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JAPANESE CARVED IVORY PAIR OF CRABS
These very well carved and polished crabs are a late Meiji period product. They are about 4” wide, 2 ½” high and 1 ½” thick. Aside from some small old repair and hair line cracks due to their age, they are in great condition.

CHINESE CARVED IVORY STATUE OF A LADY
This early 20th century ivory carved beauty is 10 3/4 inches tall, 2 ½ inches wide and 2 inches thick. She wears a simple and elegant robe and holds a bouquet of flowers. The black metal stand is a later custom made piece. The statue is in excellent condition.

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.

KAMO NINGYO (YANAGI NINGYO)
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. Kokeshi are perhaps one of the most popular little souvenirs of any trip to Japan