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Japanese Bunraku Ningyo Joruri Meiji Edo Puppet Head in Display Case

About the Item

This is a spectacular piece. Mesmerizing. Bunraku, also commonly known as Ningyo Joruri, is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre, founded in Osaka at the beginning of the 17th century. The heads and hands of traditional Ningyo Joruri puppets are carved by specialists, while the bodies and costumes are often constructed by the puppeteers themselves. The heads are often quite sophisticated mechanically. Some have faces that can transform into various archetypal characters while others have eyes that the puppeteer can move up and down, side to side or close, and noses, mouths, and eyebrows that also move to convey complex emotions. Each puppet's hair, which is often made of real human hair (and sometimes accentuated with Yak hair), often distinguishes the character and/or defines certain personality traits. It is said that the preparation of each puppet's hair alone constitutes its own art form. We are listing as Meiji Period based on signs of wear and use but it could be older, perhaps Edo. These puppet heads are quite scarce, rare, and hard to find (they very rarely become available) in such wonderful vintage condition and would be a fantastic addition to any collection. Puppet head case dimensions: 18" high, 9.25" deep, 9.25" wide.

Dimensions:

Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)Depth: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)

Style:

Meiji (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Wood,Hand-Carved,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

Japan

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

Late 19th-Early 20th Century