Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Dolls (51)

This set of dolls was made for Japanese Boy’s Day. It comes from one of Japanese folklores, Peach Boy, Momotaro. Momo is translated to peach and Taro (ta-ro-o) is a common name for boys. The writing on the label (on the box) is "Wakana Ningyo", the date of purchase is the 10th years of Taisho (1921), 92 years ago! The condition is excellent (old but new condition) - the set appears newer than it actually is in the photos...

Fine old zuishin dolls from the Meiji period (1868-1912), approx. 8” (20.3cm) tall. Zuishin dolls are commonly called daijin (minister) dolls; the elder man on the right (facing) is called "left daijin" and the younger man, right daijin or ya (arrows) daijin. They were created as an addition to the emperor and empress Dairi-bina sometime in the mid 18th century by Kyoto doll makers. Armed with a sword, bow and arrows, they were the toneri (zuishin) from the Heian court (794-1185)...

Scruffy looking old Japanese warrior doll (musha ningyo). This doll is not so tall (11 1/2" tall) but heavily padded, solid and quite heavy. When we acquired this doll, his hair was already replaced once and most of it was; one side is painted in black. Old glass eyes. The checker design (ichimatsu design) on his clothes is very similar to "Enshu-donsu", one of the famous fabrics used for tea ceremonies in the Edo period. 11 1/2" high x 11" wide x 12" deep. Circa Meiji (1868-1912)...

During the Edo period, the daimyo (Feudal lords) from each region was required to live in Edo (today’s Tokyo) every other year. This type of Kamishimo (official attire for samurai) with small repeated patterns (komon) was like their uniform when they attended official function in the Edo castle or others. Each region had their own design made. The characteristic of kamishimo komon was that it looked plain (one color) when it was looked at in the distance...

This is an old mitsuore ningyo (triple jointed doll) from the Meiji period (1868-1912) or possibly earlier (late Edo period). The body of this doll was made with the Ikkanbari method. In this method, layers of washi (Japanese paper) were glued (lacquered) together over a wooden mold to form the shape of the body parts. It was then coated with layers of gofun, the mixture of ground oyster shells and animal glue...

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...

Many stories were written about the rising power of the samurai class in late 12th century Japan. Kanjincho, the Kabuki adaptation of the Noh play, Ataka, was first performed at the end of the Edo period in 1840. The costume and hat of this doll tell us that this is Togashi, a chief officer at Ataka inspection barrier in the Kabuki play, “Kanjincho”...

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)...

This is an impressive set of Emperor and retainer dolls for the Japanese Boy's Day. The decorations for this day include Carps, Yoroi and Kabuto (Samurai's Armor and helmet), swords, arrows and some famous hero and legendary figures from the past. The Emperor doll is 17 inches tall and 15 inches wide (sleeves stretched as shown), the retainer is 11 inches tall. Circa Taisho to early Showa...

During the Edo Period, there was a time when puppet play became the most popular form of entertainment among the common people. At one time, they were so popular that Kabuki actors even began mimicking the movement of the puppets.

The era of Ningyo Joruri (puppet play later called Bunraku) began in 1684 when Takemoto Gidayu, a narrator, opened a theater in Dotonbori. He was joined by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, the genius playwright who was often called "the Shakespeare of Japan."

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Takeda dolls are modeled after the characters from 17th to 19th century Japanese theater. They are known for exaggerated postures and often with a vivid facial expression of the Kabuki actors or Jyoruri puppets on stage from the period.

This doll is holding up a "takafuda" bulletin board in one hand and a brush in the other. "takafuda" was an official bulletin board for Tokugawa government (1603-1868) to announce any regulations, or changes etc.

Little was known about Takeda do...

Exceptionally beautiful Japanese lacquer box with a small doll, mame (pea sized) Ichimatsu nigyo (doll) inside - she actually is 4 ½” tall. This must have been some girl's (or woman’s) treasure box years ago. It may have been a gift from her mother or grandmother. The lacquer box is decorated with auspicious designs; a long tailed turtle emerging from a stream, pine, bamboo and rocks on the bank with a crane flying above. The combination of pines, bamboos and plums (painted in inside) ...

Samurai Yoritomo (Minamonoto) Japanese Doll, first Kamakura Shogun dressed in Suoh, high ranking Samurai's attire in Kamakura Period. The doll was possibly made by Maruhei in Kyoto. Circa Taisho period, 1920-1930. Damages in the black cloth hat.

The measurements: 14 inches to the tip of his hair and 13 inches across the sleeves at the bottom when the doll is displayed. The bow is a new addition.

Beautiful Japanese Bonbori lanterns for hina dolls. Hand painted on silk and it is indeed one of a kind. The bonboris are placed on each side of the Emperor and Empress hina dolls during the Hina Matsuri Festival, Girl's Day, in March.

We have not seen this type of lantern until now. The silk is lifted here and there and detached from the frames with some deterioration (probably a reaction to the glue or metal). The amazing thing is how the original colors maintained without fading...

Antique musician dolls for the Japanese Hina Matsuri Festival (Girl’s Day) which is held every March third. Displayed with the ladies-in-waiting, ministers and servants dolls, they are the entertainers of the Imperial Court.

The dolls are from early 1900s, the late Meiji period to early Showa period. The body is made out of straw, old glass eyes and their faces (wood or wood powder) are covered with layers of gofun (white surface coating made out of ground oyster shell and animal glue)...

Old Japanese doll resembling the Kuge (aristocrat) from the Heian period (794-1185), 16 inches tall. This doll was probably one of the zuishin (imperial guard) dolls for the Hina Festival (Girl’s Day in Japan). His long face mostly resembles the Kyoho-bina which is the imperial pair dolls from the mid Edo period (1603-1868). Considering the quality, size and time (late Edo), this doll must have been made for someone special.

The costume of hina dolls were all copied from the ...

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.

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. He had been challenging strangers to sword fights so that he could get their swo...