Description: This vintage Japanese Hakata Urasaki figurine set features a charming couple cooking fish, handmade with exquisite attention to detail. The set includes three pieces and is a wonderful addition to any collection of Asian collectibles. The figurines are crafted in Japan and reflect the Japanese culture from the city of Hakata. They are perfect for anyone who loves fishing and appreciates the beauty of handmade art. See pics for condition - man has chip on foot and woman has chip on lower back. From the Texas State Museum of Asian Culture: "Hakata dolls are a type of unglazed clay doll that originated from Hakata city in Japan. These dolls date back to the 1600s when Nagamasa Kuroda, a feudal lord, began to rule the area. During the construction of Kuroda's castle, a tile maker named Soshichi Masaki offered him dolls made of tile clay, which is believed to be the origin of the Hakata doll. Gradually, unglazed clay dolls and their manufacturing techniques spread throughout the city of Hakata, becoming the foundation of Hakata doll culture. The prototype of today's Hakata dolls emerged after the year 1818, during the Edo period (1603-1868). Colorful unglazed clay dolls made by Kichibei Nakanoko are regarded as the ancestor of the Hakata dolls. The most distinctive feature of Hakata dolls is their realism and elaborate details. Hakata dolls are known for their subtle, soft colors, delicately carved expressions, and curves that almost look glazed. Since the 1900 Paris World Exposition, Hakata dolls have received significant attention at exhibitions both in Japan and overseas. There are many different types of Hakata dolls, including classic and modern styles. To become a full-fledged craftsman, a craftsman must undergo a 10-year apprenticeship under a master and inherit a high level of meticulous techniques." Excerpt from article titled "Museum Matters: Hakata Urasaki Dolls" by Esther Nunley of the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum: "American soldiers discovered these dolls during the Korean War. Their base was in Fukuoka where the dolls were being made. Fukuoka lies at the northern end of the Island of Kyushu, which was pretty close to Korea. A man named Urasaki owned the store that supplied the dolls to the military base post known as the PX where the soldiers purchased their souvenirs on the way home. They became labeled as Hakata Urasaki Dolls, which is what our label reads. Urasaki died in an automobile accident in 2004 and the store was closed. These Urasaki dolls were coated with a waterproof finish to allow cleaning, but it made the paint dull. That didnt matter to the soldiers who preferred the process so that the doll could be cleaned easier. The seal also allowed for easier handling as oils from the skin affected the quality of the doll. Without the waterproofing, the dolls needed to be cleaned with a dry process and handled very carefully using a barrier to keep the oils of the skin away. Since then, it has been found that after 50 years, the waterproofing was no longer effective and the paint rubs off if cleaned using the water method. The problem didnt affect the Japanese, however, because they preferred the brighter, more vivid colors of the dolls that werent waterproofed. They usually store their dolls in glass cases, which keep them clean." Returns accepted within 14 days of receipt. Items must be returned in original condition. Refund will be for item cost minus the cost of the original shipping. Buyer is responsible for return shipping cost.
Price: 104.5 USD
Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
End Time: 2025-01-08T23:24:42.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
Culture: Japanese
Handmade: Yes
