Miharu Hariko papier-mache doll of a Sumo Wrestler Daikoku, God of Wealth and one of the Seven Lucky Gods. Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, ca. 1991. H.5.25"(13.5cm) x W.3.75"(9.5cm.) Excellent condition. This is a rare image of Daikoku-sama in a fundoshi (loin cloth) as a Sumo Wrestler! It is a great example of the playful nature of Miharu Ningyo. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture...

Miharu Hariko papier-mache doll of Dancing Maiden with Fan, Sword, Bow & Arrows. Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, ca. 1988. H.8.5"(21cm) x W.6.75"(17cm.) Very Good Condition, small 1/8" paint loss on bow. A highly expressive figure in the tradition of Miharu Ningyo Dancing Maidens. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture...

Miharu Nigyou papier-mache rooster. Height: 6". From the artisan studio of Hashimoto Hiroji in Miharu-machi (town), Fukushima Prefecture. In the Asian zodiac, the rooster corresponds with the current year 2005, in a 12-year cycle. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture. They say the town’s name “mi’ (3) “haru” (spring) comes from the fact that the three famous blossoms of spring; plum peach, and cherry, bloom here in profusion...

Miharu Hariko Papier-mache Doll; Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, ca. 1987. Figure of girl, possibly an "oiran" (courtesean) with sake ewer ("hisage" / "kannabe.") H.4.75"(12cm) x W.3.25"(8.25cm.) Excellent condition. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture. They say the town’s name “mi’ (3) “haru” (spring) comes from the fact that the three famous blossoms of spring; plum, peach, and cherry, bloom here in profusion...

Nantucket woven rattan basket or purse having 2 scrimshawed ivorite plaques, one features a sailing ship with the inside plaque featuring Marblehead Harbor. This basket has a swing handle, leather hinges and a wood base. Made in Rhode Island, it is signed Farnum on the bottom and a penny glued inside dates the basket 1996. Measures 11" long x 8" high with the handle down.

Mayoke Yama Uba, Shinshuu (Nagano Prefecture.) Wood with bark intact, and straw rope. This folk toy depicts a Yama Uba (Mountain Hag) who is also called Yamamba in other parts of Japan. "Mayoke" means "amulet" or "charm," so the item is intended to ward off evil or bad luck, even though Yama Uba are often referred to in stories much like the bogey man is depicted in America...

Miharu Hariko papier-mache doll of elderly biwa (lute) player. Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, ca. 1989. H.6"(15cm) x W.2.125"(5.5cm.) With lute strapped to his back and propped up with a cane, this strolling eldery musician looks composed and serene. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture...

Miharu Hariko papier-mache dolls of Hina Ningyo (Imperial Couple) traditinally displayed in the month of March for Girls Day (March 3rd.) Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, ca. 1992. Empress: H.4.875"(12cm) x W.3.625"(9.25cm,) Emperor: H.5.375"(13.5cm) x W.3.75"(9.5cm.) Condition Note: hat of Emperor cracked and repaired. Small crack on back of Emperor where sword protrudes from body...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (Ex-Asia), a very interesting Afghani hand-made tribal rug decorated with American military helicopter and B-52 bomber motifs...

Miharu Hariko papier-mache doll. Mother nursing child. H.5.5"(14cm) x W.4.375"(11cm,) ca. 1987. Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture. Excellent condition. The wonderful image of a bare-breasted woman and suckling child is one of the more popular Miharu Hariko figures...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (ex-Asia), a handsome leather-wrapped wooden chest from Cusco, Peru, with chocolate colored leather sheets that have been hand-worked with stylized Inca motifs, overlaid onto a wooden body and secured with brass studs. The inside is lined with a red velvet/ felt type material. A charming authentic handicraft from the indigenous population and a lovely gift item.

Size: 9 inches long, 6 1/2 inches tall, 6 1/4 inches deep.

Miharu Hariko papier-mache doll of Daikoku, God of Wealth & one of the Seven Lucky Gods. Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, ca. 1988. H.5.5"(14cm) x W.3.625"(9.25cm.) Very Good condition, small paint crack on right shoulder. Daikoku stands poised with raised mallet, his magic hammer that creates an explosion of gold when struck. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture. They say the town’s name “mi’ (3) “haru” (spring) comes from t...

Miharu Hariko Papier-mache Doll; Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, ca. 1986. H.7.5"(19cm) x W.5"(12.5cm.) Figure of a Hikyaku (Courier.) Condition Notes: Cracks to paper on right leg, left arm kimono sleeve, and right hand. Helmet re-glued to head. See enlargements. The Hikyaku was the express messenger or courier of the feudal period, running messages and mail between post towns. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture. They say ...

Miharu Hariko papier-mache doll of Daikoku, God of Wealth and one of the Seven Lucky Gods. Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, ca. 1999. H.5.125"(13cm) x W.7"(18cm.) Excellent Condition. Here, Daikoku stands with arms outstretched, his kimono dispaying a pattern of pines, camellia, & wisteria, and the sleeves seemingly flapping in the wind. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Prefecture. They say the town’s name “mi’ (3) “haru” (spring) co...

Miharu Hariko papier-mache doll of a Farmer Riding a Cow holding a sickle. A possible reference to the Kusakari Kannon (Grass Cutting Kannon (J. Kannon,[Goddess of Mercy,] Chinese - Kwan Yin/Guanyin, Sanskrit - Avalokitasvara.) Miharu Village, Fukushima Prefecture, ca. 1999. H.9.25"(23.5cm) x L.9.25"(23.5cm.) Cow has nodding head in the tradition of paper-mache "beko" cows/oxen of NE Japan. Excellent Condition. Miharu-machi (town) is located just NW of Koriyama City in central Fukushima Pre...

A pair of wood candle stand painted with colorful urushi. The plate for candle on the top is made of metal. In excellent condition except for some tiny chips on the rim of the top plate and urushi came off in the bottom of one candle. 20th century. H:37cm Diameter of the bottom:10cm

A painted metal cut-out of a fish, with the word "BAIT" as if to advertise a bait shop. This has an American antique folk art appearance though I believe these are made in Asia, as decorative objects. Add to your Adirondack style interior; excellent for the second house at the lake. Measures 8" by 20" extreme dimensions. The tail area has cracks in the metal so this is delicate and should be handled carefully.

From our World Handicrafts Collection (ex-Asia), a handsome painted wooden box from Veracruz, Mexico, depicting various flora and fauna including birds, butterflies, and parrots, rendered in green against a black background, all crafted upon a wooden body. A charming piece of authentic Mexican handicraft and a lovely gift item.

Size and condition: 15 3/4 inches wide, 8 inches tall, 7 1/2 inches deep. A few nicks.