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...

A wonderful 19th Century Boy's Day Ningyo of a boy dressed as a Samurai in full armor, featuring a dragon, sword, helmet, and bow and arrows. His wonderful face is carved of wood and covered with many layers of Gofun (oyster sell lacquer). He is riding a battle horse in full dress, all creating a spectacular work of art. The original wood box is included. Height: 23 inches (58.5cm), width: 18 inches (46cm).

JAPANESE DOLL WITH WIGS

Old 'Katsura ningyo' (lit. 'Wig doll') carrying a baby on back, originally made for the noble girl's play in the Edo period, as the original form of today's dress-up doll. Meiji period (1868-1912). Box: approx. 16.7 x 10.8 x 3.7cm (6.57 x 4.25 x 1.45in). Some expected damage around due to aging as is, but comparatively in good condition for this type of aged doll...

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.

Edo Period (circa 1800) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) in court attire. This early example is wearing a court hat and court robes of sumptuous brocades. He is holding a fan and sword at his side. It is of very high quality and likely made for a Daimyo family. 11.5 inches, 29 cm tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Wonderful Japanese antique gosho doll, a charmingly fat little boy with smiling face and beautifully detailed features, he still wears his original silk bib, Edo Period, on metal stand. Size of doll: 16" high x 15" wide

Antique Japanese musha-ningo (samurai doll) of the Empress Jingū-kōgō (Okinagatarashi-hime no Mikoto 170 - 269). The wife of the 14th sovereign, Chuai, Jingū ruled as empress-regent after her husband was killed in battle in 200 A.D. Considered the 15th Japanese imperial ruler, she lead an invasion of "the promise" land (believed to be the Korean Peninsula). After 3 years away, Empress Jingū returned to Japan, surviving a ship wreck...

Japanese Female Isho Ningyo, mid-20th Century. Height: 18 inches (45.75 cm), including stand 20 inches (51 cm).

Ainu woman doll made of clay with cotton clothing which might be "ru-unbe" or "kaparamip". The Ainu pattern is hand-drawn. In excellent condition. 20th century. H:25.5cm

Adorable Japanese Gosho-Ningyo doll standing while holding tassel, large hat on head, wonderful jacket painted with flowers, Taisho Period (early 20th century). Size: 9 3/4" high x 8" wide.

A “Gosho Ningyo” doll of a plump kneeling male child carrying a “hyotan” gourd. The large gourd symbolizes health, vitality, prosperity and immortality. The kneeling boy is wearing a bib with painted accents in white, green, navy blue, brown and gold pigments. There are two ties in the back for the bib. The hyotan (gourd) is also painted in greens, navy-blues, gold and grey of 3-leafed motifs that appear to be paulownia flowers...

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.

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...

Japanese Kimekomi hina ningyo (dolls), Dairi bina, emperor and empress doll. Kimekomi dolls were originally carved out of willow trees growing on the riverbank of the Kamo River in Kyoto. They were made using the leftover material from Kamo Shrine. Today, the dolls are made out of paulownia sawdust mixed with glue. This method was developed by Kanabayashi Mataro (1897-1984). Each section is divided by grooves and each block is covered with brocades...

Three(3) Japanese Hina Dolls, Meiji period, 9 1/4" to 6 1/4" high, 4 3/4" to 5 1/2" wide, 3" deep, with humorous face expressions were very well executed, carved out of the wood and lacquered, all have glass eyes. Each guys wearing silk garment and hat. Three(3) pieces of accessories came with doll set and the condition is good except silk garments are stained slightly with age and one(1) hat has loose rope.

Quality Japanese Hina Ningyo with unique faces. These Jyokan dolls are a part of the Hina doll set displayed for the Japanese Girls Day, Hina Matsuri Festival, also called the Peach Festival, held in every March. The peach blossoms are often associated with a woman’s beauty and inner strength. When the blossoms start to open by breaking through the snow from February to March, it is the announcement of the arrival of spring...

Early Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Isho Ningyô of Sugawara no Michizane dressed in court attire. After his death, he was deified as Tenjin, the God of Literature and Knowledge. He gives an impressive appearance, elegant and commanding. His face bears an imperial expression. 28 inches, 71 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Japanese Late Edo - Early Meiji Period TAKEDA actor doll. The doll has GOFUN (powder made from oyster shells) head and hands, painted eyes, cloth and paper clothing, armor and weapons. Great facial and body expression. The doll measures 12 1/2" tall and 9" wide. The stand measures 9 1/2" wide, 2 1/4" tall and 6 3/4" deep.