Passed
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Description
11" (28 cm.) All-wooden mitate gosho-ningyo (parody palace doll) of the noh drama Shakkyo, covered in gofun with painted details, real hair, well formed hands and feet with big toe curved upward in a position of power, wearing a silk crepe haragake bib with embroidered designs of chrysanthemums floating on water as a reference to longevity. His hands are in an animated position holding silk peony blossoms while resting atop his head is a well formed papier mache lion mask with red silk mane, chirimen silk crepe mane cover, and hinged jaw. Light craquelure to arms and legs, repair to big toe. Edo Period, 19th century. Exhibited Mingei International Museum (2005). Published Ningyo: The Art of the Japanese Doll, p. 51 and back cover. Shakkyo was and remains exceptionally popular in both the Noh and Kabuki repertoire and describes the journey of a pilgrim seeking enlightenment. He comes across a stone bridge and on the other side he sees lions cavorting in a field of peonies.