Musha-ningyo

Warrior Dolls

This wonderful Edo-period doll shows a classic presentation of the general type. In his right hand he would have held a war-fan, in his left perhaps a bow. The facial expression and impression of a kneeling posture might identify him as Hideyoshi, though the helmet is not particular to that hero. The metalwork is orange filgree over a mirror-like surface. The clothing is in rags but originally would have been a Chinese-looking pattern of golden swirls on a green or blue ground. His eyes are crossed!

This beautiful figure has the accessories missing from the older doll--war fan, bow and quiver of arrows, sword with tigerskin scabbard; he also has a bannerman with similar though less brilliant fabrics. He is probably meant to represent an emperor, perhaps Hachiman (Ojin, Jingu's son), the god of war: note the youthful, aristocratically white face, the imperial chrysanthemums on his jacket, and the simple gold eboshi hat. He may date from the 1930s or perhaps earlier; after the war, subjects of this type would have been portrayed by little boys, suggesting that warrior values, while admirable, are perhaps a bit childish.

This anonymous figure (ca. 1930) might be Benkei or Kato Kiyomasa, or another figure who has strayed from his context in a military scene. Note the blue hands; this is common, and indicates gloves. Another blue-gloved figure, but this time more lordly. He wears no armor but his costume and expression suggest a position of power.

This warrior is a bit less anonymous since he is mounted on a white horse, suggesting an imperial role. Another horseman, this time with beautiful brocade chaps. He might be going into battle, but he wears no armor; perhaps he is ready to perform a display of fancy riding for a Meiji audience (the Japanese excelled at shooting arrows from horseback, for example).

This musha doll represents a little boy, with a gosho-style head and white skin, dressed up as a war-lord. Note the blue "gloves."
Although little boy warriors became popular after the war, this doll is older, perhaps from the early 1900s, and he represents a tradition of playfulness in depicting traditional subjects as gosho dolls.


This anonymous figure (ca. 1930) might be Benkei or Kato Kiyomasa, or another figure who has strayed from his context in a military scene. Note the blue hands; this is common, and indicates gloves.	Another blue-gloved figure, but this time more lordly. He wears no armor but his costume and expression suggest a position of power.


This warrior is a bit less anonymous since he is mounted on a white horse, suggesting an imperial role.	Another horseman, this time with beautiful brocade chaps. He might be going into battle, but he wears no armor; perhaps he is ready to perform a display of fancy riding for a Meiji audience (the Japanese excelled at shooting arrows from horseback, for example).