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Award Winning Takeda Doll, Japanese Samurai Ningyo

Award Winning Takeda Doll, Japanese Samurai Ningyo

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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Dolls: Pre 1920: Item # 636205
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Japanese Takeda ningyo (dolls), 17 1/4" tall (to tip of his hair). Takeda dolls are modeled after the characters from 17 - 19th century Japanese theater play. They are known for exaggerated postures and often with a vivid expression of the Kabuki actors or Jyoruri puppets on stage from the period.

This doll is holding up a "takafuda (or kousatsu, seisatsu)" in one hand and a calligraphy brush in the other. "takafuda" is an official bulletin board that was placed in certain locations popular in the Edo period. Only written in black "sumi" ink, it was an important tool for the government to announce any regulations or changes.

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 a competition that was sponsored by the Japanese government. The new government at the beginning of Meiji(1868-1912) was eager to promote business. It appears that the doll was made or sold through the store in Kyoto. The doll stand is partially painted white. This is another unique feature for Takeda doll since stands were painted in all black. Circa 1900.

The doll is 17 1/4" tall (to tip of his hair), Meiji period, late 19C to the beginning of the 20C. Dimensions of the stand are: 14 1/2" wide, 9" deep and 4 1/2" high.