Passed
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Description
15" (38 cm.) Takeda-ningyo depicting Kataoka Nizaemon VII (1788-1837), artfully positioned study of this important actor, with left leg thrust to the side with slightly twisted posture and gazing over his left shoulder, having head and hands of wood covered in gofun with painted details including the kumadori makeup of a kabuki actor, well molded head with top knot and hair contours, and with additional human hair, wearing dark silk brocade nagabakama trousers that cascade over the side of the stand, a light green silk brocade outer kimono with sleeves thrown back to reveal chirimen silk crepe inner kimono bearing the bold hikiryo (lines in circle) crest of the Katakoka Nizaemon acting lineage formed of couched silver wrapped thread, with birodo black velvet cuff treatment, long sword tucked in at left hip, mounted on a Takeda-style black lacquer base with front aperture cloth, that is furnished with a papier mache pine tree with twisted metal branches, and simulated stone base. Repair to topknot, wear and fading to textiles. Edo Period, circa 1837. Takeda-ningyo emerged in the 19th century as a distinct sub-genre of isho-ningyo, devoted to depicting kabuki-related themes. Takeda-ningyo are readily identifiable by their dynamic postures, distinctive bases and a predilection for embroidered silk crepe sleeves and birodo accents. However, usually Takeda-ningyo are role/character-specific rather than actor-specific. Here the oversized crest that forms a focus of the design points not to a role but to the specific actor. Katakoa Nizaemon VII was a beloved actor who passed away in 1837. A figure such as this might have been done in memorial similar to memorial prints that were produced at the time of his death.