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Description
38" (97 cm.) The large-scale bunraku-ningyo (puppet), with a Bunshichi-style head used for depicting male characters of great strength but with deeply hidden sorrow, and having pigmented gofun with silk fiber hair, is constructed with draw levers that allow the eyebrows to raise and lower and the eyes to shift from side to side, mouth carved in an intense scowl, articulated hands with fingers and thumbs operating off of a trigger, costumed as warrior in full armor with light metal fittings, holding a heavy metal gumbai Chinese-style battle fan in his right hand, silk brocade kimono and hakama trousers with a thick obi tie belt, silk tabi socks, shin guards, forearm guards, and posed on a traditional bamboo and wood display base. Some fading of textiles, soiling of hands. Edo Period, 19th century. Exhibited: Mingei International Museum, Morikami Japanese Museum. Published Ningyo: Art of the Japanese Doll, p. 232.