Edo Folk Art
EDO STYLE
Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.
Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.
Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.
Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.
Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Edo
Japanese Antique Edo Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask Otobide 17th-18th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly beautiful, wonderfully aged, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theater. The naturally faded beauty and unique character drew us to this mask immediately.
The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood, clearly by a master of his trade.
We believe this mask is of the Noh theatre character Otobide.
This mask dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). It comes with a wooden storage box (which may have been added at a later date).
A rare, unique, and exquisite mask. Finely carved and executed. Would be a great addition to any Japanese or Asian art/artifacts collection or an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting.
Mask dimensions: 7.7" high, 5.7" wide, 2.1" deep...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Japanese Seated Edo Buddha Amida Nyorai Wood Carved & Gilt-Lacquered Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
This truly a magnificent piece. Stunning. Beautiful. Supremely serene.
Meticulously hand carved in such fine and amazing detail (see hands and flowing robes). Gilded throughout. Sea...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
Antique Wooden Sculpture "Kobo Daishi" / Buddha Statues / Edo-Meiji Period
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese "Kobo Daishi" wooden figure.
"Kobo Daishi" means "Kukai".
"Kukai" was a monk from the early Heian period. His posthumous name was "Kobo Daishi". He is the fou...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Cypress
Japanese Antique Wooden Daruma, Late Edo Era '1603-1868', Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique daruma was crafted in the Late Edo Era (1603-1868).
Made of wood, it exudes a simple yet unique charm that reflects the cultural essence of its time. The natural textu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Noh Edo Period Lion Mask II
Located in Pasadena, CA
This another superb example of an Edo Period early 18th century or earlier Lion Mask created for the Lion Dances of the Gion Matsuri Festival. The mask is i...
Category
Early 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Japanese Noh theatre Carved Painted Wooden Ko-Omote Mask
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique Japanese Noh theatre hand carved and painted wooden mask of Ko-Omote.
Sculpted in Japan in the 19th century, Ko-omote (literally ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Cypress, Paint
Rare Antique Statue of a Chinese Child Performing Tai Chi
Located in Prahran, Victoria
Rare Japanese antique statue of a Chinese child performing Tai chi capturing the pose in motion. Middle Edo period, circa 1750. Made from polychrome on carved ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Cypress
Japanese Autique Vase, Pottery, Wabi-Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique piece of Japanese pottery.
It is a valuable item that is thought to have been made before the Edo period (1600s to 1860s).
Its beautiful color and unique texture...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
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Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia c. 1900
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Japanese Carved and Lacquered Wood Shogun, Edo Period, 19th Century, Japan
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Modern Creative Kokeshi Doll by Hideo Ishihara, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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European Antique Artifact Hand Carved Wooden Foot
Located in Malibu, CA
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Wood
Japanese Big Antique Blue And White Hand-Painted Good Fortune Money Cat
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan a rare large-scale and lovely hand-painted blue and white ceramic Maneki Neko good fortune money cat.
It is from the Arita/ imari kilns and dates to the early 20th century.
Notice the intricate detailed blue painting on white porcelain of this cat's eyes, body, necklace, and tail.
Dimensions: Big 15.5 inches tall and 7inches wide.
This comes from a very fine Kyoto area collection.
Handsome hand painted blue detail replete with a necklace with bells and bows.
Old original patina from appropriate age.
An earlier work of art that is hard to find in this size and quality.
Handmade and hand-painted.
Only one.
History:
The Maneki-Neko (Japanese literally -beckoning cat) - is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman) which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In Modern Times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic. Wooden examples are few and far between. The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed in—often at the entrance of—shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. The maneki-neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Japanese Pair Vintage Gilt Pheasant Bird Sculptures, Signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
Beautiful pair (2) old Japanese vintage gilt pheasant bird sculptures.
Marked Japan on bottoms.
From our recent Japanese acquisitions in original condition with original attractive gilding present.
Japan, an attractive and iconic pair (2) pheasant sculptures with original gilt patina. One is poised with vertical tail and thehy other in a seated horizontal position.
The pheasant is considered Japan's national bird.
This creative simple adaption makes a compelling contemporary pair of sculptures.
Fine original used condition with original gold gilt patina appropriate to their age.
Original gilt patina from age.
Dimensions: 7 inches tall and 6.5 inches wide
Photographed in natural day light.
Quality: Excellent quality and fine craftsmanship by Japanese specialized artisans
Provenance: authentic Japanese examples (see labels).
Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. All of our Asian works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee.
About Japan's Green Pheasant
In Japanese culture, the green pheasant is unofficially considered the national bird of the country owing to its references in ancient folk tales of Japan. The green pheasant was said to be a messenger of the Sun Goddess...
