Vintage Japanese Sarubobo | Good Luck Faceless Doll

Dimensions: 20-0”L x 4-0”dia. _ 3-0”dia _ 2.0”dia.

This cultural doll has historical significance to the people of Japan and is primarily found in a small village called Takayama in the Gifu prefecture. These three red dolls, varying in size, possess the character and image of a monkey found in the northern parts of Japan. ‘Saru’ means prevention, and ‘bobo’ means monkey baby in the Hida dialect. 

This beautiful silk Chirimen/crepe fabric doll is handmade and dressed in a traditional waistband and decorative head covering with a flame motif on the top, which originated in the Heian period and was used during samurai ceremonies. It is said that grandmothers in the Hida region used to make Sarubobo dolls for their grandchildren to play with wishing that the dolls would bring happiness into children's lives and ward off evil spirits. It is believed that when hung at an entry door it is meant to be a welcoming gesture and a type of symbol to bring good luck to the residents of the home. The reason it is faceless is that is a symbolic object and whomever owns it to could benefit from this sweet character, luck in marriage, fertility, and childbirth.

NOTE: Chirimen fabric from which it is a traditional Japanese fabric. The Chirimen weaving technique, developed in the late 16th century, keeps the weft thread tighter than the warp thread during the weaving process. That gives the fabric a unique fine smooth and pleasant texture. Chirimen has been cherished as a material for traditional Japanese kimonos and dolls and is still popular for hand-sewn Furoshiki ornaments such as brooches. 

Condition: Excellent, vintage, unused meaning it has been previously owned, stored, and cherished.