Japanese judicial official doll
- Thread starter ClareBk
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I think that this is an old Japanese doll resembling the Kuge (aristocrat) from the Heian period (794-1185). This doll was probably one of the zuishin (imperial guard) dolls for the Hina Festival (Girl's Day in Japan). His long face mostly resembles the Kyoho-bina which is the imperial pair dolls from the mid Edo period (1603-1868). Considering the quality, size and time (late Edo), this doll must have been made for someone special.
The costume of hina dolls were all copied from the attires worn in the Heian Imperial Court (794-1185). There was one group of hina dolls in the 1700s only made for the higher ranking Kuge (and a few high ranking officials) in Kyoto . They were exact copies of the emperor and empress from the Heian Court. The clothes on the dolls (later called Yusoku-bina) were made by two families, Takakura and Yamashina, who were both assigned to supply the clothes to the imperial families in Kyoto. The fabrics were woven there (Nishijin textile district in Kyoto) with doll sized designs in silk and gold thread. They must have set an example to later doll makers.
Can anyone confirm that this is correct please?
Perhaps there is a family crest on ours?
The costume of hina dolls were all copied from the attires worn in the Heian Imperial Court (794-1185). There was one group of hina dolls in the 1700s only made for the higher ranking Kuge (and a few high ranking officials) in Kyoto . They were exact copies of the emperor and empress from the Heian Court. The clothes on the dolls (later called Yusoku-bina) were made by two families, Takakura and Yamashina, who were both assigned to supply the clothes to the imperial families in Kyoto. The fabrics were woven there (Nishijin textile district in Kyoto) with doll sized designs in silk and gold thread. They must have set an example to later doll makers.
Antique Japanese Aristocrat Doll from Edo Period (item #613211)
Old Japanese doll resembling the Kuge (aristocrat) from the Heian period (794-1185), 16 inches tall. This doll was probably one of the zuishin (imperial guard) dolls for the Hina Festival (Girl’s Day in Japan). His long face mostly resembles the Kyoho-bina which is the imperial pair dolls from...
www.asianartbykyoko.com
Perhaps there is a family crest on ours?
- 12 Oct 2013
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Hina Matsuri (hina festival aka "girls day festival") doll is a good guess. I don't see any family crest on the clothing, and I really wouldn't expect one. The dolls are displayed during the "girls day festival". I think most every middle-class house has a girl's day festival display. The better-off the family, the more elaborate the display becomes. At the center are two dolls which represent an emperor and his bride on their wedding day. These are the two essential dolls. Then you can add another platform/step to the display, and put other courtiers on that step. Then you continue adding steps and dolls until you get a display that looks like the below.
credits to the Ando Japanese Doll shop English | 雛人形・京雛・京人形の桂甫作安藤人形店/京都
I wouldn't expect any family to have doll clothes made with their specific family crest on it. It would be a bit presumptuous. It would be like having a Christmas nativity display with your address printed above baby Jesus's head. The dolls represent a kind of royal archetype. Considering the "crown" on your doll's head, it may be the center doll (the one representing the emperor). The under layer of clothes has a "dragon and cloud" motif. The uppermost outer layer has maybe a chrysanthemum and wisteria motif (? maybe). Typical and appropriate for the imperial family.
Anyway, a Meiji-era doll from a "Hina Matsuri" doll display would be my guess as well. I wouldn't go any further to speculate on who owned it or who made it unless there were some more documentation.
credits to the Ando Japanese Doll shop English | 雛人形・京雛・京人形の桂甫作安藤人形店/京都
I wouldn't expect any family to have doll clothes made with their specific family crest on it. It would be a bit presumptuous. It would be like having a Christmas nativity display with your address printed above baby Jesus's head. The dolls represent a kind of royal archetype. Considering the "crown" on your doll's head, it may be the center doll (the one representing the emperor). The under layer of clothes has a "dragon and cloud" motif. The uppermost outer layer has maybe a chrysanthemum and wisteria motif (? maybe). Typical and appropriate for the imperial family.
Anyway, a Meiji-era doll from a "Hina Matsuri" doll display would be my guess as well. I wouldn't go any further to speculate on who owned it or who made it unless there were some more documentation.
