This is a superior Takeda ningyo (doll), an old Japanese theater doll which was most likely modeled after the character, Teiseiko from “Kokusenya-ya-Gassen.” It was a popular theater play in 18th to 19th century Japan. The setting of the play is during mid 17th century China towards the end of the Ming Dynasty. Teiseiko (also known as Watonai) was fighting the battle for the old dynasty...

Antique Japanese Ningyo doll in light purple and pine silk robes lined in red silk, with pale gold obi, holding a Wisteria branch. She is made with real hair fashioned in traditional Geisha style and beautiful hand-painted facial features. The doll is on a black lacquered stand. Interesting and rare dollmaker's sticker on bottom of base. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 14" H x 5.5" W

Antique Japanese Ningyo doll of a beautiful Geisha, fretting over a strand of beads. She wears an elaborate blue silk kimono with cherry blossoms, and patterns of trickling water in wonderful gold thread, paired with a bright orange obi with gold thread chrysanthemums. Her face is delicately hand-painted. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 14.5" H x 9" L x 8" D

Antique Japanese adorable doll. Doll is dressed in traditional japanese layered garments with multi-colored orange and red flower scenery. Sash has an embroidered dragon design, with fan accessory tucked in. Face is well sculpted with hand painted lips and eyebrows. Taisho Period (Circa 1920) Dimension: 27" Tall, 12" Wide at Arms

Three Jokan Dolls are part of a Hina doll set for the Japanese Girl's Day. They are to serve the Emperor and Empress with drinks and food. The young and pretty are usually choosen for this role. Many sets have one older married woman sitting in the middle, possibly a supervising figure? Her hair is usually done in a less attractive manner and she often has her teeth blackened. It was the sign of being a married woman at the time...

Japanese antique hina dolls, large musician ningyo from the 1800s. The hayashi musician dolls were added to the emperor and empress dolls (Dairi-bina), sometime in the mid to late 18th century. They were first made in Edo (today’s Tokyo) while the Zuishin, Court Guards (also known as ministrator dolls) were being created in Kyoto.

There are two types of costumes for the musician dolls, Kamishimo or Suou (su-ou)...

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...

Antique Japanese warrior doll, 20" Empress Jingyo ningyo(doll) set. Clad in armor is a beautiful young widow, Empress Jingo doll with her faithful minister, Takenouchi no Sukune, holding her baby Ojin. Over time, many of the baby dolls were lost or intentionally thrown away by later generations, probably because of the lack of historical understanding. An old Samurai holding a baby is simply inconceivable and uncharacteristic of a Samurai warrior...

Antique Japanese takeda ningyo doll of general Yoshitsume Minamoto of the Minamoto clan (born 1159, died 1189). He is considered to be one of the most famous samurai in all of Japanese history. He fought alongside his brothers Yoritomo and Noriyori in the Genpei War against the Taira clan, but would later be defeated at the Battle of Koromo in 1189. The doll is posed gracefully with a scowling expression, dressed in gold, blue, and green silk robes, with his sword at his hip...

Antique Japanese Takeda Ningyo doll depicting a samurai warrior wielding a staff. The samurai wears hand-embroidered garb, his helmet rested against his shoulder, the meadate in the form of a dragon's head. The realistic eyes and facial features are all hand-painted, portraying menacing determination. The doll stands on a wooden base with inlay.

Edo period 19th century

Dimensions: 11" x 6: x 16" H (doll) 12" x 8" x 19" H (with base)

Japanese samurai dolls, Yoroi and Kabuto (armor and helmet), swords, nobori and carps banner are all a part of the display used for the Boy's Day in Japan. The quality set like this will give a wonderful, rich flavor as a decoration to your home all year around. There is no Maruhei label label on the box but we are pretty sure that this was made by the Maruhei in Kyoto. The similar set that we had seen had the Maruhei label that indicates the set was made in early Taisho period (1912-1926)...

Takeda dolls are modeled after the popular characters from the theater play during the Edo period. They are known for their exaggerated posture and facial expressions of the puppet dolls and kabuki actors on stage. The dolls in this style, with the distinguished Kabuki actor’s makeup called ‘kumadori’ (first created by Danjyuro Ichikawa I, 1660-1704) were made in late Edo to early Meiji period...

This is an exceptionally beautiful antique Japanese doll. The face of the doll is small but delicate. It has the look of a Noh mask with painted skinny eyes and a nose that is extra high. This indicates that the doll was intended to be a beautiful woman. The color on her lips is almost all faded leaving a green dot on her lower lip...

Japanese antique Zuishin dolls (Ningyo). This set of dolls are often called Daijin minister dolls but they are actually the imperial guardsmen and escorts for the Heian court (794-1185). A beautiful quality set in the perfect size to decorate Hina Goten (Imperial Palace). Meiji Period (1868-1912). Approx. 5” tall, 4 ½” in width.

Takeda dolls are modeled after the characters from 17th to 19th century Japanese theater...

Exceptional Gonin Bayashi Five Musician set for the Hina Matsuri (Girl's Day) celebration. Just a wonderful grouping: a chanter, flute player, two hand drummers and a floor drummer, each with an expressive and well-modeled face, finely carved fingers and hands in precise gestures for their individual instruments, sumptuous silk brocade costumes, short swords, silk fiber hair, and large inset glass eyes. They are of the finest quality. 7 inches, 18 cm tall.

This standing Court lady is in extremely in good quality. She is probably from the Taisho Period (1912

Early Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Empress Hina Ningyô (Girls Day Doll) She really has quite a regal presence. She wears wears the many layered Kimono of Royalty, featuring elaborate embroidery. She has a beautifully carved face, covered with Gofun (Oyster Shell Lacquer). Her fantastic crown is something special. 11.5 inches (29 cm) high and 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.