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Description
16" (41 cm.) including hat. The Keuesaiku-ningyo Saru (Monkey) dancing the auspicious Sanbaso, is realistically executed in keuesaiku (fine hair planting technique using silk fiber to simulate animal fur), standing with his left hand holding a rattle, wearing a tall gold lacquered cap emblazoned with a red sun, and with personality-filled face of painted chirimen silk crepe with inset glass eyes, clay ears, hands and feet, and a clay penis, wearing a silk crepe vest done in a shibori, displayed on original kiri paulownia wood stand. Meiji Period, circa 1886. Published Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo, p. 249. Papers found in his vest date him to Meiji 19 (1886), based on similar examples, probably done by the Kyoto artist Kichimonzaemon, specially designated supplier to the imperial household. The Sanbaso is an ancient ritual dance, originating in Shrine rituals but later deeply incorporated into Noh, Kabuki and Bunraku theater traditions. It was also an important street theater ritual performed at New Years and became a specialty of monkey trainers who would dress their charges up in Sanbaso attire and perform either in private homes or on the streets. Keuesaiku evolved during the Edo period as a popular toy form and examples were even collected in the late 18th century by Dutch officials living in Nagasaki.