Passed
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Description
14 1/2" (37 cm.) A paper mache mechanical palace doll depicting a parody of the lion dance from the Noh drama Shakkyo (Stone Bridge), is depicted seated with both legs thrust forward revealing soles of feet with creases and good toe delineation, covered overall in gofun with painted details, wearing a sleeveless vest with birodo (black velvet trim) over a simple haragake bib with red silk lining, holding in his right hand a shishi mai (lion dance mask), on his left hand the trailing lion mane cover, and on his head he wears an enormous silk and paper peony. When the knob at his back is turned, his arms raise and lower in imitation of a lion dancing amongst the peonies. Soiling of gofun, replaced side locks. Edo Period, 19th century. Exhibited Japan Society (1996). Published Ningyo: The Art of the Human Figure, p. 80. Shakkyo is a seminal work originally written for Noh theater but was later adapted to Kabuki. The most famous scene is a dynamic dance of lions cavorting in a field of peonies.