern containing stylised flowers and plants, the reverse with cherry blossoms on a stream, radish mark and eight spur marks to the reverse 28.5cm. diam.  Christies

Miyajidake shrine by Yama Tomo on Flickr.

Tsukioka of the Kagaya.  Ukiyo-e woodblock print.  About 1800,  Japan.  Artist Utagawa Toyokuni I

A BLUEAND WHITE LACED DOMARU GUSOKU [ARMOUR] THE HELMET SIGNED NOBUIE, MOMOYAMA - EDO PERIOD (16th - 17th CENTURY), Japan   Christies

Bridge at the Castle (by camillaskye)

She was one of seven “Komachi” girls, who take the flower of “Rhododendron” that is very famous and main source around this area.  Komachi festival, Akita, Japan.  Text and photography by Takero Kawabata on Trekearth.com

The Lonely Winter by jasohill 

The decorations on this tsuba were placed within two holes on either side of the central opening. On the right side is a tiger. On the left is a small stand of bamboo. Tigers are signs of strength and bamboo represents longevity.  18th to first half 19th century, Japan.  The WaltersArt Museum

神々の巨樹. Kyoju of the Gods. Ancient tree in Japan.  Photography by Yoshida Shigeru on Ganref

Night View at Kamogaiso Beach by nki-Photography on Flickr.

Mon side: silk, warp-faced, weft-ribbed plain weave (shioze); appliquéd with paper covered wood forms; embroidered with silk, laid threads couched along form edges; lined with silk, plain weave (heiken); sewn with front and lining matched in size (Tachikiri awase) 73 x 66 cm (28 3/4 x 26 in.) Gift of Mary V. and Ralph E. Hays, 2001.217.  Art Institute of Chicago.