Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Dolls (103)

Late Edo Period (1850-1868) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) wearing an Eboshi, a court hat and robes with crests. He is seated in a court position and has a handsomely caved face. His silk fiber hairs are tied in a top knot. This is a well executed example. 11 inches (28cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Fine Late 19th Century Bunraku Puppet of a Sambaso Dancer. This rare Bunraku puppet is operated by three Puppet Masters, who make it come to life to present a magical theatrical experience. He is carved of wood and covered with Gofun. He wears a beautiful Robin egg blue and Saffron orange robes. His head is adorned with a silver and black hat featuring a rising sun. He is holding bells and a fan. 24.5 inches, 62cm.

Extremely Rare Japanese Set of Five Military Band Musicians from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5. We knew of this one-of-a-kind complete set 15 years ago, and have finally just now been allowed to purchase it. These rare sets were produced only during the Russo-Japanese War, and you will likely never see another being offered. Japan used these Ningyo for the Boys Day Festival during this time in history. Heights range from 10.5 to 11.5 inches, 26.5 to 29 cm. Excellent Condition.

Extremely Rare 18th Century Edo Period (circa 1780) Musha Ningyô (Japanese Boys Day Figures) representing the famed brave warrior, Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611), who accompanied Hideyoshi on his campaign against Korea. He is gloriously represented here, along with his attendant holding a banner of a Buddhist prayer, in this spectacular Ningyô. Kato is wearing sumptuous brocades, a black velvet trim robe with gold trim and is holding a spear with a sword at his side. He is seated on a military camp stool. Large Figure: 14 inches (35.5 cm); Small Figure: 9.5 inches (24 cm), Banner 18 inches (46 cm). From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Extremely Rare Edo Period Isho Ningyo Pulling a Wagon with a Crane. Early 18th Century Ningyo like this very rarely come up for sale. This Isho Ningyo is special, as it resembles a Karakui (mechanical) Ningyo. This important Ningyo has a classic face with painted features, sumptuous embroidered textiles, and is pulling a cart that has a crane inside. It stands on a lacquered base. A similar example is in the Homa Museum in Japan. 14.5h x 9.5w inches, 37h x 24w cm.

Rare and Fine Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo for the Boy's Day display, depicting the celebrated tea master and political adviser Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), in a kneeling position wearing rich silk brocades. He is displayed in front of a beautiful and elegant wood and silk screen with four continuing panels of a dragon flying in the clouds and chasing the magic pearl of immortality. The screen is made of black lacquered wood with gilt threads couched and stumpworked onto a dark black silk background. Ningyo depicting Sen no Rikyu became popular in the opening decades of the 19th century when stories, plays, and ningyo connected with the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (to whom Rikyu served as an important advisor) dominated many aspects of popular culture. Minor wear to black velvet collar, otherwise fine condition. Screen: 18 x 12.5 inches, 46 x 32 cm. Ningyo height: 8.5 inches, 21.5 cm.

Marvelous and Rare Sakura Porcelain Head Doll of a an American Baby Girl, with Bisque arms and legs. Her clothes are all original. An absolute must for the serious doll collector. She has a wonderful presence and a beautiful face. Sakura dolls were the first attempt by Japanese doll companies to imitate western porcelain doll making techniques, mainly for export purpose. Shinoda and Morimura are the most famous manufacturing companies. This doll is very distinctive, with big black eyes and black straight bobbed hair. They were nick-named 'Sakura Bisque' or 'Sakura Doll' for the cherry blossoms (the national flower of Japan) and were a great hit all over the world. This doll is very distinctive, with big black eyes and black straight bobbed hair. Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

Late 18th Century Musha Ningyo of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. This wonderful early example of high quality has a great presence, sumptuous brocades, gold lacquered armor, a spectacular helmet, and many other fine details. His face is gorgeously and masterfully carved with finely burnished Gofun. An extraordinary example. Figure height: 15.75 inches, 40 cm. Overall dimensions: 20 x 20 inches, 51 x 51 cm. Excellent Condition.

A 19th Century Isho Ningyo set of two Geisha entertainers, one a Koto Player, the other the highest ranking Orian singing. They are of the finest quality. They have beautifully carved faces and hands, and wear gorgeous, sumptuous brocades with fantastic embroidery. The Orian has fine embroidery of a carp ascending a waterfall, a crane, and turtles on waves. The Koto Player has embroidery of cherry blossoms and patterns of gold threads. The Koto is made of paloma wood, teak, and ivory. Geisha means 'woman of art'. The art may be shamisen playing, singing, dancing, and of course, the arts of conversation and tea ceremony hostess. Sizes: Orian 11.75 inches (30cm) high; Koto Player 7.75 inches (20cm) high; Koto 12 inches (30.5cm) wide.

