KOBE DOLLS / KOBE NINGYO - Hyogo Prefecture

These automata were first made between 1870 - 1920 at the port city of Kobe and sold along the docks as a cheap sailor's souvenir. All Kobe have moveable parts - eyes, tongues, heads, etc. These toys were activated by a knob on the side of a box containing the mechanism (older dolls had hand-crafted mechanisms). They play musical instruments, do gymnastics, drink sake, and etc. These are all hand-crafted one-of-a-kinds.

These figures have moon shaped faces and are created from polished ebony or blackened wood with pieces of bone or ivory accents. They may represent or be inspired by the black sailors who first arrived at Kobe around 1868. Rarely you can see a "blonde" wood version of a Kobe doll.
 

This rare c.1860 fellow is natural-grained, rather than black, and it is only 3 1/2" high - How did they do it? from the collection of J.A.D.E. members, Marvin and Flora Herring Kobe Ningyo mechanical "Peach Eater" (missing one arm) with ivory eyeballs photo thanks to the Funk Collection

These are tiny toys! The largest known Kobe toy is 6-1/2" long and has 12 animated functions. The early, hand-crafted Kobe toys up to c 1920 are the rarest and most valuable. Kobe toys were copied during the 1920's and 1930's by manufacturers/ importers and these are still collectible but not as finely made so therefore they are less rare and less desirable. Less valuable are the more modern manufactured copies. see the book: "JAPANESE FOLK TOYS" by Lea Baten May-June 1983 The Orientalia Journal - an article about the Kobe Toys of the Stephen Leonard collection. This blackened Kobe Ningyo has 2 animated functions. These photos are supplied by ORIENTAL TREASURE BOX of San Diego, CA The bell raises to reveal another tiny head.  When the handle on the side is turned, the snake from the front comes way out. Then the snake goes back in and the head will come way up.

POST WW2 SOUVENIR DOLLS

photo from Bill Fifer Conestoga Miniatures

These little wooden dolls were bought around 1955. According to the seller's story, the carver was considered a "national treasure" who made only a half dozen or so dolls a year Unfortunately, the dolls are unsigned and the artist's name has been forgotten.  More information about these charming dolls would be appreciated.

SUGI BOKO "CRYPTOMERIA GIRLS"

need a photo

These little wood dolls are souvenirs of the Akita Prefecture.

Uji Dolls

Uji Ningyo photo thanks to Bill and Liz Dotson

These very small wood dolls (most were made as netsuke) are 4 - 5 cm at the most. They were carved using a technique called "itto-bori" from branches and twigs of the tea bush. They resemble Nara dolls. Bill Dotson described his Uji Ningyo as, "This is a very nicely carved and painted wood netsuke okimono doll. It is carved in the 'ittobori' technique with sharp, angular planes and itty-bitty feet on the bottom. The piece appears to have some age to it. Superb coloring and detail to this piece. Although this is the usual size and shape of a netsuke, there are no holes carved in it. This is a piece with a lot of character."

Misc. Japanese Wood Dolls
BENTA DOLLS

need a photo of an antique example

DARUMA DOLLS AND MOLD

Daruma Ninygo lathe turned, painted, egg shapes one is varnished photo thanks to the Funk Collection

Daruma dolls

GOSHO NINGYO or GOOD LUCK DOLLS

KAMO NINGYO (YANAGI NINGYO)

need a photo

Kamo Ningyo (Yanagi Ningyo) are cheerful short and squat willow dolls. Kyoto National Museum states that they were quite tiny - less than 3" tall. They are typically between 5 and 7 cm but some dolls are less than 1 cm (3/8") tall! Cloth was glued to the unfinished wood, which was shaped to represent the clothing. From J.A.D.E.'s "Japanese Doll Terminology" we find that Takashi Tadashige, a priest at the Kamo-gami shrine, is credited with creating the first kamo doll in the mid-18th century. He carved his dolls from scraps of willow wood and glued on scraps of cloth, carving grooves to tuck in the raw edges of the material since he did not know how to sew.

KOKESHI
Kokeshi are simple, turned, traditional wood dolls treasured by generations of Japanese people and are still being made by Japanese craftsmen today.

• A day in Kokeshi Land by Laurel Sheppard

Modern sosaku (creative) Kokeshi all signed by the artist Exposed Birch Bark on the one at left photo thanks to the Funk Collection

Lathe turned Japanese Dolls Dento (traditional) Kokeshi L to R: Narugo, Narugo, Tsugaru Strains photo thanks to the Funk Collection

Kindai Kokeshi modern and cheaply made souvenir dolls there is rough wood texture on the left one photo thanks to the Funk Collection

Japanese Kokeshi Tableau Mother and Children girl on right is dressed in the style of the Taisho period photo thanks to the Funk Collection

Lathe Turned Chinese Nodders similar to Japanese Kokeshi The heads are mounted on springs photo thanks to the Funk Collection

Lathe turned Korean Bride and Groom with extras glued on similar to Kokeshi photo thanks to the Funk collection

Kubi ningyo (neck doll, doll head) clay dolls on a wood stick "with a wood doll history?"

Kubi Ningyo clay dolls on a wood stick (with a wood doll history?) photo from out of print book: THE JAPANESE DOLL by Luella Tilton Hart 1952 Does anyone have a wooden headed example of a Kubi ningyo to share?

