Fine Late 19th Century Bunraku Puppet of a Sambaso Dancer. This rare Bunraku puppet is operated by three Puppet Masters, who make it come to life to present a magical theatrical experience. He is carved of wood and covered with Gofun. He wears a beautiful Robin egg blue and Saffron orange robes. His head is adorned with a silver and black hat featuring a rising sun. He is holding bells and a fan. 24.5 inches, 62cm.

Rare and Spectacular Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (circa 1780). A musha ningyo (Warrior doll or Boy's Day doll) modeled after the seated Toyotomi Hideyoshi in armor with an eboshi winged hat and a sword, holding a gunbai-uchiwa (military fan). This is the first one found by the same maker as the Hideyoshi in the famed Ayervais collection (cf...

Late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. This wonderful example of high quality has an extraordinary presence, sumptuous brocades, gold lacquered armor, a spectacular helmet, and many other fine details. His face is gorgeously and masterfully carved with finely burnished gofun. Figure height: 20 inches (51cm), with arrows: 25 inches (63.5 cm). Excellent Condition.

A set of 12 uniquely crafted masks of devils dating from the Meiji period enclosed in a period custom made kiri-wood box titled Kodai-men Hina-gata Juni-ko (12 miniature ancient masks). They are created from clay covered in gofun and mineral pigments with inset eyes of glass and ivory teeth and horns. Each mask is roughly 9 x 8 x 5 cm (3-1/2 x 3-1/4 x 2 inches). There are some minor losses to the coloration but otherwise all are in fine condition...

A 19th Century Isho Ningyo set of two Geisha entertainers, one a Koto Player, the other the highest ranking Orian singing. They are of the finest quality. They have beautifully carved faces and hands, and wear gorgeous, sumptuous brocades with fantastic embroidery. The Orian has fine embroidery of a carp ascending a waterfall, a crane, and turtles on waves. The Koto Player has embroidery of cherry blossoms and patterns of gold threads. The Koto is made of paloma wood, teak, and ivory...

Rare and Fine Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo for the Boy's Day display, depicting the celebrated tea master and political adviser Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), in a kneeling position wearing rich silk brocades. He is displayed in front of a beautiful and elegant wood and silk screen with four continuing panels of a dragon flying in the clouds and chasing the magic pearl of immortality...

Large Meiji Period Bunraku Puppet of Tokagawa Ieyasu. Extremely rare on this grand scale (4 feet high, 122 cm). This fine quality puppet was possibly made at the request of the puppeteer Kiritake Monjuro II, as the hero in Bunraku plays. It has a fantastic dynamic presence, and is carved of Poloma wood covered in gofun (oyster shell lacquer) featuring sumptuous silk brocades with Tokagawa crests and dragons.

Japanese Meiji Period Musha Ningyo (Boys' Day Doll) depicting the legendary Emperor Ojin, seated in court attire and wearing dramatic cream brocades and lacquered armor, a fan in his right hand and wearing a classic gold eboshi cap. His face is finely carved with a regal expression. A rare and fine example. 18.5h x 20w inches, 47h x 51w cm.

Japanese antique wonderful set of six puppet figures, known as oshi-e ningyo. The set includes a beautiful maiden, a samurai, a female attendant, a male official, Ebisu and Daikoku, figures are made of very thinly shaved layers of wood and paper with silk clothing and painted details, each figure is held by a stick and fitted with a stand (made later), the oshi-e ningyo were often made by households in Northeastern Japan and were made to celebrate girls day or as a prayer for happiness...

A pair of Japanese Hina dolls decorated with traditional Japanese gold or kinran and non-gold or donsu brocades. The dolls are used in March for Hina Matsuri (also known in a different name as Momo no Sekku). The dolls were created by Ando Keiho, a living treasure, is known for specializing in Hina Dolls. Keiho is based in Kyoto where the tradition of the Hina Dolls originated. Age: 20th century...

Very Large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Ningyo pair of an Oiran Bijin, the highest ranking Kyoto courtesan bijin and her Kamuro (attendant), an elaborately attired pair of the finest quality. The Oiran and her attendant are wearing the most gorgeous, sumptuous brocades and textiles, all hand woven and painted chirimen silk crepe of beautiful shabori designs. The faces are exquisitely carved and covered with many layers of gofun (white oyster shell lacquer)...

Adorable Japanese antique porcelain baby doll head, swaddled in silk and nestled in a basket, most likely intended for use as a pin cushion, Taisho Period. Size: 4" high x 4 1/2" wide

Japanese antique large musha ningyo (samurai warrior doll) of the great epic hero, Minamoto no Yoshitsune. His handsome face is set in a determined expression, he is seated with sword and saihai (command baton). He wears a spiked helmut, armor and silk robe woven with dragons. Edo Period. Size: 26" high (to very tip of helmet)

Spectacular and dramatic Japanese Bunraku Puppet of a Sambaso dancer, rooted in myth, religion, and rituals performed at Shinto shrines and the imperial court, rituals aimed at conjuring up the gods. Has articulated eyes, mouth and arms making an array of wonderful expressions. He is holding his bell rattle, wearing a silk costume and a lacquered hat, presented on a classic Bunraku Puppet stand. 25.5 inches (65cm) tall.