Japanese man in Yukata

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ClareBk

Sempai

26 May 2023

115

58

• 3 Nov 2023

• #1

We have a Japanese figurine of a man dressed in what I believe is a Yukata of subdued tone of brown. He has tabi (foot bag)(Japanese socks for sandals) on his feet. We acquired this item in 1884 so assuming the date is before this. Can anyone guide us as to a museum I may ask further questions please? Kind regards, Clare

 

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Majestic

先輩

Ten-year veteran

12 Oct 2013

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5,023

• 3 Nov 2023

• #2

Not a yukata. He's wearing several layers, so it is winter wear (yukata is summer wear). I think there are a couple of different things to call this, but easiest just to call it men's kimono. The item on the ground - this is something that he is supposed to be holding? Looks like a stone hammer or something?

 

C

ClareBk

Sempai

26 May 2023

115

58

• 6 Nov 2023

• Thread starter
• #3

Thanks Majestic. Will ask for closer up photo it is so small in the photos we are given.

 

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ClareBk

Sempai

26 May 2023

115

58

• 6 Nov 2023

• Thread starter
• #4

The item beside the Japanese man is like a ceremonial staff or walking stick. What do you think?

 

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Majestic

先輩

Ten-year veteran

12 Oct 2013

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• 6 Nov 2023

• #5

Hmm, strange. I don't know what it is, but yes it looks like a walking staff.
There is a kind of walking staff with a decoration on top, but the decoration usually has small rings attached to it that jingle when the staff is used. The staff is used by priests. The staff for this doll doesn't have any of these rings, and the man isn't dressed like a priest as far as I can tell, so maybe its just a walking staff.

This is what I was thinking of, but the one in this thread appears to be different:

Khakkhara - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

C

ClareBk

Sempai

26 May 2023

115

58

• 7 Nov 2023

• Thread starter
• #6

Thanks Majestic! It seems that this is a town person merchant in a winter kimono (of subdued colours) who is holding a ruyu septre or nyoi (in the shape of an immortality mushroom) which is a buddhist religious traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge. Interesting! Not sure of date yet. I did see the stick you are talking about with the rings on it but I found other netsuke with the same shaped nyoi.