Classic Bunraku-ningyo of the Tragic Heroine, Osome, Meiji Era

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36" (91 cm.) The classic Bunraku-ningyo of Osome, theatrical puppet depicting the starcrossed shop keeper's daughter Osome, has head of wood covered in gofun with an exquisitely rendered face with slightly open mouth expression, painted details, silk hair in an elaborate coiffure with silk and metal foil hair ornaments, silk ties and tassels, momijite articulated hands, classic construction with rudimental shoulder armature, and wood support to operate left arm, and is dressed in her signature tie-dyed shibori silk crepe kimono with vibrant red under gowns, and shibori obi, cherry blossom patterned inner kimono visible at the neck, with black silk lapel, posed on bamboo stand, Meiji Era, late 19th century, Exhibited Mingei International Museum (2005). Published Ningyo: The Art of the Japanese Doll, p. 234. The tragic character of Osome comes from a series of sewamono plays that captured contemporary real-life events and transformed them into compelling dramas for the bunraku and kabuki theaters. The love-suicide of Osome and Hisamatsu is one of the great classics of the theater and tells the tragic tale of Osome, the pawnbroker's daughter, and Hisamatsu, a lowly apprentice.