The Man and the Frog - A Japanese West Side Story

...and "Tobacco Match" labels of Japanese Women

More Kokeshi Dolls labels were added to my Japanese collection lately

Japanese set of big (Packet) labels of Utagawa Toyokuni and Suzuki Harunobu

Utagawa Toyokuni (1769, Edo - February 24, 1825, Edo), was a great master of ukiyo-e, known in particular for his Kabuki actor prints. He was one of the heads of the renowned Utagawa school of Japanese woodblock artists, and was the person who really moved it to the position of great fame and power it occupied for the rest of the nineteenth century.

Suzuki Harunobu (鈴木 春信^?, 1725? – July 7, 1770) was a Japanese woodblock print artist, one of the most famous in the Ukiyo-e style. He was an innovator, the first to produce full-color prints (nishiki-e) in 1765, rendering obsolete the former modes of two- and three-color prints. Harunobu used many special techniques, and depicted a wide variety of subjects, from classical poems to contemporary beauties. Like many artists of his day, Harunobu also produced a number of shunga, or erotic images. During his lifetime and shortly afterwards, many artists imitated his style. A few, such as Harushige, even boasted of their ability to forge the work of the great master. Much about Harunobu's life is unknown.

My new nudity Japanese series

Cute Japanese "Daruma doll" labels - the Japanese traditional good luck charm

The Daruma doll (達磨 daruma^?), also known as a Dharma doll, is a hollow, round, Japanese traditional doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma), vary greatly in color and design depending on region and artist. Though considered an omocha, meaning toy, Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use alongside goal setting. (source: Wikipedia - Read more...)

 

 ...and a few more cute labels, found in various sales on ebay :

A few days ago I got these nice cute set of Kokeshi dolls labels...I realy like them! Together with them I got this odd Japanese double label that I realy don't know it's meaning

Kokeshi dolls

Kokeshi (こけし kokeshi^?), are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face. The body has a floral design painted in red, black, and sometimes yellow, and covered with a layer of wax. One characteristic of kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms or legs. The bottom is marked with the signature of the artist.  Read more...
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This label is made of a very special paper

More lovely sets of Japanese labels

Japanes sets of labels for collectors

 

More sets of labels can be seen on my friend Yecheal Biskovitz's lovely website: http://yecheal.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=13052071