Antique Japanese Hakata Statue
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
The Great Unifier
Origin: Japan. Circa: Meiji era, 1868-1911
H 9.5 in.(24cm), W 11 in.(28cm), D 7 in.(18cm)
Display glass case 15x13" included overall good condition!
An
antique Japanese Hakata Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the mighty daimyo of the
Sengoku period, who is regarded as the Great Unifier of Japan in the 16th century.
As depicting here, Hideyoshi is dressed in court costume, ceremonially seated
in a dignified countenance, holding a (replaced) commanding scepter of supremacy
in his right hand. The facial features of Hideyoshi is realistically sculpted,
with a resolute likeness to his portraits found in many old paintings. Nevertheless,
the superb artistry is not limited to the finely carved features and attributes;
besides the sublime subtlety of his face, the characterization is full of gentleness,
along with discerning determination imbued in his eyes. In addition, a delicate
veil of faded blue and minor abrasions of his robe has became the soft patina
of age, which radiates with an aura of timelessness, granting the essence of Hideyoshi
to shine forth harmoniously. It is note worthy that the handpainted gold and white
floral on his robe are the flower with five-leaves mon, crest of the Toyotomi
clan. Today it is also the Government Seal of Japan known as Paulownia Seal.