In the book, THE JAPANESE DOLL by Luella Tilton Hart 1952, the Kubi ningyo is described as follows:  The word "Kubi-ningyo" (neck doll) refers to the little doll or animal heads of clay (the oldest ones were likely carved from wood) on a bamboo stick. The animal type are offered at the tutelary shrines to guard children against intestinal worms, night crying and coughing. These animal heads often represent the twelve Zodiacal signs: the rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog and boar. The Anesama kubi ningyo are doll heads on bamboo stick and are used as toy dolls. The girl may wrap bits of cloth or paper around the stick or she may insert the stick end into a homemade body. Judy Shoaf (a JADE member) adds,  "Interestingly, the human heads are called Anesama, the name that Lea Baten gives to the paper "big sister" dolls - these wooden heads could be used as the heads of paper dolls, or I suppose homemade kimekomi or stuffed bodies. Nowadays I think the Anesama usually have paper heads"

There is an amazing resemblance between Kubi Ningyo and small Awaji rod puppet heads used by itinerant puppeteers in rites to ward off evil spirits, illness and misfortune. This resemblance is especially noticeable in the frowning Kubi Ningyo in the middle of the illustrating photograph. Lea Baten points out that Kubi Ningyo were sold as potent souvenirs of an Awaji rod puppet festival or ceremony.

"JAPANESE FOLK TOYS" by Lea Baten and "THE JAPANESE DOLL " by Luella Tilton Hart state that Kubi ningyo are clay dolls on a wood stick. But I have found thickly coated toso Kubi dolls, and I can almost guarantee that the oldest Kubi dolls were hand-carved wood. Well we will need more research here. Please let me know if you have seen or have a carved wooden Kubi Ningyo.

Please check out the frowning Awaji rod puppet and the drawing from Konokoro-gusa (1682) which shows an intricate portable puppet theater box used by an itinerant Awaji puppeteer. Also note how small the puppets are!

more info on Asian wood puppets from the Lotz Doll Pages

OUCHI NINGYO

need a photo of an antique example

Ouchi dolls are simple round forms painted to represent many different types of dolls. They are simply painted, or painted and lacquered. The Ouchi doll tradition died out but was revived in the 20's. Ouchi bina dolls are popular egg shaped emperor and empress pairs, symbolizing a happy family.

SAGA NINGYO

Saga dolls are considered the rarest and most sought after Japanese dolls. They originated in Saga, a small town near Kyoto in the early 18th century. Saga-styled dolls, called "Edo Saga ningyo" were re-introduced by a shop in Edo in the late 18th century to capitalize on the Saga doll popularity, but they lacked the older dolls' more subtle coloration and artistry. They also had more unbalanced animated poses so the dolls required the use of a stand.

Kyoto National Museum states that saga dolls often represent Taoist figures or naked children and were finished with white pigment and richly decorated with gold leaf and mineral colors. Gosho dolls (see above) may have developed from the saga Ningyo representing naked children.

Lea Baten also points out that there are some animated SAGA dolls shaking their heads and sticking out their tongues when moved.
 

Saga Ningyo from the Ayervais collection

There are two theories to the original creators of Saga dolls: They were created by Noh mask carvers. The mask carvers were skilled artisans who were very familiar with the use of sabi (gesso).  Buddhist monks or temple craftsmen created them. These artisans were skilled carvers who sculpted Buddhist figures.  Lea Baten offers the following as evidence of the religious origin of Saga ningyo:    "The relief work and ornamental gilding of the clothes, show a marked resemblance to the decoration found on the robes of Buddhist statues. Many Saga ningyo represent young temple attendants (Doji) carrying small animals such as dogs, bird, and roosters." Lea also points out that a statue of Hotei "the happy Buddha" is executed in the Saga manner at the Manpuku-ji temple in Uji.

Sasano ningyo

photo from an out of print book: THE JAPANESE DOLL by Luella Tilton Hart 1952

In the book, THE JAPANESE DOLL by Luella Tilton Hart 1952, the Sasano ningyo is described as follows:  On June 17th and December 17th a festival is observed at the Sasano-Kannon temple. The Sasano ningyo is sold, as a symbol of good luck. It is carved of wood, into the figures of Ebisu and Daikoku, two of the seven Gods of Good Fortune. This pair are believed to possess the power of bringing success in life, turning one's luck and dispelling disease. From the small black and white photo in the book, they seem to be carved using the "itto-bori" (one knife carving) technique and look very similar to Nara ningyo in style.

Shishi Odori Ningyo (Lion Dance Dolls)

need a photo

These wood dolls were first made in 1929 to represent dancers performing the "shishi odori" ("lion dance"). See "Japanese Folk Toys - The Playful Arts" by Lea Baten.

Take Ningyo (Bamboo Doll)

modern Take Ningyo bamboo lady by Yasutaka Morota and Sanshiro Yonenaga

These wood dolls are a specialty of the Fukui Prefecture. The bamboo is sliced, split and reassembled to form the doll and clothing with graceful or powerful poses. These dolls are made of natural and tinted pieces of bamboo. They represent subjects from mythology, kabuki actors, and famous dancers.  I need a photo of an antique example of a Take Ningyo More about these bamboo dolls - from the Fukui prefecture travel page.