Dealer Stock Code: EP 62a
Exhibitions: IKI NINGYO : Remarkably we have been able to trace this exact sculpture to a publication edited by Frank Brinkley, a famous ex military man , journalist and promoter of Japanese language and the arts of the Meiji period, Brinkley not only taught the Japanese military his naval skills but also worked for the Emperor Meiji in other capacities promoting Japan. In 1881 until his death in 1912 his business as the owner of the Japan mail, soon to be known Japan Times, was essentially part funded by the government due in part to its staunch pro Japanese stance, this publication was widely read by the English speaking population in Asia. Brinkley's book entitled Japan : described and illustrated by the Japanese . Boston : J.B.Millet Company, 1897-1898. Imperial edition. As well as the hand colored plate of the group resting upon a cork ground you will note a paragraph from Brinkley describing what he sees whilst exclaiming the incredible skill of the artists carving such pieces. Some 125 years since this publication I am absolutely thrilled to be able to offer this rare item to the market as part of this years exhibition.
Literature: These incredible lifelike studies of everyday people and scenes of Japan were known as Iki Ningyo which literally means living doll, such was the skill of these artists to replicate the anatomical form in such fine detail, originally life size studies were used in the domestic market at shrines and as part of fairs and exhibitions, however once picked up on by the emerging wealthy tourists and early visitors to Japan, a new eager audience created a demand for smaller more intricate models of characters going about their daily lives, rickshaw pullers and market traders were some of the more common models. Museums in Europe and the USA were inspired to commission life size studies of people, including Samurai , with a pair of 224 cm high Sumo wrestlers now residing in the Sheffield museum having been gifted to them in 1891 by a patron emigrating to Japan. Literature : Remarkably we have been able to trace this exact sculpture to a publication edited by Frank Brinkley, a famous ex military man , journalist and promoter of Japanese language and the arts of the Meiji period, Brinkley not only taught the Japanese military his naval skills but also worked for the Emperor Meiji in other capacities promoting Japan. In 1881 until his death in 1912 his business as the owner of the Japan mail, soon to be known Japan Times, was essentially part funded by the government due in part to its staunch pro Japanese stance, this publication was widely read by the English speaking population in Asia. Brinkley's book entitled Japan : described and illustrated by the Japanese . Boston : J.B.Millet Company, 1897-1898. Imperial edition. As well as the hand colored plate of the group resting upon a cork ground you will note a paragraph from Brinkley describing what he sees whilst exclaiming the incredible skill of the artists carving such pieces. Some 125 years since this publication I am absolutely thrilled to be able to offer this rare item to the market as part of this years exhibition.
Period: 19th Century
Origin: Japan
Material: Lacquer, Wood
Style: Meiji Period
Dimensions: Height: 49.5 Centimeters
Width: 46 Centimeters
Depth: 25.5 Centimeters
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