Japanese farmer's folk art, clay doll from early Showa: 10 3/4"h x 6"w Artist's signature on her back, dated in the 15 years of Showa Period (1940). Excellent condition.

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)...

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...

Japanese clay doll, Kabuki doll with a dragon. 13"h x 9 1/2" at the widest.

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). When the hina dolls were still very limited to a few wealthy people in early 1900s, these clay dolls were for the regular people...

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: 11 1/2"h x 5 3/4"w

All the clay dolls are somehow 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...

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: This man is Ninki Danjyo, the villain of the Kabuki play. The more awful the villain is, the lovelier the princess looks and the nice guy more angelic especially in Kabuki plays. Danjyo, with his magical power, is trying to transform himself into a rat...

Charming small Japanese standing gosho ningyo boy doll, made all of a low-fire ceramic and painted in beautiful detail, Showa Period. Size: 5 1/2" high

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.

An interesting Japanese puppet head of an old woman used in Bunraku, the traditional puppet theater developed in the Edo period by Uemura Bunrakuken, which the name of the puppet theater was derived from. The puppet consists of several moving parts. The head and neck are two separate pieces that move up and down. The bar on the bottom assist the puppet master to move the head in various ways and the rope as a lever. Age: 19th century. Size: Height: 11" Width: 7" Length: 4"

Japanese Boy's Day samurai Yoroi and Kabuto (armor,helmet) set. Musha ningyo (Samurai dolls), Yoroi and Kabuto (helmet), swords, banners and carps are a part of the display used for the Boy's Day in Japan. Culturally, the Japanese emphasize anything to do with children. The Girl's day with hina dolls is in March. The warrior's set like this will inspire boys in their manliness and hopefully bravery, discipline and honor codes come with it.

All the fabric used marked as pure silk...

Antique Japanese carved wooden figure of Shoki the Demon Queller, beautifully carved with billowing robe, covered in gold brocade obi fabric, this is an unusually exquisite version of the commonly smaller and plainer Kimekomi-ningyo. The movement of the drapery and intense facial expression with hand-painted eyes tell of the artistic skill used in the making of this doll. This doll is published in "Japanese Dolls by Allan Scott Pate page 97 plate 127"...

Antique Japanese warrior dolls, musha ningyo displayed for the Japanese Boys Day. Clad in armor is a beautiful young widow, the Empress Jingo with her faithful retainer/high ranking minister, Takenouchi no Sukune. He is holding her baby Ojin (Oh-jin) who was later known as “The God of War”, the 15th Japanese emperor, Emperor Ojin. These are all original dolls including the baby.

Some old records indicate that in 300 AD, God came down to talk to Empress Jingo in her sleep...

Antique Japanese musha-ningyo samurai doll of the old warrior, Takenouchi no Sukune and the baby Ōjin. Takenouchi was the vassal of the Empress warrior, Jingū-kōgō.
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)...

A pair of hina dolls, Obina (male,right) and Mebina (female, left) which are displayed on Hina Matsuri on March 3rd . It is also called "Momo-no-sekku" or "Girl's Day" History of Hina dolls can trace back to Heian period (A.D.794~1185), but Hina doll display began in early Edo and became more gorgeous later. Paper Hina dolls were made in early Edo period (early 17th century) They have beautiful hand-painting of women on their costume. In good condition but have some damages...

Japanese antique doll of a Noh theatre actor in the costume of Ko-Omote the beautiful young woman, dressed in a summer robe with gold flower basket on back, elaborate headress, removable mask reveals the face of the actor. Real gold leaf was used in the Kimono design. Late Meiji/Taisho Period (1900-1915)

Dimensions: 14" High by 8" Wide by 7" Deep

Japanese samurai dolls are part of the display used for Boy’s Day on every 5th of May in Japan. The dolls are figures of historical heroes or legendary people to inspire the boys of the family (probably husbands are also included today) with their manliness and hopefully discipline and bravery to go along with them. Samurai’s Yoroi armor, Kabuto helmet with swords, bow with arrows are popular items chosen today for the day.

This is a large, very impressive musha ningyo (warrior doll). ...

Wonderful large Japanese Gosho-ningyo baby doll, standing with arms outstretched, charming expression and stance, baby tunic made of silk with gold embroidery, 19th century. Size: 14 1/2" high x 16" wide

Three Japanese Jyokan (ladies-in-waiting) hina dolls are a part of the hina doll set displayed for the Hina Matsuri Festival, Japanese Girls Day in March, also called the Peach Festival. This day is reserved for the girls of the family wishing for their well-being for the coming year. Late Meiji to Taisho period, early 1900’s.

When the peach blossoms start to open by breaking through the snow from February to March, it is the announcement of the arrival of spring. Plums are often asso...