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Description
15" (38 cm.) Classic wood gosho-ningyo covered with gofun, painted details, sexed figure, well-carved with nice feet and hand details, silk fiber hair arranged in two thick side locks and a broad fringe of top hair with bare middle spot (nakasori) is depicted seated with both legs thrust forward, wearing a sleeveless vest with embroidered designs and black silk-trimmed collar over a chirimen silk crepe haragake bib with a chrysanthemum and water motif, symbolizing longevity. His right hand is holding aloft a harukoma (hobby horse) with a papier mache head, tufted silk mane, and painted designs which is mounted on a green shaft with fawn-spot chirimen silk crepe cuff and a wheeled end with long purple silk crepe reins. Replaced vest, light craquelure on legs and arm joints, mended little right finger, wear to textile of hobby horse cuff. Edo Period, 19th century. Exhibited Japan Society (1995), published in Ningyo: The Art of the Human Figure, p. 78. The harukoma (or spring horse) was a traditional game played at New Years and was a symbol of fertility.