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I bought this doll head — maybe made of porcelain— at an antique market in tokyo. Any ideas what it is? Is it like the “good luck” cats?

Also, bought this print, with hand drawings on it, from the same market. The woman spoke to me in Japanese for a long time, but I have no idea what she was saying. What is the translation? Thanks!

Your Japanese woodblock print is by Toyohara Kunichika (1835 - 1900).

Cheers,
Stan

Pic.1,
The porcelain doll is called Fukusuke (福助)
This chubby man with a disproportionately head is considered to bring youth, wealth and luck.

Pic.2,
Ukiyoe print,
Title,
見立榮優五人揃　高嶋屋　桝若 -
Mitate Eiyu Goninzoroi Takashimaya Masuwaka -
Selection of Five Excellent Kabuki Actors - Naritaya as Masuwaka
Name Cartouche,
豊原國周筆　-　Painted by Toyohara Kunichika

Toyohara Kunichika 豊原國周　1835-1900
Ukiyoe woodblock print artist.

With regards,
I.Nagy

I'll leave your woodblock print to others, but the ceramic doll is Fukusukesan, a Japanese minor deity , who is shown in his entirety, as a kneeling samauri, not just his head. I read somewhere a mention of him often being seen on display in Japanese retail establishments as a good luck symbol. The link will take you to Wikipedia.org for a thumbnail sketch of his other attributes.

Also shown below is an image of him in porcelain from my own collection. It is identical to one identified as a Kutani product worth US$475-675 in my 1997 edition of the "Collector's Value Guide to Oriental Decorative Arts" by well known Asian arts expert Sandra Andacht, whose business card, which came with my book order, also bears an image of Fukusukesan.

So may you also prosper by him,

Bill H.



URL Title :Fukusukesan

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