Japanese Early Meiji Period Kneeling Gosho Ningyo (Palace Doll) depicted with a gift box offering, wearing a fitted silk crepe haragake bib with a cherry blossoms design, tied at the neck and waist. He has a delightfully rendered face with a bright expression, slightly open mouth, and painted features. His forehead has a painted auspicious mizuhiki (presentation ribbon). He is covered overall in a fine white gofun (oyster shell lacquer). 4h x 4w inches, 10h x 10w cm.

Antique Japanese musha-ningyo samurai doll of the old warrior, Takenouchi no Sukune and the baby Ōjin. Takenouchi was the vassal of the Empress warrior, Jingū-kōgō.
The wife of the 14th sovereign, Chuai, Jingū ruled as empress-regent after her husband was killed in battle in 200 A.D. Considered the 15th Japanese imperial ruler, she lead an invasion of "the promise" land (believed to be the Korean Peninsula)...

Very Old Edo Period (circa 1720) Extremely Rare Set of Three Female Musicians for Hina Matsuri (Girls Day Festival) Almost all musician dolls were male, making this group highly unusual, especially from the 18th century. They have the most wonderful features painted on carved wood covered with burnished gofun (oyster shell lacquer). The textiles are chirimen silk. 8.75 inches (22.5 cm) tall...

The Tachi bina is an older form of Japanese Hina dolls from the early Edo period(1603-1827). The earlier Tachi bina were not made to stand up, instead they were made to lay down or lean on the display. The faces of this set appear to be old with a beautiful sparkle on white gofun crashed/ground oyster shell, Kyoho-bina from mid Edo period. The silk brocade has washi paper backing (with washi hand made Japanese paper)...

Antique Japanese Ningyo doll of a beautiful Geisha, fretting over a strand of beads. She wears an elaborate blue silk kimono with cherry blossoms, and patterns of trickling water in wonderful gold thread, paired with a bright orange obi with gold thread chrysanthemums. Her face is delicately hand-painted. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 14.5" H x 9" L x 8" D

A wonderful 19th Century Boy's Day Ningyo of a boy dressed as a Samurai in full armor, featuring a dragon, sword, helmet, and bow and arrows. His wonderful face is carved of wood and covered with many layers of Gofun (oyster sell lacquer). He is riding a battle horse in full dress, all creating a spectacular work of art. The original wood box is included. Height: 23 inches (58.5cm), width: 18 inches (46cm).

Unique Japanese antique clay doll, Mingei folk art of Japan, Emperor and Empress hina dolls (Dairi bina). Clay dolls were made all over Japan by the late Edo period (1603-1868) by off-season farmers which would often involve the entire family for extra income. These dolls were for the regular people (over 90 percent of the population were farmers then) who could not afford pretty hina dolls made out of cloth...

Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, mid-19th Century late Edo early Meiji Period. An unusually large and early version holding a captured Oni (demon). This is a rare find for this subject. He is powerful and majestic. His face carved of wood with crystal eyes and massive beard and hair made of silk is a masterwork. He wears a Chinese cap and a robe with gorgeous, sumptuous brocades. According to Japanese folklore, the spirit of Shōki is able to scare away demons...

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...

A one of a kind, very large early example of this Musha-Ningyo (Boys' Day Figure). This legendary figure first appeared for Boys Day in the late 19th Century. He is the Japanese equivalent to Hercules. He is always shown with a ruddy complexion, as seen in Japanese woodblock prints, scrolls and screens. He is a magnificent sculpture, Iki and Gosho in style. He holds an Axe and wears a sumptuous embroidery brocade featuring a mythical Turtle. 19th Century (circa 1880)...

Antique Japanese musha-ningo (samurai doll) of the Empress Jingū-kōgō (Okinagatarashi-hime no Mikoto 170 - 269). The wife of the 14th sovereign, Chuai, Jingū ruled as empress-regent after her husband was killed in battle in 200 A.D. Considered the 15th Japanese imperial ruler, she lead an invasion of "the promise" land (believed to be the Korean Peninsula). After 3 years away, Empress Jingū returned to Japan, surviving a ship wreck...

A rare Musha Ningyo three piece set featuring Ojin, Kato Kiyomasa and Attendant, from the Late Edo Period of the 19th Century. It is very unusual to find a set like this in a complete state with all its accessories and original display stand. They all have great faces and sumptuous brocades. The way they work together is very special. Overall height with stand is 17 inches (43cm). Excellent Condition.

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. Hei...

A rare Meiji Period Isho Ningyo depicting the Tale of the Tongue Cut Sparrow. This pair is brilliantly crafted and attributed to the famous Ningyo artist Mauari, a National Treasure in Japan. His work is highly prized there. 9.5 inches, 24cm tall. Excellent Condition.

Japanese antique living room in Victorian style, circa 1880, possibly exhibited at a world's fair. It is a rare, fascinating creation set in a silk brocade fabric box, with inlaid shibiyama style mother of pearl teak furniture. There are many miniature works of art featured, including a wonderful Gosho Ningyo, two flower containers, an ivory book, a three panel iris screen, ivory bird in a cage, etc. All objects in perfect proportion. 10h x 15.5w x 6d inches, 25.5h x 39.25w x 15.25d cm.

Japanese antique hina dolls, large musician ningyo from the 1800s. The hayashi musician dolls were added to the emperor and empress dolls (Dairi-bina), sometime in the mid to late 18th century. They were first made in Edo (today’s Tokyo) while the Zuishin, Court Guards (also known as ministrator dolls) were being created in Kyoto.

There are two types of costumes for the musician dolls, Kamishimo or Suou (su-ou). The dolls that we offer here are wearing Suou, which were worn by aris...

Early 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Takeda Isho Ningyo pair representing Daikoku, the God of Wealth and Fukurokuju, the God of Knowledge in a sumo match. Wonderfully rendered Ningyo in a rare and unique pose. Symbolic parody of wisdom over money. Subjects of Sumo are very sought after in Japan. A great find for Ningyo and Sumo Collectors. Overall Dimensions: 12 x 11 x 9.5 inches, 30.5 x 28 x 24 cm. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Rare, Spectacular late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A musha ningyo (Boy's Day Ningyo) representing Toyotomi Hideyoshi in sumptuous gold court robes and armor, wearing an Eboshi winged hat and a fantastic sword, holding a gunbai-uchiwa (military fan). This Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the finest quality example from the late Edo Period. Incredibly carved face covered in many layers of gofun (oyster shell lacquer). Seated on a lacquered platform. Placed in front of a ...