JAPANESE 1941 KABUKI LION DANCER RENJISHI DOLLS RARE HIRATA GOYO STYLE

Description

You are bidding on a vintage 1941 pair of unsigned Kabuki LION DANCER character dolls in the Hirata Goyo
平田郷陽
Hirata Gooyoo (1903 - 1981) style, one of the most famous doll makers of his time. These are the traditional Kabuki theatre characters from the play, “Renjishi.”
The white mane lion dancer,
Kagami Jisha - Shishi,
is in a standing pose, and the red mane lion dancer,
Aka Shishi
gracefully kneels. Both Lion Dancer dolls have vibrant Kabuki make-up applied to their beautiful Gofun faces, and their delicate Gofun hands and feet are posed very realistically. The lavish costumes all beautifully rendered, and are constructed of silk. The costuming consists of an inner kimono and hakama with obi, complemented by an outer kimono with wide-open sleeves. Their flowing silk hair is gorgeous, and cascades magnificently down their backs. The Lion Dancers are displayed on polished wood bases, which measure 8” W x 6 ½” D.
The Red Mane dancer is 9 ½” H x 12” W, and the White Mane is 13” H x 12” W.
These immaculate condition Japanese Lion Dancer Kabuki dolls are exquisite and very rare. The authentic 1941 treasures depict the famous Lion Dancer play. It’s based on a folk story about a monk that had a dream in which there were many sorrows and evils plaguing the land. The monk prayed and asked Buddah how he could prevent these evils from occurring. Buddha told him through his dream that a lion would protect his people and fight back the evils.
These dolls have been treasured, and kept under glass (not included) for the past 70 years and are in mint condition. The colors in their embroidered gowns are rich and vibrant, their faces are perfection.
Renjishi (The Lion Dance) was first performed in 1861. It belongs to a genre of dances related to the sacred lion on which Monju, the god of wisdom, rides. This dance features two performers who portray a lion parent and its cub. They act out the classic Chinese tale in which a lion pushes its cub into a ravine to force it to fend for itself. At first, the cub seems unable to manage and the lion grieves. When the cub finally clambers to the top, he is recognized as an adult. At this point the two actors withdraw, reappearing in the great finale as long-maned lions, one with white hair, the other with red hair.
Handling time:
Your item will ship within 3 working days (Monday – Friday) of cleared payment, excluding major holidays and weekends.
This item has been stored out of the sun and heat, and comes from a pet and smoke-free home.
Any props shown are just suggestions for use. Please see my other auctions.
Good Luck!