Antique Japanese Ningyo doll in light purple and pine silk robes lined in red silk, with pale gold obi, holding a Wisteria branch. She is made with real hair fashioned in traditional Geisha style and beautiful hand-painted facial features. The doll is on a black lacquered stand. Interesting and rare dollmaker's sticker on bottom of base. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 14" H x 5.5" W

Two Standing Ladies in Waiting for palace display and one lady seated for tea service. Standing ladies are 5.5 inches tall and the one seated is 3.5 tall

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 Zuishin dolls (Ningyo). This set of dolls are often called Daijin minister dolls but they are actually the imperial guardsmen and escorts for the Heian court (794-1185). A beautiful quality set in the perfect size to decorate Hina Goten (Imperial Palace). Meiji Period (1868-1912). Approx. 5” tall, 4 ½” in width.

Fine old zuishin dolls from the Meiji period (1868-1912), approx. 8” (20.3cm) tall. Zuishin dolls are commonly called daijin (minister) dolls; the elder man on the right (facing) is called "left daijin" and the younger man, right daijin or ya (arrows) daijin. They were created as an addition to the emperor and empress Dairi-bina sometime in the mid 18th century by Kyoto doll makers. Armed with a sword, bow and arrows, they were the toneri (zuishin) from the Heian court (794-1185)...

Exquisite antique Japanese Hina Ningyo (dolls) for Hina Matsuri festival, the Girl’s in Japan. The dolls are probably from the late Taisho to early Showa period, 1910 to 1940 and in excellent condition. The level indicates that they were made in Kyoko by Hinagata-ya, pre WWII in Kyoto, size 2 (second largest). The hair of the emperor and empress appears to be original and brittle. There will be some broken hair fallen whenever the dolls are moved...

Japanese antique folk hina dolls, zuishin, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185). They are often called Daijin minister dolls. The dolls used to belong to the Hina festival (Matsuri) for Girl’s Day. The size of the dolls are 10" tall to the tips of the arrows.

Antique Japanese folk hina dolls, three servants (Shitei,Shicho) from the Heian Imperial Court (794-1185). The dolls are part of the Hina Matsuri festival for girls in Japan. The standing doll is 8 3/4" tall, and the other two dolls are 7 1/4" to 7 1/2" tall.

Ornately detailed Meiji period hard to find pair of imperial archers for palace display Girls Day Hina Dolls. 5.5 inches high to the top of the head...

Antique musician dolls for the Japanese Hina Matsuri Festival (Girl’s Day) which is held every March third. Displayed with the ladies-in-waiting, ministers and servants dolls, they are the entertainers of the Imperial Court.

The dolls are from early 1900s, the late Meiji period to early Showa period. The body is made out of straw, old glass eyes and their faces (wood or wood powder) are covered with layers of gofun (white surface coating made out of ground oyster shell and animal glue)...

Antique Japanese gosho ningyo doll. Called a "palace doll" as these were once given as gifts from the Emperor and Empress to young princes and princesses. These young baby dolls represent a hope for happiness and prosperity. Made of ceramic and painted with gofun (a paste made from fine itabo oyster shell powder). The gofun was applied in many layers before carving, shaping, polishing and finally painting the details on. This doll is painted with royal gold and purple robes...

Samurai Yoritomo (Minamonoto) Japanese Doll, first Kamakura Shogun dressed in Suoh, high ranking Samurai's attire in Kamakura Period. The doll was possibly made by Maruhei in Kyoto. Circa Taisho period, 1920-1930. Damages in the black cloth hat.

The measurements: 14 inches to the tip of his hair and 13 inches across the sleeves at the bottom when the doll is displayed. The bow is a new addition.

A cute Japanese gosho ningyo doll in the form of Ebisu, one of seven fortune gods. Handpainted detail work, red and brocaded fabric is used for the clothing of the doll. Meiji to Taisho period. Size: Length: 5.5" Width: 6" Height: 9.5".

JAPANESE DOLL WITH WIGS

Old 'Katsura ningyo' (lit. 'Wig doll') carrying a baby on back, originally made for the noble girl's play in the Edo period, as the original form of today's dress-up doll. Meiji period (1868-1912). Box: approx. 16.7 x 10.8 x 3.7cm (6.57 x 4.25 x 1.45in). Some expected damage around due to aging as is, but comparatively in good condition for this type of aged doll...

Antique Japanese warrior doll, 20" Empress Jingyo ningyo(doll) set. Clad in armor is a beautiful young widow, Empress Jingo doll with her faithful minister, Takenouchi no Sukune, holding her baby Ojin. Over time, many of the baby dolls were lost or intentionally thrown away by later generations, probably because of the lack of historical understanding. An old Samurai holding a baby is simply inconceivable and uncharacteristic of a Samurai warrior...

This is a large doll, probably dated from Meiji to Taisho period, modeling a maiden from the Genroku era (1688-1703). Genroku culture which was the beginning of uprising power of the merchants in the Osaka area was glamorous and quite a contrast to the stiff culture of the samurai. Partially green lipstick that is shown on this doll became fashionable at the time. Her hair style is called Taka (high) Shimada or Bunkin Taka-Shimada...

During the Edo Period, there was a time when puppet play became the most popular form of entertainment among the common people. At one time, they were so popular that Kabuki actors even began mimicking the movement of the puppets.

The era of Ningyo Joruri (puppet play later called Bunraku) began in 1684 when Takemoto Gidayu, a narrator, opened a theater in Dotonbori...

Japanese Samurai Warrior in full Armor on Noma Uma Black horse, special small tough Horse in Japan on black wooden stand, Ca. 1910, 15 1/2" high with stand, Samurai on Horse Doll is 12" high, 10" x 5" wide, fully dressed with typical Samurai Warrior outfit, with brocade cloth and some metal and paper decoration on the Armor outfit. Horse and Samurai have glass eyes, one eyebrow on left side lost some thick black hair. Old Paper Label said "Made in Japan" underneath the wooden stand, signed Ka...