A LARGE JAPANESE HAND-CRAFTED WARRIOR DOLL, 18TH CENTURY A LARGE JAPANESE HAND-CRAFTED WARRIOR DOLL, 18TH CENTURY A LARGE JAPANESE HAND-CRAFTED WARRIOR DOLL, 18TH CENTURY A LARGE JAPANESE HAND-CRAFTED WARRIOR DOLL, 18TH CENTURY A LARGE JAPANESE HAND-CRAFTED WARRIOR DOLL, 18TH CENTURY A LARGE JAPANESE HAND-CRAFTED WARRIOR DOLL, 18TH CENTURY

A LARGE JAPANESE HAND-CRAFTED WARRIOR DOLL, 18TH CENTURY

Reference: ART2001677

Very large, and impressive 18th-century hand-crafted warrior doll 武者人形 (Musha ningyô) represents Takenouchi no Sukune 武内宿禰, a legendary Japanese figure revered as a hero-statesman from the 1st century and honoured as a Shinto deity. Positioned in a kneeling stance, he appears to be gazing upward, hands poised as if to hold something. In an opulent brocade silk kimono, over which elements of traditional armour (yoroi) are layered. The breastplate (dô) is embellished with a family crest 紋 (mon) featuring a spiralling dragon design. Additionally, he dons a gold-coloured ‘courtier hat’ (eboshi). The soft white noble skin is created by applying repeated layers of the pigment called gofun 胡粉, which is the refined powder of the itabo oyster (Ostrea denselamellosa). The crafting of relief wrinkles on his face lends a touch of venerable wisdom, complemented by delicately painted eyes and a red mouth. This particular portrayal, with Sukune in a kneeling posture, is traditionally associated with him being presented alongside Empress Jingû 神功皇后 (Jingū’kōgō), tenderly holding her swaddled infant, who is destined to become Emperor Ôjin 応神天皇. With original wooden tomobako 供箱 (storage box) with dated inscription in ink: ‘Auspicious day during the 4th month, in the year of the earth monkey, the 8th season of the Tenmei era’ 天明八季戊申四月吉日, Anno 1788.

Dimensions without base:
Height 57.5 cm, Width 44 cm, Depth 24.5 cm.

Considering its age, the doll and the costume are in a very good condition with some traces of wear conform age, like some hair loss and wear of fabric (of the hat). Old restoration of the face.