*FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES SHIPPING IS SET FOR EMS EXPRESS TO ALL AVAILABLE DESTINATIONS.

This listing is for a vintage Kintaro ningyo doll made during the late Showa period by Japanese doll master, Kashimura Zuikan.  This piece was attached inside of a heavy glass case, the doll was removed but can stand unsupported.  Kintaro dolls by Kajimura are usually attached to a plain black display board, the same can be done with this one if you have a board.  Zuikan’s process for making a doll such as this was a very labour intensive one.  First the head was carved from wood and a mould was made.  Once the head was cast from a mould it was coated with up to 20 layers of gofun.  All of the finer details were painstakingly added one by one, and all of these steps were completed by Zuikan himself.  As with all of his dolls Kintaro has expressive qualities.  The eyes have depth and the mouth appears to gently speak.  Please read below in regards to the condition of the doll. 

Kashimura Zuikan (b. Tokusaburo 1903-1995) was a Japanese doll master craftsman and son of first generation master Kashimura Yasutaro.  Zuikan was born in Tokyo and studied doll making techniques under his father at the tender age of 12.  In 1923 he became independent and focused on developing his own style.  He went on to become an indispensable master of Japanese doll production, and was also a central figure in the Japanese doll world in the Kanto region from the Taisho era to the Showa era.   In 1927 he joined the Tokyo group of craftspeople who were tasked with producing 58 Friendship /Goodwill Ambassador Dolls destined for the United States.  The dolls were created in Tokyo and Kyoto, and several teams took part in the project.  In 1934 he presented a doll to His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (Heisei Emperor Akihito) to commemorate the tradition of hatsuzekku, a baby’s first celebration in life.  In 1960 he presented a doll to His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (current Emperor Naruhito) for his hatsuzekku, and another in 1966 to commemorate Prince Akishino’s hatsuzekku celebration.  In 1982 he received the Excellent Skilled Worker Award from Taito Ward in Tokyo, and in 1986 he received the Tokyo Metropolitan Excellence and Skills Award.  In 1988 Zuikan was certified as a Traditional Craftsperson by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.  Kashimura’s son succeeded as the third generation master after Zuikan passed away in 1995.  The second generation’s dolls are considered rare gems these days and are becoming harder to find.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Kintaro is a folk hero from Japanese folklore.  He was born with super human strength and is usually depicted as a plump boy with a ruddy complexion.  His strength comes from the unnatural way that he was conceived, according to legend his mother was a mountain witch who was impregnated by a bolt of lightning hurled at her by a red dragon from Mt. Ashigara.  Kintaro had a fondness for sumo wrestling and loved to wrestle bears as they were the only creature who could match his strength.  Kintaro became a hero after defeating Shuten-doji, the terror of the region based at Mt Oe.  It is said that he joined the powerful warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu and served as a retainer for him in Kyoto.  Kintaro is easily recognised by his hatchet and red bib with the kanji character for gold written on it.  It is tradition in Japan to display a Kintaro doll during Tango-no-sekku festivities in early May in the hope that sons will grow up with courage and strength.

Size

H.24.5cm (9.6”) x 25.3cm (9.9) across x 11.3cm (4.4”) from back to front

Condition

This doll has no display board or box, it was in a heavy glass case and the display board was attached in the case.  The axe is loose and comes apart (I’m not sure if it’s supposed to or not so I felt I should mention this), and it has some glue residue on it where the parts join.  Also there are some minor marks here and there on the skin parts of the doll.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway:  EMS Express 7-10 days.

**Asia:  EMS Express 3-5 days.

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.