Antique Japanese Saga Ningyō Doll With Karako Holding Puppy, Kyoto, Early Edo, C17th, 24cm

This rare and charming Saga Ningyō (嵯峨人形) depicts a smiling karako (young Chinese boy) tenderly holding a puppy in his arms. It dates from the 17th century, at the beginning of the Edo period.

Saga Ningyō are among the oldest and rarest of Japanese carved dolls. They originated in the Saga district of Kyoto at the beginning of the Edo period and were traditionally crafted by carvers from Buddhist workshops. Unlike later Japanese dolls, which are dressed in fabric, Saga Ningyō are entirely carved from wood, with their clothing forming an integral part of the sculpture before being covered with a thick layer of gofun (oyster shell powder), urushi lacquer, and rich gilded decorations. Their sculptural quality places them halfway between high-level folk art and devotional sculpture.

The young boy wears a robe sumptuously decorated in deep red, green, black, and gold, adorned with rich floral and geometric motifs. The front of the garment is dominated by a magnificent hō-ō (phoenix), a symbol of peace, prosperity, and imperial virtue. The puppy, delicately held close to him, is rendered with great character and tenderness, lending the entire composition a high degree of expressiveness.

Comparable examples may be found in the collections of the Kyoto National Museum, whose online catalogue includes a number of Saga dolls illustrating the development of this distinctive Kyoto tradition: Click here to view.

An excellent overview of the history of Saga Ningyō, including their origins and methods of manufacture, is provided by the Saga Arashiyama Museum: Click here to view.

A particularly interesting comparison is the celebrated Boy with Bird Saga doll in the Peabody Essex Museum, attributed to the early 17th century, which demonstrates the same sculptural tradition of depicting children with animal companions: Click here to view

The removable head is original. The tongue has come loose over the centuries and is loose inside the head, but it is still present. This in no way affects the doll’s appearance.

The condition is clearly visible in the photographs. A respectful restoration and professional cleaning would benefit this rare and important doll, while preserving its authenticity.

One of two similar 17th-century Saga Ningyō that I currently have the pleasure of offering for sale.

SOLD WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

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