Catalog (96)

Hakata doll was originated by a roof tile maker in the early 17C during the construction of Fukuoka castle. Hakata is located on the Kyushu island (southern island), famous to other porcelain makers such as Satsuma, Imari, Nabeshima and Hirado. This handsom groom is 7 1/2" tall and almost in mint condition. She is 8" tall in excellent condition with some minor stains on her right arm area as shown in one of the picture.

It has been awhile since Hakata dolls have become one of the popular collector's items in Japan. Hakata doll was originated by a roof tile maker in the early 17C during the construction of Fukuoka castle. Hakata is located on the Kyushu island (southern island), famous to other porcelain makers such as Satsuma, Imari, Nabeshima and Hirado. This is a very impressive Noh dancer doll from their collection. The dimensions: 13 1/2"w x 14 1/4"h.

This standing Court lady is in extremely in good quality. She is probably from the Taisho Period (1912

These dolls are a part of the Hina doll set displayed for the Japanese Girls Day, Hina Matsuri (Festival) in March. The day is also called Peach Festival. When the peach blossoms open in February to March by breaking through the snow, it is an announcement of the beginning of spring in Japan. The blossoms are very much associated with women’s strength and for this reason, along with their beauty, daintiness and softness, these are all desirable characters for women.

These three Kanjyo ...

The Hina dolls palace is for the Japanese Girl's Day, Hina Matsuri festival. The Hina doll set that I grew up with was displayed in the steps style, which is a common way of displaying 15 dolls with furniture. I have never seen this type of Hina Goten (Palace) until I found several of these recently. It tells us how different things used to be (and still is to some extent) according to regions. The hina dolls were modeled after the Imperial Court from the Heian period (794-1192). The cos...

This is a Hina Goten (Palace) doll house for the Girl's day in Japan, also known as Hina-matsuri or Sekku. Traditionally it is the day to celebrate and honor the young girls in the family. I remember my days playing with our antique hina dolls. Unfortunately, ours were all destroyed over the years. I guess that our temptation was a little too strong to play around with these attractive removable attachments, including the swords.

The Hina house was not a very common style in many areas...

Japanese Boy's Day display set with a helmet (Kabuto) and a screen. The lacquer screen is very shiny like a mirror. See Photo #10.

The dimensions of screen is 21 1/4"H x 50 3/4"W (extended). Screen box: 23" x 25 3/4" x 1/2"H Helmet Box: 15" x 13 1/4" x 10"H

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.

Japanese folk art, farmer's clay doll: Ooishi Kuranosuke, a historical hero as a leader of the 47 Ronin (samurai without their master) who avenged their master's death and then all committed Seppuku suicide. Artist signed and dated (in 1942) on the back. Measurements are: 12 3/4"h x 7 3/4"w at the widest

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 ...

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. They were made by o...

This is a Japanese clay doll, Mingei folk art of Japan. Samurai Warrior doll in armor for the Japanese Boy's Day in May. 9 inches high and 6 inches wide. Signed at the bottom. Circa 1930 to 1950.

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. 90 percent of the Edo population were farmers who could not afford nor were allowed to have hina dolls dressed ...

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). When the hina dolls were...

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1970 to 1990, 12” tall on ...

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1970 to 1990.

The doll is f...

Japanese Shoki (demon queller) doll for the Japanese Boy's Day. The story of Shoki came from ancient Chinese folklore. He was known to cure ailing emperor of the Tang Dynasty when he was plagued with nightmares. Shoki showed up in the emperor's dream and chased the demons away. This store was later adopted by the Japanese. Shoki became to be the only non-Japanese figure displayed in early Japanese Boy's Day festival since the Edo period (1603-1868). Circa 1910 to 1930. This is not a ...

Interesting looking Japanese theater doll, dressed as a Chinese warrior, Kan-U (Guan Yu, Chinese), a Chinese legendary figure from the Three Kingdoms era. The story of the turbulent warring period in Chinese was written by Luo Guazhong in 14th century in his famous novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". It became popular among the neighboring countries. In Japan, it was played in puppet doll theaters (Joruri) and Kabuki theaters in late 17th century Edo period. I believe the book was first fu...

This is a Rikyu doll, one of the Hakata clay doll made in the Fukuoka, Japan. Rikyu (Sen Rikyu) is a 16th century influential tea master who perfected the Cha-no-yu, way of tea. He served two historically powerful figures, Nobunaga (Oda) and Hideyoshi (Toyotomi), and eventually being forced to commit Seppuku by Hideyoshi. Sen Rikyu is a given name by the Emperor. 10 inches tall.