Passed
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Description
33" (84 cm.) h. 21" x 15" base. The large-scale Takeda-ningyo (theatrical doll) depicting Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598), also known as the Taiko, a quintessential Takeda-style iconic figure has wooden head covered in gofun with finely molded features, painted details, silk fiber hair, is depicted with left leg thrust to the side, body twisted, right hand holding aloft his signature gourd standard with red felt tailings, and a gumbai battle fan in his left, wearing a Chinese-style cap, a silk brocade sleeveless outer vest, layered silk brocade kimono with chirimen silk crepe sleeves bearing a bold embroidered image of a dragon, birodo black velvet details, silk brocade hakama trousers bearing his signature kiri paulownia crest, long sword at hip, mounted on a lacquered wood base with an embroidered front aperture cloth. Minor fading and wear. Edo Period, 19th century. Exhibited Mingei International Museum (2005) and Morikami Museum (2012). Published Ningyo: Art of the Japanese Doll, p. 25-251 appearing as cover image. In early times Hideyoshi was known as the "Great Unifier" of Japan, but during the succeeding age all references and images of Hideyoshi were banned. Then In the early 19th century censorship lagged and he surged in popularity creating a veritable "Hideyoshi Boom" in popular culture with plays, novels, woodblock prints, and ningyo being created to commemorate his life and accomplishments.