Award Winning Takeda Doll, Japanese Samurai Ningyo

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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Dolls: Pre 1900: Item # 636205

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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 dolls until recent years in Japan. This is the first Takeda doll ever that we know of with a label. The label under the stand indicates that this doll won the award in the second National Industrial Expo. During the Meiji period, to promote the modernization of the country, new government held 5 National Industrial Expo (from 1877 to 1903). This doll was entered in the second Expo in 1881 and won an award. The doll stand is partially painted in white, solid and shows off well. The white stand is unique for Takeda dolls since they are usually painted in all black.

Circa 1880, Meiji period. The doll is 17 1/4" tall from bottom to tip of his hair. It will be a couple inches taller if it is measured to the tip of the bulletin board. Dimensions of the stand are: 14 1/2" wide, 9" deep and 4 1/2" high.