Japanese Early Meiji Period Kneeling Samurai Doll

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1900: item #508211
U-2604

Japanese early Meiji Period Samurai doll kneeling on one knee. The head and the hands are done in a Gofun (oyster shell) finish. Great facial expression. The doll stands 9 1/2" tall and is 7" wide.

Takeda Samurai Doll with Signed Base, Edo Period

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1837 VR: item #507587
4-263

Fine and rare early example of a Japanese Takeda ningyo (figurine) which shows all the typical characteristics of this Japanese doll genre: the extravagant pose, the dynamism, the upturned eyes and the downturned mouth. Ca. 1800. Representing a Kabuki actor playing a warrior, the figure is posed on a tree stump, carrying a pair of swords on his waist and a jingasa over his shoulder. His garments are made of embroidered chirimen (silk crepe) and brocade. Face and the hands are beautifully modeled... Click for details

Antique Japanese Gosho Ningyo Doll w/Box from KYOTO

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1920: item #502806
MOR1748

Here is a second, larger Gosho ningyo found in Shiga prefecture, just North of Kyoto, enclosed in the original kiri-wood box titled Gosho Ningyo, and bearing a paper tab on one side reading Kyo-Ningyo, Tanaka-Iyo. The exquisite features are everything we would expect from the high caliber of Kyoto Doll Craft. Sitting here with a golden court cap tied with silk chord, and wrapped in chirimen silk, he clutches a golden crane under one arm. The doll is 8 inches (20 cm) tall and in fine condition.

Antique Japanese Gosho Ningyo Doll w/Signed Box, KYOTO

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1930: item #502793
MOR1747

The face on this little fellow, wrapped in embroidered chirimen silk seen here clutching a turtle is the picture of innocence. He sits roughly 4-1/2 inches tall, and dates circa 1930, enclosed in the original signed kiri-wood box. He was found in a house in Uji, southern Kyoto, home of Japans most skilled doll makers.

GENUINE Full Size Japanese BUNRAKU Theater Puppet

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1960: item #488671
MOR17111

This important Full size Bunraku puppet was formerly in the collection of the National Bunraku Theater, Osaka, where we picked it up from an employee. A lovely version of the female character Osome dressed in a silk kimono with elaborate head dress dating from the early to mid 20th century. The doll is fully mobile, controlled from within by switches on her neck and on poles extending from her arms. She stands almost 4 feet (119 cm) tall, and comes complete with a bamboo display stand as pictu... Click for details

Japanese Kimekomi Ningyo Imperial Couple

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1930: item #486917
4-021

This charming little pair of Japanese Girl’s Day Festival (“Hina Matsuri”) Emperor and Empress dolls are seated on brocade-edged and black and gold lacquer display stands. Early 20th century. The emperor is clad in purple silk brocade and holds a closed fan in his right hand. He wears a high golden nobleman’s hat. The empress is dressed in a layered robe of colorful red silk and holds an open fan in both hands. Her metal coronet is topped with an elaborate phoenix (ho-o bird) and rests on her pa... Click for details

Japanese Butterfly Dancer Doll

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1930: item #480224
4-264

This utterly charming dancing Japanese ningyo with butterfly wings belongs to the Hina Matsuri genre of Girl’s Day Festival dolls and dates to the early 20th century. She wears a hand-sewn patterned silk brocade robe with long sleeves with a multi-layered collar of various colors and long bloused trousers. The most remarkable feature of this doll is her red silk and gold lacquer butterfly wings, which extend out from her back. She stands on a black and gold lacquered stand. The doll’s body is ma... Click for details

Rare Antique Samurai Warrior Doll, Edo Japanese Ningyo

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1837 VR: item #478947

Fierce looking old Samurai ningyo (Japanese doll) in rare museum quality. His head is carved wood and the face resembles kabuki actors or Jyoruri ningyo (18th to 19th century puppet theater dolls) from the Edo period (1603-1868). It is definitely a work of art.

The Suoh, the outfit that the doll is wearing, was worn by different ranking samurais at various periods in history. The fabric is made out of Asa (Jap... Click for details

Large Samurai dolls, Old Japanese Takeda Theater Dolls

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1837 VR: item #477029

Antique Japanese Dolls, Takeda Samurai Ningyo:

There was a glorious golden era of Japanese theater from the mid to late Edo period (1603-1868) led by a group of puppet ningyo (dolls) plays called Joruri (Bunraku today). The play writer (the first professional one in Japanese history) was Chikamatsu Monzaemon; the stage narrator was Gidaifu and the stage director and business manager/owner was the Takeda family. ... Click for details

Japanese Hakata Dolls

Japanese: Folk Art: Dolls and Puppets Pre 1920: item #468564
JB-234

This early 20th century pair of clay Hakata dolls is seated at a table playing shogi, Japanese chess. The realistic features and crisp detail of painting reflect the skill and artistry of the craftsman. Excellent condition. Height: 8”