Expressive 18th Century Isho-ningyo of a Machi Yakko (Stylish Townsman)

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11" (28 cm.) The stylish townsman has hands and feet covered in gofun with painted details, silk hair beneath the distinctive foppish zukin (mop cap) and elegantly attired in a green silk brocade outer cloak over a beni (safflower red) silk brocade kimono secured at the waist by a broad birodo black velvet obi with a long sword tucked in at hip, mounted on a wood stand with gravelly surface on four papier mache legs, with papier mache autumnal tree at the back. Minor wear to textiles. Edo Period, Late 18th century. Edo popular culture as reflected in Kabuki theater and woodblock print lionized the stylish revelers that spent their leisure time in the pleasure quarters of Edo, Kyoto and Osaka. Because many plays chose this as their setting and artists zeroed in on this particular backdrop. the machi yakko or otokodate (chivalrous commoner) became the peoples' heroes, usually noted for their stylish outfits designed for wooing the ladies of the pleasure quarters. Here there is an additional animated almost seductive element to his swaggering posture.