Takeda-ningyo depicting the warrior Taira no Tomomori (1152-1185) during the sea battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185, exceptional example, with Tomomori shown with right foot on a boat holding aloft a large anchor with an extra suit of armor on his back for weight before plunging into the sea to commit suicide, silk brocade kimono lavishly detailed with black velvet and supplemental embroidered, sleeves thrown bak to reveal silk crepe under kimono with sleeve bearing a double waterwheel pattern also with black velvet details, head of wood covered in gofun with painted details, silk fiber hair, sword at hip, boat of papier-mâché with painted waves and froth on side, minor losses, overall excellent condition.
Exhibited: Morikami Museum, 2004;Mingei International Museum, 2007
Published: Ningyo: Japanese Dolls from the Rosen Collection, p. 28; Ningyo: Art of the Japanese Doll, p. 249