Japanese Boy s Day Doll of Emperor Ojin

Japanese and Chinese antiques and art from B & C

Japanese Boy s Day Doll of Emperor Ojin

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Directory: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Dolls:Pre 1920: item # 704610

Please refer to our stock # 4-020 when inquiring.

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B & C Antiques
P. O. Box 291
Derby, CT 06418
203-929-7312

Guest Book
$1,195

This wonderful Meiji period (1868-1912) Japanese Boys’ Day doll (“musha ningyo”) represents the Emperor Ojin. He is seated on a black wooden camp stool which sits on fur skin rug. He has glass eyes and a serene, enigmatic expression on his flesh-colored gofun (crushed oyster shell) face. An incredible level of attention to detail was paid to the textiles and warrior accessories on this ningyo. He is regally outfitted in a luxurious brocade kimono under his chased metal armor, and he wears a tall golden lacquered nobleman’s hat and fur shoes. In one blue gloved hand he holds a “saihai” (commander’s baton), and in the other he holds a flat military fan, the “gunbain uchiva.”

The Boys’ Day Festival, called “Tango-no-Sekku,” is celebrated in Japan on May 5th. On that day, young boys were reminded of their duty to their country and of their absolute loyalty to the emperor. During the Edo period, samurai would display banners, armor and dolls representing famous historical and legendary heroes. Musha ningyo were not made as toys to be played with but to be admired from a distance and respected. Ojin became a popular figure in his own right during the Meiji period. The 15th Emperor of Japan, Ojin is said to have lived from 201-310 A.D. In 712 a temple was built in his honor, and he became the patron God of War for the Minamoto clan (the first Shogun family).

CONDITION is very good. The clothing and accessories are in perfect shape. There are some repaired cracks in the gofun on his face, which is reflected in the price of this elegant and important Japanese ningyo. DIMENSIONS: 16” (40.6 cm) tall, 12” (30.5 cm) wide, 10” (25.4 cm) deep.