Entertaining Kobe-ningyo of a Buddhist Monk in a Cart, Taisho Era

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7" (18 cm.) Carved of tsuge boxwood, seated in a three-wheeled cart, is a Buddhist monk, having head with shaved pate of a monk, lightly crafted ears, carved mouth depicting exposed teeth and tongue, two strong vertical lines on side of nose and with carved flowing robes with lightly incised lines. The monk is holding a mokugyo Buddhist bell in his lap, and has eyes of loosely inserted bone. As the cart moves along, the right hand flips back and forth striking the bell with a bone mallet, and the eyes pop in and out. Taisho Era, 1920s, attributed to Dezaki Fusamatsu (1883-1967). Kobe-ningyo are souvenir mechanical dolls that were made in the port city of Kobe largely for the tourist trade. Their unadorned wood surfaces, comedic elements, penchant for ghost-like images and simple mechanics make them readily identifiable. Dezaki Fusamatsu was one of the more celebrated Kobe-ningyo makers and was active from 1923-1950. His figures are noted by two strong vertical lines next to the nose and overall fine craftsmanship.