Gosho-Ningyo as Parody of Odori Folk Dancers with Ribbon Painting, Circa 1915

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13" (33 cm.) Each of carved wood with very rounded and plump face, body and limbs, and each in a different animated pose as though performing the Odori folk dance. Each has gofun finish with very fine lustrous sheen, painted features including a beautifully-inked presentation ribbon at the top of the forehead, and wearing a traditional costume embroidered with paulownia and cherry blossom designs, and with an unusual garlanded peach crest and silver-couched geometric border at the back, sandals, and a lacquered paper cap. One holds a fan and the other holds a drum, and each is mounted on an individual red lacquered wooden base. Generally excellent. Early Taisho era, circa 1915. The set, known as mitate-gosho, are performing a parody of the traditional Odori folk dance. Special features of this rarely-found still-together matched pair include the unusual detail of costume, the painted presentation ribbon (mizuhikide) indicating their original gift purpose, and their original labeled wooden packing box.