Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Japanese Boys Day Display Items |
Object Name |
Doll |
Description |
Japanese Boys Day Display Items. The display of two Japanese men hoisting carp has a wooden base painted black and men are porcelain dolls wearing Japanese attire and robes (also black). Connected to the base are two flowers and a tree. Also connected to the base is a crossed fence post, which serves a as a brace for a long black and white vertical rod. At the top of the rod are two eight-piece "sun" shape. Above the "sun" shape there is a small ball which connects smaller balls (nine) to rod. At the top of the vertical rod is a short black rod with a hook attached to it. The hook has a long string attached to it which is held by one doll and the other end of the string is hoisting the black, white, and red carp which is made from cloth and stuffed with cotton. Display also includes a good luck display which is made from wood, string, cloth, and rope. The wooden base has two small Japanese figures that are painted white, pink, and gold. Base has two curved vertical sections that are equal it length connect at top and bottom by string. There is a red envelop which has plants and flowers coming out of it. There are also five vertical arrows painted gold, turquoise, and black with white feathers. Above arrows is an oval shape section showing a garden display painted gold and black (lacquer?). Pink rope is tied at top. Display also includes a Samurai display. There is a wooden stand holding nine arrows painted black, red, and gold. There is a wooden stand which displays a small Japanese drum painted gold, turquoise, and black (lacquer?) tied in middle with a gold and red rope. There is a wooden stand with a gold painted gong with orange string tied at top. Gong display also has a small horizontal rod resting on wooden stand. There is a wooden stand with a stringed instrument painted gold and black with a black and gold rod resting along the top of the wooden stand. There are two plant displays both consisting of a silver vase, red and white paper, white and purple flowers, and vertical leaves. Display also includes a small display of Samurai armor. Samurai armor is silver, gold, and black with orange string weaved throughout to hold armor together. The helmet is a silver piece with a "V" shaped gold piece rising above with a dragon figure resting on the top of the helmet. Display also includes two Samurai swords resting on a black (lacquer) stand with a gold animal face painted on stand. Larger sword has a gold sheath and gold handle which is wrapped with purple string. Smaller sword has a gold sheath with a white handle. Display also includes a banner and weapon holder which is made from stained wood. Wooden base has carvings and holds six vertical Japanese weapons. Wooden base also holds three long, wooden vertical rods which display cloth banners. Cloth banners display two scenes with waves and birds. Smaller cloth banner depicts an image of a Japanese Samurai holding a Samurai sword. |
Date |
n.d. |
Catalog Number |
1979.060.001-012,014 |
Collection |
3D - Toys |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Inscription Text |
"MADE IN JAPAN" (ink stamped marked in two places on black and white vertical rod) |
Provenance |
This model is part of a Tango No Sekku (Boy's Day) displayed donated by Nobuo Tabata. Observed on May 5, Boy's Day expresses the hope that each boy in the family will have health and success. Displays on the day recall the bravery and accomplisments of samurai warriors. Girl's Day is celebrated on March 3. Nobuo Tabata was born in Shizuoka, Japan, in 1906. He came to California with his parents when he was five years old. He was active in the Boy Scouts program and died in 1980 at the age of 74. |
Notes |
"Children's Day is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5 and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times. The day was originally called Tango no sekku – one of the five annual ceremonies held at the imperial court – and was celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon in the Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. It was originally exclusively male celebrating boys and recognizing fathers, but has since been changed to include both male and female children." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Day_(Japan) 08/24/2018] |
Dimension Details |
Model samurai armor measures 15x5x3.5 37.375 x 14 x 5.5 (carp); 19 x 3 x 3.5 (good luck); 10 x 13 x 9 (samurai display); 14 x 4 x 4 (Samurai armor); 4 x 8 x 2 (swords); 34 x 20 x 4 (banner) |
Search Terms |
Children Decorations Dolls Immigrants Japanese Japanese - Festivals Japanese Americans Memorabilia |
Subjects |
Children Decorations Dolls Immigrants Memorabilia Samurai |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Nobuo Tabata |