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Description
8 1/2" (22 cm.) The classic gosho-ningyo depicting a stern-expressioned young boy, riding a bright-eyed Akita puppy with light brown spots and short curled tail, is covered overall in a fine white gofun with painted details, and with silk fiber hair formed in two long side locks with silk ties, and clothed in chirimen, silk crepe textiles consisting of an overcoat and a bib, his left hand holding a drum stick. The gosho is executed in a wide legged stance allowing him to be positioned atop the puppy. Repairs to puppy's legs. Edo Period 19th century. Gosho-ningyo were designed to delight their audiences and ningyo makers were extraordinarily creative in their wide-ranging depictions. The contrast between the stern looking little boy and the bright expression of the puppy is particularly effective. The puppy itself falls into the large goten-gangu (palace toy) category of gofun-covered papier mache animals that served as toys for the upper classes and were frequently employed as companion animals for gosho-ningyo.