$14,000
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Description
25" (64 cm.) (including helmet, excluding arrows). Carved wooden head with very fine detail of sculpting, gofun finish with very fine patina, painted facial features with stern visage, angular eyes and thick brows, black silk fiber hair, carved wooden lower arms and hands with curled fingers for holding object, and wooden lower legs with defined boots. Wearing an extraordinary costume of rich textiles whose rarity features include very unusual silk brocade trousers (hakama), elaborate heavy metal neck, shoulder and chest guards, dragon medallion on chest, Kabuto helmet with figural dragon (maedate), and wrist guards of luxury black velvet. Accessories include very fine baton (saihai) with paper-backed silk streamers, arrows with bird feathers, and sword with fur-wrapped handle. Excellent condition. Edo period, early 1800s. The short tragic 30-year life of Minamoto no Yoshitune (1159-1189) embodied the qualities of all legendary heroes, ensuring his place not only in theatre, literature, and traditional art, but also as the most notable figure of the traditional Boy's Day celebrations, This particular example is especially notable for its size, quality of construction, intricate details, and superb state of preservation.