Unknown Japanese Artist

Puppet Shows

Puppet Shows is an original watercolor with pen and ink created by an unknown Japapnese artist around 1890. It is painted upon joined oban sized sheets of thin, nineteenth century mulberry paper. The images portrayed here are two depictions of Japanese puppet shows. These shows were traditionally accompanied by musicians and singers who would weave the narrative for the tale performed by the puppet. It is an important artistic and historic example of the Japanese art of puppetry.

Original Watercolor and Pen and Ink by an Unknown Japanese Artist.

Puppet Shows

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Title:	Puppet Shows
Artist:	Unknown Japanese Artist (Japan, 19th century)
Date:	c. 1890
Medium:	Original Watercolor and Pen and Ink
Note:	Japanese puppets date back to the middle of the sixteenth century. By far the most popular puppets were the ‘Karakuri Ningyo’ -- roughly meaning mechanical puppet or doll. It is believed that Japanese artisans initially modified the western clock making technology brought by Jesuit missionaries to create the subtle movements of their puppets. The three main categories of Karakuri are ‘Butai Karakuri’, the large puppets used in theatres, ‘Dashi Karakuri’, large puppets performing on wooden floats for religious festivals, and ‘Zashiki Karakuri’, which are the small puppets designed for household enjoyment.
	The puppets portrayed here may be ‘Zashiki Karakuri’ or puppets that were operated manually by the puppeteer. In either case these are depictions of shows that travelled around the smaller towns and villages. These shows were traditionally accompanied by musicians and singers who would weave the narrative for the tale performed by the puppet. The beautiful nineteenth century watercolor depicts two such performances. Calligraphy appears on the apparel of the musician to the lower right. It is possible the artist’s signature is here.
Size:	14 X 14 1/2 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Framed and Matted with 100% Archival Materials
	View larger Framed Image

Buy Now	Price: $465.00 US
Condition:	Painted upon joined oban sized sheets of thin, nineteenth century mulberry (rice) paper and with full margins. Containing some creasing and slight staining to the paper (lower right) else in very good condition throughout without a trace of color fading. Puppet Shows represents an important artistic and historic example of the Japanese art of puppetry.
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