Japanese Takeda Samurai doll from late Edo to early Meiji, 1800s. Takeda dolls were made to model Kabuki actors and puppet dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The doll is possibly Benkei, a faithful retainer to Yoshitsune (Minamoto).

Many stories were written based on Benkei and Yoshitsune (Minamoto, Genji family). They first met on the bridge of Gojyo in Kyoto when Benkei challenged Yoshitsune...

Japanese Standing Female Isho Ningyo of a Bijin, Meiji Period. 15.75 inches (40 cm).

Charming small Japanese standing gosho ningyo boy doll, his body is carved of wood and covered in silk brocade, his face and hands are done in the traditional method of carved wood covered with layers of polished gofun and painted in beautiful detail, he wears a little octagonal hat, early Taisho Period. Size: 5 3/4" high

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...

Japanese Samurai Warrior in full Armor on Noma Uma Black horse, special small tough Horse in Japan on black wooden stand, Ca. 1910, 15 1/2" high with stand, Samurai on Horse Doll is 12" high, 10" x 5" wide, fully dressed with typical Samurai Warrior outfit, with brocade cloth and some metal and paper decoration on the Armor outfit. Horse and Samurai have glass eyes, one eyebrow on left side lost some thick black hair...

Very large Samurai doll from the late Showa period with beautiful brocade costumes. This is a hero or musha ningyo doll for Boy’s Day (May 5th) in Japan. Some dolls are made to depict a hero or warriors from the past. This doll is a quite impressive size of 22” in height without the hat and 15” in width

Japanese Oshi-e Ningyô of a High-Ranking Oiran Geisha. 12 x 8.75 inches, 30.5 x 22.25 cm. These were very popular during the Meiji Period; over 400 million dollars in sales (in current currency) was recorded in 1888. The characteristics of Matsumoto Oshi-e Ningyô are that the design is stuffed heavily with cotton and the faces are painted in Ukiyo-e (the floating world of Edo period) style. It is very rare to find old Oshi-e Ningyô in this quality and size today...

Japanese Ningyo of a Mother and Child or Mary and Child. 13.25 inches (33.5 cm) height.

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)

Antique Japanese Musha-ningyo doll of a samurai warrior, the hero Minamoto Yoshitsune. He is seated and wears an elaborate kabuto with dragon meadate. His quiver and arrows are strapped to his back and his two swords are intact. His clothing is made of silk brocade and his armor is metal and lacquer...

Japanese Musha Ningyo of Old Minister Takenouchi, Meiji Period, late 19th Century. 12.5 inches (31.75 cm) height.

Late Edo Period (1850-1868) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) wearing an Eboshi, a court hat and robes with crests. He is seated in a court position and has a handsomely caved face. His silk fiber hairs are tied in a top knot. This is a well executed example. 11 inches (28cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

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 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.

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.

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.

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...

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.