Spectacular and dramatic Japanese Bunraku Puppet of a Sambaso dancer, rooted in myth, religion, and rituals performed at Shinto shrines and the imperial court, rituals aimed at conjuring up the gods. Has articulated eyes, mouth and arms making an array of wonderful expressions. He is holding his bell rattle, wearing a silk costume and a lacquered hat, presented on a classic Bunraku Puppet stand. 25.5 inches (65cm) tall.

Japanese Boys Day Horse. This white horse is of the highest quality and artistry. Carved of palomar wood and lacquered 30 to 40 times with gofun (oyster shell lacquer) to create a naturalistic effect. It is completed with the most fabulous trappings, a fine saddle, bells, and a ponga Buddhist symbol on his back. Presented on a lacquered stand with fine gold. The high quality makes it most likely that this fine piece was made for the Daimyo class, and may have been presented to a shrine. Height: 16 inches, 41 cm.

Exceedingly Rare 18th Century Japanese Karakuri-Ningyo (Mechanical Doll) of a whimsical figure from the early Edo Period, classic in its form. This figure is moved by strings and pulleys operated by three men hidden out of site. This one was part of a festival float, possibly for the Gion (New Year) Festival. This Ningyo has a fantastic face of the period. He is wearing a gorgeous costume of the finest textiles and sumptuous brocades. He stands on top of a beautiful silver lacquered stand featuring high relief flowers and leaves. Height: 23 inches, 58.5 cm.

Large Meiji Period Bunraku Puppet of Tokagawa Ieyasu. Extremely rare on this grand scale (4 feet high, 122 cm). This fine quality puppet was possibly made at the request of the puppeteer Kiritake Monjuro II, as the hero in Bunraku plays. It has a fantastic dynamic presence, and is carved of Poloma wood covered in gofun (oyster shell lacquer) featuring sumptuous silk brocades with Tokagawa crests and dragons.

This very fine Late 18th Century Ningyo was made for the Daimyo Class. These rare pieces are highly regarded in Japan. This is an unusually large Musha- Ningyo of the hero Kato Kiyomasa, who accompanied Hideyoshi on his campaign against Korea. He was famous for his bravery. He has a great face of carved wood and finely burnished Gofun, and is dressed in the sumptuous textiles of a rich green velvet coat with gold dragons. He wears a spectacular helmet, possesses a fantastic sword, and wields an intimidating battle baton. Figure height 26 inches (66cm), overall height 33 inches (84cm).

Extremely Rare Edo Period late 18th/early 19th Century Buraku Theater Puppet. This very large puppet was operated by three puppet masters, with an operator manipulating the head and face to create a wide variety of expressions. We think this puppet was used to portray Benkie, the 13th century warrior monk of Hieizan and trusted adviser to Yoshitsune. He wears a black velvet robe and sumptuous textiles and fiercely brandishes his nagitana weapon. It is very unusual for a Bunraku puppet of this quality, age, and size to come up for sale. Height: 48 inches, 122 cm.

Late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Ushiwaka- maru, a brave boy who grew up to be the great warrior Minamoto Yoshitsune. This is a Ningyo of the finest quality. He has a wonderfully carved face and hands and sports a fantastic hair style and has a beautiful costume of sumptuous brocades. 8h x 6.75w inches, 20.5 x 17 cm.

Early Meiji Period (circa 1870) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) of Emperor Ojin, Japan's first historically verified emperor. He has been deified as Hachiman Daimyojin, regarded as the guardian of warriors. This boys day figure is gorgeous in every way. The brocades are so sumptuous and the face is magnificent. He is wearing a Kabuto (court hat) and holding a long battle baton complete with a sword. The figure is 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall, and the overall height is 24.5 inches (62cm). From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

A wonderful large Edo Period Gosho Ningyo of Urashimataro. A delightful, playful rendering of this timeless theme. These type of Palace Dolls are usually smaller. This charming example is a unique, wonderful form from all angles. He is wearing an embroidered cap and bib and has a highly burnished finished gofun pigment. 12h x 11w inches, 30.h x 28w cm. Excellent Condition.