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 ...click for details
Antique Takeda ningyo (doll) posing as an actor on stage from the Edo period. This type of doll in action with a dramatic facial expression and posture made the Takeda doll famous. The hair is raised as a part of the head indicating the doll was made earlier. The bottom of his haori jacket is extremely wide and has a wire placed inside along the edge to look as if the jacket's movement is flapping. There are damages on the textile and a hand. The large stain on his chest is actually th ...click for details
Japanese Takeda ningyo (dolls), 17 1/4" tall (to tip of his hair). Takeda dolls are modeled after the characters from 17 - 19th century Japanese theater play. They are known for exaggerated postures and often with a vivid expression of the Kabuki actors or Jyoruri puppets on stage from the period.
This doll is holding up a "takafuda (or kousatsu, seisatsu)" in one hand and a calligraphy brush in th ...click for details
Exceptionally beautiful Japanese lacquer box with a small doll, mame ningyo (pea sized doll) inside. This must have been some girl's (or woman’s) treasure box sometime ago. It may have been a gift from her mother or grandmother.
The lacquer box is decorated with auspicious designs of a long tailed turtle (minogame) emerging from a stream, pine, bamboo and rocks on the bank with a crane flying above. These are done in tones of gold on a roiro ground, the rocks in takamakie (raised go ...click for details
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 ...click for details
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 gofu ...click for details
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 ha ...click for details
Japanese antique folk hina dolls, zuishin, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185). They are often called Daijin minister dolls. The dolls used to belong to the Hina festival (Matsuri) for Girl’s Day. The size of the dolls are 10" tall to the tips of the arrows.
