Vintage Japanese Wooden Yajirobe Balance Toy

Dimensions: 4-3/4”h x 7-1/4”w

This Yajirobe balance toy shows a Samurai balancing two lanterns perched on top of on a Sake jug. The doll a samurai blue Haori jacket and a “shadow” on the head which indicates that his head has been shaved. The doll has a very expressive face. The Sake jug has the traditional rope tied to the neck and attached to the figure. All wood and each component hand-made to be a perfectly designed toy. The toy comes in its original cardboard signed box.

Additional Information:

This type of toy is inspired from the yearly Festivals and Japanese style Circus Arts which played an invaluable impact on the street performers and circus arts in Europe and Americas during the Edo Jidda, (1600-1868). History reports that In 1864, four years before the fall of the Shogunate, Japan’s own great balancing artistes, jugglers, contortionists, top spinners, and conjurers from Tsukuba and Ibaraki in Japan greatly influenced a American Circus troupe that was allowed into Japan to perform in Yokohama. Circus performers additionally reach as far into the creative worlds of Japan influencing the Kokeshi wood carvers producing and extensive number of balancing toys as the one being offered.

Condition: Excellent meaning the piece is perfect with no damage of any kind. Works beautifully and as designed to perform. Perfect example for the collector of Japanese wooden toys.