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Mid-20th Century Japanese Edo Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Black Forest Folk Art Alpine Devil Dwarf Wooden Carved Mask, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful black forest Folk Art wood carved mask. This is a wonderful example of black forest carving. This can be used as a Wall decoration or as...
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1930s Austrian Vintage Edo Folk Art
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Japanese Antique Wooden Board, "Abstract Sculptures", Wabi-Sabi, Mingei
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is a wooden antique board from the Meiji era.
It is made of Japanese cedar wood.
It has a beautiful appearance due to years of use and aging.
It was used as a board for kneadi...
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Early 20th Century Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
H 38.19 in W 30.91 in D 2.45 in
Gentle Old Japanese Folk Hero Tanuki Handmade Hand Glazed Big Belly
Located in South Burlington, VT
An older, handmade and hand glazed Folk Art Hero Tanuki- raccoon dog party animal from Japan, heavy duty, thick glazed pottery.
Dimensions: 8 inches high
Quality: He brandishes a s...
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Mid-20th Century Japanese Edo Folk Art
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Previously Available Items
Antique Wooden Sculpture of Japanese God / Buddha Statues / Edo-Meiji Period
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a god that has existed since ancient times in Japan.
The name is "Daikokuten" .
What is Daikoku?
Originally a synonym for the Hindu god Shiva.
However, in Japan, it was incorp...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Cypress
H 5.91 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Japanese Antique Wooden Lion Mask Engraving Edo Period/1750-1868/Shrine Festival
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese "si-si" mask made in the middle to late Edo period.
(Japanese ``si-si'' is an imaginary animal that deifies a lion.)
It is thought that materials such...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
H 5.91 in W 9.85 in D 9.65 in
Japanese Noh Mask Depicting Zou-Onna Representing a Female Deity Edo Period, 19t
Located in Fukuoka, JP
Japanese Noh Mask was crafted at early Edo period. The Japanese Noh Mask depicting Zou-onna that you are considering is an excellent example of a mas...
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Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
H 8.5 in W 3 in D 5.5 in
Japanese Antique Huge Wooden Bowl 1800s-1860s / Wabi Sabi Object Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese wooden manger.
It is from the Edo period (1800s-1860s).
The material is cedar wood.
This manger is made only in some areas in the Tohoku region of Japan.
...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
H 6.7 in W 85.44 in D 20.87 in
Japanese Antique Natural Wood Candle Stand 1800s-1860s/Mingei Wabisabi Decor
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This candelabra is made of very old Japanese natural wood.
This is a rare item from the Edo period (1800s-1860s).
This was a time when poverty was still intense in Japan.
It was made...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
H 24.41 in W 8.08 in D 7.49 in
Japanese Antique Doll Object 1800s-1860s/Edo Period Mingei Wabisabi Figurine
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese doll object.
It is an item from the Edo period (1800s-1860s).
Originally clothed, it is now naked.
Very rare item.
It is small but very divine.
It we...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Steel
H 6.11 in W 5.12 in D 2.56 in
Japanese Antique God's House "Zushi" 1860s-1900s/Mingei Wabi Sabi Object
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a very old Buddha house in Japan.
It is called "zushi" in Japanese.
"House of God, place where God returns"
It is an item from the Edo period. (1...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
H 14.97 in W 14.18 in D 8.08 in
Japanese Antique Buddha Shrine 'Zushi' 1800s-1860s / Object mingei Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a very old Buddhist shrine in Japan.
It is called "ZUSHI" in Japanese.
"God's house, place to return"
It's usually made of wood, but it's ma...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Stone
H 9.45 in W 10.04 in D 6.7 in
Edo Period Burl Wood Candlestick, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Edo Period burl wood candlestick, Japan
A beautiful naturally twisted root or vine wood candlestick set in an octagonal base and having a rectangular iron...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Wood Carving Lion Head 1800s-1860s/Folk Art mingei wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese lion head.
It is an item from the Edo period.
It is an item by the culture of the Tohoku region of Japan.
Since ancient times, the...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
H 4.34 in W 6.3 in D 8.27 in
Japanese Antique Super Huge Daruma 1800s-1900s /Folk Art Figurine Object mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old super huge Daruma doll in Japan.
It is an item from the Edo period (1800s-1900s).
I've never seen such a huge Daruma doll for the first time in my life.
You will ne...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
H 27.96 in W 26.78 in L 27.96 in
Japanese Antique Wood Carving Daruma 1800s-1900s /Folk Art Figurine Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a Japanese wood carving daruma.
It is from the Edo period (1800-1900).
This is black and beautiful.
Why is it black?
Because there is soot.
Japan has a hearth culture....
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Folk Art
Materials
Wood
H 5.91 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Edo folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Edo folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, cypress and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Edo folk art made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $450 and tops out at $7,950 while the average work can sell for $2,880.