Elegant Sandai chigo-ningyo (Court Page Doll), Edo Period

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9" (23 cm.) The Sandai chigo-ningyo court page doll, with rounded head and hands of wood, covered overall in a fine gofun with painted details, smiling expression, depicts a seated court page with imperial court costuming and binboku double-looped hairstyle, sometimes referred to as a chigowa (page boy style), and is wearing embroidered chirimen silk crepe kimono with designs of floral burst and scroll foliate vines in couched gold-wrapped paper thread, white hakama trousers with black kikutoji (chrysanthemum balls). Losses to kikutoji, repair to hair, soiling and wear to textiles. Edo Period, early 19th century. "Sandai" as a verb means attending court and "chigo" means page boy. Sandai chigo-ningyo were typically given as a gift when a young noble boy is presented at court or shrine for the first time. Over time sandi chigo-ningyo also became popular elements of the Hina Matsuri display.