A demure image of grace and youth; this is a fine full sized Bunraku theater puppet dating from the first half of the 20th century; one of two from a private collection we are currently offering. The eyes open and close, but are stiff, hands are flexible and fully operational. She wears a period red brocade kimono with kiku chrysanthemum patterns and a black obi featuring dragons and phoenix. A white silk lining and silver crown of flowers complete her outfit...

This is a large Japanese samurai doll, "Kato Kiyomasa” (a warrior from the 16th century warring period) mounted on a horse. The quality is excellent. The dimensions of the box (assembled with wooden pegs): 19 1/4" x 21" x 9 1/4" deep. The condition: There are a couple of very faint hairlines (almost non-visible) between the eyebrows. The surface of this area is smooth in touch...

A wonderful kabuki Isho Ningyo of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX performing as the lion dancer in the performance of Shukyo Kagami Jishi in March 1893 at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo. He wears the traditional flowing red wig. Beautiful details abound here with handsome, sumptuous brocade. The pose and high quality of this dramatic masterpiece indicates it was done by an important Ningyo master. Height: 17 inches, 43 cm.

A very special early 20th century version of the Japanese interpretation of a Western doll, probably inspired by the Friendship Doll Exchange in 1929, when the United States gifted Japan with several hundred western dolls. This doll is very rare and a great find for the serious doll collector. She holds a wonderful stylized dog and makes a charming impression along with her great detailing. An important period piece...

Old oxcart for Hina Matsuri, the Japanese girl's festival. Decorated in makie on lacquered wood, this style of the carriage was used by the aristocrats during the Heian period (I794-1185). This can be displayed with the "shittei (shitei)", three servants dolls and/or other small dolls. The carriage is tied to the stand in original condition which needs to be untied after the shipment. The strings have been putting pressure on the two front legs of the ox...

Japanese young male Doll with Samurai hair cut, 3 5/8" high, 5 1/2" wide, 3" deep, with wearing brocade silk garment and lacquered on the carved wooden head, hands and face. The face of young male is incredibly fine and shows he is a young male. No damages.

Japanese Male Doll with Samurai hair cut, 3 5/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 3" deep, wearing brocade silk garment. The expression of his face is very well executed and lacquered on the carved wood. The condition is very good.

Exquisite set of Japanese Dairi bina (hina), the emperor and the empress dolls from early to mid Showa period. This is not a large set of dolls. The measurements of the wood box are 17” wide x 12 3/4” tall x 13 1/2” deep. We should add the approximate sizes of dolls. The label indicates that they are from Matsuzaka-ya, a major department store. Matsuzaka-ya started as a kimono store in late 16th century, pre Edo period...

Antique Japanese Yamato or Ichimatsu-ningyo dolls. Typically depicting a girl about six years of age dressed in traditional kimono. Ichimatsu - ningyo have been treasured for years as playthings and objects of beauty. This wonderful and excellent example of Ichimatsu-ningyo is very charming with great attention to detail. Fitted naturally dyed kimono is traditionally worn and the doll stands upon a hardwood stand. Lovely original condition...

Two(2) round Japanese Hina Doll Miniature Stands, 1930-1940, 4 1/4" high, 4" diameter-top, part of the Doll Furniture set, beautiful gold Lacquer flowers and vine design on black lacquer on Wood, the condition is good.

2 Japanese Hina Doll Miniature Stands, Lacquer on wood, 1930-1940, 3 1/4" high, 8 1/2" wide-widest point, 4" deep-deepest point, beautiful gold Lacquer flowers and vines decoration on Black Lacquered Wood, two(2) pieces fitted together to make stand, display fine Lacquer Doll furniture and accessories during Hina Doll Festival every year. The condition is good.

Japanese Hima Doll Miniature Kimono Trunk, 1930-1940, 3" high, 6" wide, 3" deep, white impressed embossed metal mounted, Lacquer Gold floral and vine scroll design, handle in front is missing.

Biku, fishing basket, used by a fisherman in rivers. It is made of bamboo strips and urushi painted. It has a cord made of bast fiber. Some spaces between bamboo strips, but no break. in good condition. The first half of the 20th century. H:24cm, W:22cm

Old Japanese clay doll, a lovely standing girl with a flower bouquet, 14" tall from early 1900s. This doll is signed and dated (the date that sold or given to) at the bottom, March of the third year.

This type of clay dolls are somehow all originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early Edo period (1600-1868)...

The delicate ladies in waiting Japanese hina dolls for the Japanese Girl's Days in February. They are extremely beautiful with delicately detailed gofun (crushed shell with paste) faces and hands. The photos could not caputured it. Their face, hair, hands and costumes are superior to many other "Jyokan" dolls, obviously the work of first rated Kyoto made dolls. The standing dolls are 8 7/8" tall. One of the sleeves on the standing doll is soiled (enlargement 8)...

These dolls are a part of the Hina doll set displayed for the Japanese Girls Day, Hina Matsuri (Festival) in March. The day is also called Peach Festival. When the peach blossoms open in February to March by breaking through the snow, it is an announcement of the beginning of spring in Japan. The blossoms are very much associated with women’s strength and for this reason, along with their beauty, daintiness and softness, these are all desirable characters for women.

These three Kanjyo ...

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: 13"h x 13 1/2"

This type of clay dolls are somehow all originated from the Fushimi clay doll of the Kyoto area. Fushimi dolls were originally sold as souvenirs to the pilgrims on the road of Fushimi Kaidou from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early Edo period (1600-1868). By the end of 19th century, these dolls were made all over Japan. 90 percent of the Edo population were farmers who could not afford nor were allowed to have hina dolls dre...

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1910 to 1930. This is not a ...