$1,300
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Description
5" (13 cm.) h. including cap. Small scale gosho-ningyo depicting a kneeling boy riding a stick hobby horse is crafted of wood and covered in a fine white gofun with painted details including a short forelock and side-locks, and is wearing a silk crepe haragarke bib with painted details and a black eboshi court cap with thick purple tie strings. There is a hole in his right hand for the silk crepe reigns to pass through to the papier mache horse which is decorated with painted details including a red bridle. Side-locks replaced. Late Edo/Early Meiji Period, Mid-19th century. The Harukoma or hobbyhorse was not only a popular toy, but it also served as symbol of good luck and protection. At New Year's it was common for itinerant performers to travel around and perform a dance with the harukoma to bring in good luck and drive away evil for the coming year. This dance was also incorporated into Kabuki theater. Small-scale gosho-ningyo such as this were often referred to as gofukunoinori or good luck and prayer dolls. Rather than sumptuous art statements that some of the large gosho-ningyo had become, these smaller forms were simple, popular gifts to convey auspicious wishes.